User manual | Kurzweil Creator - Chicken Systems

Kurzweil Creator™
Version 0.9, Build 21
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Kurzweil Creator™
Table Of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 5
Basic Concepts............................................................................................................................. 7
The Kurzweil Document
Main Screen................................................................................................................................. 8
Kurzweil Object Views....................................................................................................................10
Keyboard Optional Display.............................................................................................................12
Wave Optional Display...................................................................................................................13
Working with Objects
Adding Objects..............................................................................................................................14
Deleting Objects............................................................................................................................15
Editing Objects..............................................................................................................................16
Renaming Objects...........................................................................................................................17
The Kurzweil Player.........................................................................................................................18
Preparing and Re-importing..............................................................................................................19
Editing Single Samples Externally...............................................................................................................21
Exchanging Objects...........................................................................................................................22
Auditioning Samples and KeyMaps....................................................................................................23
Importing External Instruments.......................................................................................................24
Editors. ....................................................................................................................................25
The Program Editor ......................................................................................................................26
The Layer Editor ..........................................................................................................................27
The KeyMap Editor .......................................................................................................................28
The Sample Editor .......................................................................................................................29
The Setup Editor ..........................................................................................................................30
The Part Editor ............................................................................................................................31
AutoSampler
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................32
Audio/MIDI ................................................................................................................................33
Placement .................................................................................................................................33
Recording ..................................................................................................................................34
Processing .................................................................................................................................35
Switches ....................................................................................................................................35
Parameters ................................................................................................................................35
Menus
File..............................................................................................................................................36
Program/ Setup.............................................................................................................................37
Layer/Part......................................................................................................................................38
KeyMap........................................................................................................................................39
Sample........................................................................................................................................40
View............................................................................................................................................41
Help..............................................................................................................................................42
Gear Menus - Program/Setup............................................................................................................43
Gear Menus - KeyMap...................................................................................................................44
Gear Menus - Sample.....................................................................................................................45
Preferences
General........................................................................................................................................46
Colors.............................................................................................................................................47
Import........................................................................................................................................47
Export........................................................................................................................................47
Data Processing................................................................................................................................48
Audio/MIDI...................................................................................................................................49
Support
Troubleshooting...............................................................................................................................51
FAQ...........................................................................................................................................51
Bug Reports................................................................................................................................51
Contacting Technical Support...............................................................................................................53
Updating....................................................................................................................................54
Contact Us..................................................................................................................................55
Credits.........................................................................................................................................56
Kurzweil Creator™
Introduction
Kurzweil Creator™
Introduction
Kurzweil Creator™ is a powerful Program, Setup, KeyMap, and Sample creator/editor for Kurzweil
workstations, including the K2000, K2500, K2600, K2661, and PC3K.
The Kurzweil line of workstations are
a well established new generation
Workstation-style keyboard system
that has excellent sounds and advanced
functionality, for superior usage in
the studio and playing live. The most
immediate gratification of the Kurzweil
is playing it’s onboard sounds, which are
top- shelf and professional standard.
However, the Kurzweil also allows for
playback of user-defined KeyMaps with
the same possibilities as the onboard
ROM KeyMaps.
Although the Kurzweil is a little less
flexible then the older specialized
hardware samplers (e.g. Akai S-5000/ZSeries, Emu Emulator 4, Ensoniq ASR10, Roland S-7x and so on), and more
less so then powerful software samplers
such as Kontakt, it is still very powerful,
and with the right software platform to assist in creating these sampled KeyMaps and Programs, the
Kurzweil can go beyond it’s stock sounds and fly high with your own custom Programs.
That is the goal and stated purpose of Kurzweil Creator.
Like most (if not all) hardware musical instruments, the onboard display and provided access do not give
access to the Kurzweil user-sampled area exceptionally well. Some Supermen have used it and worked
with it, but among us Mere Mortals it’s “in and out”, since it is slow and difficult not only to view the total
range of information, but also to apply new edits etc. Again, Kurzweil Creator leverages the natural power
of your computer to access, display, and arange information that it’s a perfect and powerful bridge to
create and edit Kurzweil user-created content.
Kurzweil Creator™ takes advantage of only access to user KeyMap data - via the files themselves. It is
practically a virtual Kurzweil specialized for editing. You can make your own user KeyMaps, edit and create
your own Samples within those KeyMaps, and much more. Kurzweil Creator also allows innovate ways
to listen and audition those sounds. Since it’s not a Kurzweil, it can’t substitute for it, but with sampled
sounds you can come awfully close. Most of the time, we foresee Kurzweil users to operate Kurzweil
Creator™ to take care of the sampled side, since it more clear, powerful, and efficient then the Kurzweil
itself, but when it comes time to tweak the sounds and do the real-time parameter editing, we expect
them to write the files and read them into Kurzweil, edit away, then resave.
Kurzweil Creator™ also includes management of ROM data. Renaming objects (Programs, KeyMaps,
etc.) is a breeze on Kurzweil Creator™. You can manage your Categories (sometimes the center of most
Kurzweil user’s experience!) in new powerful ways beyond what the Kurzweil itself can do. You can even set
up a library of Programs and create your own compilations to be written into a file for particular uses.
Kurzweil Creator™, while powerful, is still a simple application. It was designed to give you easy and
intuitive access to Kurzweil data, with no funny business or confusing Corvette-looking widgetry.
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Introduction
Kurzweil Creator™
Some notes regarding the documentation:
This document is synced to the Kurzweil Creator™ version denoted on the cover of this document. It is a
dynamic document and often is revised with every major, minor, or even build of Kurzweil Creator™.
In this document, the term “right-click” also refers to “control-click” on a Mac. Only “right- click” will be
used. Similarly, “Preferences” is term for different optional parameters that can be set in the program;
on the Mac you will see the word “Preferences”, but on Windows you will see “Options”. In this document,
Preferences will be used. Graphics are all Mac, but look very similar to the Windows version.
Since the Kurzweil regards the middle C key on a keyboard (MIDI note 60) as C3, by default Kurzweil
Creator™ shows the textual representation of MIDI note 60 as C3. This is the non-US representation.
However, if you are more used to seeing C4 as middle C (like GigaStudio or other US models - or even
some varied non-US samplers), you can change this in Preferences- General.
If you are a registered owner, you are qualified for free updates for the life of the program. You can
download these from your program using the Check for Update feature, or from the Chicken Systems
Update Area.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Basic Concepts
Basic Concepts
The Kurzweil Creator™ Kurzweil Document represents a single Kurzweil file. It can be one that is
existing, or a new one that hasn’t been saved to disk yet.
Your experience with Kurzweil Creator™ revolves around creating a new (or opening an existing) Kurzweil
‘KRZ’ file into a Kurzweil document, editing the objects within that document, then saving the document
as a Kurzweil ‘KRZ’ file. This saves all
objects, such as Programs and KeyMaps
and Samples, into a single file.
Important Note about Stereo
Samples: a “Stereo Sample” is defined
universally as a SINGLE OBJECT
containing two discreet pieces of
sample data meant to be played one
hard left and the other hard right.
Kurzweil’s upport this as far as the
Sample Objects go, but the KeyMap
area in a Layer (in a Program) does
not. Put a little more clearly, a KeyMap
can reference a Stereo Sample, but
when it’s referenced in a Layer’s
KeyMap area, it’s only playing one side
of the Stereo Sample. If it’s the first
KeyMap, it only plays the left side, if
the second, it’s only the right side.
With this in mind, Kurzweil Creator™ does NOT write stereo sample objects in a ‘KRZ’ file, although it
does show KeyMap objects as Stereo.
The Kurzweil Document shows you the most important aspects of the Kurzweil files: the Programs, the
Layers within each Program, the KeyMaps, and the Samples within a KeyMap. These are represented in four
Lists; the Programs with the Layers, and the KeyMaps with the Samples. There is also a Setup List and a
Part List, shown in the Setup View.
From there, you are free to add, delete, or edit any of the objects to your needs. For more information
on the Kurzweil Document, where you’ll do the majority of your work, see The Kurzweil Document
elsewhere in this document.
Each object has an Editor. There is a Program Editor, Layer Editor, KeyMap Editor, and Sample Editor; and
additionally, a Setup Editor and Part Editor. One editor can be open at a time, and it edits the current
selection in the list on the Kurzweil document. For more information on Editors, please see the Editors
section elsewhere in this document.
