HELP (Read and Try)
KEYBOARD
ARPEGGIATOR SECTION
HELPDESK
MENU
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KEYBOARD
'ARPTON SF™' turns a PC keyboard into a MIDI input device and provides you with a way to play live music without use of a conventional music keyboard.
Every key assigned to the music note, sends MIDI messages to the selected synthesizer. To play music you can use computer keyboard and/or mouse.
You can press simultaneously few keys to play chords, and use mouse to play additional notes (Solo part, for example).

NOTE: Due to the differences in electronic design some computer keyboards have restrictions on possible combinations of simultaniously pressed keys.
Some of the pressed keys in such combinations cannot be properly detected by a computer and, as a result, do not produce a sound.
Instead, you can hear the warning "Beep" from your computer, because simultanious pressing of keys is not typical case for a regular use.
If you use a notebook, additional USB Mouse is recommended. (Keyboard and trackpad do not work at the same time).

  • Use 'SHIFT' key to block messages NOTE OFF, so all pressed notes continue to sound after releasing.
  • Use 'PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN' keys for octave transposing +/- 3 octaves.
  • Use 'ESC'  key ("All Notes Off") if some notes remain pressed after you have released all keys.
  • Use arrow keys to select a "Group" and "Instrument/Program".
  • Use F1 key to show / hide key's names.
Top Buttons 'TRANSP'
You can octave transpose your music keyboard, using buttons 'TRANSP'.
Position of a red light shows you one of 7 possible settings (-3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3 octaves).
You can use 'PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN' keys on your computer keyboard for the same purpose.
Top Display 'NOTE' and Button '#/b'
Display 'NOTE', located on a right side of the keyboard, shows you a name of the pressed note, and a current octave to which that note belongs.
Button '#/b' above allows you to choose how to name black keys.
Top Button 'RESET'
This button sends a MIDI message "ALL NOTES OFF" and terminates all current sounds.
Push this button if some notes remain pressed after you have released all keys.
You can also use 'ESC' key on your computer keyboard for this purpose.
Top Buttons 'CHANNEL'
A group of 16 buttons allows you to select MIDI channels, to which MIDI messages will be sent.
Active channel is marked with a green light.
By default, different Groups of musical Instruments are assigned to different channels.
You can reassign any Instrument to any channel at any time, and/or use channel buttons to navigate between 16 preselected Instruments.

Reserved channels:

  • Channel 10 is always used for drum sets.
  • Channel 3 is reserved for playing Solo parts on an Upper section of the music keyboard when SPLIT is On (red light on the button SP). The letter 'S' under the button for Channel 3 is used as a reminder.
    Lower section will use the Instrument assigned to the active channel. To play with two different instruments, different channels and different Instruments should be used for both sections.
  • Channels 2 is reserved for playing chords in Arpeggiator mode when THRU is On (red light on the button). The letter 'T' under the button for Channel 2 is used as a reminder.
  • Arpeggio always plays on an active channel (with green light).

Example:

  1. Turn ON Arpeggiator using button 'ARP'.
  2. Turn ON buttons 'SP' and 'THRU'.
  3. Select Channel 3 and choose Instrument to play Solo.
  4. Select Channel 2 and choose Instrument to play Chords.
  5. Select Channel 1 and choose Instrument to play Arpeggio.
NOTE: You can select Channels and Instruments for Arpeggio, Chords and Solo in any order, but before you start playing you need to select Channel 1, because Arpeggio will always play on an active channel.
Top Display 'GROUP / INSTRUMENT' and selection buttons.
Display consists of two sections:
  • Upper section displays a name of the selected Instrument Group for the active Channel.
  • Lower section displays a MIDI Program number and a name of the selected Instrument.
Using Buttons below the Display you can select any Group and any Instrument (Program) whose sound you like.
You can use arrow keys on your computer keyboard for the same purpose.
You can select an Instrument from the Instrument Table, located at the bottom of your screen in HelpDesk area.
Top Button 'HLD' (Hold)
Without HOLD: all notes are sound only for as long as the corresponding key is held down.
With HOLD: all notes are sound until at least one key is held down.

When Arpeggiator is OFF:
If you continue to hold one key, all previously pressed notes remain pressed as long as at least one key is still being held.
If you press new notes they replace previous notes and form a new chord.
If you hold more than one key, all previously pressed notes remain pressed, and all new notes are subsequentially added to the same chord.

