# Kurzweil Forte® v1.20 Update

12/16/14

Past Release Notes

## Version 1.20 Release Notes

> PROGRAM MODE:

> > Features:

> > - Forte Piano programs now support half damper pedaling (a.k.a. continuous switch pedals).
> > - 16 Favorites Banks - When View/Display is set to "Favorites" and User Type is set to "Advanced", the Chan/Zone buttons are now used to scroll through and access 16 different Favorites Banks. The current Favorites Bank number is displayed in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
> > - MIDI In/Out Activity Indicators - MIDI port I/O icons displayed at the top of the screen:
> >   Green light = data activity at the given port
> >   Red light = communication with the external software editor
> >   Grey light = no MIDI activity
> > - Edit/Common - parameters added to permit control of monophonic/legato/portamento performance.
> > - New Programs:
> >   70 "RealTouch73 Suit"
> >   71 "RealTouch77 Suit"
> >   72 "RealTouch Wurly"
> >   326 "Bubbles!"
> >   327 "Magic Carpet B3"
> >   330 "Reverse Universe"
> >   331 "Pan Strings 3"
> >   332 "5th-Scape"
> >   340 "SyncoDeMayo"
> >   350 "Leviathan Bass"
> >   351 "Decepticon Bass"
> >   352 "Latch Bass"
> >   353 "APG-ish Bass"
> > - KB3 tonewheel organ programs have been updated to utilize "Double Leslie" FX chains, delivering enhanced rotary speaker performance with additional depth and detail.
> >   89 "Classic B3"
> >   90 "Funky Perc"
> >   91 "Soul Perc"
> >   92 "First Three"
> >   94 "'70s Drawbars"
> >   96 "Ezra II"
> >   97 "Ezra's Burner"
> >   98 "Classic Traffic"
> >   100 "HotTubeGospel"
> >   114 "LateNighter"
> >   115 "Testify"
> >   116 "The Ninth Bar"
> >   327 "Magic Carpet B3" (new program)

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Seamless Program Transition (as long as there's an Aux FX free).
> > - Split/Layer creation is now much faster.
> > - View Modes - System reorganized now offering 3 choices: Large (default), Favorites and List.
> > - After playing song demos, the FXs used by the song were left active instead of loading the proper program FXs.
> > - Edit/Params - Assign Icon displayed in header if current parameter permits selection via Assign (aka Intuitive Entry).
> > - Piano programs - Fix applied to Hi Freq stim layers.
> > - Program 32 "House Piano" - Fixed pad octave up/down button.
> > - Rhodes Programs 36-46, 55 and 69 revised to use new/improved velocity models and keymaps.
> > - Program 43 "FusionChorDyno73" - Fixed bug causing harder strikes to be out of tune.
> > - Program 124 "Voyage Lead" - Fixed missing sustain pedal.
> > - Program 170 "Aggro OctoBass" - Fixed mod wheel entry value.
> > - Program 186 "Poltergeist Pad" - Fixed missing sustain pedal.
> > - 208 "Bullit Brass", 215 "Solo Tenor Sax", and 217 "Solo Bari Sax" - Fixes to Aux FX for smoother transitions when bypassing FX.
> > - Fixes to various Info tags.

> MULTI MODE:

> > Features:

> > - 16 Favorites Banks - When View/Display is set to "Favorites" and User Type is set to "Advanced", the Chan/Zone buttons are now be used to scroll through and access 16 different Favorites Banks. The current Favorites Bank number is displayed in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
> > - MIDI In/Out Activity Indicators - MIDI port I/O icons displayed at the top of the screen:
> >   Green light = data activity at the given port
> >   Red light = communication with the external software editor
> >   Grey light = no MIDI activity
> > - Edit/Controls - 12 Keys per zone can now be designated to be programmable switches. Each 'key switch' can send MIDI CC data or (up to) an 8-note chord (for single finger chords).
> > - Edit/Controls - When a given pedal override is enabled (Global mode) a reminder message "Global Pedal Override is enabled" will display when that pedal is viewed.
> > - Edit/FX - New icons for FX chains displayed.
> > - New Multis:
> >   177 "Jazzy Key Trigs" - demonstrates new assignable key trigger feature.
> >   178 "Motion Synth/Pad"
> >   179 "SloStrCelesta"
> >   180 "SloStr/Cel/Rhds"
> >   181 "Diskclosure Split"
> >   182 "Game ofTrombones"

