USB MIDI Controller Keyboard Quick Start Owner's Manual BOX CONTENTS · PHOTON 25 USB MIDI CONTROLLER · USB CABLE · QUICK START OWNER'S MANUAL · IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Manual de inicio rápido para el usuario CONTENIDO DE LA CAJA · CONTROLADOR MIDI USB PHOTON 25 · CABLE USB · MANUAL DE INICIO RÁPIDO DEL USUARIO · INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTES Manuel d'utilisation du propriétaire CONTENU DE LA BOÎTE · CONTRÔLEUR MIDI USB PHOTON 25 · CABLE USB · GUIDE D'UTILISATION SIMPLIFIÉ · CONSIGNES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES Kurzbedienungsanleitung INHALT DER VERPACKUNG · PHOTON 25 USB MIDI-KEYBOARD · USB-KABEL · KURZBEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG · WICHTIGE SICHERHEITSHINWEISE Manuale rapido di utilizzazione CONTENUTO DELLA CONFEZIONE · PHOTON 25 MIDI CONTROLLER USB · CAVO USB · MANUALE RAPIDO DI UTILIZZAZIONE · IMPORTANTI ISTRUZIONI DI SICUREZZA This page intentionally left blank. PHOTON 25 QUICK START OWNER'S MANUAL (ENGLISH) Connection Diagram Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Alesis Photon 25 MIDI controller! The Photon 25 combines portability with a host of cutting-edge features: · 25 full-size keys and easily accessible octave shift buttons provide maximum playability with a minimal footprint. · 270º assignable knobs. Three layers of twelve knobs each provide the equivalent of 36 knobs per preset. · Simultaneously active USB and 5-pin MIDI connections allow the Photon to interface easily with both computers and standalone audio hardware. · Pre-programmed setups and templates work with popular software right out of the box. You can easily design your own custom setups and templates, too. Up to 20 complete setups can be stored. 1 Product Registration Please go to http://www.alesis.com to register your new Photon 25. Registration helps you by ensuring that we can keep you up to date on any last-minute product issues. If you want, Alesis can also send you information on other products that might interest you. Registration helps us, too. When you let us know the types of music products you use and dream about, you help us bring you cutting-edge products like the Photon 25. Minimum Computer Requirements The Photon 25 requires either Windows XP or Mac OS X and a USB 1.1 or higher connection. Earlier operating systems are not supported. Any MIDI application which allows you to select your MIDI device should be compatible with the Photon 25. Very basic MIDI programs will not allow you to take advantage of the Photon 25's joystick and knobs. 2 Rear-Panel Connections 1. External Adapter Jack ­ Plug in the AC adapter if you don't want to power the Photon 25 through either the USB connection or four "C"-size batteries. (Use a 6VDC, negative tip, 1000mA device.) 2. Power Source Selector ­ Press this switch IN to power the Photon 25 from either four "C"-size batteries or an optional external power adapter. If both an AC adapter and batteries are present, the AC adapter will be used rather than the batteries. Leave this switch OUT to power the Photon 25 from a computer's USB connection or to turn off the unit when USB power is not present. Notes: When using a laptop computer, consider using batteries to prolong the laptop's operating time between charges. Load batteries on the bottom of the Photon 25. 3. USB Connector ­ Plug a standard USB cable into this outlet and into a USB 1.1 or higher connector on your computer. 4. MIDI IN Connector ­ Use a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the OUTPUT of an external MIDI controller to the MIDI IN of the Photon 25. If you use an external MIDI IN device, your computer will recognize it as a second MIDI IN controller. 3 5. MIDI OUT Connector ­ Use a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT of the Photon 25 to the INPUT of an external MIDI device. The operation of the MIDI OUT port changes depending on whether or not a USB cable is connected to the Photon. USB cable connected: MIDI data from your computer is passed to the MIDI OUT port. Note: When a USB cable is connected, you should activate "MIDI echo" in your sequencer if you want the Photon to control another MIDI device. USB cable not connected: Whatever you play on the Photon is sent to the MIDI OUT port. USB data from the computer MIDI data from the Photon (or an external controller connected to the Photon's MIDI IN port) Note: If you have another device connected to the Photon's MIDI IN port, that device's MIDI information will be ignored. 