Instructions for geoCZEDITOR v1.1

geoCZEDITOR is a voice-editing utility for the Casio CZ series of synthesizers; however, it is generally oriented toward the CZ-101/1000. Effects (Tone Mix, Bend Range, etc), sequencer data, and CZ-1 operation memory and keyboard set-ups are not supported. geoCZEDITOR is designed to work in conjunction with geoCZLIBRARIAN, but both are independent programs and can be used seperately.

(Version 1.1 has some added features over V1.0, designated here with a "*". To accomodate these additions, the ability to access Desk Accessories has been eliminated.)

Overview

geoCZEDITOR imports individual patches to be editted from the CZ's Preset, Internal, and Cartridge banks (see section on Memory Configuration below), and from Application Data files created with geoCZLIBRARIAN (geoCZLIBRARIAN Application Data files are not compatible with the standard "CZ."-type sequential data files. However, geoCZLIBRARIAN can convert "CZ."-type files to geoCZLIBRARIAN format). Editted patches can be sent to the CZ's Internal or Cartridge Bank or Compare/Recall sound area, or saved in Application Data files. All voice parameters and envelopes can be editted, which include:

Line Select

Octave

Modulation

Detune Settings

Vibrato Settings

Wave Forms

Key Follows

Envelopes; Sustain and End points

Operations are menu and computer-keyboard driven.

Start Up

Before running, make sure:

1) your synthesizer is on

2) the write protect switch is off

3) the proper MIDI cable connections have been made

4) the CZ is set to receive/transmit over MIDI channel 1

Open geoCZEDITOR from the deskTop. If your MIDI interface is inaccessible you will get a dialog box with some possible solutions. Once the problem is fixed---if it can be fixed---click "OK" and the program will resume.

Before the Workscreen comes up, each patch in geoCZEDITOR's sixteen-patch file buffer is loaded with the "CZ Initialized Patch"---the patch you would get if you used the CZ's Initialize button on each parameter and envelope. For reference, each of these patches is labeled "*".

The Workscreen will display an initialized patch and you are ready to begin editing.

Keyboard Operations

The Workscreen is really divided into two editing regions. The upper-half is for editing Parameters, the lower for Envelopes. The cursor will appear in the Line Select box in the Parameter region on Start Up.

To change between editing regions, hit the Space Bar. The cursor will jump to Step 1/rate of DCO 1. Hitting the Space Bar again moves the cursor to the Parameter region again.

Use the CRSR keys to move the prompt and +/- keys to change values. *Pressing Commodore key/+ increments Envelope values and some Parameter values by 10. There is no decrement 10x function. Most incrementing and decrementing is wrap-around.

To enter Sustain and End points, CRSR to the row above the rate/level Step you want to change. Use S or E for the appropriate point. When a Sustain point is entered over a designated End point, the End point moves to Step 8. (Note: On the CZ, when you enter an End point, the level at that Step becomes "0". Not so on the editor. However, if the patch is sent to the CZ, the synth will recognize the End point where you have set it and will zero the level.)

Once you have made some changes, you can send the patch to the CZ's Compare/Recall temporary sound area to give it a listen. First, activate the sound area by changing a parameter on the CZ; tap Ring or Modulation twice, for example. Send the patch from geoCZEDITOR to the Compare/Recall area by pressing Return. The data is not permanently written to the CZ in this case.

*To retrieve the CZ's currently active patch voice, press the Left Arrow key. Whichever voice is active---this data is actually in the CZ's temporary sound area---will be displayed for editing in the Workscreen. Since patches from the CZ are unnamed, patches retrieved this way will be labeled "?".

You can also select a specific CZ patch to edit or a specific patch location to save a patch to within geoCZEDITOR, as described below in the "get" and "save" sub-menus.

*To erase and Initialize the Workscreen at any time press Commodore key/I. This function destroys whatever data is in the Workscreen and replaces it with the "Initialized Patch".

Clip-and-Save:

SPACE changes editing regions

CRSR keys move cursor within regions

S Enters SUSTAIN point

E Enters END point

+/- increments/decrements values

Commodore/+ increments 10x (when applicable)

Left Arrow gets currently active CZ patch

RETURN sends patch to COMPARE/RECALL

Commodore/I erase and Initialize Workscreen

Menu Operations

The three Main Menu selections are geos, get, and save. There is no Desk Accessory access.

geos sub-menu:

*MIDI channel lets you change the MIDI channel (1 to 16) over which data is transmitted. The geoCZEDITOR default MIDI channel is 1, as it is on the CZ.

