Answer:

The Forte saves all data from both User Banks (Program and Multis) into one file with an “.FOR” extension. Forte files can be saved to either a USB flash/thumb drive or directly to a computer via USB cable connection.

“STORE” Procedure:

1) Connections:If wanting to save to a USB flash/thumb drive (USB Device) plug a flash/thumb drive into the Forte back-panel USB “Storage” port.ORIf wanting to save directly to your computer (*PC Virtual Drive) connect a USB cable between the Forte’s USB “Computer” port and a free USB port on your computer.(*If choosing the PC Virtual Drive, a temporary removable USB drive representing the “Forte” will mount on your computer when the USB cable is connected. If you are using a Windows based PC you may also see a message indicating ‘device drivers’ are being installed. This is normal and only happens the first time you use this connection).

2) Press the front panel STORAGE mode button.

3) Using the Alpha Wheel, Previous/Next and/or Cursor buttons, select either “USB Device” or “PC Virtual Drive”:

4) Press “STORE”:

(in our example here we are using a USB Device)

5) Press ALL (to save all user objects):

6) Select the directory to save your file to. Whether saving to a USB Device or the PC Virtual Drive, the simplest approach here is to just press “OK” to store your file to the current directory (in our example below the drive is initially empty).

Alternatively you can get more organized and use the Parent/Open/NewDir tools to create new directories as well as navigate inside any existing directory (see chpt. 11 in the Forte Musician’s Guide for complete details).

7) Name your file. Use the alpha wheel and/or alphanumeric keypad to enter characters. Use the soft buttons beneath the display to move the cursor and manage character positions. Then press “OK” to save the file to disk:

8) A brief “Storing…” message will be displayed while the file is saved. Once completed you will return to the Storage mode screen.IMPORTANT: If saving to the PC Virtual Drive, it is important that you copy the file from the temporary removable ‘Forte’ drive to your computer’s hard drive for long term storage. Once you power down the Forte, the temporary removable PC Virtual Drive will unmount from your computer and its contents will be erased.

9) Press Exit or any of the other mode buttons (Program, Multi or Global) to leave Storage mode.

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Answer:

The Forte’s default state offers up to 4 zones per Multi. Update v1.30 expanded this to 16 zones. Here’ how it works:

1) Press the GLOBAL mode button.

2) Set “User Type” to ‘Advanced’:

3) Press MULTI to switch to MULTI mode.

4) Select the desired Multi and press EDIT.For ex., here we chose Multi #5:

As you can see, Multi 5 already has 4 zones active:

5) Press either the MORE Left or Right corner soft-button twice. You will see the zone tool soft buttons used to manage creating/deleting zones – “New Zone”, “Duplicate Zone”, “Import Zone” and “Delete Zone”:

6) For example, let’s use DUPZN to duplicate Zone 1 to create some new zones – use the Channel/Zone buttons to select Zone 1: TIP: by duplicating a zone that may contain similar settings to what you want for your new zone, you can save some repeat programming steps.

7) Press DUPZN:

A pop-up message, “Zone duplicated” will be displayed as confirmation.

For illustration, below we created 3 new zones by pressing DUPZN 3 times. Note you now see Zones 5, 6 and 7. You can repeat this up to a max of 16 zones.

8) Use the CHANNEL/ZONE buttons to then navigate through the zones in groups of 4 to edit each zone as needed. A Current Zone/Total Zone counter is displayed in the upper right hand corner of the screen to facilitate keeping track of things:

9) To delete any unwanted zones, use the Channel/Zone and/or cursor arrows to select the desired zone and press DELZN – for example, here we are deleting Zone 5:

A confirmation screen will be displayed asking if you are sure. Press Yes to delete or No to cancel.

10) Following, press SAVE and store your Multi as usual.

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Answer:

Starting with system update 2.10 there is a new Multi display mode which offers an overview of the current Multi’s zone status. At a glance, this makes keeping track of what zones are active and assigned to what much easier, all without having to enter the editor. Here’ how it works:

1) Press the GLOBAL mode button.