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The Kurzweil Document
Kurzweil Creator™
The Kurzweil Document
The Kurzweil Document represents a single PCG file, existing or a new one that hasn’t been written yet.
Your experience with Kurzweil Creator revolves around creating a new or opening an existing Kurzweil file,
changing the objects within using the
Kurzweil Document, then saving the
document which saves everything to
the a new or existing Kurzweil file, for
immediate use in your Kurzweil.
Lists
The Lists on a normal Kurzweil
document show the principal objects;
the Programs (List 1) and the KeyMaps
(List 3). The Layer List (List 2) shows
the Layers contained in the currently
selected Program, and the Sample
List (List 4) shows the Samples in the
currently selected KeyMap.
There are two other Lists; the Setup List
and the Part List. These appear when
you are in the Setup View.
The purpose of the List is so you can
view the contents of the File that is
represented by the document and apply functions to change, edit, or build up the file.
Views
Speaking of Views, the Kurzweil document interface is highly customizable, so you can either have all
the List on the document at one time (admittedly crowded), or you can see only what you want to see for
handy editing. The Views are:
-
-
-
-
-
Program/Layer/KeyMap
KeyMap/Sample
Setup/Part/Program
“Four Corners” (Program & Layer on top, KeyMap & Sample on the bottom)
Full View
You can choose which view you’d like with the Gear menu on the upper right, or the top level Views menu.
For more information of Views, see the Views section in this manual.
Range Maps
On top of the Layer List and the Part List you can have Range Maps perched on top of them. This allows for
graphical editing of the Ranges (Key and Velocity) of Each Layer or Part. Key is selected by the top button
to the left of the Range Maps, Velocity by the second button. A green color indicates which Range you are
viewing. The third button (yellow) gives you a context menu by selecting it, giving you some auto-mapping
options, plus some viewing options. If you have no immediate use for them, you can hide them using the
context menu or the Views top-level menu.
Having the Range Maps mounted on top of each other makes it easy to see how Layers or Parts are
arranged against each other. Alter the range by simply grabbing and pulling each end with the mouse.
Selecting the middle of the range allows you to slide it back and forth.
(Remember, these Ranges are actually “Limits”; that is, with an Layer, you are restricting the key/velocity
response. The KeyMap the Layer refers to may have information beyond the limits, you are simply creating
a smaller “window” into the KeyMap (or Program).
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Kurzweil Creator™
The Kurzweil Document
Also remember that the Ranges do not appear on Drum Programs, since there are no Key/Vel Ranges to
deal with, just the natural 1-Key limit of a Drum Layer.
Optional Displays
There are two option items you can display on a Kurzweil Document; the Keyboard Display and the Wave
Display. The Keyboard Display shows the contents of the KeyMap that is selected in the KeyMap List, and
also responds to dragging and dropping of external Samples into that KeyMap. It makes mapping incoming
samples a breeze. The Wave Display shows the KeyMap of the Sample selected in the Sample List, for easy
recognition.
For more information on the Optional Displays, see either the Keyboard Display or the Wave Display areas
of this document.
Filtering Lists
The text field and popup menu above each list filter the lists contents. Typing into the text field filters
the list based on what you typed; e.g. typing in “Trum” (without the quotes) in the text field above the
Program List brings up Programs with the names “Trumpet Short”, “TrumLngBrght”, and “Guitar Strum”.
Multiple criteria can be inputted by separating them with commas.
The popup menu varies with each List. but give you common ways of making each list more specific; e.g in
the Sample List you can view just the external samples.
Performing Functions on List Objects
The whole purpose of Kurzweil Creator is to add, edit, delete and change objects. Programs can’t be
deleted per se but they can be initialized. A “blank” Program is one that starts with the letters “INIT” (case
insensitive); initialized Programs usually have no sampled KeyMaps referenced, just has the first Layer
enabled, and is set to the first Piano KeyMap.
Mostly what you’ll edit in Programs is the contents of the Layers. Other then providing a set of real-time
parameters, an Layer’s main purpose is to playback a KeyMap, whether it is a ROM KeyMap or sampled
(RAM) KeyMap.
RAM KeyMaps are listed in the KeyMaps List. A RAM KeyMap is a collection of non- overlapping samples
within a MIDI Keyboard with variable Velocities. By selecting a KeyMap in the KeyMap List, the associated
Samples show in the Samples List, with their properties.
There are many ways of adding, editing, and deleting objects. Most of these are standard computer
methods. More specific information will be given in other places in this document, so we’ll cover them
briefly here.
You can use the Gear and Plus (+) and Minus (-) buttons below each list. Clicking the Gear button exposes
a Menu that is very much like the top-level menus titled Programs-Layers- KeyMaps-Samples. You can
apply the function to selected objects in the list, or to all of them, by selecting the popup menu next to the
buttons (Apply to All, Apply to Selected).
Ctl/Right-clicking on a list brings up a Context Menu which is usually identical to the Gear Menu for that
list. It ALWAYS applies to the selected items in that list.
Dragging objects is a very powerful editing method. All drags and drops do what you would think they
would do. If you drag a Wavefrom and drop it on an Layer, it will set that Layer to that KeyMap. If you
drag a couple of WAVE files from outside Kurzweil Creator and drop them on the Sample List, it will
automatically add those WAVE files to the Samples List. You can also drag Programs, KeyMaps, or any
object from one Kurzweil document to another.
The INS and DEL buttons are active to make new KeyMaps or Samples, and Backspace serves as another
DEL button.
Two very powerful functions are included on the Main Screen; Importing and Preparing. These are covered
in depth in other areas of this document. Consider turning this viewer off in Preferences.
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Object Views
Kurzweil Creator™
Kurzweil Object Views
The Kurzweil Creator™ Kurzweil Document has several views so you can work efficiently. Sometimes it is
important to get a birds eye look at your Kurzweil file, and sometimes you need to only look at a portion of
the file.
Views can be access either by the Views top-level menu, or the Master Gear Menu on the upper right of the
document.
Kurzweil files (or we call them Banks) have up to 6 components to them:
Programs
Layers
KeyMaps
Samples
Setups (All Files only)
Parts (All Files only)
Generally the Program is the Queen of the Bank, because so much centers on the Program. Because of this,
most Views have at least something to do with the Programs.
There are 5 Views, separated into 3 Categories: General, Detailed, and Special.
There are two General Views:
Full View
This includes from right to left: Program-Layers, KeyMapSamples.
This is a good general view of the Bank. You can select
Programs and see the Layers that work within them.
You can view the KeyMaps, and view the Samples
referenced by them. And you can assign KeyMaps to
Layers very easily, since the lists are fight next to
each other.
Four Corners
This includes from right to left: Program-Layers, the
below that left to right KeyMap-Samples.
This performs the same purposes of Full View, except
that it values the details of each view (you can see
more of the columns) because of 2x2 alignment. Full
view is more valuable when you want to see more
entries of one list.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Object Views
There are two Detailed Views:
Program-Layer-KeyMap View
This includes from right to left: Program,
Layers, KeyMaps.
This is when you are most concerned with
assign already-designed KeyMaps to Layers.
The Samples list is omitted since you are
already comfortable with the contents of the
KeyMaps.
You have more horizontal information since
there are only 3 lists.
KeyMap-Sample View
This includes from right to left: Layers and
Samples
This is for hardcore KeyMap designing, you
can see the minutiae of the KeyMaps and
of the Samples. You are not concerned with
Programs or anything other then the KeyMaps
and Samples.
You have much more horizontal information
since there are only 2 lists.
Finally, there is one Special View:
Setup View
This includes from right to left: Setups, Parts,
and Programs.
This is the Setup Editor, where you can assign
Programs to Parts, and thus develop your
own Setups easily. Setups do not exist on any
other list, since Programs are more commonly
used and Setups are “far away” from KeyMaps
and their dealings.
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Keyboard Display
Kurzweil Creator™
The Keyboard Optional Display
Since the Kurzweil is basically a keyboard, and everything revolves around a keyboard, so it’s just natural
that we put a keyboard display on a Kurzweil document. It shows you what the contents of the current
KeyMap are, allows you to select a Sample
within the KeyMap, and also allows
dropping to import Samples into the
currently selected KeyMap and determine
their Key Ranges.
