The Korg Z3 Guitar Synthesizer

The 1-unit size Z3 features built-in sound sources and various performance functions combines with the expressive power of the compact ZD3 drive unit for simultaneous output of both actual guitar sounds and synthesizer sounds. The sounds of the synthesizer alone, the guitar output by itself, or a combination of the two can be produced without changing instruments - the possibilities are virtually endless. The time-lag problem associated with conventional pickup systems was eliminated in the Z3/ZD3 system through three developments :1)application of parallel processing with dual microcomputers(CPUs)for pitch extraction and sound generation, 2)use of high-speed analog-to-digital converter to handle the waveform data from the divided pickup, and 3)utilisation of a 16-bit microprocessor and a custom LSI chip with a newly developed algorithm for instant conversion to MIDI. With 6-voice, 128-preset internal sound sources and four digital oscillators per voice, guitarists have access to a completely new sonic palette. High-quality 16-bit digital reverb has also been included to beef-up the sound with spacious stereo ambience. The instrument operates in two different modes. In Mode A, you can choose from any of the 128 preset sounds, as well as select and change 6 different parameters of each sound, such as pitch bend, sensitivity transpose, and so on. Mode B lets you write these parameter settings to 128 programs and offers four different function groups for detailed editing : Play, Edit, Patch Play, and Patch Edit. By bringing the electric guitar into the world of MIDI, the Z3/ZD3 combination allows use of other MIDI sound generators as well. Two MIDI output modes are available POLY and MONO. To control sound sources that are not multi-timbral, you can use the POLY mode to send MIDI data from all six strings over a single MIDI channel. The MONO mode makes it possible to simultaneously control up to 6 different sound sources, since separate MID channels are assigned to each string. Convenient and easy foot control of the instrument's functions is possible by connecting the foot controller, FC6, using the special RCC-O5O remote cable.