MIDI FILES MP3 PLAYER User’s Manual Electronic Sound Solutions s.r.l., via Monviso 54, 46042 Castel Goffredo MN, tel. + 39 0376 780360, fax + 39 0376 778225 www.essound.com e-Mail info@essound.com E.S.S Customer Service, strada Cipata 25, 46100 Loc Frassino, Mantova. Tel + 39 0376 274658, fax + 39 0376 373253 e-Mail assistenza@essound.
INDEX INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 3 CONNECTION AND COMMANDS........................................................ 4 POWER SUPPLY .................................................................................. 6 AUDIO CONNECTIONS ........................................................................ 6 HOW TO START ...................................................................................... 7 SWITCHING ON ................
INTRODUCTION First of all, ESS would like to thank you for your purchase of M-Blaster2. M-Blaster2 is a MIDI, Karaoke and MP3 player characterized by a very intuitive user interface. M-Blaster2 plays: • Standard MIDI files (.mid format 0 and 1) • Karaoke files (.kar format 1) • MP3 files (VBR/CBR, successfully tested up to 256 Kbps (depending on the encoder) M-Blaster2 utilizes as a data storage unit a Compact Flash Card that can be loaded up to 4095 songs. Included in the packaging are: - n.
CONNECTION AND COMMANDS Frontal panel 1 2 10 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 8 9 1) Alpha dial encoder, to modify the values of the various parameters and change the displayed page; 2) Key to use to go back to the page previously displayed; 4
3) Key to access the global adjustments on the player, like: global equalization, effects adjustment on the inputs Mic1/Mic2,global transposition on MIDI songs; 4) Key to access options like: song erasing, adjustment of the TV set if connected, page for the files transfer from the PC and the creation of groups and Index. If the key is pressed while a song is in “play” mode, the screen will display info about the song.
4) Audio output (to be connected to the audio system); 5) Video connectors.
HOW TO START M-Blaster2 is supplied with a software E-link for the Personal Computer that allows the MIDI and MP3 file transfer directly from the PC to the MBlaster2 data storage unit (Compact Flash Card) and moreover can be used for backup operations. First of all install the supplied software on the Personal Computer and, successively, connect M-Blaster2 through a standard USB cable A/B (such as the one used for USB printers ) to a properly functioning USB port on the PC.
For its correct functioning M-Blaster2 needs the Data storage unit (Compact Flash Card), to be inserted in its proper housing (fig1/7). Otherwise, on the display it will appear the following message: “COMPACT FLASH NOT PRESENT” note: The Compact Flash Cards are formatted when the product is sold; However, if necessary, the formatting should be executed with the following characteristics: FAT 12/16 bit formatting (it will be implemented to FAT 32).
EASY TUNE Thanks to this exclusive function it is possible to instantly adjust, before or while playing a MIDI song, the tonality key depending on the user needs. The functioning is extremely intuitive: • MALE: if this key is lighted M-Blaster2 will adjust the MIDI song key for a male voice; • NORMAL: if this key is lighted M-Blaster2 will play the MIDI song in its original key; • FEMALE: if this key is lighted M-Blaster2 will adjust the MIDI song key for a female voice.
FUNCTION KEYS (fig.1/6) The use given to the four function keys F1-F2-F3-F4 is variable and changes from time to time depending on the active operational mode. Clearly, it is not necessary to remember which function is assigned to every key as it shows on the last line displayed: in correspondence of every function key there is a box that displays the possible use of the below key in that moment.
• “TEXT”: allows to access the visualization mode of chords and lyrics. When the M-Blaster2 is in “PLAY” (Green led above the PLAY key is lighted) in the last line of the display the following function keys are active: • • • • “TRCK ON” / “TRCK.OFF” (see above); “LIST” (see above); “TEXT” (see above); “TRKCHANG (TRACK CHANGE)”: allows to access the page where to adjust the following parameters: volume, reverberation, chorus, transposition and playing metronomic time of the song being played.
To leave the TEXT mode push the EXIT button. NOTES: Lyrics and chords, if present in the midi file, are visualized slightly in advance with respect to the part of the song being played, to give the performer the time to change the sentence/chord. The time of advance depends from the setup of the midi file. It is possible to enter the TEXT mode even after having the song in PLAY. It is also possible to enter and to exit the TEXT mode various times during the song performance.
Pushing the button MENU/INFO during the song playback the display will show: • the full title of the song in playback; • for the MIDI files, the time signature (4/4, 3/4 etc); • for the MIDI files the current position, indicated in measures and in quarter of measures, for the Mp3 files it will be visualized the time gone from the start of the playback; • for the MIDI files the metronomic time, for the MP3 files the bit rate value (kbps).
• MIDI REVERB: to adjust the global quantity of the reverberation effect on the MIDI songs; this parameter is saved. • MIDI VOLUME: to adjust the quantity of volume only for the midi files. You should put this parameter on level 0, if you want to use MBlaster2 with an external expander, maintaining the audio functionalities (microphone, MP3). • MUTE TRACK: to choose the intervention channel of the function key TRKON/OFF.
A practical example to understand the regulation of the semi-parametric filter: enhance the “MID” parameter, then, speaking in the corresponding microphone move as you please the parameter “MID F”. It will be then possible to hear the different frequencies to enhance (or ease up) using the “MID”. 4.“MIC FX”. To adjust the type and quantity of the effect for the Mic1 and Mic2.
As explained above, the function is accessible from the main page SONGS through the function key TRKCHANG and visualized only after that the song has started.
