Kenton OSCar - Manual

User instructions for MIDI retrofit for
Oxford Synthesiser Company - OSCAR
Note that this retrofit is only supplied and/or fitted by Kenton, it is not a Kenton design .The MIDI manual
reproduced here is an updated and enhanced version of the original manual that was supplied with the
factory MIDI for the Oscar, for the convenience of our customers only.
Fitting the MIDI retrofit means that the OSCAR now has 36 voices which are user-programmable and
the sequencer space is 1500 events.
MIDI SOCKETS
MIDI IN
Receives MIDI control signals from another MIDI instrument.
MIDI OUT
Transmits MIDI control signals to another MIDI instrument. Note: Signals received at MIDI IN socket will
not be retransmitted from MIDI OUT socket on the OSCAR.
MIDI THRU
Transmits a direct copy of the signals received at the MIDI IN socket, allows more than one MIDI
instrument to be driven from one source of MIDI signals.
Standard MIDI cables should be used for interconnections between instruments. Basic connection set
up is MIDI OUT of one instrument (Master unit) to MIDI IN of another instrument (Slave unit). More
instruments can be chained together by connecting MIDI THROUGH of the slave unit to MIDI IN of a
second slave unit, etc. The maximum number of units that can be chained in this way are 3 to 4.
Special MIDI THRU boxes can be used to connect instruments in parallel. It is also possible to connect
MIDI IN and OUT both ways between two instruments so that playing either instrument will operate both.
CONTROL OPTIONS
Several control options are available on the MIDI OSCAR.
At Mains Power on, some options are enabled and some are disabled. Hold down the [SPACE] button
on the wheel panel, Octave display shows which options are enabled and allows the options to be
changed using the keyboard.
1. PERFORMANCE WHEEL
Enabled at power on. Transmit and receive wheel positions. To access, press and hold down the
[SPACE] button and press key -11 of the keyboard. While the [SPACE] button is held down, the extreme
left hand side LED of the Octave Display will light up if wheel signals are enabled.
By repeating the procedure the option status can be altered to off (if it was previously on) or to on (if it
was previously off).
Bend Wheel signals should be compatible with other instruments. Mod Wheel signals do not normally
allow for the OSCAR's negative modulation; the OSCAR therefore transmits a normal positive Mod
Wheel signal, whether it is turned up or down.