Sample View
The Keyboard display shows in
alternating pink and green the Samples that are referenced in the currently selected KeyMap (on
the KeyMaps List). Velocities are also shown, in various tints.
Sample Select
By clicking on the Keyboard display, this selects the Sample according to where you clicked. This
also pertains to Velocity -the higher up you click, the higher velocity gets selected.
Sample Import
By dragging and dropping external Samples (WAVE and AIFF) onto the Keyboard display, this
allows you to import Samples into the currently selected KeyMap. If you drag more then one
Sample or a Folder, multiple overlays will appear as you drag onto top of the display, with a
maximum of an octave spread. Dragging higher on the Keyboard makes for wider spreads.
Dropping on the Keyboard display imports the Samples into the currently selected KeyMap. If there are
overlapping Samples, they are deleted or cut-away - this is because KeyMaps do not allow overlapping.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Wave Display
The Wave Optional Display
No editor would be complete without a Wave Display!
Although there is one in the proper place in the Sample Editor, you can display one on the main screen by
checking the Wave Display menu in the top-level View menu, or the master Gear Menu.
This displays what you play
in the Sample list. There are
no transport controls; well,
there actually is - the single
button on the Sample List
performs this function.
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Adding Objects
Kurzweil Creator™
Adding Objects
You add Programs, KeyMaps, Samples, or Setups by dragging objects into the Lists, by clicking the +
button under the List, or pressing the Insert button (INS) on the computer keyboard.
Program List
Drop a Program from another Kurzweil document into this list, and it will add it to the Program List. (We
should say it will replace the Program selected.) Or drop an external file, like a Kontakt .nki, Apple .exs,
SoundFont, etc., or even one or more WAVE/AIFF files, on the Program List and it will create a Program
and make KeyMaps that will hold the samples. Clicking the + button or pressing INS will allow you to select
one or more external Instruments to Import in (See Importing External Instruments for more information.)
KeyMap List
Drop a KeyMap from another Kurzweil document into this list, and it will add it. Or drop an external file, like
a Kontakt .nki, Apple .exs, SoundFont, etc., or even one or more WAVE/AIFF files, on the KeyMap List and
it will create KeyMaps that will hold the samples. (You then have to assign the KeyMaps to Layers within
Programs, if you wish.) Clicking the + button or pressing INS creates a blank KeyMap, in which you can add
Samples to.
Sample List
Drop a Sample from another Kurzweil document into this list, and it will add it. Or drop a WAVE/ AIFF.
When importing external samples, Kurzweil Creator assigns the first available key from the left of the
keyboard and gives it a one note range. You can edit the range afterwards. Clicking the + button or
pressing INS brings up a Open dialog where you can select WAVE/AIFF files to import.
You can also add Samples by dropping them on the Keyboard Display at the bottom of a Kurzweil
document. This provides an easy way to add a sample to a specific keyrange. For more information, see
the Keyboard Optional Display in this document.
Setup List
Drop a Setup from another Kurzweil document into this list, and it will add it to the Setup List. (We should
say it will replace the Setup selected.) Note: you cannot import external foreign formats into the Setups
List yet, even if the format is a Setup-type (like a Roland Setup). This will be incorporated in a future
version.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Deleting Objects
Deleting Objects
You delete objects in a List by clicking the minus sign (-) button under the List, selecting the “Delete” Gear,
Ctl/Right-click Context, or top-level menu option, or by pressing the Delete button (DEL) on the computer
keyboard.
The popup menus under the lists determine if you are deleting all the objects or just the selected ones.
Since it is impossible to delete a Program or Setup, in this context it means Initializing the
Program(s).
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Editing Objects
Kurzweil Creator™
Editing Objects
You edit an object by double-clicking the object in the list, or by selecting the Gear or top-level menu
“Edit...”. It is only possible to edit one object at a time, so if there are multiple objects selected in a List,
only the first selection will be edited.
When you edit, the appropriate editor appears. For more information on Editors, see the Editors section of
this document.
For Samples, there is also an additional “Edit External...” menu option. This allows you to edit the sample in
an external editor that you specify in the Preferences dialog. For more information, please see the Editing
External Samples section in this document.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Renaming Objects
Renaming Objects
You can rename any object by selecting it, then selecting it again. Although you can name things whatever
you want, Kurzweil Creator will apply the natural Kurzweil text and length restrictions.
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The Kurzweil Player
Kurzweil Creator™
The Kurzweil Player
Kurzweil Creator includes a Kurzweil Player, which can play from Kurzweil Creator itself a Kurzweil
Document’s KeyMaps.
Simply select a KeyMap in the KeyMap list, right-click
and select Play... (Or click the KeyMap Gear menu and
click play... The KeyMap will load and you can play it on
your MIDI keyboard. Make sure to select the correct MIDI
In port in Preferences - Audio/MIDI.
IMPORTANT! On Windows the player is fixed to play out
the ASIO type of driver and goes through ASIO4ALL. You
can download this driver at www.asio4all.com. On Mac
the output is fixed to Built-In Output.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Preparing/Editing KeyMaps
Preparing and Editing KeyMaps/Layers Externally
One of the most powerful and innovative features in Kurzweil Creator™ is the ability to drag (or select
via menu) an Layer, KeyMap, or Sample outside of Kurzweil Creator™ and load it into a software sampler
like Kontakt or a sample editor such as Sound Forge or PEAK. This effectively gives Kurzweil Creator™ a
full-fledged real-time editing engine! Simply edit your object (Layer, KeyMap, or Sample), save it, and focus
back to Kurzweil Creator™ - it will then reference the new information, so when you eventually the save
the document, those new changes will write into the new Kurzweil file.
So, what is “preparing”? Kontakt (or any other sampler or editing program) has no idea what a Kurzweil
KeyMap or Sample is, so if you dragged that object into it (or tried to load it), it would reject it. “Preparing”
is the act of writing behind the scenes temporary files that will be provided to the editing app. After
you’ve “prepared” the Layer/KeyMap/Sample, the List is display it as “prepared”, and then your drag to the
destination app will be successful.
Future versions of Kurzweil Creator™ will allow you to automatically prepare every object; however,
this is something you may not want to do because it may take a lot of time to perform, and chances are
you won’t be editing every KeyMap. That is why it is implemented as a manual process. You can prepared
several or all objects at once though, just use the top- level or Gear menus.
(Note: Currently Kontakt 4.2 and Kontakt 5 are supported formats, however, they do not support
modulators, filters, or effects.)
Preparing, Editing, and Re-importing KeyMaps - An Example
First, locate the KeyMap you want to edit or audition and select it in the
KeyMap List. Under Edit Status it says it’s Idle; this means it’s not prepared.
Click the Gear menu below and select Prepare Selected. Kurzweil Creator will
then prepare the KeyMap. You will know when it’s done
when the Edit Status column shows Prepared.
For the purposes of this example we will assume you
have Kontakt, Native Instruments super-sampler. Open
it up. Then drag the prepared KeyMap out of the List
and onto the Kontakt rack. The KeyMap loads right into
Now, make some edits, add some samples, whatever. Save the
Kontakt Instrument.
Now, go back to Kurzweil Creator™. The program will check
to see if the prepared file has been updated; since it has, it
updates the display and notes that it has been Imported. See
the Edit Status column now; it says Imported. You have edited
a Kurzweil KeyMap using Kurzweil Creator™!
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Kontakt!
Preparing/Editing KeyMaps
Kurzweil Creator™
If you’d like to use another sampler besides Kontakt to audition or
edit your KeyMaps, you have to load the files manually. As of this
writing, Kontakt is the only sampler that fully supports dragging into
the interface. The file to load is in the AppData section of Kurzweil
Creator:
Mac:
/Users/[you]/Application Support/Chicken Systems/Kurzweil Creator
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[you]\ ApplicationData\Chicken
Systems\Kurzweil Creator This assumes C: is your boot drive; also,
ApplicationData may be a hidden folder
Windows 7/8/Windows Vista: C:\Users\[you]\
AppData\Roaming\Chicken Systems\Kurzweil Creator
This assumes C: is your boot drive; also, AppData may
be a hidden folder
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Kurzweil Creator™
External Sample Editing
Editing Single Samples Externally
Kurzweil Creator™ can edit whole KeyMaps (that is, KeyMaps) or single Samples on the Sample List.
Kurzweil Creator™ is a powerful program, but perhaps it’s greatest power is the compatibility with other
programs.