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Split/Layer creation is now much faster.
> > - View Modes - System reorganized now offering 3 choices: Large (default), Favorites and List.
> > - Edit/Controls - Assign Icon displayed in header if current parameter permits selection via Assign (aka Intuitive Entry).
> > - Edit/Controls - MIDI Destination "Solo Zone (162)" behavior has been improved:
> >   When engaged, the Zone Mute button LED now lights:
> >   Red = a soloed zone.
> >   Orange = muted zone.
> >   Pressing any of the muted/orange Zone buttons will make that Zone the soloed zone.
> >   Pressing the soloed zone button will cancel solo mode. To return to Solo mode the original controller assigned to Solo Zone (162) will need to be re-engaged.
> > - Edit/FX - The 'Aux FX Channel' parameter has been moved from COMMON to the FX page.
> > - Edit/ FX - If 'Aux Override' is set to 'No', then the 'Chain' of the program on the 'Aux FX Channel' is now shown: "Chain (Prog)".
> > - Edit/Controls - MIDI Destination list was cleaned up (removed various PC3 controllers that are not applicable to the Forte).
> > - Fix for rare case of effects not loading correctly.
> > - Multi 68 "Strummer" - Fixed sustain pedal entry value.

> GLOBAL MODE:

> > Features:

> > - SW Pedal Overrides added - These controls permit changing the function of each Switch Pedal globally. Available choices are: None, Sustain, Sostenuto, Soft, Data Inc, Data Dec, Favorite Inc, and Favorite Dec.
> > - CC Pedal Overrides added - These controls permit changing the function of each CC Pedal globally. Available choices are: None, ModWheel, Foot, Volume, Expression, and Pressure.
> > - Rotary Override - This control determines how KB3 leslie/rotary speed is operated. Available choices are: "Button+Pedal" (default) or "Button". If set to Button only, the sustain pedal will perform normal sustain.

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - View Modes/Display - System reorganized now offering 3 choices: Large (default), Favorites and List.
> > - "Show Controllers" - New parameter to show/hide real-time controller activity; this is independent of the view mode.

> STORAGE MODE:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - The loading of PC3/K/LE master tables is now prevented.
> > - Improved PC3/K file loading.
> > - Favorites are now properly saved/loaded to/from files.

> GENERAL:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - "Expression" (cc11) now has a greater negative range, achieving closer to complete silence at the lowest setting level (KB3 swell behavior is unaffected by this change).
> > - Rename pages - Controllers were not working. Now they work normally.
> > - Removed 'noise' from an unused CCPedal 2 input when only CCPedal 1 was connected. This was causing random volume drops in some KB3 programs.
> > - Improved compatibility for SoundTower Editor.
> > - New Panic MOOSE!

## Past Release Notes

### Version 1.11 - 8/28/14

> GENERAL:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - The initialization of the pitch wheel has been corrected in all cases.

### Version 1.10 - 8/25/14

> PROGRAM MODE:

> > Features:

> > - KB3 programs that emulate Hammond organs no longer use any of the Forte's 128 voices of polyphony (this does not apply to KB3 Programs that emulate Vox or Farfisa organs).
> > - Support for half damper sustain pedals (a.k.a. continuous switch pedals). Half damper pedals can now be used as a standard sustain/switch pedal for Forte Programs/Multis. Half damper pedals can also send continuous controller values to the USB or MIDI out ports to control external keyboards or software that supports half damper pedals.

