via stamba on the forum
If anyone knows where to find a manual for this please comment or shoot me an email. You can find my contact info on the bottom right of the site.
BTW, I'm open to posting questions for people, just send me something worth posting with the question like an image, video, audio or other. Something that would warrant a post without the question. Just like band promo posts and the like. Hopefully I won't regret this. :)
Update via b rock in the comments (be sure to check out the comments for more):
"I happened across this thread while I was looking for background information myself.
Re: an ME20A manual. Here's a link ...
I haven't pursued that one yet, as I'm just looking to verify what I may have missed in my own explorations. (I've been putting together a .pdf for the newly-revitalized PatchArena.)
I've had an ME20A for years now. The key to using it is in embracing the quirkiness of the design. It's certainly an arpeggiator; just not in a modern sense of the term.
There are 3 algorithms: the usual Up & Down, plus a programmable Seq pattern. Rec Pattern determines octaves & direction. Rec Chord determines the notes that all three algorithms act upon. I don't have any numbers on maximum length yet.
MIDI In is for recording purposes only. The arpeggiated notes don't act upon live input. These are transmitted by Play, or a latching-type footswitch. The parameters cannot be changed with a footswitch plugged in, unless the 'latch' is currently pressed. Play or Stop is triggered on the footswitch release.
Step either extends a recorded note in progress (before note off), or can be entered as a rest by footswitch or front panel. Really old school here.
There is no MIDI Sync on the Speed, although I've used it as a master in a Tap Tempo routing. Gate Time literally lengthens or shortens the MIDI note output. Dynamics varies the velocity values of all outgoing notes from v=1 to v=127.
This may all sound confusing, but it's much easier in practice. That's one reason that I've undertaken an explanation in .pdf format. A picture is worth a thousand words.
In the meantime, I hope this helps someone get started. The ME20A is really a unique & useful device. If you get the opportunity, grab one before it catches on ... ;-) "
I've also got one, picked it up cheap. Haven't gotten around to trying it out yet though!
ReplyDeleteI also found one, for about ten bucks. IIRC, you need at least one pedal and a KB to program an arpeggio. If I can remember that much, I must have some docs somewhere... I'll have a look.
ReplyDeleteI have one of these also. It's got a few nice features but user friendliness isn't one of them. Kind of odd since it isn't a super complicated machine either. The gate time and accent/velocity knobs are killer apps for this ancient relic. I don't use a foot switch with mine but then I most'ly use it with a Split-Eight since it's the only MIDI device I own with no arpeggiator. Mine came with the manual I'll see if I can track it down but it might be a couple weeks before I can get anything forwarded.
ReplyDeleteAnyone got a manual for a Split Eight?
I bought one new when they were blown out in the 1980s. Cost about $20 new on blowout sale and I sold it for the same over a decade later. It seems like it should do more, so you wonder if you are using it correctly.
ReplyDeleteThe secret is it's false labeling, it's not a proper arpeggiator it's a very basic digital sequencer. If you think of it as such then you'll probably be able to get whatever you can out of it.
I have one of these I'm trying to sell. Selling it mostly because I couldn't figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help guys !
ReplyDeleteToo bad it seems most of the people get rid of it just because they don't have a clue how to use it !
Please help me getting a .pdf file we could put online for the whole mankind ;)
I happened across this thread while I was looking for background information myself.
ReplyDeleteRe: an ME20A manual. Here's a link ...
http://www.schematicconnection.com/store/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=303&cat=211&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=
I haven't pursued that one yet, as I'm just looking to verify what I may have missed in my own explorations. (I've been putting together a .pdf for the newly-revitalized PatchArena.)
I've had an ME20A for years now. The key to using it is in embracing the quirkiness of the design. It's certainly an arpeggiator; just not in a modern sense of the term.
There are 3 algorithms: the usual Up & Down, plus a programmable Seq pattern. Rec Pattern determines octaves & direction. Rec Chord determines the notes that all three algorithms act upon. I don't have any numbers on maximum length yet.
MIDI In is for recording purposes only. The arpeggiated notes don't act upon live input. These are transmitted by Play, or a latching-type footswitch. The parameters cannot be changed with a footswitch plugged in, unless the 'latch' is currently pressed. Play or Stop is triggered on the footswitch release.
Step either extends a recorded note in progress (before note off), or can be entered as a rest by footswitch or front panel. Really old school here.
There is no MIDI Sync on the Speed, although I've used it as a master in a Tap Tempo routing. Gate Time literally lengthens or shortens the MIDI note output. Dynamics varies the velocity values of all outgoing notes from v=1 to v=127.
This may all sound confusing, but it's much easier in practice. That's one reason that I've undertaken an explanation in .pdf format. A picture is worth a thousand words.