Instead of providing it’s own battery of sample editing DSP functions like other programs do, Kurzweil
Creator™ instead provides the ability to edit the referenced samples within a KeyMap with any external
sample editor you have installed on your system. These can be free editors such as Audacity, or powerful
commercial ones like SoundForge, WaveLab, Peak, DSP-Quattro, or many others.
First you select your External Sample Editor in Preferences (see the screen shot on the right). Then, select
your sample (or samples) in the Sample List, and either right-click or use the Gear menu and click on Edit
Selected Samples. Kurzweil Creator™ will then transparently transfer the samples to a temporary location
and open up the sample editor and that will open up the samples. Edit the samples at your leisure, and
make sure to save them! Once you put the focus back to the Kurzweil Creator™ application, Kurzweil
Creator™ will again references those new samples. Then, when you save your Kurzweil file, those edits
will be included in your Kurzweil file.
This is extremely powerful for mass editing of samples, it can’t get easier then this!
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Exchanging Objects
Kurzweil Creator™
Exchanging Objects
When you have multiple Kurzweil documents open, you can exchange information by dragging objects
(Programs, Layers, KeyMaps, Samples, Setups, or Parts) from and to one another. You can multi-select
objects and move them to another document.
For Programs and Layers, any user KeyMaps that are
connected are carried along with them. Also, with
Programs and Layers, since there are a fixed set
amount of them, they replace what you drop them
on.
For Setups and Parts, any Programs (and their User
KeyMaps that are connected) are carried along with
them. Also, with Setups and Parts, since there are
a fixed set amount of them, they replace what you
drop them on.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Auditioning Objects
Auditioning Samples and Other Objects
Kurzweil Creator™ allows you to audition both the individual samples of your KeyMaps, but also your
KeyMaps themselves.
Samples
Click on the Play icon on the Sample you wish to audition
on the Sample List. The Wave display shows in the Wave
Display below if you have it shown.
Or, open the Sample Editor on an item on the Sample
List, and click on the Play button on the Wave Display.
You can adjust your sound outputs etc, in PreferencesAudio/MIDI tab.
KeyMaps
To audition a KeyMap, you can either use the included
Kurzweil Player, or you can Prepare the KeyMap.
The Kurzweil Player is much easier to use, see the Kurzweil Player section in this document for more
information.
To use Preparation to be played back on an external software sampler, such as Kontakt to EXS24. (For
more information on Preparation, please see the Preparation section in this document.) After the KeyMap is
prepared, drag it onto or load it into the software sampler, and play it back. You also may edit it and import
it back into the Kurzweil document.
Page 23
Importing External Instruments
Kurzweil Creator™
Importing External Instruments
Kurzweil Creator™ contains the powerful Chicken Systems Conversion Engine, which powers our
ubiquitous Translator™ program and other products. This enables you to import already-formed Bank
or Instrument files, such as SoundFonts, Kontakt Instruments, EXS24 Instruments, GigaStudio files, and
much more.
When you import an external Instrument, it adds Programs and KeyMaps to their respective Lists. This is
done by dragging or select via menu; for instance, if you drag in a Kontakt .nki and drop it on the Program
List, it will convert the Kontakt file and add a Program to the first “blank” (that is, initialized) Program, and
add the converted KeyMaps to the KeyMap List. Importing Banks simply creates one or more Programs to
the Program list.
Remember that any importing is temporary until you save your Kurzweil document; importing does not
write to the representative file automatically.
Kurzweil Creator™ supports just about any professional Instrument format that is available.
However, instruments off proprietary disks are not supported, and Instruments that come from exclusive
protected libraries are not supported either. Reason Refills and HALion 3 files are not supported (they are
encrypted just like protected libraries are, for some reason). Below is list of formats as of this writing we
DON’T support for one reason or another. It is unlikely that any of the formats below will be incorporated in
Kurzweil Creator because usually these files are encrypted for copy-protection reasons.
Kontakt Player 1 and 2 libraries (that use samples within .nks or .nkx files)
Structure Factory libraries (the ones that come off the 32+GB library, using “.big” files)
SampleTank files that use “2-pak” compression
Alesis Fusion files that use their own compression scheme (that is, many Hollow Sun libraries)
ALL Steinberg HALion 3 and 4 files (Steinberg encrypts ALL files created with HALion (!))
Propellerhead Refills; any files in one, or a referenced file in a Refill
EastWest PLAY files (encrypted)
Garritan-distributed Aria (.sfz files with .audio files as the samples)
Stylus RMX Core Library-type files (includes XPanders)
Vienna Instruments (not the original .gig/exs/nki files, but the new Vienna Instruments player)
ALL Yellow Tools Independence files
Yamaha Motif factory banks that have the samples marked as “protected”, and ones that use the LPC or
XPC compression; these are few though
Roland VP-9000
Page 24
Kurzweil Creator™
Editors
Editors
In large part you’ll do much of your adding/editing/deleting using the Main Screen. But when you need to
view or tweak a certain parameter within a Kurzweil object, that’s where the Editors come in.
You invoke an Editor by double-clicking on an object, or by using the Gear, Ctl/Right-click Context, or toplevel menu. Hint: don’t double-click on the Name, it just sets the Name up for editing. Double-click to the
left or right of the Name.
There are six Editors: Program, Layer, KeyMap, Sample, Setup, and Part.
Page 25
Program Editor
Kurzweil Creator™
Program Editor
This exposes some of the Program-level parameters (there aren’t too many, these are the COMMON
Program parameters), and the KeyMap assignments to the Layers. You can change the Layer assignments
much like you do on the Main Screen.
To change the Layer parameters, you
will need to use the Layer Editor, which
you can invoke from the Program
Editor.
Please note that until you close the
dialog, none of the changes you
make are permanent. If you make
changes, and try to close the dialog,
it will ask you if you want to save your
changes. (This can be turned off in
Preferences-General.) Also remember
that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be
reverted to its original state.
The are knob widgets to control most
of the parameters, and Range Maps to
control the Key and Velocity Ranges of the Layers.
Page 26
Kurzweil Creator™
Layer Editor
Layer Editor
This exposes the KeyMap assignment for that Layer and all the Layer-level parameters. The Layer
parameters on the Kurzweil are usually the most significant. You can change the Layer’s assignment and
edit any of the parameters.
Please note that until you close the
dialog, none of the changes you
make are permanent. If you make
changes, and try to close the dialog,
it will ask you if you want to save your
changes. (This can be turned off in
Preferences- General.) Also remember
that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be
reverted to its original state.
The are knob widgets to control most
of the common parameters. There are
also graphical envelope widgets to
customize the envelopes.
Page 27
KeyMap Editor
Kurzweil Creator™
KeyMap Editor
The KeyMap Editor shows all the Samples assigned to the KeyMap and performs much like the KeyMap List
on the Main Screen.
You can “prepare” a KeyMap here
and edit externally (see the External
Editing topic in this document).
Additionally, you can also invoke the
Sample Editor for a specific Sample in
the KeyMap from this Editor.
Please note that until you close the
dialog, none of the changes you
make are permanent. If you make
changes, and try to close the dialog,
it will ask you if you want to save your
changes. (This can be turned off in
Preferences-General.) Also remember
that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be
reverted to its original state.
Page 28
Kurzweil Creator™
Sample Editor
Sample Editor
This shows the sample-specific parameters (Tune, Pan, Volume, Ranges, Start/Loop points, etc.) and shows
the full KeyMap display, where you can audition the sample.
You can edit the KeyRange and Velocity
Range parameters here. Please
remember that in a Kurzweil KeyMap
there can not be overlapping ranges,
even though this editor will allow you
to do so. If there are overlapping
samples when you save the Kurzweil
file, it will warn you and give you
the option to Cancel and repair the
overlaps (then resave), or it will
automatically repair the overlaps.
However, keep in mind that it may
make decisions you do not want.
You can “prepare” a Sample here for
external editing (see the External
Editing topic in this document). You
can replace the sample with another
one, plus you can edit the sample using an external sample editor. A small but helpful complement of DSP
functions is also included.
Please note that until you close the dialog, none of the changes you make are permanent. If you
make changes, and try to close the dialog, it will ask you if you want to save your changes. (This
can be turned off in Preferences-General.) Also remember that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be reverted to its original state.
The are knob widgets to control most of the parameters, and Range Maps to control the Key and
Velocity Ranges.