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Edit/Params - Controller edits were not taking effect until the program was saved. Now changes happen in real time.
> > - Edit/Params - Intuitive Entry now working. Intuitive entry for a Control field now changes that control, instead of navigating to a different parameter.
> > - Edit/Params - Showing different background colors for parameters in different subsystems. Prefixes have also been added for FX parameter labels (INS, AUX1, AUX2).
> > - Edit/Params - Scrolling through the Params page with the alpha wheel no longer lights the Save LED.
> > - Edit/Params - KB3 Leak (Leakage) Parameter range has been changed. Leakage can now be turned all the way off. 0-127 range now sets Leakage level between -96 dB and -20 dB. Program leak levels adjusted accordingly.
> > - Edit/FX - New icons for FX chains in program editor.
> > - Edit/FX - Outputs renamed from 'Main/Primary' and 'Secondary' to 'A' and 'B', to match the silkscreen.
> > - Edit/Common - Category names were wrong in same cases.
> > - Edit - An edit which doesn't result in any actual value change will no longer light the Save LED.
> > - Edit - Pressing 'Back' from the Exit page will now always take you back to the Editor, instead of sometimes going back to the Save page.
> > - Edit: Program Mode LED now stays on when in Program Edit.
> > - User button now acts as a toggle.
> > - Zone Buttons 2, 3 and 4 now working properly in Program Mode.
> > - Programs 4 "Bright 7ft Grand" and 5 "Solo 9ft Grand" - Noise reduction curves were added to all layers.
> > - Program 25 "Film Piano" - Pad Layer is now off by default.
> > - Program 34 "Steely Dyno 77", 37 "BarkDist 77 Rhds", 39 "Phasey 73 Rhds", and 40 "Mr. SparkleTop73" - Velocity adjustments applied.
> > - Program 53 "FM EP 1" and 54 "FM EP 2" - Fixed modulator level and belltone level controls.
> > - Program 89 "Classic B3 "- Swell Fixed.
> > - Program 113 "16' Viol" - Panning adjustments made.
> > - Program 117 "Blues Harmonica" - Amp Env control and correct FX were added.
> > - Program 142 "Undercurrents" - Added Filter control.
> > - Program 143 "Fairlight Pad" - Envelope fixed.
> > - Program 194 "Solo Harp" - renamed "Arpegg/Solo Harp"; Entry values fixed.
> > - Program 200 "Super-8 Brass" and 205 "Jubilee Trumpets" - Gain staging adjustments to avoid internal clipping.
> > - Program 208 "Bullit Brass" - Reconfigured to conform to conventions.
> > - Program 211 "Mostly Saxes" - Amp Env Decay now working.
> > - Program 229 "SuperStudioCast" renamed "Studio 'Caster".
> > - Program 234 "RedHot/StudioStr" renamed "Stompbox Les".
> > - Program 240 "3Str Mandolin" renamed "Mandolin Plus".
> > - Program 241 "3Str Banjo" renamed "Banjo Plus".
> > - Program 245 "Finger Bass" - Some program restructuring; no longer loud when FX are bypassed.
> > - Program 249 "Beasties Bass" - Some program restructuring.
> > - Program 250 "Levin/GabrlFrtls" - Improved consistency of notes in the lowest octave.
> > - Program 267 "Celeste" and 280 "Rogers Celeste" transposed down an octave to match the pitch of the real instrument.
> > - Program 291 "Slo Orch Chorus" - Reverb Enable Control added.
> > - Program 322 "Clavestrum" - Fixed sample pinning and pedal controls.
> > - Program 323 "Bowed Crotales" - Deleted superfluous info.
> > - Program 325 "Bass Pedal"- Fixed reverb control info and added Reverb bypass functionality.
> > - Piano keymaps now have correct volume adjust values from A0 down and from C8 up.
> > - All KB3 Programs - Added Sustain to Switch pedal 3 (MIDI 67).
> > - Farfisa/Vox Organ programs- Pitch bend range corrected.
> > - Accordion/Harmonica programs - Fixes applied to reverb control.
> > - Guitar programs - Major revoicing of select programs and their FX; added variation button assignments.
> > - Pad and Lead Programs - Fixed various envelope and switch controls.
> > - Accordion, Bass, Brass, Clav, Guitar, Harpsichord, Hybrid, Lead, Mallet, Pad, Perc, String, Synth, Syn Bass, Vox and Wind programs - Controller conventions applied.
> > - Clav, Ensemble, Lead, String, and Wind programs - Info fixes applied.
> > - Demo - Alpha Wheel, Plus/Minus, and Arrow Keys will now cancel the demo and change programs. Channel Up/Down buttons will cancel the demo and change channels.
> > - Demo - Exiting and re-entering program demo mode will now correctly restart the demo song.
> > - Demo - Starting a program demo will now reset all controller values back to their default state for the demo.
> > - Demo - Save LED no longer turns on during program demos.
> > - Changed and/or added demo songs for programs:
> >   1 "Rich 9ft Grand"
> >   3 "Bright 9ft Grand"
> >   6 "Solo 7ft Grand"
> >   16 "SuperPop"
> >   17 "70's Album"
> >   23 "Mood Ring"
> >   29 "Mono Upright"
> >   30 "Double Squash"
> >   31 "Vintage Squash"
> >   32 "House Piano"

