Page 3 - Contents; notes
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 3 Contents Introduction Special notes Package contents and other items Familiarising yourself with the PLUGSTATION Installation and setup of PLG cards Installation of the X, Y and Z boards. Front Panel editing Use with the SW1000XG Using as a stand alone Modular synth...
Page 4 - Introduction
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 4 Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing the KENTON PLUGSTATION. In this package you will find a fantastic hardware solution for supporting up to four of Yamaha's PLG series Modular Synthesis Plug in system (MSPS) cards (PLG100 and 150 series) both as a stand...
Page 5 - Special Notes; Windows or Macintosh Operation
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 5 Special Notes • The KENTON PLUGSTATION hardware and this owner's manual are exclusive copyrights of KENTON Electronics. KENTON acknowledge all third party product copyrights. • Copying or reproduction of this manual in whole or in part by any means is expressly forb...
Page 7 - Package Contents and Other Items
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 7 Package Contents and Other Items Before using your new PLUGSTATION, check that all the items below are included in the package. In the rare case that some item is missing, contact the store where you purchased your PLUGSTATION as soon as possible. (Optional boards l...
Page 9 - Familiarising yourself with the PLUGSTATION.; DIAGRAM 1: THE FRONT PANEL OF THE KENTON PLUGSTATION
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 9 Familiarising yourself with the PLUGSTATION. This section will provide a brief overview of the KENTON PLUGSTATION front and rear panels and facilities. THE FRONT PANEL OF THE KENTON PLUGSTATION DIAGRAM 1: THE FRONT PANEL OF THE KENTON PLUGSTATION The front panel of ...
Page 10 - A line in segment one indicates that a card is; MIDI IN; port located on the rear of the PLUGSTATION, then the
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 10 expander when used with the SW 1000XG. If PLG cards are found, the display will then attempt to auto detect any optional boards that may be fitted, such as the Y-BOARD, or Z-BOARD. The letters corresponding to each board that is fitted or connected will flash on sc...
Page 11 - DIAGRAM 3: MIDI DATA ACTIVITY MONITOR; SHORT PRESS; will take you to the next level of editing.; CARD –; DIAGRAM 4: SLOT ONE FITTED WITH A PLG150DX CARD
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 11 DIAGRAM 3: MIDI DATA ACTIVITY MONITOR If you have MIDI devices connected to the PLUGSTATION or the SW1000XG card correctly connected and are sending MIDI data, the MIDI RECEIVE segment should light up. If not please ensure your connections are correct (outlined in ...
Page 12 - DIAGRAM 5: NO PLG CARD FOUND IN SLOT 2; PARA –; DIAGRAM 6: PLG BANK SELECT MSB SELECTION
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 12 DIAGRAM 5: NO PLG CARD FOUND IN SLOT 2 NOTE: THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLG100 AND 150 SERIES CARDS IS MEMORY BUFFER LOCATIONS ON THE 150 SERIES, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OF THE YAMAHA PROFESSIONAL SYNTHESISERS SUCH AS THE CS6X AND MO...
Page 13 - DIAGRAM 8: PLUGSTATION REAR PANEL
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 13 VAL – This is the value section. It is here where you enter data values that correspond to the parameter that you are editing. If we press the DATA ENTRY button quickly again, we drop to this level, and the white dot is now shown underneath the VAL line. Values can...
Page 16 - DIAGRAM 10: PLG CONNECTOR CABLE CLOSE UP
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 16 the only PLG hosting device that supports up to 8 discrete digital audio channels over the industry standard ADAT format. Fitting PLG cards is a relatively easy operation, which we will discuss now. To begin fitting a PLG series card to the PLUGSTATION, first we re...
Page 17 - DIAGRAM 11: FITTING PLG CARDS
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 17 The brackets are arranged to allow two cards at each level, one towards the front and one towards the rear. Correctly fitting the cards is quite a delicate operation, but once installed, you should not have to remove or tamper with cards again. (See diagram 11) DIA...
