Demos : (PC4 demos, same sounds on the K2700. More demos coming...)
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Utility Files :
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When downloaded, you will have a file called umax _evolution_k2700.rar that needed to be unpacked
Then you will find 2 files :
- UMX_INIT.K27 which are the 48 inits patches, with basic settings for the synthesis and FX parameters. They are start points for your own programming session.
- UMX_PRST.K27 which are the 110 presets. You can use them right out of the box, or modify them to suit your needs.
Then you will find 2 files :
- UMX_INIT.K27 which are the 48 inits patches, with basic settings for the synthesis and FX parameters. They are start points for your own programming session.
- UMX_PRST.K27 which are the 110 presets. You can use them right out of the box, or modify them to suit your needs.
K-Plugs serie, a new programming experience...
The K-Plug's concept is to help the programming of a VAST instrument with the heavy use of the instrument's controllers. In the case of U-Max Evolution, the concept is pushed a bit further because to the addition of the onboard controls, you can program your Kurzweil K2700 with the help of the PARAMETERS page for FX programming and a few more synthesis parameters.
With U-max Evolution, you have close to 45 parameters under your fingers to make your sounds, and above all this, you don't need any VAST knowledge to have fun ! You can think of the K-Plug's as dedicated pieces of software that you load into your Kurzweil and morphs it into a specific kind of synthesizer.
U-Max Evolution will make your K2700 behave like a very powerful virtual analog synthesizer and of course it's provided with a full load of 110 presets, and no less than 48 inits programs based on 24 types of filters, totally inspired from the great Oberheim Matrix 12 / Xpander filter section.
Each of this 24 init's program comes in two versions : Velocity ON or OFF.
With U-Max Evolution, you will able to make / modify your synthsounds on the fly, with no external editor.
Very useful on stage, rehearsal or in a studio session....
U-Max Evolution sound engine spec's :
Before going further i suppose you want to know exactly what is the heart of this K-Plug...
Here are the spec's :
Oscillator 1
- SAW, SUPERSAW and SQUARE with PW and PWM
SUB oscillator with -1 or -2 octave setting and level control
NOISE source with level control
Oscillator 2
- SAW or SQUARE setting with hardsync
Oscillator 1 and oscillator 2 can be ring modulated. OSC 1 core sine wave is used
Filter section :
24 types of filtering mode, see the 'umaxe_filters' PDF file in the utility files section
Full control of the filter cutoff, resonance and envelope to filter (positive or negative) depth.
LFO 2 is also hardwired to the filter with direct depth control.
2 envelopes :
- 1 Attack / Release envelope for the amplitude
- 1 attack / decay envelope for the filter, the release of the amplitude is also used for filter release
2 LFO'S :
- LFO 1 for vibrato
- LFO 2 hardwired to OSC 1 PWM, OSC 2 sync offset and FILTER
The envelope section is hardwired to OSC 1 frequency and OSC 2 sync offset with depth adjustment for each
OSC 2 can modulate the FILTER frequency too with the OSC 2 core sine wave
Drive :
There is a post-filter overdrive circuit just before the output...
Envelope impact :
You can add a percussive attack to the sound when the amplitude attack is at minimum
To have a full understanding of the parameters programming and description, please download the 'umaxe_parameters' PDF file you will find in the utility files section.
Reading / Understanding the INIT'S
As said in the product description, U-Max Evolution comes with 48 init's that are basically neutral or blank programs.
This is where to start if you want to make a sound from scratch. Let's see how to choose one...
Here are two examples of some INIT patches :
With U-max Evolution, you have close to 45 parameters under your fingers to make your sounds, and above all this, you don't need any VAST knowledge to have fun ! You can think of the K-Plug's as dedicated pieces of software that you load into your Kurzweil and morphs it into a specific kind of synthesizer.
U-Max Evolution will make your K2700 behave like a very powerful virtual analog synthesizer and of course it's provided with a full load of 110 presets, and no less than 48 inits programs based on 24 types of filters, totally inspired from the great Oberheim Matrix 12 / Xpander filter section.
Each of this 24 init's program comes in two versions : Velocity ON or OFF.
With U-Max Evolution, you will able to make / modify your synthsounds on the fly, with no external editor.
Very useful on stage, rehearsal or in a studio session....
U-Max Evolution sound engine spec's :
Before going further i suppose you want to know exactly what is the heart of this K-Plug...