Page 29
Setup Editor
Kurzweil Creator™
Setup Editor
The Setup Editor shows all the Parts contained in the Setup, plus some of the Common parameters.
Please note that until you close the
dialog, none of the changes you
make are permanent. If you make
changes, and try to close the dialog,
it will ask you if you want to save your
changes. (This can be turned off in
Preferences-General.) Also remember
that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be
reverted to its original state.
The are knob widgets to control most of
the parameters.
Page 30
Kurzweil Creator™
Part Editor
Part Editor
The Part Editor shows all the Parts assigned to the selected Setup and performs much like the Part List on
the Main Screen. You can “prepare” a Part here. Additionally, you can also invoke the Sample Editor
for a specific Sample in the
KeyMap from this Editor.
Please note that until you close the
dialog, none of the changes you
make are permanent. If you make
changes, and try to close the dialog,
it will ask you if you want to save your
changes. (This can be turned off in
Preferences-General.) Also remember
that even if you “save” those changes,
your Kurzweil Document still can be
reverted to its original state.
The are knob widgets to control most
of the common parameters.
Page 31
AutoSampler
Kurzweil Creator™
AutoSampler
Kurzweil Creator™ has a spiffy plugin called AutoSampler. This automatically sends MIDI notes to internal
and external sound sources and records
them automatically, and then outputs
the results into the current Kurzweil
Document you have open.
To autosample an external or an internal
device, follow the following steps:
Set your MIDI Out/Audio In devices
appropriately. (Audio/MIDI page)
If you are sampling an internal device,
open it and set the MIDI IN and
Audio Out to the corresponding
MIDI In MIDI Out and Audio In
preferences set in AutoSampler. Of course, make sure the MIDI Channels are the same. If sampling an
external device, make sure the proper audio cables are going into the port specified in AutoSampler.
Set your preferences concerning what notes you want sampled, how many velocities you want sampled,
and what you want the result named. (Placement page)
Click Record, the tabs on AutoSampler shift to the Sampling... tab where the progress bars exist, and sit
back and watch.
External MIDI and Audio devices are standard on Mac and Windows; the ports are embedded in the
operating system, and if you are using external gear, you’ve already installed those drivers.
But virtual MIDI and Audio cables aren’t standard in either the Mac or Windows, so you need to get some
additional software if you record software instruments such as Kontakt, EXS24, MachFive, etc.
These are called Virtual Cables. Sometimes they are referred to a Ports, but we feel calling them Cables
is more precise, since we are talking about connecting two devices at two ends. A Cable illustrates both
“ends”.
You need to establish a Virtual MIDI Cable, so you can send MIDI from Autosampler to the internal
software application, plus set up a Virtual Audio Cable, so you can capture the internal device’s audio.
NOTE: The following contains external links that may become bad over time. We will attempt to keep these
up to date. If any of them fail, please ask us for the latest information.)
Recording Internal Devices
Mac Virtual MIDI: Fortunately, OSX offers this natively, but you have to manually set it up.
Open the Audio/MIDI Utility applet in your Mac’s Utilities folder. Create a new virtual MIDI
port; by default this is called “IDC Output A”. After establishing this, it will then show up in the
AutoSampler’s MIDI Out list. You will also need to choose this in your internal device’s MIDI In
list.
Mac Virtual Audio: We recommend using Cycling74’s free SoundFlower system (download it at
Cycling74’s web site). SoundFlower is a inter-application audio device. After you install it, a Audio
In SoundFlower device will appear in Autosampler’s Audio In list. Again, you will need to make sure
that your internal device is outputting on SoundFlower’s output port.
Page 32
AutoSampler - Audio/MIDI
Kurzweil Creator™
Windows Virtual MIDI: Windows doesn’t provide this, but a free driver and app called loopMIDI
by Tobias Erichsen supplies this. Download it and install it. Open the app, that’s all you have to
do. After establishing this, it will then show up in the Autosampler’s MIDI Out list. You will also
need to choose this in your internal device’s MIDI In list.
Windows Virtual Audio: The one we use is VB-Audio Cable, which is free from VB-Audio
Software (download it at VB-Audio Software’s web site. After you install it, a “Virtual Audio Cable”
device will appear in Autosampler’s Audio In list. Again, you will need to make sure that your
internal device is outputting on Virtual Audio Cable’s output port.
Templates
Once you have used Autosampler a couple times, you’ll have some set note payouts and setups you’ll want
to save. You can do that in the Load/Save As... buttons to the right. Save As.. saves your current work, Load
saves templates you’ve saved earlier. They are contained as .ast files in your Application Support folder:
Mac
/Library/Application Support/Chicken Systems/[appname]/AutoSampler Templates
Win8/7/Vista
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Chicken Systems\[appname]\AutoSampler Templates
Windows XP
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Chicken Systems\[appname]\AutoSampler Templates
Audio/MIDI
Choose your MIDI Out port and your Audio In ports here. Set your output MIDI Channel here too.
You can test the MIDI out with the MIDI Test button, and set the note and velocity using the selections below. Even better,
check the w/keyboard check box and test using your MIDI keyboard.
You can also test incoming audio by pressing Audio Test, and looking at the meters above. You may not be able to hear
the audio coming in, but this should be no
worry.
Placement
This is where you will select what MIDI
notes will be recorded and how many
and at what velocities. Simply choose
the notes on the buttons; the MIDI
keyboard graphic will show you what you
have chosen.
You can also select your notes via MIDI keyboard by checking the Select via MIDI checkbox.
We have supplied some handy Placement Presets. These are the most common placements, allowing for
guitars and other common instruments. Note: the reason there is preference for sampling D’s and A’s is
because harmonically these are much easier to loop.
There is also a KeyRange slider below the keyboard graphic; this limits the keyrange extends of the ultimate Program that is created.
Normally, AutoSampler fills in all
spaces between notes you choose
not to record (except when
KeySpread is “Single Key”), so
this determines the limits of the
extreme low and high ranges.
Note: All velocity spaces are always filled in.
Page 33
AutoSampler - Recording
Kurzweil Creator™
The keyboard graphic has arrow buttons on both sides, allowing you to shift the placed notes up or down
by an octave. By pressing CTL while clicking on the arrows, you shift down by a single note.
Number of Programs: This is the amount of programs you will record. If >1, a Program Change is
outputted, changing the Program that you are recording. Also, Start Number is enabled, allowing you to set
the beginning Program Change number that will be sent.
Start Number: See above.
Number of Velocities: This the amount of velocities that you will record. See Velocity Curve below for the
ranges this parameter enabled if >1.
Root Key Anchor: AutoSampler automatically sets keyranges to fill in all the notes that you aren’t
recording. This parameter determines hwo these are placed in respect to the note (Root Key) that you
recorded. Middle means half the keyrange goes down and half goes up. LoKey means the record note is the
lowest note of the range, whereas HiKey means the recorded note is the highest note of the range. Hint:
although Middle is a good compromise, usually HiKey is a good selection because most audio sounds better
transposed downward than upward; plus the slower playback gives it more time before a possible loop.
Key Spread: Most of the time you’ll select Full, which means all areas between LoKey-HiKey are filled in.
When set to Single Key, the keyranges are always 1 note in length and there is no filling in of notes not
recorded.
Velocity Curve: This determines the velocity ranges if you are recording >1 velocities. Linear means that
all ranges are equal in height. The Convex values mean that lower velocities are larger and higher velocities
are smaller (meaning you have to hit harder to get the high velocity sounds), and the Concave values are
the opposite; higher velocity sounds are more likely to be sounded. Note: to be specific, the velocities that
are actually record are always the HIGHEST velocity determined by the curve. This is because everyone
wants to hear the velocity=127 sound, but no one wants to hear the Velocity=1 sound, mostly.
The Velocity graphic on the bottom shows you at a glance what velocities you have programmed. This
reflects the Velocity Curve set.
Recording
These are the parameters exclusively dealing with recording.
Input Level: This is the input level of the audio. Generally you will want to leave this at 0db and adjust
whatever is incoming with it’s own controls.
Recording Time: This is the amount of time recorded. Please remember that any silence BEFORE or
AFTER the sound is automatically trimmed, so the final result maybe not be this amount of time.
Start Threshold: This is the level of
audio required for the recording to actually
commence saving of the recorded audio.
