5.1  "THUMB -X- PRESS" FUNCTIONS
 
Thumb-X-press is a optional add-on device for the SYNTHOPHONE that opens a whole now dimension of control over sound... at the touch of your right hand thumb!  This highly dynamic pressure sensor is multi-functional.  For example, it can be programmed to act as an additional octave key or a pitch bending device, as a harmony switch or a sustain pedal, and it can also produce Aftertouch (see below for details).
 
To turn on thumb-X-press, simply select a sound on your synthesizer first, and then choose an appropriate function for thumb-X-press.  The settings for thumb-X-press are stored along with all the other SYNTHOPHONE settings when storing a patch to the internal memory (s. 3.6).  Consequently, pre-selected patches are immediately playable with their respective thumb-X-press functions.
Select any of the following levels for thumb-X-press using the control fingerings listed below:
 
hold palm F and low E & press Eb to next higher level
hold palm F and low E & press C to next lower level
hold palm F and low E & press Eb/C to level 0 = Off
 
Level 0  Off
Level 1  Octave Key
Level 2  Pitch Bend DOWN   < NEW V.4.5 Function >
Level 3  Pitch Bend UP
Level 4  Aftertouch
Level 5  Number of Voices in Chords
Level 6  Lower/Upper MIDI Channel
Level 7  b-II-Substitute Chords
Level 8  Freeze Harmony
Level 9  Sustain On/Off
 
The panic function resets thumb-X-press to level 0 = Off.

 

 
Level 0 -> Off
Thumb-X-press is turned off by activating the 'Panic' fingering (3.1).  Since the 'Panic' function is usually employed to 'clear the dock' for a new patch, this is also a good starting point for work with thumb-X-press.
 
Level 1 -> Octave Key
After resetting parameters using the 'Panic' fingering, advance thumb-X-press to level 1 and play a few notes.  Touching the thumb-X-press membrane with your right thumb will cause notes to be played an octave higher than their normal setting.  They will return to the normal octave when thumb pressure is released.
 
Level 2 -> Pitch Bend (DOWN)          <<  NEW EPROM V.4.5 Feature >>
Applying pressure to thumb-X-press results in pitch bending DOWN. It can be used simultaneously with lip pressure, doing a pitch vibrato.  The two pitch bending information data are internally combined.
 
Level 3 -> Pitch Bend (UP)
Applying pressure to thumb-X-press results in pitch bending UP.  It can be used simultaneously with lip pressure, doing a pitch vibrato.  The two pitch bending information data are internally combined.
 
Level 4 -> Aftertouch
Applying pressure to thumb-X-press results in sending Aftertouch data.  It can be used simultaneously with wind pressure, that may also be assigned to generate Aftertouch.  The two Aftertouch sources are internally combined.
 
Level 5 -> Number of Voices in Chords
Begin by making a harmony selection and playing some chords using lip control (i.e. Dynamic Harmony).  Now advance thumb-X-press to level 5.  You should be able to control the number of voices in a chord using thumb pressure.  More pressure adds more voices up to your predetermined limit.  Zero thumb pressure equals unison, with gradual increasing thumb pressure bringing in extra voices whenever you want them.
 
Level 6  -> Lower/Upper MIDI Channel Selection
Advance thumb-X-press to level 6.  No pressure on thumb-X-press plays the sound on the original MIDI channel.  Applying pressure to thumb-X-press instantly reassigns your performance to the next higher MIDI channel.  Release of pressure on thumb-X-press instantly returns you to the original MIDI channel.  To experience this effect you must set your synthesizer to receive on multiple channels and select a separate sound for each channel.  Separate synthesizer units set to receive on adjacent channels will accomplish a similar result.  See your synthesizer manual for details on multi-timbre operation.
 
Level 7 -> b-II-Substitute Chords
Advance thumb-X-press to level 7.  Pressure on thumb-X-press produces the same harmonic variations as those achieved with lip pressure set to Dynamic Harmony level2 (see 4.6).  Remember to select this level of harmony control and assign at least two part harmony in order to hear this powerful arranger's tool.
 
Level 8 -> Freeze Harmony
Advance thumb-X-press to level 8.  Pressure on thumb-X-press captures the last chord played and causes it to move in parallel motion.  Once thumb-X-press is released, the chords returns to diatonic structures in your chosen key.
 
Level 9 -> Sustain On/Off
Advance thumb-X-press to level 9.  Sustain pedal effects is turned on and off by applying and releasing pressure to thumb-X-press.  Remember that volume control (derived from wind pressure) may also affect the decay of sustained sounds.  If desired, the wind volume control can be set to maximum (s.3.11) in order to have total control of sustain assigned to thumb-X-press.