GEM WK4 World Keyboard
A fabulous journey into the world of music. 64 note polyphony, 600 programmable sounds, 128 styles x 4 variations ( 96 ROM + 32 programmable ), professional master keyboard ( aftertouch, 32 layers, 32 splits, 3 programmable pedals, 2 x MIDI in, 2 x MIDI out, 2 x MIDI thru ), compatibility - SMF types 0, 1, and 1 + lyrics, WX/SX format.
Standard RAM 2 MB.
Multimedia Workstation
WK4 is a multimedia workstation which offers several ways of interfacing with the instrument. For example, while you play, a guitar player can connect to the WK4 and play the chords which appear on a monitor connected to the WK4 video outputs, and mix the sounds with those of the workstation. At the same time a group of singers can follow the lyrics projected on the monitor by the WK4 video interface.
Polyphony And Multitimbricity
Maximum Polyphony: 64 voices Multitimbricity: 16 parts ( Style / Real Time modes ) or 32 parts ( Song mode ). Each part is assigned to a track. In Style / Real Time mode 8 tracks are assigned to the keyboard and the other 8 to the auto accompaniment.
Sound Generator
Sounds are based on sampled waveforms ( Wave ), elaborated by programmable digital filters ( DCF, Digitally Controlled Filters ). Waves are assigned singularly or in pairs up to a maximum of 3 layers, to obtain sounds consisting of 6 Waves per voice.
ROM Sounds
ROM ( permanent memory ) contains 8 megabytes of samples, which are the basis of over 570 ROM sounds.
RAM Sounds
It is possible to load RAM Sounds from disk based samples contained in ROM. RAM Sounds can be supplied by General Music, by third parties, or can be created by the user with appropriate versions of the operating system. They can be loaded from WK4 or WX2/SX2 disks. Installing additional RAM allows new samples to be loaded.
Performance Sounds
The 'Edit Sound' function permits a rapid modification of Sounds and Drumkits, producing Performance Sounds. The modifications are stored in Performance tracks to allow Songs, Styles or RT Performances to load the correct sounds.
System RAM
System RAM is the microprocessor working zone, also used to conserve Songs, programmable Styles, Performances and RAM Sounds after powering up the instrument. It is backed by a rechargeable battery. The amount of available memory to store the data is approximately 1.6 megabytes. It can be expanded to 1.9 megabytes by fitting the General Music installation hard disk.
Volatile Sample RAM ( optional )
It is possible to install up to 32 megabytes of Sample RAM, supplied as standard module SIMMs with 30 pins obtained from computer outlets. Sample RAM allows you to load new samples on which RAM sounds can be based.
Backed S-RAM ( optional )
General Music's XXX SRAM kit permits the installation of 2 megabytes of RAM for samples, backed by Ni-Cd battery and not cancelled after turning off the instrument.
DSP, Digital Signal Processor
Four Digital Signal Processors, controlled in real time, enrich the sound with effects ( reverbs and modulations ). A flexible matrix allows different effects to be assigned to every track.
Sequencer
The 32 track sequencer has a Microscope function ( microscopic edit ) and Score facility ( to display Score, chords and Lyrics ). The QuickRec function allows the rapid recording of a song by exploiting existing Styles, without programming the accompaniment parts note by note. The standard System-RAM allows you to store up to XXX events distributed through 16 songs.
Jukebox And Preload
The jukebox function allows you to chain the Songs in memory and play them one after the other with a single command. The Preload function allows you to create Song or MIDI file lists on disk and play them by means of a single command, without first loading all the data in memory.
Automatic Accompaniment
Styles provide automatic arrangements, consisting of eight tracks. Every Style has four variations. Up to thirty-two programmable Styles can be loaded and stored in memory after powering down.
Disk Drive
Data can be stored in 3.5" HD floppy disks, in WK4 expanded format ( 1.6 megabyte ) or standard MS-DOS ( 1.44 megabyte ). The Atari ST/Falcon format ( 720 Kb ) can be used for MIDI file exchanges. WK4 is able to initialize disks for every format. It is possible to load RAM-Sounds, Styles, and Songs from WK4, WX2, SX2 floppy disks. If the Sample-RAM is installed, it is also possible to load new samples from disk. MS-DOS compatibility permits MIDI file exchange with other instruments and computers.
Hard Disk ( optional )
It is possible to install a 2.5" IDE or E-IDE internal hard disk ( max. 500 megabytes ). The installation requires the General Music HD XXX installation kit. This kit also expands the system-RAM up to 1.9 megabytes to conserve data when turning off.
The hard disk operating functions include an integral test and a data restoring procedure, to recuperate damaged data. Compared to a floppy disk, the hard disk has faster access speeds and provides for improved data protection.
Multitasking Operating Mode
The Multitasking operating system allows you to execute several operations simultaneously, such as modifying sounds while a song is playing, loading a song during song play, formatting a disk while playing. Multitasking is a modern PC feature, and WK4 makes extensive use of it.
Updatable operating system from floppy disk
As the operating system resides in a flash-ROM, it is possible to load updates from floppy disk. Operating system updates can add new functions to the instrument ( advanced sound edit, samples transfer, etc...... ).
Score View
The display can show the score, the lyrics and chord symbols of a song.
Display Of Score And Lyrics On An External Monitor ( optional in some markets )
It is possible to connect WK4 to a video system ( monitor, domestic TV, closed circuit video ) by the means of the General Music audio/video board ( XXX ) to display score and lyrics. Lyrics can be displayed during a performance to allow other people to sing with the player.
Audio Inputs
It is possible to connect a microphone, another instrument, a mixer or hi-fi outputs to the WK4 audio MIC/LINE IN inputs. The input signal is fed to the WK4 main mix. The audio/video General Music board ( optional in some markets ) sends the input signals to the WK4 internal effects processor.
Advanced MIDI operation
WK4 has two independent MIDI circuits ( A and B ), offering up to 32 MIDI channels, with MIDI-merge and MIDI-thru functions. The WK4 'macro' functions allow you to change the MIDI configuration of the instrument with a single operation, simplifying the connection of expanders and controlling devices.
Direct Connection With A Computer
The COMPUTER socket permits the connection of computers not fitted with a MIDI interface to WK4 via a single serial cable.
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