From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Mon Jul 07 04:54:25 2003
Subject:Re: effects loop

Hi,

>why, oh why hath the cx-3 no effects loop?
>all i want is to put effects like wah and tube overdrive
>before the whirrling leslie sim
>why, oh why...
>
>...really, korg, why no effects loop??

I don't work for Korg, but I think I can answer this one, anyway. (I'm a design engineer.) The same question could be asked of Roland or Clavia (Nord), and the answer would be the same.

Q: Why don't most "modeling" clones have effects jacks?

A: It would complicate the design. 99% of the work is all done in the digital world, using software (firmware). The designers create a set of "virtual" tonewheels, percussion, preamp, etc. which is only converted to the analog world at the end of the line. From a hardware perspective, the setup is simple:

Knobs+switches --> Digitizer --> CPU + memory + special ICs --> Analog Convertor --> Output

Yes, the knobs and switches have to be converted to the digital world, but the conversion can be much cruder than audio-signal-quality, and any noise this process adds can be filtered away with digital processing. Add in an effects loop, and the system gets more complicated:

Knobs+switches --> Digitizer --> CPU, etc. --> Analog Convertor --> Effects Loop --> Digital Convertor --> CPU, etc. --> Analog Convertor --> Output

This "complication" translates into more parts, more engineering work, and more places for noise to enter in, which results in more cost. I would suspect that the cost would rise by several hundred (US) dollars. Given that the cost of these instruments is already higher than most modern keyboards (i.e., synths and ROMplers), manufacturers shy away from adding this feature. For every player who would find the effects loop useful, there are probably 5-10 others who would likely never use it.

Q: So why did the V3, a modeling clone, have an effects loop?

A: The V3 created the organ section digitally, but there was a good deal of analog circuitry in it -- the Spin simulator, the EQ circuit, and probably some other things that I'm not aware of. Since the digital-to-analog conversion happens before the Spin (Leslie), an effects loop can be easily added.

Now, I'm not saying that you don't have a valid point, so don't give up asking for the effects loop. At some point, the conversion electronics may be come simple and cheap enough that manufacturers start adding one in. I suspect, however, that the time isn't yet right for this change.

Regards,

-BW
--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com