2) Set “Show Zone Info” to ‘Yes’:

3) Press MULTI to switch to MULTI mode.

4) Select the desired Multi and note the display overlay:For ex., here we chose Multi #26 – a 4-zone multi and, as such, 4 zone fields are now displayed:

As the number of zones employed increases the display will reconfigure accordingly:

With 5-8 zones:

With 9-16 zones:

Each field displays the following status icons related to that zone:Note, as the number of zones increases, some data is not available:

	Solo	white = solo off / red = solo on
	Zone On/Off	green = on (local destination) / white = muted / orange = on (MIDI only)
	MIDI/USB Destination	green = transmitting / white = not transmitting (MIDI only, USB only, Both)
	Audio Output Pair	green = active / white = not active (A only, B only, Both)
	Key Range	white = active region
	Program	Program name/ID assigned
	Volume (cc7)	Green meter indicates volume level
	Expression (cc11)	Green meter indicates expression pedal level. When the “Show Controllers” parameter (Global MAIN1) is set to ‘Yes (Incl. pedals)’ the cc11 icon appears. cc11 controls the pre-insert FX program level.

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Answer:

Here are the steps:

1. Press the GLOBAL mode button.
2. Press MIDI.

   

3. Set “Local Kbd Chan” to the MIDI channel you plan to send the Bank/Pchg messages on. This will be the one and only channel that will be used for selecting Multis via MIDI.For example, here we chose channel 3.

   

4. Press Multi to enter Multi mode.

Once in Multi mode, below is what messages the Forte needs to receive (on the chosen Local Kbd Chan) in order to select any given Multi:

1. MIDI Bank message: By default*, the Forte uses MIDI Bank message cc#32 (aka Bank LSB) value = 0-127, to send/receive bank info.*(Bank Select: Ctl 0/32 – set in the Global/MIDI menu)
2. MIDI Program Change message: Following the Bank message, a standard Program Change is used value= 0-127 to select the desired program from within the designated bank.

The table below shows the MIDI Bank (column 1) and Program Change (column 2) values needed to select the designated Forte Multi (column 3). Note all banks are 128 entries deep:

Examples:

Ex 1: You want to call up #32 Euro Chords:
From your DAW (or alternate controller), on the chosen Local Kbd Chan (step 3 above) you send:

Ex 2: You want to call up #182 Game ofTrombones:
From your DAW (or alternate controller), you send:

*Note: 182-(128×1)= #54.

(ie Multi #182 is the 54th Multi in MIDI Bank 1.)

Ex. 3:You want to call up #1977 in the User bank:
From your DAW (or alternate controller), you send:

*Note: 1977 – (128×15) = 57

(i.e. Multi #1979 is the 57th Multi in MIDI Bank 15)

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Answer:

Forte compatible files can be loaded from either a USB flash/thumb drive or directly from a computer via USB cable connection.

“LOAD” Procedure:

1) Connections and File Preparation:If wanting to load from a USB flash/thumb drive (USB Device) plug a flash/thumb drive (containing the desired file) into the Forte back-panel USB “Storage” port.ORIf wanting to load directly from your computer (*PC Virtual Drive) connect a USB cable between the Forte’s USB “Computer” port and a free USB port on your computer.*When choosing the PC Virtual Drive, a temporary removable USB drive representing the “Forte” will mount on your computer when the USB cable is connected. If you are using a Windows based PC you may also see a message indicating ‘device drivers’ are being installed. This is normal and only happens the first time you use this connection.Once the PC Virtual Drive appears on your computer copy the desired Forte file(s) to it.

2) On the Forte, press the front panel STORAGE mode button.

