Question:
I would like to use a continuous control pedal to control some aspect of the sound. How do I set things up?

Answer:

By default, the C Pedal acts as MIDI Expression (volume swell) for the MAIN zone, but it can be reprogrammed to do a variety of things, separately for each zone, including controlling the leslie effect on organ presets, tremolo depth, vibrato, etc.

The process for assigning the control pedal is the same as the knobs (detailed on pg. 4-12 of the manual).

With a compatible pedal connected, here are the basic steps:

1. press EDIT
2. select the zone (layer or split) to work in – do this by pressing the corresponding button (if the zone mutes, then it was already current – just press it again to activate again)
3. press + hold the “Knob Mode” button and at the same time rock the control pedal. This selects the pedal onscreen for assignment. On screen you will see something similar to:
   

   Zone:1 CC Pedal Ctrl Num: 11 Express

   How to read this screen? These settings indicate that currently in Zone 1 the CC Pedal is assigned to cc#11 Expression.

4. **now type in the desired CC# code using the numeric sound select buttons on the right. Be sure to press ENTER when done.
5. press Store, select your desired QA location to save to, then press Yes to confirm.

Repeat the above as necessary for additional zones and/or Setups.

** Regarding what CC codes to use, check out Appendix B in the manual. There you will find custom controller tables, one per on-board program detailing what the various physical controllers do per program by default. By knowing the MIDI CC#’s for each, things can easily be reprogrammed to suit your application.

Here is the list of default physical controller CC assignments used by the SP3X:

Physical Controller	MIDI CC#
Knob A	cc#6
Knob B	cc#13
Knob C	cc#22
Knob D	cc#23
PitchWheel	pitch up/dn
ModWheel	cc#1
FtSw1	cc#64
FtSw2	cc#66
CCPedal	cc#11

For ex., let’s say you wanted to control the tremolo depth on program 17 Serious Classic. In the manual, Appendix B, you will note Tremolo Depth is activated by ModWheel (MW). Cross referencing that with the defaults table above table, note ModWheel is cc#1.

So by assigning the CC Pedal to cc#1 in step 3 above, you are basically turning the CC Pedal into the ModWheel and thus able to control the same things with your foot that you can with your hand on the Mwheel.

Question:
What pedals can I use with my Kurzweil instrument?

Answer:

Switch Pedals

A foot switch pedal from any manufacturer is compatible with our keyboards. Japanese pedals are wired in reverse polarity from American pedals. But all our products check the pedal polarity on power up and reverse themselves if needed, so as long as the pedal is plugged in before you turn on the unit, any pedal will work (be certain to not step on the pedal during power up as this can interfere with the auto-calibration).

In addition, some keyboards use mono jacks for each switch pedal input, whereas other keyboards use a single stereo jack for two pedals.

The PC3 Series, K2 Series, K1 series, PC2 Series, SP2 Series, SP5, PC88, and KME61 use mono jacks for each pedal. The standard single pedal available from Kurzweil is the KP-1.

The SP4, SPS4-8, PC1, SP3X, SP76/88 Series, Rumour/Mangler, Mark ProOneiS, Mark ProTwoiS, RG Series, and Troubador use a single stereo jack for dual pedal units (not sold by Kurzweil). It is still possible to plug a single, mono plug pedal into these units but you will only have access to one of the pedals. If the pedal is plugged in all the way, it will be the Left pedal, and if the plug is pulled out slightly, it will be the right pedal. A stereo (M) to dual-mono (F) “Y” adapter can also be employed to permit the use of two, single pedals.

Continuous Controller Pedals

Our keyboards require a pedal with a TRS 1/4″ connector and 10k linear potentiometer. Most manufacturers EXCEPT Yamaha and Korg make pedals with the same specifications and should work. Yamaha and Korg pedals typically use an exponential potentiometer and therefore will not work correctly. The CC-1 pedal is available from Kurzweil. You can order a pedal through your “local Kurzweil dealer.

