This document offers step-by-step instructions for sequencing with Mark of the Unicorn's Performer software and the
Kurzweil K2000 synthesizer/sampler. Using Performer, it is possible to control up to sixteen different timbres on the
K2000. By using the new DEFAULT PATCH column, Performer will choose your specified sound for each track without
the need to change patches manually on the K2000. The instructions below can also be used with synthesizers other than a
K2000 as long as FreeMIDI knows about the particular model and its programs (see the FreeMIDI manual for details).

Tips for use: It is intended that you have this document available while you are using Performer. Click in the browser
window to activate this document, then click on any Performer window to return to sequencing. If your screen is getting
cluttered and you have System 7.5 with Windowshade, you may double-click the titlebar of this document to shrink it.
Double-click on it again to reactivate.

Step 1: Getting started
Launch Performer software by double-clicking on its icon and turn on K2000. Check mixing console settings for K2000
input (Mixing Console Basics or Mixing Console Troubleshooting)


Performer Consolidated Controls and Tracks windows

Step 2: Recording the first track.

Locate the TRACKS window under the metronome, transport and counter window (hereafter referred to as the
CONSOLIDATED CONTROLS window). It should be labeled "Seq-1" in the far right corner by default.

Locate the DEVICE column of the TRACKS window and activate the pop-up menu by holding down the mouse
button on Track-1's DEVICE box. Then drag down to K2000R and to the right to select K2000R-1. This means
that Track-1 will now send its information on MIDI Channel 1 to the K2000.

To select a timbre (also called a patch or program) for Track-1, locate the DFLT. PATCH column and drag across
the pop-up menu that appears for Track-1 until you have selected an appropriate sound. The K2000 is arranged by
banks of 100 patches. If you have not loaded any additional samples and the instrument does not have additional
ROM blocks added, only Banks 0 and 1 will have programs that will sound, even though you may see additional
programs listed!

Confirm that Track-1 is record-enabled by default by checking the icon in the REC column. It should be red. If not,
click on it to record-enable the track.


Performer Tempo Controls

Set Tempo Control in Consolidated Controls window. Select Tempo Slider (usually the default) and drag inverted
tempo triangle to desired tempo. Plan on using the quarter-note beat and 4/4 meter for now. These are all selectable
later. One of the joys of MIDI sequencing is that you can record tracks at a slower speed and then increase the
tempo for playback without altering the pitch! Impress your friends with your stunning dexterity.


Transport Controls

Click on the "2 BARS" button beneath the transport controls. This will cause Performer to count off two bars
before recording. Pick-ups to Measure 1 will be ignored, but you may later learn to start the sequence in measure
#0 to accommodate a pick-up. To hear a click, check the COUNTOFF options under the BASICS menu. You can
either hear a click out of the Mac speaker (on most models) or route the click to a MIDI channel and have the sound
generated by your synthesizer (the K2000 Program #198 is a click sound that can be used for that purpose). If your
Mac speaker is routed to the mixing console, be sure the appropriate faders for the Mac input channels are up.
You are now ready to record Track-1. Click on the RECORD button
to begin. Allow the sequencer to count off two bars and then play the desired notes on the keyboard.
Record as much as you would like and then click on the STOP button. If you made a mistake and would like
to re-record the track, simply click on the REWIND button to return to the beginning.
To hear what you have just recorded, click on REWIND followed by PLAY.

Step 3: Recording additional tracks.

You are now ready to record a second track. Rewind the sequence to Measure 1 with REWIND button. Click on
Track-2's RECORD-ENABLE icon (which will deselect Track-1). Click on RECORD. You should hear two
measures of clicks before the sequencer begins recording if you did not deselect the 2 BARS option. You should
then hear the notes you recorded on Track-1 while you enter notes for Track-2. Repeat this step for each
subsequent track.

You may also add to existing tracks. Click in the COUNTER window to select the
measure you wish to start recording in, then TAB to beat and tick (480th of a beat). Record-enable the track you
wish to add to then click on RECORD. Any previously existing information on the track will be erased after the
start time, but any information before it will be left intact. You can use this feature to correct tracks that have
mistakes.

At each step of the way, be certain to save your work using the SAVE command located under
the FILE menu.

To end your session, use the QUIT command under the file menu.


Common Problems

After recording, nothing plays back.
This is by far the most common sequencing problem, which unfortunately can be caused by dozens of factors. Use
the following checklist for several more common causes.

Confirm that your keyboard is communicating with Performer. After recording a few measures of notes,
check to see if any of the boxes in Performer's Tracks window have darkened (as they should if
information is getting through). If not, check all MIDI connections, interface (is it turned on and switched
to pass MIDI data?). Some MIDI keyboards can be set to not transmit any MIDI data--be certain the
keyboard is transmitting on CH 1-16.

If you have confirmed that Performer is recording data, next check to see if the K2000 is receiving it. Play
back you sequence and observe the MIDI LED light on the front of the K2000. It should flash if the
K2000 is receiving MIDI data. If it is not, check the following:
Are the Performer tracks PLAY-ENABLED. The sideways arrow in the PLAY column should be
selected.
Are the tracks being sent to the correct instrument? Double-check the DEVICE assignment. It
should read K2000R-1 through K2000R-16.

The K2000 will remember controller information from previous users, even if it has been turned off! If a
previous user ended with low volume data, you may not hear the program. Press the PANIC soft button
on the K2000 front panel to reset all controller data, including volume and pan.

You may have selected an empty program location on the K2000. Be certain you have selected a program
in the 0's or 1's bank (or 9's bank if you have an added ROM block).

When I record, I don't hear the correct program.

Check the Patch Thru window located under the BASICS menu. It should be set to "Auto Channelize."
This means it will remap a MIDI message to the correct MIDI channel when a track is record-enabled.

You may have selected an empty program location. Be certain you have selected a program in the 0's or
1's bank (or 9's bank if you have an added ROM block).

Confirm that OMNI mode is off for all MIDI Channels on the K2000 (Press MIDI, then RECV soft
button, then check MIDI Mode. It should be set to Multi).

When I record, I hear two or more timbres at once.

With the Patch Thru set to autochannelize, you may be triggering notes on your keyboard's MIDI Transmit
channel as well as the remapped channel.
Solutions:(1) Turn LOCAL OFF on your MIDI keyboard (see manual for instructions). (2) Set your
keyboard to transmit on MIDI Channel 16, then set the K2000 to Program 0 (none) (3) Ignore the extra
timbre--you won't hear it when playing back the sequence.

Confirm that OMNI mode is off for all MIDI Channels on the K2000 (Press MIDI, then RECV soft
button, then check MIDI Mode. It should be set to Multi).