3) Using the Alpha Wheel, Previous/Next and/or Cursor buttons, select either “USB Device” or “PC Virtual Drive” pursuant to your connections above:

4) Press “LOAD”:(in our example here we are using a USB Device)

5) As needed, use the Alpha Wheel, Previous/Next, Cursor and/or Parent/Open buttons to navigate to and highlight the file you wish to load:(If needed, press SELECT to mark(*) more than one file for loading).

6) Press either “FILL” or “OVWRITE” (overwrite) to choose how you want the data to load into the system – there are two methods available:

FILL: Loads Programs/Multis sequentially into EMPTY user ID slots, filling in any gaps. No existing Programs/Multis will be erased.	OVWRITE (only .FOR files): Replaces existing User bank contents.
In choosing FILL, objects will load starting from the specified ID#. Use the data wheel or numeric keypad to set the starting ID#. Press FILL to proceed.	If choosing OVWRITE you will be prompted to choose between either overwriting all existing user Programs/Multis currently in user memory (press YES) -or- selectively merging the Multis/Programs in the file with the current user memory (press NO-MERGE).

(For further details, see chpt. 13 in the Forte Musician’s Guide ).

7) A brief “Indexing…” message will be displayed while things are loaded followed by “Objects loaded OK”. You will then return to the main Storage mode screen.

8) Press Exit or any of the other mode buttons (Program, Multi or Global) to leave Storage mode.

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Answer:

This tutorial is in three parts:

• Things to Know
• Loading
• Previewing

Things to Know:

The Forte supports loading of raw .WAV and .AIF sample files. Both mono and stereo files can be loaded, 8 or 16 bit, with sample rates up to a maximum of 96 kHz. Once samples are loaded to the Fortes user sample flash memory, samples remain in the Forte even when the power is off, until they are manually deleted. Also, once samples are loaded to the Forte’s user sample flash memory, there is no load time for those user samples when turning on the Forte.

The initial loading of raw samples is not unlike loading regular Forte (.FOR) files. They can be loaded off USB thumb drive (flash drive) or via the direct-USB cable connection to your Mac/PC. However the direct-USB cable method is limited to roughly 20MB, as such using a thumb drive will be the better option when handling larger file sizes.

It is important to note that audio files (.wav/.aif) are just raw “ingredients”. Even after loading, they have not yet been “cooked” into any useable “recipe” yet (aka Program and Keymap). As such upon loading any source audio files, do not expect to find these samples magically appearing in Program mode. After loading you will need to first build a Keymap and Program using the loaded samples. After which, the Program (recipe) employing these new samples will become available as an ID selection in Program mode for normal use (details on one fast, easy method for achieving this is outlined below).

Loading:

The basic procedure of loading user data is outlined in the Forte “Loading User Data” tutorial.

NOTE: at step 6 in the above linked tutorial you will likely want to choose the FILL load method (which will place the sample at the first available (free) ID slot. If you have no user samples loaded this will be ID# 1024.

Previewing:

Once the sample file(s) is loaded, to make use of any loaded raw samples, a Program and Keymap must be constructed first. This can be done by one of two methods:

• • Manual Keymap construction (see your owner’s manual Chapter 9 “Keymap and Sample Editing” for details).
    This method is ideally suited for more advanced users and intricate mapping applications.

-OR-

• • You can use the handy PREVIEW tool.
    This method is ideal for those with simpler needs, wanting fast results.

PREVIEW automatically makes a new ‘generic’ Program (and Keymap) for you, using any single sample. This method provides a quick way to begin making a new program which can be then, of course, be edited further if desired.

Here is how it works:

1) Press the GLOBAL mode button, you will see:

2) Press the left -or- right button. Locate and press [SAMPLES]:

3) Next, press the [PREVIEW] button:

4) Select the desired sample. On this screen you will see a simple “Sample” field which allows you to scroll through ALL samples in memory (both ROM and User-loaded). Scroll through the list (and/or type via the keypad) to select the desired sample ID and press [OK ]. For example below we are selecting sample ID# 642 “Snare Hit”:

5) Next choose the User ID # where you would like the final Program to reside. Here, for example, we are choosing program ID# 1024 (available user ID range = 1024-4095).

