Korg AX3000G ESS Expression Step Sequencer, Using ESS, EX1 Pentatonic ESS, EX2 Major Arpeggio ESS

AX3000G EasyStart

ESS (Expression Step Sequencer)

The AX3000G features an Expression Step Sequencer (ESS), which automatically controls most effect parameters in a fixed or random step function. You can assign up to eight steps of effect parameter values in the step sequencer, and specify one of seven ways in which the sequencer will play back these steps: Forward, Backward, Alternate 1/2, Random, Forward (one- shot), and Alternate 1/2 (one-shot). This lets you create sounds with complex movement that were unachievable until now. The AX3000G’s ESS function operates between the expression pedal and the target parameter you specify. When you activate ESS, the sequencer will control the target parameter that you specified for the expression pedal, and the expression pedal will control the ESS.

Using ESS

First, specify the target parameter that is to be controlled by ESS by assigning it to the expression pedal (see Expression Target Quick Assign section)

Assign the PITCH parameter of the PITCH SHIFTER as the target parameter for the expression pedal, and then…

1.Press the EXP STEP SEQ button to activate ESS.

2.Use VALUE KNOB 3 to specify how the sequencer will operate. For this example, choose “8-A”, so that the sequencer will cycle through steps 1–8 and then 8–1.

3.Specify the value for each step. First use VALUE KNOB 4 to set “STEP” to “1”, and then use VALUE KNOB 5 to specify a value of “0”.

4.Repeat the above action for steps 2 through 8, and set these steps to values of 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12 respectively.

5.Use VALUE KNOB 1 to determine the Speed of the Step Sequence.

6.Use VALUE KNOB 2 to adjust to the Smooth parameter. This determines how dramatic of a change there is between each sequence step.

!If VALUE KNOB 1 is set to PEDL, the expression pedal will control the pitch changes. Otherwise it will control the speed of the ESS.

Here are a few more examples of some amazing new sounds you can create using the ESS function:

EX1: Pentatonic ESS

This is based off of a “6A pattern” using the ESS combined with the pitch shifter’s pitch parameter as described above.

The ESS settings are as follows:

	SMOOTH	STEPMODE	STEP1	STEP 2	STEP 3	STEP 4	STEP 5	STEP 6
	0	6-A	0	7	10	12	15	12
Pitch shifter:		Pitch=0, Fine=0, tracking=80, direct=0.0, effect=7.0
Amp:		US Modern (Gain=9.4, Treble=7.0, Middle=0.0, Bass=6.2,)
Cab:		UK T75
Cross delay:		(Time=638, Feedback=4.0, Mix=6.8)

!Make sure that the EXP/CTL Button is set to M/Pitch. Control the speed of the ESS with the expression pedal

EX2: Major Arpeggio ESS

Based off of the preset program 6-4 which was originally a minor arpeggio using a 7A Pattern.

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