Allow Silence: Sometimes you want to record the extra silence after the sound has died
away. This can be handy for noise reduction
processing you do later.
Page 34
Kurzweil Creator™
AutoSampler - Processing
Processing
Once the audio is recorded, there are a couple things that you might want to do with it. You will likely want
to loop it and probably normalize it.
Add Loop: This turns on the loop in the
destination format. The slider sets the
approximate loop start area you want to set.
Note: This is approximate; if you choose to
loop, the engine will make some decisions
about the best place to loop BASED ON this
parameter.
CrossFade Loop: (Only available when
AddLoop is checked.) This hardcodes a crossfade loop into the recorded sample. The slider determines the
length of the crossfade; we recommend values around 4000 samples.
Proportional Normalize: This boosts all samples up to 0db level at highest, with one twist: it takes the
highest level in ALL the recorded samples, and normalizes all the samples regarding that level. This way,
the balance of levels is preserved.
Chop and Add Parameter Attack: Sometimes the data that is under a relatively slow attack is the same as
the sustained portion. Checking this tells AutoSampler to truncate all data up to the highest level (before the
loop start if there is one), calculate the time it took to get there, and writes the AmpEnv Attack parameter
accordingly.
Create Release Triggers: If checked, AutoSampler will make separate samples of when it releases
the key, adn the output format will program and use these samples accordingly, plus set the release
parameter to around 150-300ms. Note: if the output format does not support release triggers,
AutoSampler will not create these samples, effectively ignoring this parameter.
Do Not Trim: This disables the automatic trimming AutoSampler does post-recording. Again, this is often
used in conjunction with the Allow Silence parameter, where you want the silence after the sound to use
for your manual post-processing.
Record Channels: This determines the output format of the samples, either Stereo or Mono.
Switches
This handy features allows you to sample
Instruments that play different sounds based
on Keyswitching, or Controller switching, or
Round Robin. You likely know some advance
information on where keyswitches are
located or what controller switches things.
For Controller switching, the values sent
before recording are listed in the middle right
box. You can edit them, but make sure there
is one value per number of controllers you have selected.
Since the Kurzweil does not support any kind of switching, each Keyswitch or Controller switch will appear
as a separate Program.
Parameters
AutoSampler gives you a selection of default parameters that will be written into your output format. This
is handy for including modulators like pitch bend or LFO->ModWheel->LFO, or just the simple task of
turning on the filter so you don’t have to..
Page 35
Menus - File
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - File
New
Creates a new Kurzweil Document. You have the choice
of K2000, K25000, K2600, or PC3K.
Open
Displays a common Open dialog where you can open
an existing Kurzweil PCG file. This will be displayed in a
new Kurzweil Document.
Open Recent
A list of previously selected Kurzweil Documents.
Revert to Saved...
Reverts the current Kurzweil Document to the original
saved version it references. If the current state of the
document is Edited, Kurzweil Creator will ask you if you
want to save your changes elsewhere.
Close Window
Closes the current Kurzweil Document. If the current
state of the document is Edited, Kurzweil Creator will
ask you if you want to save your changes.
Import...
Allows you to select a non-Kurzweil format to import into Kurzweil Creator and create a new Kurzweil
Document from it. This uses the famous Chicken Systems Conversion Engine™ to accomplish the importing.
Export Program List Text
Saves a Text file listing the contents of the Kurzweil Document. See Preferences - Import for different
options how this list is formatted.
Export All Samples
This exports all the samples in a Kurzweil Document to WAVE, AIFF, CAF, or SND sound files.
Save
Saves the current Kurzweil Document, overwriting any previous information. Currently you cannot save into
another Kurzweil type; although this will be possible in a upcoming version.
Save As...
Saves the current Kurzweil Document, allowing you to name it and write it anywhere. Currently you cannot
save into another Kurzweil type; although this will be possible in a upcoming version.
Quit/Exit
Quits the whole mess.
Page 36
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - Program/Setup
Menus - Program/Setup
These Functions are also accessible via the Function Buttons on the Main Interface on the bottom of the
Main Screen. The menu is the same for Programs or Setups, they apply
the same.
Import
Allows you to import a non-Kurzweil file into the current Kurzweil
Document. It will replace the first “blank” Kurzweil Program or Setup
(starting with the text “Init”).
Initialize Selected (or All)
Initializes the selected Programs, or all the Programs/ Setups in the
Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the PopupMenu under
the Program or Setup List.)
Duplicate
This duplicates the Program or Setups selected.
Page 37
Menus - Layer/Part
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - Layer/Part
Import
Allows you to import a non-Kurzweil file into the current
Kurzweil Document as one or more KeyMaps. It will create the
KeyMaps(s) and then assign them to the currently-select Layer
(including the real-time parameters such as envelopes and
filters). If more then one KeyMap is created, it will assign them
to any other “empty” Layers in that Program.
Initialize Selected (or All)
Initializes the selected Programs, or all the Programs in the
Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the PopupMenu under the Program List.)
Page 38
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - KeyMap
Menus - KeyMap
New...
Adds a new blank KeyMap to the Kurzweil Document.
Import...
Allows importing of a non-Kurzweil Instrument into the
current Kurzweil Document, only in the form of one or
more KeyMaps.
Prepare Selected (or All)
Prepares the selected KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps in the
Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the
PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Import Selected (or All)
Re-imports the already Prepared KeyMaps, or all the
KeyMaps in the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the
setting of the PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Delete Selected (or All)
Deletes the selected KeyMaps, or all the
KeyMaps in the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the
setting of the PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Page 39
Menus - Sample
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - Sample
Add->Folder
Allows adding a folder of sample files to the
currently selected KeyMap. Kurzweil Creator™ will
include all sample files immediately within the
Folder and within any sub-Folders.
Add->Files
Allows adding one or more sample files to the
currently selected KeyMap.
Delete Selected (or All)
Deletes the selected Samples, or all the Samples in the currently selected KeyMap. (Dependent on the
setting of the PopupMenu under the Sample List.)
Page 40
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - View
Menus - View
Program/Layer/KeyMap View
This includes from left to right: Program, Layers,
KeyMaps.
KeyMap/Sample View
This includes from left to right: KeyMaps and Samples.
Setup View (All Files only)
This includes from left to right: Setups, Parts, and
Programs.
Four Corners View
This includes from left to right: Program-Layers, then
below that, from left to right, KeyMap- Samples.
Full View
The standard 4-List view.
Keyboard
Shows or Hides the Keyboard Display on the Kurzweil
Document. Please note that it does not display in the
Setup View.
Wave Display
Shows or Hides the Wave Display on the Kurzweil Document. Please note that it only displays when the
Sample List is visible.
Layer Ranges
Shows the Layer Range widgets at the top of the Layer List.
Part Ranges (All Files only)
Shows the Part Range widgets at the top of the Part List.
Page 41
Menus - Help
Kurzweil Creator™
Menus - Help
Contents
Displays the Help File; that is the manual. Hey, READ IT!!! =)
Troubleshooting
Goes to the Troubleshooting page in the Manual.
Bug Reports
Goes online to the Chicken Systems Kurzweil Creator
Bug Report page. You can fill out the form there
and submit any applicable files, to report any issues
Kurzweil Creator has.
Sending Files
Displays the Help File section about sending
files within Bug Reports.
Kurzweil Creator Home Page
Goes online to the Chicken System’s Kurzweil Creator
Home page.
Check For Updates
Contacts the Chicken Systems Update Server online
and checks if there is a update for your current
running version of Kurzweil Creator.
Online Documentation
Goes online to a online version of the Help File.
Usually the same thing as the Help File.
Support - Forum
Goes online and takes you to the SamplerZone Kurzweil Creator forum. You can get questions answered
here, as well as meet up with the most amazing people you’ll ever want to meet.
Support - Online Chat
Opens a online Chat window, where you can chat with a Chicken Systems engineer during business hours
and sometimes outside of business hours.
Support - Email
Allows you to directly send an email to Chicken Systems. All emails are replied to within 24-48 hours.
Support - Movies
Goes to the Kurzweil Creator Product Video site for a full range of product videos and instruction.
About Kurzweil Creator™
Shows the Kurzweil Creator™ Splash Screen, which shows you your registration information and the
current version number you are using.
Page 42
Kurzweil Creator™
Gear Menus - Program
Gear Menus - Program
Import
Allows you to import a non-Kurzweil file into the current
Kurzweil Document. It will replace the first “blank” Kurzweil
file (starting with the text “Init”).