In the meantime, I hope this helps someone get started. The ME20A is really a unique & useful device. If you get the opportunity, grab one before it catches on ... ;-)
Thanks a lot b rock !
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check this link !
;)
If anyone discovers a technique for changing the default MIDI transmission from channel 1, please post it here. Given the era, I have my doubts. Often, it can be re-routed at the destination.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned a 'latching pedal' in the comments above. I should have said this unit has a 'latching-type switch action'. A sustain pedal will work in the ME20A. One press to enable; the next to disable.
Of course, there's only one 'memory slot' in the unit, and you'll lose it on power down. But being analog, it takes a while to discharge, so a power glitch (or relocating the unit) won't kill off your 'programming' right away. Pressing a Rec mode will, however. You must have "something" in Rec Chord for playback. Rec Pattern *can be* blank.
I've been having some trouble in configuring a DAW/software sequencer as an ME20A 'editor'. This approach seems to be the best way to uncover the extents of the unit's parameters. It has great potential as a way to store Pattern and Chord sequences as MIDI file 'presets'. More on this as it develops ...
'Rec Pattern' & 'Rec Chord' are misleading labels. You can enter single note lines or chords in either Rec mode. For example, a long sequence of single notes in 'Rec Chord', with a single note in 'Rec Pattern', will play back the sequence as entered. Change 'Rec Pattern' to a "power chord", and that sequence will play back in "power chords" based on its note values.
The MIDI Receive indicator is your guide here. It's inactive until one of the Rec modes is engaged (as is the Step button). It will light for the duration of a single step in Rec Pattern or Rec Chord. As long as you continue to hold down at least one note, this particular sequence step is still being recorded.
That gives you the opportunity to generate some truly massive chords in either mode, and allows for a mixture of staccato & legato notes/chords upon playback (using the Step button). Careful with the Step entry. Mine is fairly 'hair-triggered', so it's easy to inadvertently add an extra rest, or lengthen a previous entry a bit too much.
Wow !
ReplyDeleteThanks for these informations b rock !
I'll add them to the forum.. to keep them alive for everybody ;)
great info... thanks for the explanation, I was frustrated because I wasn't getting anything on the midi receive light... ill have to give the record thing a shot...
ReplyDeleteFor manual see http://www.midimanuals.net/manuals/akai/me20a_midi_sequence_arpeggiator/
ReplyDeleteI have it and plan to sell it soon, because of the following limitations...there's no way to dump or load SySEX files into/from it, no MIDI synch and can only save one pattern at a time. This must be the worst product Akai has ever made!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete=== Of course, there's only one 'memory slot' in the unit, and you'll lose it on power down.
ReplyDeleteActually, there is an internal lithium battery (P/N: BR2325) which stores the Sequence/Chord every time you press the REC PATTERN/CHORD buttons. When you power off the unit, your sequence is retained in memory, provided the battery is not dead. The owner's manual states: "Be sure to always set the ME20A to the stop mode before turning the power OFF. Failure to do this may result in the loss of recorded data."
If you have a dead battery, instructions for replacing it can be found here;
Akai ME20A Arpeggiator Battery Replacement
http://bit.ly/1zfDHZ2
Someone mentioned "This must be the worst product Akai has ever made!"
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree.
It does have its limitations compared to current MIDI devices today. However, I have found it to be a most useful arpeggiator device, especially for live music. I am able to control the rhythm very easily on stage using the SPEED knob to sync with other instruments/musicians. Using the GATE and DYNAMICS knobs lets your synths spit out some sounds you never thought possible from current patches and tones. This was the best $25 I have ever spent.
The biggest complaint from people who own the ME20A is that it doesn't sync to external devices.
For the electronics DIY enthusiasts, I found this tidbit online;
"My biggest complaint is the arpeggios that do not sync to any incoming MIDI clock signals. I tried to add a clock input, but due to the design I was unsuccessful. With the help of Jürgen Haible, I was able to post gate output to the device. This gate output can be used to drive any analog sequencer, or used to fire notes from an analog synth. The rate of the gate outputs is then controllable via the ME20A's "Speed" control. This schematic is Juergen's design, I just redrew it to make it a little clearer. I also added the Akai component names to make it easier to find the places to connect the wires. The diode can be any signal diode (1N4148 or 1N914) and you can use any general purpose transistor that you have handy. The +5V source and ground can easily be taken from right around the 7905 voltage regulator ... Actually there are more holes in the PCB for capacitors (that were not installed in my unit) that can be used to attach to."
Jürgen Haible Akai ME20A Clock Output Modification
http://www.jhaible.com/wsdindex.html
The updated schematic mentioned above can be found via the Wayback Time Machine from a post back in 2002;
http://web.archive.org/web/20020428173530/http://indiemusicsite.com/synth/dave/images/me20mod1.jpg