When Arpeggiator is ON:
Without HOLD:

  • The Arpeggiator output pattern varies dynamically as keys are pressed and released.
  • When no keys are being held down, the Arpeggiator stops immediately and produces no output.
With HOLD:
  • This function freezes the chord buffer, locking the current captured chord into the Arpeggiator.
  • Captured notes remain in the buffer and new notes continue to be captured as long as at least one key is still being held.
  • When no keys are being held down, the Arpeggiator stops after it finishes the full arpeggio cycle.
  • The first note of chord which is played following the release of all keys begins a new capture session.
  • To stop arpeggio immediately - turn button HOLD OFF.
Top Button 'THRU'
This is the ON/OFF button.
Works only in Arpeggiator mode.
'THRU' OFF - pressed notes are not echoed to the output, only notes that the Arpeggiator generates itself.
'THRU' ON - all pressed notes are echoed to the output, so you can play chords, and ARPTON SF™ will generate arpeggios from those chords at the same time.
Chords always play on a channel 2. The letter 'T' under the button for Channel 2 is used as a reminder.
Top Button 'SP' (Split)
This is the ON/OFF button.
When SPLIT mode is ON, a music keyboard is divided into two sections: Upper and Lower.
It makes possible to play with different Instruments for each section.
Split point which separates the sections is note F in a second octave from the left.
Lower section always plays on an active channel (with green light), Upper section always plays on the channel 3.
The letter 'S' under the button for Channel 3 is used as a reminder.
Top
ARPEGGIATOR SECTION

Arpeggiator implements the effect known in music as arpeggio, which means 'like a harp'.
ARPTON SF™contains a very sophisticated Arpeggiator which can be used as an additional effect, producing musical variations during your live performance, or as a powerful tool for creating arpeggios and loops for professional composers.
Arpeggiator can be used in many different ways to create virtually unlimited number of variations.
Arpeggiator captures all pressed notes in internal buffer, and scans that buffer using different algorithms and settings.

When button 'HOLD' is OFF:

  • Arpeggiator builds an arpeggio using only currently pressed notes.
  • Every new pressed note is added to the arpeggio, every released note is removed from the arpeggio.
  • The arpeggio cycle is continued while at least one note remains pressed.
  • When all notes are released, the arpeggio stops immediately.
  • The arpeggio is always recorded in 'arpeggio.mid' file until the arpeggio stops (all notes are released).

When button 'HOLD' is ON:

  • Arpeggiator builds an arpeggio using all pressed notes.
  • Every new pressed note is added to the arpeggio, every released note remains in arpeggio.
  • The arpeggio cycle is continued while at least one note remains pressed.
  • When all notes are released, the arpeggio continue to play until the arpeggio cycle is complete, or a new note has been pressed.
  • To stop arpeggio immediately - turn button 'HOLD' OFF.
  • The arpeggio is always recorded in 'arpeggio.mid' file until the arpeggio stops.
Top Button 'ARP' (Arpeggiator)
Allows Arpeggiator to be turned ON (red light on the button) and OFF (no light).
ARPTON SF™ can be used as a polyphonic musical instrument, and/or MIDI player, whether or not the Arpeggiator is running.
When Arpeggiator is ON, ARPTON SF™ combines all its features with additional ability to process all pressed notes using different algorithms.
Top Button 'DIR' (Direction of arpeggio)
ARPTON SF™can create and play arpeggios in different directions: UP, DOWN, UP/DOWN.
Using button 'DIR' you can select desired direction.
Display above the button shows you selected direction in a graphic form.
Top Button 'OCT' ("Octaves" - range of arpeggio)
ARPTON SF™creates and plays arpeggios producing cyclical upward transposition of the Arpeggiator output by one or more octaves.
The captured chord is effectively extended into additional higher octaves as if the actual notes has been duplicated in those octaves.
Button OCT allows you to select the desired range of arpeggio: 1, 2, 3 or 4 octaves, so all the notes will be repeated in each octave of the specified range.
Top Slider 'SPD' ("Speed" of arpeggio in BPM -Beats Per Minute)
Allows you to change the basic tempo of the Arpeggiator over a range of ~ 50 .. 240 BPM.
The Arpeggiator runs on its own internal clock source. The red light on the slider blinks on every forth note.
When you change a position of the slider, a display shows you a tempo in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
Arpeggio plays four 1/16 notes on every beat.
Top Button 'PLAY'
Button 'PLAY' can be used for immediate playback of "arpeggio.mid" file in which ARPTON SF automatically saves the last arpeggio cycle.
Every new cycle replaces that file, so you can record and replay it again and again until you get the desired result.
If you satisfied with the result you can rename that file for later use with your favorite music composer.
You can include a full arpeggio cycle in your composition or cut areas to create loops.
During a next arpeggio cycle ARPTON SF™will create this file again.
Every time when you turn the button PLAY ON, saved arpeggio starts playing from the beginning.

Using button 'PLAY' with PLAYER.
ARPTON SF™ includes a PLAYER which you can use after clicking on a tab 'PLAYER' in a HelpDesk.
See section HelpDesk to learn how to use the button 'PLAY' with PLAYER.

