Sound Categories

The KN5000 organizes its sounds into 16 categories (plus 2 user memory slots), managed by a pointer table at 0xE023B0 in the Main CPU Program ROM.

Architecture

SOUND_DATA_SECTION_PTRS (0xE023B0)
├─ [0]  → SOUND_DATA_PIANO          (0xE02510)  Binary block, 8320 bytes
├─ [1]  → SOUND_DATA_GUITAR         (0xE04590)  Binary block, 1440 bytes
├─ [2]  → SOUND_DATA_STRINGS_VOCAL  (0xE04B30)  Binary block, 8320 bytes
├─ [3]  → SOUND_DATA_BRASS_PTRS     (0xE06BB0)  Pointer table → 3-byte patch entries
├─ [4]  → SOUND_DATA_FLUTE          (0xE06F30)  Binary block, 2498 bytes
├─ [5]  → SOUND_DATA_SAX_REED       (0xE08BB0)  Binary block, 1440 bytes
├─ [6]  → SOUND_DATA_MALLET_ORCH_PERC (0xE09150) Binary block, 7296 bytes
├─ [7]  → SOUND_DATA_WORLD_PERC     (0xE0ADCD)  Pointer table → 3-byte patch entries
├─ [8]  → SOUND_DATA_ORGAN_ACCORDION (0xE0B190) Inline 2-byte pairs, 128 entries
├─ [9]  → SOUND_DATA_ORCHESTRAL_PAD (0xE0B250)  Binary block, 128 bytes
├─ [10] → SOUND_DATA_SYNTH          (0xE0B2D0)  Binary block, 256 bytes
├─ [11] → SOUND_DATA_BASS           (0xE0B3D0)  Binary block, 18 bytes
├─ [12] → SOUND_DATA_DIGITAL_DRAWBAR (0xE0B3E2) Binary block, 18 bytes
├─ [13] → SOUND_DATA_ACCORDION_REG  (0xE0B3F4)  Binary block, 18 bytes
├─ [14] → SOUND_DATA_GM_SPECIAL     (0xE0B406)  Binary block, 18 bytes
└─ [15] → SOUND_DATA_DRUM_KITS      (0xE0B418)  Binary block, 213 bytes

SOUND_CATEGORY_NAMES (0xE023F0)
├─ [0]  "PIANO"
├─ [1]  "GUITAR"
├─ [2]  "STRINGS & VOCAL"
├─ [3]  "BRASS"
├─ [4]  "FLUTE"
├─ [5]  "SAX & REED"
├─ [6]  "MALLET&ORCH PERC"
├─ [7]  "WORLD PERC"
├─ [8]  "ORGAN&ACCORDION"
├─ [9]  "ORCHESTRAL PAD"
├─ [10] "SYNTH"
├─ [11] "BASS"
├─ [12] "DIGITAL DRAWBAR"
├─ [13] "ACCORDION REG."
├─ [14] "GM SPECIAL"
├─ [15] "DRUM KITS"
├─ [16] "MEMORY A"         (user-stored, in DRAM)
└─ [17] "MEMORY B"         (user-stored, in DRAM)

Pointer Table (0xE023B0)

The SOUND_DATA_SECTION_PTRS table contains 16 × 32-bit pointers, one per factory sound category. Each pointer references the start of that category’s voice data in ROM.

A metadata record at 0xE023A0 precedes the pointer table:

Offset Value Description
+0 Pointer to SOUND_CATEGORY_NAMES Name string table
+4 0x0012 Number of name entries (18, includes MEMORY A/B)
+8 0x0028 Unknown (possibly record stride or count)
+12 0xFFFFFFFF Sentinel / end marker

Data Formats

The 16 categories use three different data formats:

Format 1: Binary Block

Used by most categories. Each block starts with a variable-length header followed by 2-byte records.

Large categories (PIANO, STRINGS & VOCAL):

Offset Size Description
0x00-0x07 8 bytes Sub-category index (sequential: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
0x08-0x7F 120 bytes Zero padding (alignment to 128 bytes)
0x80+ Variable 2-byte voice records: {voice_id, variation}

These have 8 sub-categories with up to 4096 voice records total (8320 bytes = 128 header + 8192 data).

Medium categories (GUITAR, SAX & REED, FLUTE, MALLET & ORCH PERC):

No 128-byte header. Data begins immediately with 2-byte records. FLUTE has a 10-entry sub-category index (bytes 0-9) before the voice data, suggesting 10 sub-groups.

Small categories (BASS, DIGITAL DRAWBAR, ACCORDION REG., GM SPECIAL):

Only 18 bytes each — likely 9 voice entries of 2 bytes.

Format 2: Pointer Table with 3-Byte Patch Entries

Used by BRASS (128 entries) and WORLD PERC (128 entries).

Each category contains:

  1. A table of 128 × 32-bit pointers (512 bytes)
  2. 128 × 3-byte patch entries, each referenced by one pointer

Patch entry format:

Byte Description
0 Voice/program number (0x00-0x7F)
1 Bank/variation number (0x00-0x05)
2 Terminator (always 0xFF)

Example BRASS entries:

Index Bytes Interpretation
0 00 00 FF Program 0, bank 0
1 01 00 FF Program 1, bank 0
3 01 01 FF Program 1, bank 1
31 26 01 FF Program 38, bank 1
84 75 02 FF Program 117, bank 2

WORLD PERC entries are simpler — mostly sequential program numbers with bank 0 (e.g., 00 00 FF, 01 00 FF, … 7F 00 FF).