You will see a brief screen confirmation displaying “Preview OK” – indicating the Program was created. Note: if the ID you choose is already occupied the system will simply save your creation to the next available (higher) User ID slot.

6) Press EXIT three times (3x) to return to Program mode. Your new Program will be immediately available and named using the same name given the source sample file.

Note: By default, the sample will be initially stretched across the entire keyboard with C4 as the sample root (i.e. original sample pitch). See your owner’s manual for details on further Program/Keymap editing.

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Answer:

You have two options:

(A) Connect a second switch pedal to the Forte “Switch Pedal 3” input. It comes preset to act as Sustain for the KB3 Programs (it will act as soft pedal for non-KB3 selections).

(B) Change the “Rotary Override” parameter (Global Mode) to “Button” only. Steps below:

1) With the power off, connect a sustain/switch pedal into “Switch Pedal 1”, then power on.

2) Press the GLOBAL mode button – you will see:

3) Press the MAIN2 soft button:

4) Using the cursor navigation arrow buttons, highlight the “Rotary Override” parameter. By default it is set to “Button+Pedal”. Using the alpha wheel and/or Previous/- Next/+ buttons, change it to just “Button”:

5) Press Program to exit.

With these settings, the switch pedal connected to Switch Pedal 1 will act as sustain for all KB3 organs and the rotary speed will be controlled by the ROTARY S/F button (aka Variation) above the Mod Wheel.

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Answer:

1. 1. Press the GLOBAL mode button – you will see:

      

   2. Press the MAIN2 soft button:

      

   3. Using the cursor navigation arrow buttons, highlight the “Velocity Map” parameter. Using the alpha wheel and/or Previous/- Next/+ buttons, adjust to taste:

      

The default map (Linear) provides the widest range of velocity expression, but you may want to choose a different map if the default does not suit your playing style. You can select from any of the following settings:

4. Press PROGRAM or MULTI to exit the Global menu. Your setting selection will be remembered across power cycles.

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Answer:

Caution: Hard resetting will erase all user memory ! Need be, back up any custom programming before proceeding.

There are two methods for performing a hard reset on the Forte:

GLOBAL MODE METHOD: (with the Forte powered up in normal operating modes)

1) Press the GLOBAL mode button, then press either “MORE” button:

2) Press the “RESET” soft button:

3) There are two reset methods available.Press “SOFT” to only restore factory default settings but retain your custom Multi’s/Programs in tact.Press “HARD” to completely reset the Forte back to factory defaults and erase all user Multis/Programs.For example, we will press “HARD” to completely reset the Forte:

(Note: when pressing SOFT, the resetting of factory defaults occurs immediately -> step 4.)

4) Press “YES” to confirm:

5) A progress screen will appear confirming the reset procedure is underway. The Forte will clear the specified settings and reboot. The HARD process can take a few minutes to complete.

SYSTEM MODE METHOD: (useful if you are unable to perform the above Global menu method)

Note: Resetting via the System Mode completely resets the Forte back to factory defaults and erase all user Multis/Programs.

1) Turn the unit Off.

2) Press and hold the ENTER button while you turn the power on (you can release the ENTER button once you see the System Mode loading).

3) Press “System Reset”:

4) Press “OK” to confirm:

5) Press “OK” to return to the main System Mode screen:

6) Press “Run Forte”:

The Forte will then reboot, at which point it will be completely reset back to factory defaults.

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Answer:

Explore the Algorithm (ALG) page and its advanced DSP functions. This tutorial will teach you how to create signal chains using virtual wiring and synthesizer blocks (like oscillators and filters). Advanced instructions will show you how to cascade audio through multiple layers.

(Note: The Forte 7/8 UI is used for demonstration in this video. While the Forte 7/8 color display is different than the Forte SE display, the concepts/parameters discussed apply to the Forte SE as well.)

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