Here are the spec's :
Oscillator 1
- SAW, SUPERSAW and SQUARE with PW and PWM
SUB oscillator with -1 or -2 octave setting and level control
NOISE source with level control
Oscillator 2
- SAW or SQUARE setting with hardsync
Oscillator 1 and oscillator 2 can be ring modulated. OSC 1 core sine wave is used
Filter section :
24 types of filtering mode, see the 'umaxe_filters' PDF file in the utility files section
Full control of the filter cutoff, resonance and envelope to filter (positive or negative) depth.
LFO 2 is also hardwired to the filter with direct depth control.
2 envelopes :
- 1 Attack / Release envelope for the amplitude
- 1 attack / decay envelope for the filter, the release of the amplitude is also used for filter release
2 LFO'S :
- LFO 1 for vibrato
- LFO 2 hardwired to OSC 1 PWM, OSC 2 sync offset and FILTER
The envelope section is hardwired to OSC 1 frequency and OSC 2 sync offset with depth adjustment for each
OSC 2 can modulate the FILTER frequency too with the OSC 2 core sine wave
Drive :
There is a post-filter overdrive circuit just before the output...
Envelope impact :
You can add a percussive attack to the sound when the amplitude attack is at minimum
To have a full understanding of the parameters programming and description, please download the 'umaxe_parameters' PDF file you will find in the utility files section.
Reading / Understanding the INIT'S
As said in the product description, U-Max Evolution comes with 48 init's that are basically neutral or blank programs.
This is where to start if you want to make a sound from scratch. Let's see how to choose one...
Here are two examples of some INIT patches :
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1 - The informations of the INIT patch below are set as follow : UMXe-> The program has the U-Max Evolution sound engine. Helpful naming, easy to spot in your K2700... H6+A12 -> This give informations on the filter, in this example it's a highpass 6dB/Oct + an Allpass 12dB/Oct in serial... This program doesn't have the letter 'V' at the end of the name, it means it doesn't respond to velocity... Most of old analog synths don't respond to velocity, so if you want to come close to the old classic playing, you should choose this kind of INIT patch. |
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2 - The informations of the INIT patch below are set as follow : UMXe -> The program has the U-Max Evolution sound engine N12+H12-V -> This time the filter is made with a notch filter and a hipass 12dB/Oct filter in serial You can see the letter 'V' at the end of the init name, it means this program responds to velocity The velocity has been globally programmed to respond to the filter and the amplitude. |
As said previously, you have 24 inits with 24 type of filters that respond to velocity, and the 24 others don't have velocity. This give you a total of 48 programs to start with !
Programming the U-max Evolution sound engine
This is where the K-Plug's concept kicks in !
U-Max Evolution can be programmed and adjusted with no external editor and absolutly no VAST knowledge is required
Once you have selected an INIT patch or any preset, you can modify the sound :
1 - With the onboard controllers for the classic parameters (envelope, filter, osc frequency, PWM depth...)
I think this is time to show you the controller's affectation....
Programming the U-max Evolution sound engine
This is where the K-Plug's concept kicks in !
U-Max Evolution can be programmed and adjusted with no external editor and absolutly no VAST knowledge is required
Once you have selected an INIT patch or any preset, you can modify the sound :
1 - With the onboard controllers for the classic parameters (envelope, filter, osc frequency, PWM depth...)
I think this is time to show you the controller's affectation....
To edit a parameter with the K2700's controllers, just touch it and you will be able to see the parameter you are editing with its value on the screen...
2 - With the PARAMETERS page for a full, precise programming and expanding the sound design experience !
To go to this page, just hit the soft button 'EDIT', on the bottom right and you have access to all the parameters of the U-Max Evolution engine.
It's a full synthesizer under you fingers !
Please note you can expand the sound design experience in the parameter page because you can choose for some parameters precise value that are not possible to reach with the control panel. For example, on the panel, you have a switch to control the octave of the sub oscillator and this switch sends only two values, 0 / 127.
But if you enter manually a value between 0 and 127, you will be able to choose any frequency between -1 and -2 octave for the sub oscillator !
Here is what the PARAMETERS page looks like :
2 - With the PARAMETERS page for a full, precise programming and expanding the sound design experience !
To go to this page, just hit the soft button 'EDIT', on the bottom right and you have access to all the parameters of the U-Max Evolution engine.
It's a full synthesizer under you fingers !
Please note you can expand the sound design experience in the parameter page because you can choose for some parameters precise value that are not possible to reach with the control panel. For example, on the panel, you have a switch to control the octave of the sub oscillator and this switch sends only two values, 0 / 127.