> MULTI MODE:

> > Features:

> > - Support for half damper sustain pedals (a.k.a. continuous switch pedals). Half damper pedals can now be used as a standard sustain/switch pedal for Forte Programs/Multis. Half damper pedals can also send continuous controller values to the USB or MIDI out ports to control external keyboards or software that supports half damper pedals.
> > - New Multis:
> >   136 "Voyager"
> >   137 "Year oftheDragon"
> >   138 "Bring It MW"
> >   139 "Reflections"
> >   140 "Hybrid Clavier"
> >   141 "Gabriel's Keys"
> >   142 "Boz Low Down"
> >   143 "Prog Split"
> >   144 "Don't Stop"
> >   145 "Aero Dream"
> >   147 "Str/Cel/Vox/Glok"
> >   148 "Sparkler"
> >   149 "Guitar+Synth"
> >   150 "Neo-Baroque"
> >   151 "Dirty Funk Split"
> >   152 "Mystical Synth"
> >   153 "Stacked Organ"
> >   154 "Glitzy Keys"
> >   155 "Phat Horns"
> >   156 "Buggin Bells"
> >   157 "Breathy Synth"
> >   158 "Clean Lead"
> >   159 "Piano+Strings"
> >   160 "SlurpyPad-O"
> >   161 "DramaPad"
> >   162 "Mercury Rise"
> >   163 "Static Pad"
> >   164 "Windy City"
> >   165 "Square Coil"
> >   166 "French Nylon"
> >   167 "Psychedelic Pad"
> >   168 "Floating Pad"
> >   169 "Brass Pad"
> >   170 "String Pad"
> >   171 "Large Choir"
> >   172 "Medieval Ages"
> >   173 "Gamelan"
> >   174 "Pure Imagination"
> >   175 "DnB Split"
> >   176 "Dub Reggae"
> >   177 "Toxic Split"