When the song is in PLAY, on the M-Blaster2 display (in correspondence to the MIDI channel n°2 volume) we will read the value “100” until the tenth measure, after that we will read “110”. Let’s imagine we set via the knob PAGE/VALUE a variation on the channel 2 volume equal to “-020” (saving the variation with the function key SAVE). Playing the song again the display (in correspondence to the MIDI channel n°2 volume) will read the value “080” until the tenth measure and “90” after that.
Moving the slider key to the upper part (in that case the status bar will report the word “CHANNEL” followed by the name of the variation in use and by the word TRKCHANG) it will be possible to adjust singularly, only for the MIDI channel on which the slider key is positioned, the parameter in use.
As described above the function is accessible from the main page SONGS through the function key TRKCHANG, it is visualized only after the song has started: Once activated the function TRKCHANG the function keys have assigned the following uses: • RESTORE: “zeroes” all the variations done to the parameters by the user and restores the presets originally memorized in each song; • SAVE: saves the modifications done by the user; • RELOAD: recalls the last values saved by the user with the SAVE function; • MUTE:
MENU/INFO). It is also possible that one song can be part of more than one group (without duplicating the song on the Compact Flash) in order to choose among alternative play lists. Each group can contain maximum 48 songs, mixed between MIDI files and/or MP3. M-Blaster2 capacity is up to 100 groups.
• CONTINUE: is the function normally called Continue, his behaviour is analogue to the one seen in the SONGS mode. HOW TO CHOOSE A LIST OF SONGS IN PLAY LIST The display visualize the group of songs which is created by the player with the management software E-LINK or created directly by M-Blaster2 2 (functions in MENU’).
• the metronomic time. Similarly to the SONGS mode, when a song from the PLAY LIST is in playback, the function keys TEXT and TRKCHANG are active; once the playback is halted with the STOP button, TRKCHANG switches to CONTINUE. LIST Visualize the list of songs in a group To see the song in the PLAY LIST, it is enough to push the function key LIST. On the display it will be visualized the SONG LIST page with the list of the songs belonging to the selected group.
MENU/INFO The menu MENU/INFO contains various and important management utilities for the M-Blaster2. To access the page MENU it is necessary to push the MENU/INFO button when the M-Blaster2 is in “Stand-by”, (not playing – led on PLAY button is off). It is otherwise impossible to access the MENU page.
USB This is the page to visualize for a right connection to the PC. If you modify the content of the Compact Flash, the “INDEX” is automatically created by exiting from the USB page. ATTENTION: Don’t turn off M-Blaster2, before exiting the page. TV SETUP In this section it is possible to adjust the functions related to the device connected through the video connector positioned on the back panel (fig 2/5) To activate the function TV SETUP: a. push the MENU button; b. bring the slider key to TV SETUP; c.
• CURSOR COLOR:it allow the adjustment of the underlined color; • VIDEO/CAMERA IN: if the optional Video camera is connected this parameter will allow the background visualization of the sent signal. C.F. UTILITY To enter MENU C.F. UTILITY, the steps are: 1. push the MENU button; 2. bring the slider key to C.F. UTILITY; 3. push the function key SELECT. The MENU C.F. UTILITY concerns various function to manage the compact flash.
2. If you wish to leave the ERASE mode without any cancellation, push the EXIT button. To delete the song push the function key YES when requested, otherwise push NO. You can cancel a further song, or push the button “EXIT” to return to the MENU page. The deleted song continue remaining in the list. When you exit from function ERASE, INDEX is recreated. PAY ATTENTION: Don’t turn off M-Blaster2, before exiting the page. CLEAR ALL DATA This function allows to cancel by fast way the Compact Flash.
MAKE A PLAYLIST This function allows you to cancel, modify or create a PLAYLIST. By choosing this function, you visualize the playlist in the Compact Flash Card. The function keys activated are: • ERASE: to cancel the play list, without modifying the songs present in the card; • CREATE: to create an empty playlist; • MODIFY: to change an existing play list. The songs in PLAY LIST are visualized, if you choose the functions CREATE or MODIFY.
In this mode, MBlaster2 works as EXPANDER; every other functions are disabled. Pushing EXIT, MBlaster2 returns to its normal function. Out of EXPANDER MODE function, MIDI-IN is active, but its functionalities are reduced. When M-Blaster2 is turned on, we suggest you to remove the MIDI-IN connection. OPERATING SYSTEM The M-Blaster2 Operating System comprehends all the commands and functions that allow all the operations described in this manual to happen.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET • ADAPTER : External off-line power supply adapter desktop switching Off Line In .......90/240 Vac Out ....15 v. 2A • CONNECTORS : n.2 Inputs Mic balanced (Jack 6,3mmTSR) n.1 Stereo output (n.2 pin RCA L+R) n.1 Video connector OUT (Pin RCA) cinch n.1 Video connector IN (Pin RCA) n.1 USB Port n.1 Earphones output (mini-jack 3,5mm TSR) n.1 MIDI OUT port (din 5p.
WHAT TO DO IF: IF THE MESSAGE “COMPACT FLASH NOT FORMATTED” APPEARS WHILE THE CARD IS IN, PLEASE FORMAT THE CARD ON YOUR PC WITH FILE SYSTEM “FAT”, IN SLOW MODE. IF THE MESSAGE “FAT TYPE NOT SUPPORTED” APPEARS WHILE THE CARD IS IN, PLEASE FORMAT THE CARD ON YOUR PC WITH FILE SYSTEM “FAT”, IN SLOW MODE. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION: NOT EVERY COMPACT FLASH CARDS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH M-BLASTER2.