But if you enter manually a value between 0 and 127, you will be able to choose any frequency between -1 and -2 octave for the sub oscillator !
Here is what the PARAMETERS page looks like :
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To change the value of a parameter, you just have to put the cursor on the parameter you want to edit, then use the arrows on the right of the screen, put the cursor on the value and use the programming wheel or type with the alphanumeric keypad the new value... Once you are ok with all the modifications, hit 'SAVE'...Congratulations, you have made a new sound without any VAST knowledge, without any external editor and with no headache ! Just fun... |
Adding effects to the sound
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Adding some effects to the sound you are working on is a very easy task. Just hit the 'EDIT' soft button on your K2700, then scroll down to the FX section. You will have access to : Auxiliary effects : - A reverb with Mix and Time parameter - An additionnal stereo enhancer with Mix Parameter Insert effects : - A big chorus with Mix, Rate and Depth parameters - A stereo delay with Mix, Feedback and Time parameters |
You can also see on the screen the MIDI CC value corresponding to the parameters, for the FX and the sound programming.
Adding Arpegiator and MIDI CC Sequencing
On the K2700, there other really cool sections, it's the Arp and MIDI CC sequencer
We saw previously that all parameters of the U-Max Evolution Engine (sound & FX) are MIDI CC controlled.
That means that the 4 rows of the MIDI CC sequencer can be connected to any parameters of the sound engine.
So you can control the filter, the waveforms mixer, etc...and also the FX parameters if you want to, for crazy FX !
There are a few U-Max Evolution presets that use this....
You also have access to a classic arpegiator or a nice step sequencer to bring life to your sounds !
Adding Arpegiator and MIDI CC Sequencing
On the K2700, there other really cool sections, it's the Arp and MIDI CC sequencer
We saw previously that all parameters of the U-Max Evolution Engine (sound & FX) are MIDI CC controlled.
That means that the 4 rows of the MIDI CC sequencer can be connected to any parameters of the sound engine.
So you can control the filter, the waveforms mixer, etc...and also the FX parameters if you want to, for crazy FX !
There are a few U-Max Evolution presets that use this....
You also have access to a classic arpegiator or a nice step sequencer to bring life to your sounds !
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In these examples, the first screenschot shows some random value (32-96) sent to control MIDI CC 10 (PAN)
The second screenshot shows a 32 steps Ramp LoHi sent to control MIDI CC 71 (PW/PWM/Supersaw Detune Amount)
U-max Evolution and polyphony
The main drawback of U-max Evolution may be about polyphony. It's a very fun and easy product but it draws quite some power from the K2700.
Don't be afraid, you will have enough ressources to play quite normally but if you're making long pads with all oscillators ON you may notice some voices stealing issues...
You have something from 32 voices left if you use all sources at the same time, and about 48 voices left with oscillator 1 + sub + noise.
Let's take this in a positive way, U-max Evolution can imitate not only the sounds of analog synthesizers but also the way they handle their voices ! ha ha !!!
To conclude....
U-Max was first developped on the Kurzweil PC3-Le, Kurzweil Forte and Kurzweil PC4 instruments.
You have now the Kurzweil K2700 version which uses the ribbon and pads as well.
If you like it, spread the word, not the file !
Thanks !
Engine development and all sounds programmed by Stephane 'Barb' Garganigo (C) 2022
The second screenshot shows a 32 steps Ramp LoHi sent to control MIDI CC 71 (PW/PWM/Supersaw Detune Amount)
U-max Evolution and polyphony
The main drawback of U-max Evolution may be about polyphony. It's a very fun and easy product but it draws quite some power from the K2700.
Don't be afraid, you will have enough ressources to play quite normally but if you're making long pads with all oscillators ON you may notice some voices stealing issues...
You have something from 32 voices left if you use all sources at the same time, and about 48 voices left with oscillator 1 + sub + noise.
Let's take this in a positive way, U-max Evolution can imitate not only the sounds of analog synthesizers but also the way they handle their voices ! ha ha !!!
To conclude....
U-Max was first developped on the Kurzweil PC3-Le, Kurzweil Forte and Kurzweil PC4 instruments.
You have now the Kurzweil K2700 version which uses the ribbon and pads as well.
If you like it, spread the word, not the file !
Thanks !
Engine development and all sounds programmed by Stephane 'Barb' Garganigo (C) 2022