CC-1 Wiring Spec

The Control Pedal must be wired to a single stereo (TRS) 1/4″ plug as follows:

• Wiper to tip connection of 1/4″ plug
• Top end of resistance element to Ring connection
• Bottom end of resistance to Sleeve connection

Question:
I would like to use a continuous control pedal to control some aspect of the sound. How do I set things up?

Answer:

By default, the C Pedal acts as MIDI Expression (volume swell) for the MAIN zone, but it can be reprogrammed to do a variety of things, separately for each zone, including controlling the leslie effect on organ presets, tremolo depth, vibrato, etc.

The process for assigning the control pedal is the same as the knobs (detailed on pg. 4-12 of the manual).

With a compatible pedal connected, here are the basic steps:

1. press EDIT
2. select the zone (layer or split) to work in – do this by pressing the corresponding button (if the zone mutes, then it was already current – just press it again to activate again)
3. press + hold the “Knob Mode” button and at the same time rock the control pedal. This selects the pedal onscreen for assignment. On screen you will see something similar to:
   

   Zone:1 CC Pedal Ctrl Num: 11 Express

   How to read this screen? These settings indicate that currently in Zone 1 the CC Pedal is assigned to cc#11 Expression.

4. **now type in the desired CC# code using the numeric sound select buttons on the right. Be sure to press ENTER when done.
5. press Store, select your desired QA location to save to, then press Yes to confirm.

Repeat the above as necessary for additional zones and/or Setups.

** Regarding what CC codes to use, check out Appendix B in the manual. There you will find custom controller tables, one per on-board program detailing what the various physical controllers do per program by default. By knowing the MIDI CC#’s for each, things can easily be reprogrammed to suit your application.

Here is the list of default physical controller CC assignments used by the SP3X:

Physical Controller	MIDI CC#
Knob A	cc#6
Knob B	cc#13
Knob C	cc#22
Knob D	cc#23
PitchWheel	pitch up/dn
ModWheel	cc#1
FtSw1	cc#64
FtSw2	cc#66
CCPedal	cc#11

For ex., let’s say you wanted to control the tremolo depth on program 17 Serious Classic. In the manual, Appendix B, you will note Tremolo Depth is activated by ModWheel (MW). Cross referencing that with the defaults table above table, note ModWheel is cc#1.

So by assigning the CC Pedal to cc#1 in step 3 above, you are basically turning the CC Pedal into the ModWheel and thus able to control the same things with your foot that you can with your hand on the Mwheel.

Question:
I am trying to connect my SP3X to my computer via USB and am having troubles with it being recognized. How do I fix this?

Answer:

Though not all, most USB-MIDI issues are simply a matter of making sure you are running the most current OS on your SP3X. Earlier revs may be limiting the platforms supported.

The latest version of the SP3X OS is available online at the link below:

• SP3X Downloads

At the above link above, Click OS UPDATES. Download and install the current update (instructions included).

Platform Specific Notes:

Windows Users:

If you are updating from SP3X OS v1.02 or older using USB, Windows XP must be used. Follow the instructions located in Chpt 6 of the SP3X Musician’s Guide. Alternatively you can simply use traditional MIDI connections to update your OS. Once updated, Win7, Vista and XP can be used for future updates over USB.

A word about USB Drivers: The SP3X supports “plug n’ play” operation, using Window’s own built-in generic MIDI driver. No proprietary USB MIDI driver is required.

For XP users though, as a convenience, we do offer a Device Installer (available at the same link above) but it is completely optional. The installation of this driver is simply a naming convenience, permitting your host DAW to reference the SP3X by name (“Kurzweil SP3X MIDI”) versus Window’s generic “USB Audio device” driver label. Neither Win7 nor Vista make use of such label drivers as they generate the device name inherently.

Mac OSX Users:

The SP3X supports “plug n’ play” operation. No proprietary USB MIDI driver is required.

Question:
Where can I find the SP3X device installer (.inf file) for Windows XP?

Answer:

The SP3 USB Audio driver for Windows XP is no longer available for download as it was not installing properly. Please disregard the manual instructions regarding its need or use.

Note, USB MIDI operations under Window XP are still fully functional even without this driver. The driver (XP only) was completely optional and not required for USB communication. It was purely a naming convenience which was intended to allow an XP-based PC to display “Kurzweil SP3X MIDI” instead of the generic Windows audio driver label “USB Audio Device”.

