Future Retro XS - Manual (Page 14)

CONTROLLING YOUR XS
There are several ways to control your XS.
One way is to use MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), a standard developed to allow one
electronic instrument to talk to another using only a single 5-pin DIN cable. Nearly all modern
electronic instruments have and support MIDI.
Before MIDI was developed, the standard practice was to use control voltages and logic gate signals as a
means of controlling, modifying, and triggering electronic circuits in synthesizers.
The XS supports both standards, old and new, and even allows you to mix the use of both at the same
time. The XS also converts MIDI data it receives into control voltages and logic gate signals to control
other pre-MIDI instruments, sound modules, and other circuits.
USING MIDI
The XS responds to MIDI Note On/Off, Pitch (C2-C7), Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Velocity, and MIDI
Clock messages. Any MIDI instrument capable of sending this data can be used to play the XS. The
most practical way to play the XS would be to connect it to a MIDI keyboard or MIDI sequencer.
Simply connect the MIDI OUT of your keyboard or sequencer to the MIDI IN of the XS using a 5-pin
DIN MIDI cable.
The XS can receive MIDI data on only 1 of the 16 possible MIDI channels at any time. In order for the
XS to receive MIDI data from the keyboard or sequencer, you must first set both instruments to the
same MIDI channel. Setting the MIDI channel that the XS will receive data on is done with the MIDI
Channel control. Simply rotate this control so its indicator points to the desired MIDI channel.
Note: Changing the MIDI channel selection on the XS while notes are currently being played may cause
these notes to become latched, which prevents them from turning off. Avoid changing the MIDI channel
selection while notes are being played. Should notes become latched, first stop the master device
sending MIDI data to the XS, then turn the XS off and then back on again.
If you have multiple MIDI devices in your studio that need to be controlled by your main
MIDI keyboard or sequencer, you can connect the MIDI THRU of the XS to the MIDI IN of
another device.
Using this method, all MIDI information the XS receives will be then be sent on to the other
MIDI device.
12