TX816 Controller User Manual – Simplified Overview
Module Selection
You can choose one of the eight modules to edit. Before doing so, ensure that each module in the TX816 is set to ascending MIDI channel numbers. Once a module number is selected, its parameters can be adjusted. There is also an Omni Mode, where all modules respond to incoming MIDI signals. To activate Omni Mode, select the highest-numbered module (e.g., 8 if you want all modules active) and press the Omni button. When Omni Mode is enabled, all module numbers light up, and the display turns green.
Operator Editing
These pages allow you to modify the fundamental FM synthesis parameters, such as volume, frequency, and envelope settings. The lower six buttons select the current operator, while the upper six mute it. The display visually represents the algorithm structure:
- The active operator is highlighted.
- Muted operators appear in red.
- Operators with a fixed frequency are shown in yellow.
Additional sections cover algorithm settings, feedback, LFO adjustments, and volume breakpoint modifications.
Pitch & Performance
- Pitch Settings: Includes transpose functions and pitch envelope adjustments.
- Performance Settings: Covers external control parameters, master tuning, and portamento settings.
- Rename Voice: To rename a patch, turn the encoder to select the letter position, press the button to modify the character, and press again to return to position selection.
Operator Macros
These pages allow simultaneous parameter adjustments across all six operators. Additionally, there are three unique macro controls:
- Increment: Modifies all parameters in ascending or descending order.
- Shift: Adjusts all values by a fixed amount.
- Variance: Randomly alters values within the specified range.
These macros apply to key parameters such as frequency and envelope settings.
Morphing
Morphing transitions between two patches, affecting the currently selected module and a secondary source. This can be controlled via the Morph Amount knob or an assignable MIDI controller. To manage MIDI data flow, an algorithm ensures that morphing only happens when the control is at rest. You can select specific parameter groups (e.g., frequency, envelope, or algorithm settings) for morphing.
Component Synthesis
This feature introduces a third dimension of sound manipulation, enabling adjustments across all operators and modules simultaneously.
Programs Management
This view displays all eight modules.
- Sounds can be loaded into each module from the SD card.
- Volume levels are controlled via MIDI CC.
- Individual patches or programs can be copied across modules using the top row of push buttons.
Additive Synthesis
This feature enables re-synthesis of a recorded sample.
- The sample is recorded when the input signal surpasses a threshold.
- Using markers (e.g., Start, T1, T2), you define key moments.
- Harmonic overtones are extracted and mapped across 48 operators, with all set to algorithm #32, ensuring simultaneous playback.
Variations
This section generates alternate versions of the current program in Module 1 and spreads them among the other modules.
- Carrier/Modulator Spread modifies the Coarse frequencies sequentially. It can be applied separately to either the carrier frequencies or the modulator frequencies.
- Attack Spread influences the T1 time settings, causing all modules to sound progressively slower. If the value is negative, the timing is calculated in reverse, starting from the last module and working backward.
- Decay Spread affects the T2 and T3 time settings, but unlike Attack Spread, the changes follow an exponential curve rather than a linear one.
- Detune Spread: Gradually alters tuning across modules.
- Velocity Spread: Alters velocity sensitivity per module.
- Brightness Spread: Changes modulation depth, affecting higher-numbered modules more.
- Brightness: Changes modulation depth equally.
- Random Algorithm: Generates new algorithm structures.
- Some parameters have additional Variance controls. Instead of applying a uniformly increasing sequence, random values are assigned to each module within the chosen variance range. Each time a new variance value is selected, a fresh random sequence is generated.
If the results are unsatisfactory, changes can be undone using the Exit button.
File Management
Sounds are stored on an internal SD card, organized into specific directories:
- 100: Multi-program storage (all module settings combined into one program).
- 101-108: Libraries for individual modules.
- 109-150: User libraries.
To load a program:
- Select a module.
- If wished, enter Omni Mode for multi-program loading.
- Enter the File page
- Use Select Directory to pick a folder.
- Turn Select and Load Patch to choose a program—it will immediately load in case of a single patch.
Multi-programs are loaded only upon pressing the Load button, preventing long transmission times.
Looper
A small MIDI looper records live-played sequences and repeats them in a loop. This is very useful for keeping the music playing in the background while simultaneously tweaking the sounds on the controller.
- Recording starts on the first Note On event.
- Loop length is defined by when Stop is pressed. The loop stops precisely at the moment when Stop is pressed, ensuring that any pauses are accounted for seamless loops.
- Playback tempo can be adjusted (e.g., 10 equals 100% speed).
Tools
Useful features include:
- Select Key & Key Hold: Triggers and holds specific tones.
- Velocity Dilate: Adapts modern keyboard velocity ranges to match the original DX7’s 0-99 scale.
- Oberheim Mode: This technique, famously used in the Oberheim Eight Voice, ensures that each new note is played by a different module, creating highly dynamic and varied sequences.
- To use this mode, Omni Mode must be disabled, and the last active module (e.g., Module 8) must be selected. Once activated, all incoming MIDI notes are distributed sequentially across the modules—this is known as the Rotation Mode.
- Additionally, there is a Static Mode, where the first note of a chord is always assigned to Module 1, the second note to Module 2, and so on. This mode ensures that the individual modules are addressed based on the polyphonic playing technique being used.
Undo Page
If adjustments negatively affect the sound, Undo restores parameters to their previous values.