HARMONIX HMXHW1023 Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard User Guide
INTRODUCTION
The Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard isn’t just video game controller; it is also a genuine musical instrument that can be used in your MIDI Studio or on a live performance.
We created this manual to express the Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard’s capabilities as a MIDI device. Once you are familiar with the topics covered in this user guide, you should have an understanding of:
- RB3 Keyboard Features and Functions
- RB3 Keyboard Interface
- MIDI
- How to use the RB3 Keyboard in a MIDI studio
- Use as a Software MIDI Controller
- Use as a controller for standalone hardware sound modules
WHAT IS MIDI?
MIDI is the abbreviated term for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is a language that provides a way for digital musical instruments (or other MIDI compatible devices) to communicate with one another. MIDI is not audio; the information contained within MIDI messages is used to trigger sounds from MIDI compatible sound modules.
The Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard supports a variety of MIDI functions. When used as a MIDI Controller, it is like remote control that triggers sounds from external hardware or software devices. When you press a key, MIDI data is sent from the MIDI Output port.
The data travels to the other MIDI devices via a 5-PIN MIDI cable. When the data is received by the device, sounds will be triggered and passed to your audio system.
FEATURES
- 25 Velocity Sensitive Keys
- TRS Port for connecting Stomp and/or Expression Pedals
- Modulation strip that can be used as Modulation or Pitch Controller
- Compatible with MIDI software sequencers and synthesizers
- Compatible with stand alone MIDI sound modules
- Battery Powered
GETTING STARTED
The keyboard will need batteries to function in MIDI mode. To get started, please follow the steps below:
- Place 3 AA batteries in the correct position in the battery compartment located on the bottom side of the keyboard.
- Slide the power switch to ON (Play station/Wii) or press and hold button 8 (Xbox).
- Connect the keyboard to a MIDI sound or a MIDI interface with a 5-Pin MIDI Cable.
CONTROL SURFACE FUNCTIONS IN MIDI MODE
| Feature | Function | |
| 1 | Touch Strip | Modulation Strip or Pitch Wheel |
| 2 | Overdrive/Touch Strip Toggle Button | Toggles Touch Strip function to Pitch Wheel when held down |
| 3 | Expression | Change pedal function to expression |
| 4 | Channel Volume | Change pedal function to channel volume |
| 5 | Drum Mapping on/off | Enable or disable drum mapping of lower octave of keys |
| 6 | Foot Controller | Change pedal function to foot controller |
| 7 | Stop | System real time Stop message |
| 8 | Continue | System real time Continue message |
| 9 | Start | System real time Start message |
| 10 | Octave Decrement | Decrease current octave number |
| 11 | Program Increment | Increase current program number |
| 12 | Octave Increment | Increase current octave number |
| 13 | Program Decrement | Decrease current program number |
| 14 | LED Indicators | 4 LEDs to indicate various keyboard states or user actions |
| 15 | Keybed | 25 velocity sensitive keys |
CONNECTION PORTS
MIDI Out Port: Outputs MIDI data.
Pedal Port: Allows the use of use an optional pedal for extra functionality such as: expression, channel volume, and foot controller.
WORKING IN A MIDI STUDIO
Common MIDI Studio setups include a MIDI Controller (Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard), personal computer, MIDI sequencing software and/or a standalone MIDI sound module.
CONNECTING THE KEYBOARD TO A PERSONAL COMPUTER
When you want to use the keyboard as a controller to trigger sounds from your MIDI sequencing software or your computer’s on board MIDI synthesizer, a connection from the keyboard’s MIDI output port to a MIDI Interface (such as the USB MIDI Sport 1×1) will be necessary. Alternatively, the keyboard can be connected to a sound card or an audio interface as long as they are equipped with MIDI input port. Audio output will be provided by the sound card or audio interface.
When using the Keyboard with MIDI sequencing software applications, be sure to consult the application user guide to ensure proper connectivity and communication.
This diagram is a place holder
CONNECTING TO A MIDI SOUND MODULE
To connect to a MIDI sound module, Connect one end of the MIDI cable to the MIDI Out port on the keyboard, and the other end of the cable to the MIDI In port on a sound module. Audio output will be provided by the sound module.
When using the keyboard with a sound module, be sure to consult the sound module user guide to ensure proper connectivity and communication.
This diagram is a place holder
EXTERNAL PEDAL FUNCTIONALITY
The pedal jack supports an optional analog Expression Pedal and/or digital Stomp Switch.