This can be a convenient feature if you use two or more CZ's in your set-up. Please note though that whichever CZ is in use must have both its MIDI IN and MIDI OUT connected to the interface, perhaps through a MIDI splitter or matrix device. A Slaved CZ set only to receive data through its MIDI IN will not be able to transmit data back to the computer, which it must do in compliance with the CZ's particular data handshaking protocol.

Please note that after changing the MIDI channel on the editor, you MUST be certain the CZ is set to the same channel. Failure to do so will crash the program.

info drops down an index to keyboard-driven operations.

quit returns you to the deskTop. geoCZEDITOR does not automatically update files. Unless data is saved it will be lost through quit.

get sub-menu:

patch from CZ lets you select a patch to import and edit from the CZ's Preset, Internal, or Cartridge banks. Patches from the CZ are unnamed so they will be labeled P/1, P/2. . .I/1, I/2. . . C/1, C/2 . . .etc, for reference.

patch from file gets a patch from a loaded Data file in the file buffer (see below). The patch name will appear in the patch box, and data will be displayed to be editted.

file from disk loads a geoCZLIBRARIAN-type Application Data file into the file buffer so that you can access its sixteen patches as described above. Currently, geoCZEDITOR only allows you to choose among the first fifteen Data files in a drive for loading. Change Drive/Disk options are available.

save submenu:

patch to CZ will send the patch to a location you specify in either the CZ'S Internal (or Memory Bank A thru B) or Cartridge bank. The data remains in the editor as well.

patch to file will save the patch to the currently loaded file in the file buffer, which will be either the Initialized file created at Start-up or a Data file loaded from disk. You can rename the patch and choose which slot number to place the patch. Be sure to save the file to disk if you have made any changes.

file to disk will save the buffered file as a geoCZLIBRARIAN-type Application Data file. If the file exists under its current filename you will have the option of replacing it; otherwise, just change the filename. This file will be compatible with geoCZLIBRARIAN.

Bank Configurations

geoCZEDITOR follows the CZ101/1000 configuration for Memory Banks: sixteen-patches-per-bank x three-banks. The CZ3000/5000 are somewhat different, eight-patches-per-bank x eight-banks. Consequently, geoCZEDITOR can only access patches in four of the CZ3000/5000's banks, and Banks only in pairs:

geoCZEDITOR & CZ101/1000 CZ3000/5000

Preset 1-16 = Preset A-1 thru B-8

(Preset C-1 thru D-8 inaccessible)

Internal 1-16 = Memory A-1 thru B-8

(Memory C-1 thru D-8 inaccessible)

Therefore, geoCZEDITOR can only send patches to CZ3000/5000 Memory Bank A thru B and Cartridge memory.

The Compare/Recall sound area and Cartridge Memory Configuration are the same on all devices.

I'll assume that CZ3000/5000 users are familiar with this difference and forego further discussion on it.

Addenda

1) You must have a Passport compatible MIDI interface in order to use this program. It will not work with Sequential-types.

2) This program positively will not work with the new GEORAM. GEORAM usurps address space needed by MIDI interfaces. It will, however, operate with the Commodore REUs, providing a cartridge-port expander (ie: Aprospand) is used to accomodate both the REU and the MIDI interface. geoCZEDITOR works fine with REU-less, single drive set-ups.

3) Since only the first fifteen Data files on a disk can be accessed for loading at a time I've found it best to just dump the up-to-fifteen files I plan on using into the REU along with geoCZEDITOR. If more files need to be accessed, just bring 'em down and move them to the first page in the REU. If you don't have an REU, just prepare a Work Disk with geoCZEDITOR on it and move your files to that.

4) If you aren't used to editing CZ patches, there are many good "tip" books available. The "Sound Synthesis Handbook" which was packed with the CZ offers some help. Also, some back-issues of Keyboard Magazine, circa '86-'88, have primers on CZ programming. (Yes, unfortunaely, the CZ is no longer state-of-the-art and has been relegated to "back issue" status.)

5) I've tried to include as many features that might be found on other CZ editors as possible. Features such as graphic editing, printing, and Envelope copying had to be left out due, primarily, to size constraints. I do not expect to be doing much work on this program or its companion, geoCZLIBRARIAN, in the near future. I had planned to incorporate some of Bill Coleman's excellent routines and make other modifications, but I'm afraid I've reached a plateau as far as development goes. I hope that others will do more with GEOS and MIDI.

Douglas Adams

3632 Pawtucket Avenue

East Providence, RI 02915

This program is released into the Public Domain for GEOS users, and can be copied and distributed but may not