Top Display for Arpeggiator Section
Display for Arpeggiator Section consists of two areas:
  • Left area serves the Button 'OCT' and displays a selected range of arpeggio.
  • Right area serves the Button 'DIR' and displays a selected direction of arpeggio in a graphical form.
    When you drag the Slider 'SPD', right area shows you a tempo of arpeggio in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
Top Slider 'VOL' (Volume)
When Arpeggiator is turned OFF (using button 'ARP') this slider serves as a Volume regulator.
When Arpeggiator is turned ON (using button 'ARP') this slider serves as an arpeggio Volume regulator.
Top
HELPDESK

HelpDesk is a tabbed panel located at the bottom of the screen.
It includes:
  • 'Instruments' tab
  • 'Player' tab
  • 'Colors' tab
  • Help tabs: 'What is?', 'Help', 'How To'
Top 'Instruments'
'Instruments' tab contains a table with Instruments available in selected Soundbank.
You can select any Instrument by clicking on a cell with its name.

You can compare how SoundFonts for the same Instrument sounds in different SoundBanks.

  • Select an Instrument you want to compare.
  • Play whatever you want on Keyboard.
  • Switch to another SoundBank (using MENU 'SoundBanks').
  • Play again.
  • Continue to compare other SoundBanks.
You can compare a group up to 10 SF SoundBanks (plus default SoundBank) and choose what you like more.
Top 'Player'
PLAYER is used for playing MIDI and MIDI-Karaoke files.
  • Files with .mid extension are standard MIDI files.
  • Files with .kar extension are MIDI-Karaoke files, which can contain lyrics.
PLAYER panel contains:
  • button 'Click here to select music file'.
  • text field with a name of selected file.
  • text area to display lyrics, extracted from MIDI-Karaoke files.
  • button 'Save Lyrics/No Lyrics' to save lyrics in a text file.
  • text field with a name of SoundBank selected for Player
  • slider 'Player Tempo' for changing a playback tempo.
  • slider 'Player Volume' for setting a balance with Keyboard.
To load a file into PLAYER:
  • Press button 'Click here to select music file'. Window 'Open' appears on a screen. It displays all files with extensions '.mid' and '.kar' in default folder.
  • Select a file and click button 'Open' to load selected file into PLAYER.
  • (You can navigate through all your file system to select any drive and any folder.)
  • If the file contains lyrics they will be extracted and displayed in the text area.

To start a file playback, push button 'PLAY'(red light turns ON).
Pushing button 'PLAY' ON from the tab PLAYER, always starts the last loaded MIDI or MIDI-Karaoke file.
Consecutive pushing of button PLAY stops or starts playing the file from the beginning.
Changing SoundBank during playback pause PLAYER. The song continue playing after Instruments from new Soundbank get loaded.
It allows to compare how the song sounds with different SoundBanks.
Moving from PLAYER to another tab in HelpDesk during a file playback does not affect the playback.

NOTE: Pushing button 'PLAY' ON from any tab except PLAYER, starts playback of the last saved arpeggio.

Top 'Colors'
This tab allows you to select one of available colors for ARPTON SF, and select any color you like for a background.
When you exit the program, selected colors will be saved automatically.
Top 'What Is'
Tab 'What Is' contains main info about ARPTON SF.
Top 'Help'
This is a page you are reading.
Top 'How To'
Tab 'Ho To' contains instructions on how to use ARPTON SF (FAQ)
Top
MENU
Top MENU 'File'
Use menu item "Open" to select MIDI or MIDI-Karaoke file for the PLAYER.
Use menu item "Exit" to exit the program.
Top MENU 'Colors'
Use menu item "Keyboard" to select the color of ARPTON SF.
Use menu item "Background" to select the background color.
Top MENU 'SounBanks'
This tab shows you a list of Sounbanks (SoundFonts) added to ARPTON SF. You can select any of them to produce a sound when you play ARPTON SF.
The List contains at least one (Default) SoundBank.
SoundBanks, used in ARPTON SF, are files with '.sf2' extention (SoundFonts).
You can download from Internet and add to ARPTON SF up to 10 SoundBanks.
Some popular SoundBanks (SoundFonts) you can download directly from our website 'arpton.com'.
Sounbanks from different sources differ in a quality of synthesized instruments and some of them add a significant delay between the moment when you press the key and the moment when you actually hear the sound.
This is especially noticeable if you have a low speed PC with a small amount of memory.
You can select a Sounbank which gives the best results.
Use Menu Items 'Add SoundBank' and 'Remove SoundBank' to add new SoundBanks and remove Soundbanks you do not like.
When you remove SoundBank from 'ARPTON SF', it moves to a folder "Downloads" on your PC for future use. You can add it later again.

NOTE: Keyboard and Player can use different SoundBanks
When you work with Player, MENU 'SoundBanks' selects a SoundFont for Player.
When you work with 'Instruments', MENU 'SoundBanks' selects a SoundFont for Keyboard,

Top MENU 'HelpDesk'
Use menu item 'Show/Hide' to hide or show the HELPDESK on the screen.
Use menu item 'About' to get current version and additional info.
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