If you previously attempted to install the XP driver, simply delete any attempted install of this and use the SP3 with just the built-in generic XP USB Audio driver label. If you run into any issues, please contact Kurzweil Support.

Note:
Mac OSX, Windows 7 and Vista do not require a driver/device installer. An appropriate system driver will automatically be added for the SP3 under each of these platforms when connected.

Question:
How can I restore my SP3X to its factory defaults?

Answer:

Caution: Hard resetting will erase all user memory ! Need be, save any custom programming via sys-ex dump before proceeding.

There are two methods for performing a hard reset on a SP3X keyboard:

• • Global Menu Method:
    1. 1. press GLOBAL
       2. press RESET (Enter button), you will see:

    Global Settings Reset SP3?_

    1. press Yes/+ 3 times to invoke.

-OR-

• Boot Loader Method: (useful if you are unable to perform the Global menu method)
  1. 1. turn the unit off
     2. turn the unit on
     3. when the display shows:

  Please Wait...

  press the [Transpose] button.

  1. 1. this will bring you to what is called the Boot Loader Menu – on the screen you will see:

  Install FlashROM via MIDI

  1. 1. press NO (-) button once, you will see:

  Hard RESET

  1. 1. press Rhythm/Metronome button to invoke, you will see:

  Erase RAM objects? No Yes

  1. 1. press YES (+) button to confirm

  The unit will blink out as if it is turning off/on again at which point it should be completely factory reset.

The unit will reboot from the start up screen, at which point it should be completely factory reset.

Question:
I am trying to connect my SP3X to my computer via USB and am having troubles with it being recognized. How do I fix this?

Answer:

Though not all, most USB-MIDI issues are simply a matter of making sure you are running the most current OS on your SP3X. Earlier revs may be limiting the platforms supported.

The latest version of the SP3X OS is available online at the link below:

• SP3X Downloads

At the above link above, Click OS UPDATES. Download and install the current update (instructions included).

Platform Specific Notes:

Windows Users:

If you are updating from SP3X OS v1.02 or older using USB, Windows XP must be used. Follow the instructions located in Chpt 6 of the SP3X Musician’s Guide. Alternatively you can simply use traditional MIDI connections to update your OS. Once updated, Win7, Vista and XP can be used for future updates over USB.

A word about USB Drivers: The SP3X supports “plug n’ play” operation, using Window’s own built-in generic MIDI driver. No proprietary USB MIDI driver is required.

For XP users though, as a convenience, we do offer a Device Installer (available at the same link above) but it is completely optional. The installation of this driver is simply a naming convenience, permitting your host DAW to reference the SP3X by name (“Kurzweil SP3X MIDI”) versus Window’s generic “USB Audio device” driver label. Neither Win7 nor Vista make use of such label drivers as they generate the device name inherently.

Mac OSX Users:

The SP3X supports “plug n’ play” operation. No proprietary USB MIDI driver is required.

Question:
I am having difficulties getting my Windows PC running Vista/Win7/8 to output MIDI to my Kurzweil via USB. Do I need to install a driver?

Answer:

No. The current line of Kurzweil products have a standard class-compliant USB-MIDI implementation. They do not require the installation of any additional drivers.

Some background to be aware of:

Microsoft has been steadily REMOVING MIDI FEATURES from Windows since Vista. In Windows XP, Microsoft provided a MIDI Mapper control panel which allowed end users to select a MIDI output device. Since Vista this has not been available. As such, certain apps (like Windows Media Player – WMP) can no longer play MIDI songs triggering external MIDI devices because WMP is only routed to the internal Microsoft GS Synthesizer.

This means the MIDI app you choose to use must natively offer its own built-in MIDI mapping abilities OR you could possibly install a 3rd party MIDI mapper whose purpose is to replace the MIDI routing abilities removed from Windows. Fortunately,
these days, most commercial MIDI software products for PC, such as Cubase or Cakewalk, have a configuration screen which includes the MIDI device mapping necessary to route to an external MIDI device.