Initialize Selected (or All)
Initializes the selected Programs, or all the Programs in
the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the
PopupMenu under the Program List.)
Page 43
Gear Menus - KeyMap
Kurzweil Creator™
Gear Menus - KeyMap
New...
Adds a new blank KeyMap to the Kurzweil Document.
Prepare Selected (or All)
Prepares the selected KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps in the
Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the
PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Import Selected (or All)
Re-imports the already Prepared KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps
in the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the
PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Play...
This loads the KeyMap into the MC Player, so you can play the
KeyMap through MIDI.
Split Selected... (or All)
This splits the KeyMap(s) in half, one getting the lower
values, a new copy getting the top half, in the Kurzweil
Document. (Dependent on the setting of the PopupMenu
under the KeyMap List.)
Merge Selected (or All)
Merges the selected KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps in the
Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of the PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Duplicate Selected (or All)
Duplicates the selected KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps in the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting
of the PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Delete Selected (or All)
Deletes the selected KeyMaps, or all the KeyMaps in the Kurzweil Document. (Dependent on the setting of
the PopupMenu under the KeyMap List.)
Remove Duplicates
Macro function that analyzes each KeyMap and makes sure there are no duplicates. It also updates the
references in the Layers of the Programs automatically.
Page 44
Kurzweil Creator™
Gear Menus - Sample
Gear Menus - Sample
New...
Allows adding one or more
sample files to the currently
selected KeyMap.
Delete Selected (or All)
Deletes the selected Samples,
or all the Samples in the
currently selected KeyMap.
(Dependent on the setting
of the PopupMenu under the
Sample List.)
Page 45
Preferences - General
Kurzweil Creator™
Preferences
The Preferences dialog is viewed by clicking on (Windows) Tools-Preferences top menu, or (Mac) App MenuPreferences.
General Tab
Prepare Audition Format
This is the format that is written when
preparing a KeyMap for auditioning.
New Import Format
This is the format that is composed when
importing anything or creating a new
Kurzweil Document.
Parameter Tolerance
When importing into Kurzweil format,
there may be structural limitations where
if you wanted to ensure all parameters
were converted perfectly, you’d end up with
multiple Programs/Presets being created,
perhaps in more of a mess than you
prefer. Setting Parameter Tolerance to a higher percentage gives some grace to these parameters so the
conversion will be a little exact but you’ll wind up with a cleaner organization that will be more usable to
you.
Use Custom Editor for Sample Edits
This is the app that you’ll use for editing samples within the Kurzweil Document. Good sample editors are
SoundForge (Mac/Windows), Peak (Mac), DSP Quattro (Mac), Audacity (Mac/ Windows), Adobe Audition
(Mac/Windows) and more.
Color Keyboard with selected KeyMap Ranges
Usually this is set to be on. This colors the onscreen Keyboard with the ranges of the Samples within the
currently selected KeyMap.
Autoload KeyMaps when selected
Checking this has the Kurzweil Player load KeyMaps as they are selected, allowing you to audition them via
MIDI.
Middle C displays as...
On some samplers/keyboards, middle C is defined as C4 (usually U.S.) while others it is C3. All Kurzweils
show it as C3, and by default this is what is shown throughout the program through any Note Number (i.e.
A#5, E1, etc.) However, you may feel comfortable seeing it as C4. This control sets the display of Note
Numbers program-wide.
Check For Updates
Unchecking this turns off Kurzweil Creator checking for updates automatically when starting up.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Preferences - Colors
Colors Tab
Might as well make your Wave Display look great,
right? These are the options you have on what your Wave
Display looks like.
Import Tab
Import Mapping Type
When adding samples to a KeyMap, this option allows you to
select and operate many different informational mechanisms
to map the samples where you want them to go.
Chromatic: This simply puts each sample on single notes,
from lowest to highest. You also have the option of selecting
all keys, only white keys, or only black keys.
Embedded Root/INST: Pays attention to RootKey or INST
chunk information embedded in the incoming files. An INST
chunk contains LoKey, HiKey, LoVel, and HiVel information,
but is relatively rare in sample files.
Velocity: Instead of mapping on adjacent keys, it will map
on a single key, into adjacent velocity ranges.
Name Pattern: Looks into the File Name and tried to detect
the pattern listed in the text box below.
Use Key Range
This is the keyrange limits placed on imported samples. This means all samples placed will not exist
outside these limits. If this is not checked, they are assumed as 0-127.
Use Velocity Range
This is the velocity range limits placed on imported samples. This means all samples placed will not exist
outside these limits. If this is not checked, they are assumed as 0-127.
Spread
This determines the default spread between LoKey and HiKey the sample will receive.
Export Tab
Destination Sample Type
Kurzweil Creator allows you to export the samples in the Kurzweil Document out into single samples; this
option selects the type. They can be WAVE, AIFF, CAF, or Akai SND files.
Create Folder for KeyMaps
If this is checked, Kurzweil Creator will organize the samples
per KeyMap and put them into folders named after the
KeyMaps. Otherwise, the samples in the Kurzweil Document
will just be written flat.
Write “Inst” chunk into sample files Although this is not
used often in musical circles, a WAVE or AIFF file can hold
keyrange/velocity range info for a sample. When checked,
Kurzweil Creator will write this chunk into the sample. There is
no effect the sound of the sample, but preserves it if it will be used again in the same context.
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Preferences - Data Processing
Kurzweil Creator™
Write SFZ file for every KeyMap
This can be handy if you want to observe the layout of each KeyMap, or perhaps if you want to import it
into another sampler.
Export Text
This controls the listing option in Kurzweil Creator. You can export a formatted list of the contents
of a Kurzweil Document for organizational purposes.
Delimiter
This controls the way the linefeeds are written for separated textual lines.
Include Bank - Slot Numbers
A Bank - Slot number is formatted like this: USER1:D14; checking this puts it into the document.
Exclude Blank Programs
Sometimes the User banks have a lot of Programs or Setups with INIT has it’s name and they don’t include
anything in them. This option eliminates them from the list.
Data Processing Tab
Kurzweil Creator can import WAVE/AIFF files
that have not been beat detected (that is,
the transients have not been calculated) and
Kurzweil Creator will detect those transients
and import them just like Recycle/ACID/
AppleLoops.
But, let’s talk about what a “slice file” (a
Recycle file, ACID file, or AppleLoop) is.
What Is A Slice File
A WAVE or AIFF file is simply a piece of audio
data. And any “slice file”, such as a Recycle file,
ACID file, AppleLoop, or Stylus RMX file, are just pieces of audio data as well.
The only difference between a regular sample file and a slice file is that a slice file has markers written in
a information chunk in the file. These markers are placed strategically where transients (sharp sounds) in
the file start, so a player that reads slice files knows where the slices are. This is how a Slice File can be
played back at various tempos: the player plays back a slice at the position the tempo dictates. At faster
tempos, the slices fade out to make way for the next slice; at slower tempos, there is a gap between the
slices. (However, some players artificially add sample data to “plug the holes”. Also, good Slice Files are
originally recorded at the slowest tempo reasonably allowed, so they never have to be played back at a
slower tempo than their “unity tempo”.)
To create a Slice File, one has to “slice” the audio into slices of energy (“beats”) so the playback engine
plays it back in a way that makes rhythmic sense. This requires a beat detector.
Slice editors, most notably Recycle, but also ACID itself and the AppleLoop Utility that Apple provides, have
beat detection. They do 2 things: They beat-detect a sound file, plus they can play the slice files back
at different tempos. They do this with the assistance of the detected markers. Once you have what you
want, then you save into a slice file, where the audio stays constant but the markers are written in the file.
So when a slice player reads the file, the slices are the secret to it’s capability to play them back at any
tempo.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Preferences - Audio/MIDI
Kurzweil Creator’s Beat Detection
Kurzweil Creator has a Beat Detector, giving you the ability to import WAVE/AIFF files just like Slice Files.
It is vitally important to pay attention to these Beat Detector preferences. The defaults work for most clear
and simple beats, but they definitely will not work with everything. You will need to experiment with these
on a case-by-case basis, but keep trying, there usually is a solution to any rhythmic piece of data.