The analog expression pedal has three available functions – Expression, Channel Volume, and Foot Controller. To change pedal function, press the appropriate button on the directional pad.
| Pedal Controls | |
| Pedal Type | MIDI Assignment |
| Analog Expression | Default: Expression Controller (can be changed using buttons 3, 4 and 6) |
| Digital Stomp | Damper Pedal/Sustain |
TOUCH STRIP
To use the Touch Strip, place a finger lightly on the strip. Moving your finger side to
side on the strip will change the output value.
To toggle function as a Pitch Wheel, press and hold button 2. Button 2 must be held
down while using the Touch Strip.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONTROLS
CHANGE OCTAVE
The default base octave of 3 is adjustable from -1 (MIDI notes 0 – 11) through 7 (MIDI notes 96 – 107) using the octave increment and decrement buttons. The base octave corresponds to the leftmost set of 12 white and black keys from C to B.
Pressing both the octave increment and decrement buttons simultaneously will reset the current base octave to the default of 3.
Octave changes affect only those piano keys that are mapped to channel 1.
CHANGE PROGRAM
The default Program value of 1 is adjustable from 1 to 128 using the Program increment and decrement buttons.
Pressing both the Program increment and decrement buttons simultaneously will reset the current Program value to the default of 0.
Program changes are transmitted on channel 1 only.
PANIC FUNCTION
To immediately stop all notes across all channels press buttons 7, 8, and 9 simultaneously.
DRUM MAPPING
Drum Mapping enables the use of the lower octave on the keyboard for drum sounds.
To enable/disable, press UP on the directional pad. All drum notes are transmitted on MIDI channel 10.
| Note Name | Drum Assignment | Note Name | Drum Assignment |
| C3 | #35 – Acoustic Bass Drum | F#3 | #50 – High Tom |
| C#3 | #36 – Bass Drum 1 | G3 | #42 – Closed Hi Hat |
| D3 | #38 – Acoustic Snare | G#3 | #46 – Open Hi Hat |
| D#3 | #40 – Electric Snare | A3 | #49 – Crash Cymbal 1 |
| E3 | #41 – Low Floor Tom | A#3 | #51 – Ride Cymbal 1 |
| F3 | #47 – Low Mid Tom | B3 | #53 – Ride Bell |
DEFAULT SETTINGS
| Transmit on | MIDI Channel 1 |
| Octave | Value 3 |
| Program | Value 1 |
| Drum Mapping | Disabled |
| Touch Strip function | Modulation |
| Analog Pedal Function | Expression |
LED INDICATORS
The four Player LEDs are used to indicate various internal states and to acknowledge
actions that the user has performed.
The LED behaviours are as follows:
Note: LEDs revert back to their static indicator state,
, upon completion of any sequence.
| User Action User… | Resulting LED State (PS/Wii illustrated to show player #s) |
LED Key = LED Off = LED On = LED Unchanged |
|
| Turns Keyboard ON Xbox360 – holds Guide button for 2 seconds PS/Wii – slides power switch to ON |
Display Count: Continuous |
| Turns Keyboard OFF Xbox360 – holds Guide button for 2 seconds PS/Wii – slides power switch to OFF |
Display Count: Continuous |
| Presses D-Pad Left to assign Expression Pedal to MIDI Expression channel 1 | Display Count: Continuous |
| Presses D-Pad Right to assign Expression Pedal to MIDI Foot Controller on channel 1 | Display Count: Continuous |
| Presses D-Pad Dow n to assign Expression Pedal to MIDI Channel Volume on channel 1 | Display Count: Continuous |
| Presses button to enable/ disable Drum Kit mapping | Display Count: Continuous Enable:  Disable:  |
| Presses either Octave or Program increment button | Display Count: 1x 100mS  100mS  100mS  200mS  |
| Presses either Octave or Program decrement button | Display Count: 1x 100mS 100mS 100mS 200mS |
| Resets either Octave or Program setting | Display Count: 1x 100mS  100mS  200mS  |
FAQ
1. Can I use the USB dongle that I use to play Rock Band to connect to PC with MIDI functionality?
No, to use the MIDI functionality of the keyboard, you must connect to another device using the MIDI Out port on the keyboard.
2. If the keyboard is considered a ‘real instrument’ why doesn’t it make any sound?
This is true for many MIDI Controllers. One of the key features of a MIDI controller is its ability to generate sounds through other devices such as: drum machines, organs and sound modules. One controller can be used to drive all of those devices and be small enough to carry.
Documents / Resources
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HARMONIX HMXHW1023 Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard [pdf] User Guide HMXHW1023, HMXHW1023 Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard, HMXHW1023 Keyboard, Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard, Rock Band 3, Rock Band 3 Keyboard, Wireless Keyboard, Keyboard |
References
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