Peavey Spectrum Synth - Narf Patches 101
May 20, 2007 -  Narfland Studios

  Here is a free user bank of 64 patches for the Peavey Spectrum Synth Module. These may be used for any purpose you desire. There is a sysex bank, Midiquest bank, Cakewalk ins definition file, and text description included. I would like feedback and ask nothing else in return unless you have a few more patches to share.  Enjoy!!! 

  I used Midiquest 9 to create the 51 original patches included here. The internal rom samples in this module are outstanding waveforms taken from analog synthesizers. No B.S. here dealing with band instruments or General Midi, just raw analog power with Peavey's huge modulation matrix for assignable control and expression. Portamento is included in this module, a rarity for the early rompler synths. Portamento time is assignable to any of 15 controllers. For example in some of these patches the mod wheel controls the portamento time and the pitch wheel controls the lfo and/or filter modulation.  Each stage of the envelope generators (LDAHSR plus velocity) has the same 15 assignable controllers for very exacting control. The filter can be 2 pole or 4 pole and has low pass, band pass, and hi pass modes with EG, Mods, and resonance. The resonance is self oscillating and can dangerously pierce huge feedback volume spikes if cranked up enough. Use a brick wall compressor or your ears and speakers will pay dearly. I removed PortaMoog2 because there was a certain velocity using my DPM3SE+ as a controller that would excite the rez enough to double the volume level. Ouch!!!

  I haven't gotten a Peavey PC1600 controller yet but I'm looking for one that needs some TLC since I love to restore any Peavey gear made here in the U.S. The Spectrum Synth module I have is V1.24 and has the latest CC enhancements for use with this midi controller. Including controlling legato and poly modes in each patch. I'm not sure if Peavey still has the latest firmware available but if not I can help with revving your early module. I also put an on/off switch in mine so it doesn't get left on forever. The numeric display is a pain to keep track of patch descriptions but hey, it is what it is...... Patch 000 is the edit buffer so I either use a scratch bank to edit or keep a disposable patch in that location since it gets overwritten. You can't send a single patch to a numbered location such as 056 it will go to 000 if you edit anything in Midiquest. To update a numbered location the whole bank gets sent in Midiquest and it takes a few seconds thus slowing down overall progress. 

  The last few patches were taken from a Spectrum Bass II module to demonstrate the same exact program structure for each synth. The internal rom samples are different for each module so the patches will sound different but the controllers and keyboard response is identical. I noticed the Spectrum Bass II uses all four layers and crossfades for more of it's patches than does the Spectrum Synth.  The sample and hold setup in Spec Bass 54 is really good. Many are monophonic too. Velocity reponse is setup very well in many of these patches as with the Spectrum Synth's presets.

Fran Bourdeau - Narfland Studios

Narfman96@yahoo.com

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/peavey_spectrum