Here is the explanation of the Beat Detector’s parameters:
Type: The Beat Detector uses two passes through the audio to detect beats. The first pass does the
best detection it can, then the second pass “checks” the results.
Threshold: This is like the Sensitivity control on Recycle and other slice editors. Higher values produce
less detection, lower values produce more detection.
Silence: This is terms of samples. This is the MINIMUM amount of samples that need to exist between
markers. If you are getting lots of “double beats”, raise this value.
Tempo: You can bypass the whole detection thing and just put slice points at beat values, regardless of
whether a burst of energy exists at that point.
Importing Slice Files is not as perfect as it appears. But it is very doable, don’t let these options deter you.
Pitch Detection
Pitch Detection is helpful making a chromatic instrument out of bunches of WAVE/AIFF files. Try dropping
a host of WAV files of (say) a KeyMapd trumpet, and Kurzweil Creator detects the pitch of each sample
and places it on the appropriate MIDI key for it’s pitch, and then sets KeyRanges to fill up the spaces inbetween the notes. All of a sudden, you have a trumpet sound on for your Kurzweil without the work of
applying the proper rootkey and keyranges.
The Pitch Detection parameters determine how accurate or precise the pitch detection is. Pitch detection
does rely on certain variables so different types and styles of pitch detection do a better or worse job than
others. Try what seems best for you.
Audio/MIDI Tab
Audio Driver Types
These are the Sound Driver types on your system.
Selecting one shows the Audio Outputs and Audio
Inputs in the lists to the right.
Audio Outputs
These are the outputs on your system for the selected
Audio Driver Type. Selecting one selects the audio
output for your app.
Audio Inputs
These are the inputs on your system for the selected
Audio Driver Type. Selecting one selects the audio input for your app.
Audio Properties
Shows the Properties of the Output or Input that is selected on the left.
MIDI In/Out Drivers
Allows you to select the current MIDI In or Out drivers that will drive the MC Player.
Enable MIDI
Enables MIDI communication.
Enable MIDI Velocity
When unchecked, all MIDI notes coming in will be Velocity=127 in value.
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Kurzweil Creator™
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Kurzweil Creator™
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Your Kurzweil Creator™ program should be rock-solid and give you no problems. However, there is always
stuff that can go wrong.
You can start from scratch as far as Preferences go by trashing your preferences. You can do that by:
Mac
Go to:
/Users/[you]/Library/Preferences, delete com.chickensys.kurzweilcreator.plist
Windows
Go into the Registry and delete the
HKEY_CURRENTUSER/Software/Chicken Systems, Inc/Kurzweil Creator key.
Mac and Windows
Press SHIFT when starting the program.
These techniques only trash your working preferences; they do not trash your auth codes etc. For all other
queries, please contact Chicken Systems Technical Support at the contact
points listed under Contacting Technical Support in this document.
FAQ
There is a Kurzweil Creator™ FAQ up on the Chicken Systems Web site:
www.chickensys.com/support/software/kurzweilcreator/faq
We revise this as needed, based on common questions previously asked about Kurzweil Creator™.
It is extremely LIKELY that your question is answered here! Please do not contact us until you have read
completely through this resource. It probably will answer your question.
Bug Reports
Kurzweil Creator™ should not crash or show errors, but reality insists that all programs do at some
point. Since it sometimes deals with many undocumented formats and files created from many sources,
Kurzweil Creator™ can be especially vulnerable.
If you have a problem with a translation, or receive an error within Kurzweil Creator™ concerning a file,
the BEST way to communicate that is to file a Bug Report and send us any applicable files, with a brief
description of what the problem is.
To use the Bug Reports system, go to Help-Bug Reports in the program. It connects you to our Bug Reports
website, has a form you fill out that gets the information we need from you, and permits you to send us
the source file directly from that web page.
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Bug Reports
Kurzweil Creator™
We recommend you to use Bug Reports the
page first. We do invite you to email us or call us
with a problem, but most of the time we just direct
people to the Bug Reports web site to document
the information in writing and for them to send us
the file. Constructor has many users across the
globe, and it is not possible to track all our users
particular questions and issues through personal
correspondence.
Once you establish an issue with the Bug Reports
web site, you will get an email back with a link to
your issue that you can consistently check on. We
try to address and close issues within 24-48 hours.
BUT, THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO ENABLE US
TO EXACTLY REPLICATE YOUR ISSUE ON OUR
END! THIS IS WHY WE NEED THE SOURCE FILE
IN ALL CASES.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS!
Bug Reports Page:
Email:
FTP:
www.chickensys.com/kurzweilcreator/bugreports
[email protected]
ftp.chickensys.com
(please make sure file names DO NOT have spaces in them!)
User: [email protected]
Pass: filesend123
Additional Notes
Again, we make a special effort to analyze files and comment or fix the problem with 24 business hours
through our Bug Reports page listed above.
Regarding larger files: they are easier to FTP than to e-mail, although our systems can handle either
method of any size without problem. The Bug Reports web site can handle any size. Any email limitation is
usually on your end. If you FTP a file, make sure that the filename DOES NOT have spaces in it. This is a
natural limitation of the Internet and FTP servers in general.
Please give us a brief complete explanation of the problem. We try to answer all emails within 24 hours.
Please be patient if the answer does not arrive immediately.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Technical Support
Contacting Technical Support
Chicken Systems Technical Support can be reached in many ways: Phone, Email, Chat, or via our
SamplerZone.com Forum. Please give us a brief complete explanation of the problem. With Email and
Forum questions, we try to respond within 24 hours, Please be patient if the answer does not arrive
immediately.
You may Phone or Chat with us also if, after reading and looking at the documentation, you are stumped.
Our usual office hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. We are often in the office on weekends and holidays
on an infrequent basis.
Phone:
Email:
Chat:
Forum:
800-877-6377 United States, 320-235-9798 elsewhere.
Please do not mind the crabby technical support engineers.
[email protected]
www.chickensys.com, use the Chat link on the bottom
www.samplerzone.com/forums/kurzweilcreator
Page 53
Updating
Kurzweil Creator™
Updating
We update Kurzweil Creator™ as needed, for bug fixes, improvements, and additions to the library.
Kurzweil Creator™ automatically checks if there is a update available when you start it up. (If desired, you
can turn this checking off in Preferences.) You can also check for updates by selecting Check for Updates
under the Help menu. (This only works, of course, if you are connected to the Internet on that computer.)
If your Kurzweil Creator™ computer is not connected to the Internet, or for some reason you can’t run
Kurzweil Creator™, you can check for updates at:
www.chickensys.com/kurzweilcreator/userupdates
You can check what is your Kurzweil Creator™ version number by checking the About Box (under Help in
Windows and under the App Menu on Mac), or by checking Get Info [Mac] or Properties [Windows].
If there is an update available for you, you can download it and then move it to your program’s computer
(if from a different computer). Run the updater and your program should be updated.
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Kurzweil Creator™
Contact Us
Contact Us
Chicken Systems, Inc.
714 5th Street SE
Willmar, MN 56201
Phone:
Email:
Chat:
Forum:
800-877-6377 United States, 320-235-9798 elsewhere.
[email protected]
www.chickensys.com, use the Chat link on the bottom of the page
www.samplerzone.com/forums/kurzweilcreator
Page 55
Credits
Kurzweil Creator™
Credits
Developing software is at the core a one-man process, but making it good requires a team.
Kurzweil Creator™ really benefitted from good teamwork and solid commitment to quality software.
Garth Hjelte: Project Lead
Jeff Godbloch: Programming and Technical Writer
Roger Weingarten: Programming
And thanks to:
John Richmond, John Tettle at Kurzweil US for the opportunity, technical advice, and much much
help.
Larry Hopkins for specific Kurzweil help, and also more great ideas and hospitality
Everyone at Sonikmatter and the Kurzweil Yahoo mailing lists for their ideas and encouragement
And...
Cheryl Ann Mays at SamplerZone for the best sales team ever
Sandi Tepper with Provare Technology
Christian Schmitz, Glenn Austin, Joe Strout for prompt, clear, concise technical assistance
Dan Dean and Ernest Cholakis for timely feedback and friendship
David Viens at Plogue for SFZ assistance
Kyle Zambora at Nine Volt Audio for great ideas and partnership
Native Instruments, Digidesign, Eastwest, Akai/Alesis, Kurzweil, and Emu product managers
and technical support crews for their thoroughness and assistance.
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