Page 21 - DIAGRAM 14: Z AND Y BOARDS FITTED TO PLUGSTATION; FITTING THE X BOARD TO THE SW1000XG
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 21 DIAGRAM 14: Z AND Y BOARDS FITTED TO PLUGSTATION Once fitted, you should re-attached the top case with the screws, re-fit the DATA entry knob (ensuring that you also replace the felt washer), and after checking all is secure, re-connect all of your audio/power and ...
Page 22 - DIAGRAM 15: INSERTING THE SW 1000XG WITH X BOARD
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 22 DIAGRAM 15: INSERTING THE SW 1000XG WITH X BOARD DIAGRAM 16: THE X-BOARD IN CLOSE UP Using the plastic spacers supplied with your PLG cards, carefully attach the KENTON X-BOARD to the side of the SW 1000XG, and then attach the PLG interface cable from the SW1000XG ...
Page 23 - DIAGRAM 18: RIBBON CABLE AND BACKPLATE IN PLACE FOR X-BOARD
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 23 DIAGRAM 18: RIBBON CABLE AND BACKPLATE IN PLACE FOR X-BOARD If you do not have the Y-BOARD or Z-BOARD options fitted to your PLUGSTATION then this is basically all you need to do. (Unless you have the Z-board fitted to PLUGSTATION). Refit your SW 1000XG to your PC,...
Page 24 - wordclock; , which is a clock signal for synchronizing all
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 24 DIAGRAM 19: CONNECTING THE SERIAL PORT FROM SW1000XG TO THE X-BOARD SERIAL INPUT If you are also using the SW1000XG in conjunction with the Yamaha DS2416 (DSP FACTORY) card, and wish to continue using the interconnect between the SW1000XG and DS2416 card, then you ...
Page 27 - DIAGRAM 22: CONNECTING PLUGSTATION TO THE SW1000XG (MIDI ROUTING)
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 27 USE W ITH THE SW 1000XG section. However below is just an example of a typical setup with the SW 1000XG card. Additional routing options and diagrams are to be found in the “Use with the SW1000XG” chapter, which also covers extra and more complex set-ups with the Y...
Page 29 - Front panel editing; FRONT PANEL EDITS
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 29 Front panel editing The original concept behind the PLUGSTATION was one of a “faceless box”. Designed initially only for use with the SW1000XG it quickly became apparent that offering a limited amount of front panel control, and editing would greatly enhance its ap...
Page 33 - PROG –; This indicates; PROGRAM CHANGE; . As with all parameters in this section, pressing once more on
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 33 PROG – This indicates PROGRAM CHANGE . As with all parameters in this section, pressing once more on the DATA ENTRY knob when this is on screen brings you to the value (VAL) level indicated by the DOT LED moving to be located underneath the VAL label. The value ran...
Page 35 - YVOL – THIS IS THE Y-BOARD INDIVIDUAL PLG CARD OUTPUT VOLUME.; YBAL – THIS IS THE Y-BOARD INDIVIDUAL PLG CARD BALANCE CONTROL.; This parameter is only; The value range for this is 0-127, with a; It is worth also checking that if
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 35 THESE COMMANDS CAN BE SYSEX CONTROLLED, WITH THE SYSEX FOR EACH LEVEL LISTED (ALONG WITH SYSEX FOR ALL OTHER PLUGSTATION PARAMETERS) AT THE BACK OF THIS MANUAL. SPECIFIC PLUGSTATION SUPPORT SOFTWARE SUCH AS XGPAD ( WWW.XGPAD.COM ) CAN SUPPORT THESE PARAMETERS, AND ...
Page 36 - YOPS – THIS IS THE Y-BOARD INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT SELECT OPTION.; This parameter is again only; EXAMPLE OF OUTPUT 1&2 SELECTION
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 36 YOPS – THIS IS THE Y-BOARD INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT SELECT OPTION. This parameter is again only effective if you have the optional Y-BOARD fitted to the PLUGSTATION. The parameter allows you to assign each PLG card to a pair of individual outputs on the back of PLUGSTATIO...