6. Sustain Pedal Input ­ Connect a keyboard sustain pedal (not included). Use any manufacturer's sustain pedal: when you turn on the Photon 25, it will automatically calibrate itself to the pedal. 4 Top Panel Controls 1. Keyboard ­ A full-size, 25-note, velocity-sensitive keyboard. 2. Octave Up/Down Buttons ­ Transpose the keyboard in octaves using these buttons. Press them both at the same time to reset the keyboard range. 3. X/Y Joystick ­ Control pitch bend, modulation, and other functions with this 2-way joystick. The X axis and Y axis can be assigned independently. 4. 270º Knobs ­ 12 knobs each transmit MIDI values from 0 to 127. The knobs can be assigned to various MIDI parameters. 5. Layer Button ­ Press the LAYER button to cycle through the Photon 25's three independent knob layers. The lights above the LAYER button indicate which one of the three available layers is currently active. Knob assignments can be made on each layer for a total of 36 knob assignments per preset. 6. Display ­ The display shows current status information. 7. Configuration buttons ­ Call up and save presets, set global parameters and more using the configuration buttons. See below for additional detail. 8. Encoder ­ Twirl the encoder to select various parameters and values. Press the encoder to toggle between parameter and value assignments and to accept your entries. 5 Plug-and-Play Connection to a Computer Both Windows XP and Mac OS X see the Photon as a plug-and play MIDI controller. Simply plug the Photon into your computer using a USB cable and allow the operating system to install it automatically. Depending on your operating system, the Photon 25 may be identified by your MIDI software applications as either a "Photon" controller or a "USB Audio Device." No need to worry: the Photon will work regardless of its designation. The Photon is not compatible with earlier versions of Windows or Mac OS. Operation: 1. Using the Keyboard with your MIDI software Once you're plugged in and powered up, go to your sound module or software application and set the incoming MIDI channel. If you're using software, you will probably need to configure it to use the Photon or "USB" device. Look for the MIDI device setup menu in your application and ensure that the Photon is designated as an active MIDI device before proceeding. On the Photon, press MIDI CHANNEL and turn the clear encoder knob to select the MIDI channel you specified in your sound module or software. Play the keyboard. Your sound module or software should respond to the Photon 25's MIDI data. If not, refer to the troubleshooting instructions later in this guide. Experiment with the Photon 25's OCTAVE buttons and X/Y joystick. Since the joystick is mapped by default to MIDI's standard pitch and modulation commands, it should work as expected in most cases right off the bat. 2. Using the Knobs with the Supplied Controller Templates If one of the supplied template sets matches your MIDI software, lift the plastic template covers with your fingernail, position the templates, and then replace the covers. Press the PRESET button and turn the clear cursor knob to reach the program number indicated on the templates. Press the cursor knob to enter this program. You should now be able to control the software according to the templates. Press the LAYER button as needed to cycle through the three knob layers. Each layer is independent (though a knob can be assigned to the same controller value on two or three of the layers). The lights on the top and bottom rows are simply duplicates of one another. It's not possible to have, say, Layer 1 on the top row and Layer 2 on the bottom row. 6 3. Using the Configuration Controls 4. Panic Command (All Notes Off) Press MIDI CHANNEL and MIDI PROGRAM at the same time to send the ALL NOTES OFF command to your computer and external devices. 