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Edit/Overview - Mute Buttons could cause the currently highlighted zone vs zone being edited to get out of sync.
> > - Edit/Overview - The selected item will now get updated to reflect the current Zone if the Zone number is changed from one of the other Multi Edit pages.
> > - Edit/Overview - Channel Up/Down buttons can now be used to change the selected Zone. Channel Up/Down simultaneous-press will jump to Zone 1.
> > - Edit/Main - Outputs renamed from 'Main/Primary' and 'Secondary' to 'A' and 'B', to match the silkscreen.
> > - Edit/Controls - Selecting a controller no longer lights the Save LED.
> > - Edit/Controls - Destination list was reaching destinations not valid for the Forte.
> > - Edit/Controls - Increased the length of some text fields to allow more characters to fit.
> > - Edit/FX - Fix for sometimes (Y) being displayed even when an effect is loaded in multi mode.
> > - Edit/FX - Improvements to Aux send level overrides. Multi Aux send level overrides now use absolute percent values instead of using a percent of the existing program send level. Makes all Aux send level overrides levels behave more consistently.
> > - Edit/FX - Fix for Aux 1 override not working.
> > - Edit - Changing entry positions could change other slider values.
> > - Edit - An edit which doesn't result in any actual value change will no longer light the Save LED.
> > - Edit - Entry values now loaded properly when using Scale/Add/Curve.
> > - Edit - Pressing 'Back' from the Exit page will now always take you back to the Editor, instead of sometimes going back to the Save page.
> > - Edit - Added jump values for all fields.
> > - User button now acts as a toggle.
> > - Keypad mode is now permanently enabled.
> > - The list mode is now preserved even after changing pages, until exiting Multi Mode completely.
> > - Aux send level overrides were causing loud transitions.
> > - Held chords could leave hung notes when changing multis.
> > - Multi 11 "Jazz Combo Split" - No longer mutes zone/channel 3 on exit. Zone 4 is also now muted.
> > - Mutli 45 "Burning Lead" - No longer mutes zone/channel 4 on exit.
> > - Multi 64 "ABs/Brs & MWStrg" - The variation switch is now off by default.
> > - Multi 113 "Piano Lesson" - Fix to allow for two sustain pedals.
> > - FX and Volume Adjusts to Multis:
> >   3 "Celestial Palace"
> >   62 "VelBrassSalsaJam"
> >   64 "ABs/Brs & MWStrg"
> >   65 "BsKik&Snare\Orgn"
> >   70 "80's Power Rock "
> >   75 "EBass/FMEP & Pad"
> >   78 "Harpsichord&Orch"
> >   79 "BaroqOrgan&Strgs"
> >   119 "MW Orch Strings"

> GLOBAL MODE:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Tools/MIDIScope - Performance was really slow. Fixed.
> > - Main1 - Auto Power Off Minutes can be edited properly now.
> > - Main1 - Auto Power Off Time now defaults to 4 hours.
> > - Added jump values for all fields.
> > - Pressing exit from MAIN, MAIN2, and MIDI pages now correctly exits to Program Mode.

> STORAGE MODE:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Object loading speed has been improved.
> > - Master Table was not being stored nor loaded from object files.
> > - Store soft buttons now in capitals.
> > - Active LED - Now more accurately reflects when the media is being accessed.

> GENERAL:

> > Fixes/Improvements:

> > - Faster file system: Storing to and Loading from USB ports is now faster. Saving Programs and Multis to User IDs is now faster. Deleting User Programs and Multis is now faster. Saving the Master Table (when exiting Global Mode) is now faster.
> > - Song Demo - Exiting song demo will now correctly restore the original programs that were loaded before entering song demo.
> > - Song Demo - Scrolling is now a little smoother.
> > - Song Demo - Automatically advances to the next demo song.
> > - Song Demo - Program volume levels and FX now properly restored when exiting a Song Demo.
> > - Song Demo - Tap Tempo LEDs no longer light.
> > - Song Demo - Tap Tempo button no longer usable.
> > - Song Demo - 9 "Play Along in Fm": added Sus Pedal and other missing non-note MIDI data; loop point altered.
> > - Favorites: Pressing a Favorite that changes to a non-user selection will now exit user list mode.
> > - Favorites - Switching from a Setup to a Program via the Favorites buttons now switches to category list mode.
> > - Favorite #4 default changed to Multi 44 "Pizz & Glock".
> > - All soft button labels now written in capital letters.

### Version 1.02 - 7/10/14

> Initial Release

-END-