Page 37 - This parameter assigns the PLG card on each slot an appropriate; The value range for this parameter is 1-16,; indicating channels 1 thru 16 for MIDI. Software
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 37 PART – Here the part number (which normally corresponds to the MIDI channel) can be set. This is primarily a part assignment function for the SW1000XG part that is being replaced by a PLG card. It can also be used to assign two of the same card to different part nu...
Page 38 - The data value range is 0-4; . The default values correspond to the default values of each; CCNO – CONTROLLER NUMBER.
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 38 NOTE: SETTING UP PARAMETERS SUCH AS POLY OVERFLOW MODE FOR THE VL CARD CAN ONLY BE DONE FROM SOFTWARE SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE COMMANDS. FUTURE SOFTWARE EDITORS FOR PLUGSTATION AND PLG CARDS MAY SUPPORT THIS FEATURE. THE PLG150AN CARD SUPPORTS A DIFFERENT METHOD OF VOICE M...
Page 39 - This is the value of the controller data you have just selected. For; The; menu parameters. To
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 39 nor does it respond over MIDI to avoid confusion with the YVOL or SVOL commands. The controller value range is from 0-127 . Also to avoid confusion controllers 32 and 0 are disabled from this menu, this avoids unwanted bank select messages being accidentally sent f...
Page 40 - SVOL – THIS IS THE GLOBAL SW1000XG RETURN PATH VOLUME.; Here we can control the master; The value range for this; This is used to determine the MASTER MIDI channel for PLUGSTATION; The range of values for this is; (OFF will disable performance selection over MIDI)
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 40 This is the GLOBAL parameter menu. Pressing the data entry knob for a short press on this item will take you to the main GLOBAL parameters for PLUGSTATION. SVOL – THIS IS THE GLOBAL SW1000XG RETURN PATH VOLUME. Here we can control the master return level volume for...
Page 41 - The value range for this is ON or OFF.; This parameter allows gain scaling to the master output
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 41 SHLD – SW1000XG HOLD. This menu option allows you to set the PLUGSTATION to wait for SW1000XG wordclock signals if connected on power up. Basically to help PLUGSTATION correctly set its wordclock before startup. If this option is enabled/ON (as it is by default) it...
Page 42 - ZSOP – Z BOARD SW1000XG OUTPUT LEVEL MENU; This controls the SW1000XG main output level; SVOL
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 42 ZSOP – Z BOARD SW1000XG OUTPUT LEVEL MENU This controls the SW1000XG main output level from the Z-BOARD which defaults to output 1-2 within this menu set. By default the SW1000XG with the Z-BOARD fitted will send all of its audio and MIDI parts to the stereo output...
Page 43 - SOPS – SW1000XG Output Select; . If you have the SW1000XG attached to a DS2416 card, and that
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 43 SOPS – SW1000XG Output Select . IF the Z-board is fitted this will enable you to select which output the main SW1000XG parts (audio and MIDI) default to. This can be overridden or reset using suitable editing software such as XGPAD, XGEDIT or XGWORKS. Software such...
Page 44 - PRGS – PROGRAM STORAGE –; This parameter menu option is where PLUGSTATION stores loads and; LOAD
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 44 Pressing the DATA ENTRY button for 2 seconds again will return you to the CARD parameter level. Scrolling clockwise on the DATA ENTRY knob will then take you to the final CARD level menu option. PRGS – PROGRAM STORAGE – This parameter menu option is where PLUGSTATI...
Page 49 - Option 1
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 49 Use with the SW1000XG Using PLUGSTATION with the SW1000XG offers unprecedented possibilities and routing configurations, and also offers unparalleled audio quality for the SW1000XG card when used with the Z board. This section of the manual will cover some of the p...