7 Reference: List of Common MIDI Controller Values Use this table for reference as you configure the Photon 25. Controller 1 2 4 5 7 8 10 11 64 65 66 67 67 91 92 93 94 95 123 126 127 Description Modulation Wheel Breath Controller Foot Controller Portamento Time Master Volume Balance Pan Channel Volume Sustain Pedal Portamento Pedal Sostenuto Pedal Soft Pedal Hold 2 Pedal External Effects Tremolo Depth Chorus Depth Detune Depth Phaser Depth All Notes Off Monophonic Mode On Polyphonic Mode On Range of Values 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0-63 = off. 64-127 = on. 0-63 = off. 64-127 = on. 0-63 = off. 64-127 = on. 0-63 = off. 64-127 = on. 0-63 = off. 64-127 = on. 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 through 127 0 1 = on 0 = on 8 Troubleshooting: Symptom The display does not light up. Cause No power. Solution If you are using USB power, check that the USB power switch on the back of the Photon is OUT. If you are using batteries or an AC adpater, check to see that the batteries are not drained or that the adapter is plugged in to a live power outlet and that the power switch is IN. Check your computer's USB connections to confirm that the Photon is recognized and installed. Turn you computer off and then on again if necessary. (Choose "shut down" rather than "restart" to ensure that the USB devices are properly reset.) Try unplugging the Photon from any USB hubs and connecting directly to the computer. Ensure that the Photon or "USB" MIDI device is listed as an active MIDI source in your application. Many software applications have MIDI IN and OUT indicator lights. Play some keys and look for the MIDI IN light to indicate activity. No sound from target Photon USB not device. properly connected. Problems caused by use of a USB hub. Software application not set up to receive MIDI data from Photon controller. Software application not receiving MIDI data. Photon's MIDI Be sure that the Photon is sending MIDI data channel not the same on the channel that the target device expects. as application's incoming MIDI channel. Sound source's notes Try using a piano sound as you're first getting out of range of connected. Drums and basses and some other Photon's keyboard. instruments may have a limited MIDI note range or other idiosyncracies. Use "easier" instruments like pianos when you're setting up the Photon for the first time. 9 Symptom Cause Sound source not active or volume set to 0. Solution Try using an instrument that has a virtual keyboard built in. Will the instrument sound when you use that virtual keyboard? If not, the problem may be with the software synthesizer, not the Photon connection. MIDI Echo not If the Photon is both (a) connected to a enabled in sequencer computer via USB and (b) connected to an software. external sound source via MIDI OUT, be sure that a computer sequencer program is active and that it is set to "MIDI Echo." An external MIDI IN device is present. If you are using the 5-pin MIDI OUT port to connect to another MIDI device and another device is connected to the Photon's MIDI IN, the MIDI OUT port only sends information from the MIDI IN device, not the Photon. Ensure that any 5-pin cables are connected to the proper inputs and outputs. Photon's 5-pin MIDI OUT not connected to sound source's MIDI IN. Notes sustain continuously. Sustain pedal was plugged in after power was turned on. Stuck notes due to incomplete MIDI data. Turn the unit's power off, wait a moment, and then turn it on again. Try sending the Panic command by pressing MIDI CHANNEL and MIDI PROGRAM at the same time. If that does not solve the problem, turn the unit's power off, wait a moment, and then turn it on again. Turn the unit's power off, wait a moment, and then turn it on again. Sustain pedal works in Sustain pedal was reverse. plugged in after power was turned on. 10 Specifications Keyboard: MIDI Controllers: Master control section: 25-note, full-size, velocity sensitive. X/Y joystick, Octave Up and Down buttons, 12 270º knobs (3 layers) MIDI Channel, MIDI Program, Control Assign, Preset, and Global buttons. 360º turn-and-push encoder. 4-position, 7-segment display. Power options: Dimensions: Weight (net): USB bus power, 4 "C"-size batteries, or external adapter (6VDC, negative tip, 1000mA). 18" x 9.75" x 3.75" / 45.5 cm x 24.75 cm x 9.5 cm 4.5 lbs / 2.0 kg 11 This page intentionally left blank. 12 PHOTON ­ MANUAL DE INICIO RÁPIDO DEL USUARIO (ESPAÑOL) Diagrama de conexión Introducción ¡Felicitaciones por su compra del Controlador Midi ...