Page 52 - Connected to SW1000XG with X-BOARD (and Y BOARD but no Z Board)
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 52 In other respects the control is similar to the stand-alone mode control in option 1 (apart from the individual outputs on the PLUGSTATION). In this case, the SW1000XG audio outputs are also (as they would if just one PLG card was fitted) outputting the PLG cards m...
Page 53 - ) or to the section on front panel editing, to
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 53 send the PLG cards out of individual analogue or ADAT optical output ports to a suitable mixing desk. It is good practice not to try and send to both at the same time, as you can get undesired effects such as doubling of sounds, or phasing (the phase offset is mini...
Page 54 - Connected to SW1000XG with X-BOARD (and Y BOARD and Z Board)
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 54 your own effects processing or EQ via a suitable mixing desk (or by routing it to the DS2416 and AX16AT as shown later). The net result of not fitting the Y-BOARD is that, signals coming back to the SW1000XG from the PLG cards that you may wish to add effects to wi...
Page 57 - Using as a stand alone modular synth hosting system
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 57 Using as a stand alone modular synth hosting system Now that you have been blown away by the incredible routing and flexibility of what the PLUGSTATION can offer in terms of an expander for the SW1000XG, it is time to move on to what it can offer as a unique modula...
Page 63 - CONNECTING TO THE KENTON CONTROL FREAK
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 63 1-2 channels, and perhaps leave channels 9-10 relatively dry, and perhaps if your mixer allows, a delay offset to thicken up the sound. USE WITH A HARDWARE SEQUENCER OR CONTROLLER DEVICE (SUCH AS THE KENTON CONTROL FREAK) PLUGSTATION as stand alone tone module host...
Page 65 - Notes on MSB, LSB and SYSEX; PufOrgn1; . This sound is not in the basic 128
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 65 Notes on MSB, LSB and SYSEX The mysteries surrounding MIDI in general normally put people off getting into the heart of what their synth is capable of. In these days of simple to use computer software, we sometimes forget that under the hood so to speak there is a ...
Page 70 - Technical Support and contact info.; (For Yamaha synthesiser products and PLGCARDS)
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 70 Technical Support and contact info. Technical support of the KENTON PLUGSTATION is via KENTON Electronics. If you have any questions relating to the firmware, operating system or operation of this product, please contact KENTON via the following methods. KENTON Ele...
Page 71 - Troubleshooting and faq
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 71 Troubleshooting and faq This section is intended to answer the most common questions about PLUGSTATION, and also to provide some important information relating to its master settings, how to run diagnostics, and updating the operating system. Users should proceed w...
Page 73 - TROUBLESHOOTING
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 73 A. This is a function, which is only possible via software control. You can adjust programs and basic controllers for each board individually from the front panel, but SYSEX level editing requires specialist software. You will also need to adjust the product ID for...
Page 74 - menu item. This is a useful
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 74 If you press the DATA ENTRY button on this screen it will restore the factory default settings of PLUGSTATION and clear all PRGS (performance mode) memories. So as we say PROCEED WITH CAUTION. If you wish to restore the defaults, maybe you should first back up any ...
Page 75 - This option is to be used with the special OS
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 75 Pressing the DATA ENTRY button on this page, will as we have said show a 4-digit number which is your software revision. The next menu item is LDOS (Load Operating System). This option is to be used with the special OS revision update MIDI files which will be poste...
Page 76 - Useful controllers
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 76 Useful controllers Below is a useful list of controllers which can be applied to the PLG series synthesiser cards (PLG150DX, AN, VL, PF, XG and PLG100VL,DX) These controllers can be entered from the front panel, and allow some control over the sounds being produced...
Page 87 - QUICK GUIDE TO PLUGSTATION COMMANDS:; STATUS LEVEL
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 87 QUICK GUIDE TO PLUGSTATION COMMANDS: STATUS LEVEL P-XX – (XX is a number between 1-64) : This indicates a Performance value for the Plugstation Performance memory selector EXT – Indicates that Plugstation is running from an external wordclock INT – Indicates that P...