Format 3: Inline 2-Byte Pairs

Used by ORGAN & ACCORDION only. Contains 128 × 2-byte entries directly in the ROM (no pointer indirection, no binary include).

Each entry is {voice_id, 0x00} with voice IDs in the 0xF0-0xFD range, suggesting organ voices use a separate synthesis mode (IDs ≥ 0xF0 may select drawbar/pipe organ algorithms instead of standard PCM voices).

Organ voice groups (by voice_id):

Voice ID Count Likely Type
0xF0 24 Standard organ
0xF1 8 Organ variant 1
0xF2 8 Organ variant 2
0xF3 8 Organ variant 3
0xF5 8 Organ variant 5
0xF7 8 Organ variant 7
0xFC 8 Organ variant C
0xFD 8 Organ variant D

Category Size Summary

Index Category Format Size Entries
0 PIANO Binary block 8,320 B ~4,096 voice records
1 GUITAR Binary block 1,440 B ~720 voice records
2 STRINGS & VOCAL Binary block 8,320 B ~4,096 voice records
3 BRASS Pointer table 896 B 128 patch entries
4 FLUTE Binary block 2,498 B ~1,185 voice records
5 SAX & REED Binary block 1,440 B ~720 voice records
6 MALLET & ORCH PERC Binary block 7,296 B ~3,584 voice records
7 WORLD PERC Pointer table 896 B 128 patch entries
8 ORGAN & ACCORDION Inline pairs 256 B 128 entries
9 ORCHESTRAL PAD Binary block 128 B 64 voice records
10 SYNTH Binary block 256 B 128 voice records
11 BASS Binary block 18 B 9 voice records
12 DIGITAL DRAWBAR Binary block 18 B 9 voice records
13 ACCORDION REG. Binary block 18 B 9 voice records
14 GM SPECIAL Binary block 18 B 9 voice records
15 DRUM KITS Binary block 213 B ~106 voice records

Total sound data in Program ROM: ~31,745 bytes (0xE02510-0xE0B4EC)

Sound Selection Flow

When a user selects a sound:

  1. UI event — Sound button press generates a control panel event
  2. Category lookup — Main CPU reads SOUND_DATA_SECTION_PTRS[category_index] to get the data pointer
  3. Voice lookup — Within the category data, the selected voice index maps to a {voice_id, bank} pair
  4. Command encoding — Audio_SendCommand formats a MIDI Program Change (or extended command) with the voice/bank parameters
  5. Inter-CPU transfer — Command sent via sendCOMM → InterCPU_Send_Data_Block → latch at 0x120000
  6. Sub CPU processing — Audio_CmdHandler_00_1F writes to ring buffer → MIDI_Dispatch routes to Voice_ProgChange
  7. Voice activation — Sub CPU updates the voice parameter block (287 bytes at 0x041300 + channel × 0x11F)

Instrument Patch Catalog

The Table Data ROM contains the display names for all instrument patches, embedded within variable-length sound parameter records in the 0x832000-0x850000 address range. Each patch record includes a padded ASCII name string (up to 20 characters) along with multi-layer synthesis parameters (envelope, filter, LFO, effects routing).

The following catalog was extracted by scanning the Table Data ROM for ASCII name strings. Names are organized by approximate address region, which corresponds loosely to the 16 factory categories above. GM-compatible patches (0x846000-0x850000) largely duplicate KN5000-specific patches with different parameter settings.

Total: ~303 unique instrument patches (291 KN5000-specific + 12 GM-only)

Piano (14)

Piano, Bright Piano, Mellow Piano, Piano 1 Octave, Piano 2 Octave, Rock Piano, Honky-Tonk Piano, Electric Grand, Midi Grand, E.Piano 1, E.Piano 2, Suitcase E.P., Tremolo E.Piano, Wurly E.Piano

Electric Piano & Keyboard (6)

Modern E.P.1, Modern E.P.2, Harpsichord, Cembalo, Synth Clavi, Music Box

Mallet & Tuned Percussion (10)

Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Vibes & Jazz Guitar, Marimba, Xylophone, Celesta, Tubular Bells, Carillon, Wind Chime, Bottle Marimba, African Mallet, Caribbean Mallet

Guitar — Acoustic (8)

Classical Guitar, Spanish Guitar, Jazz Ac.Guitar, Bossa Guitar, Folk Guitar, 12 String Guitar, ElectroAc.Guitar, Guitar Harmonics

Guitar — Electric (12)

Jazz Guitar 1, Jazz Guitar 2, Bright Solid Gtr, Mellow Solid Gtr, Clean Solid Gtr, Fusion Solid Gtr, Mute Guitar, Funk Mute Guitar, Distortion Gtr, Overdrive Guitar, Country Guitar, Nashville Steel

Guitar — World / Plucked (9)

Banjo, Mandolin, Hawaiian Guitar 1, Hawaiian Guitar 2, Shamisen, Bouzouki, Dulcimer, Cumbus, Ukulele

Strings — Ensemble (11)

Symphonic Strings, Concert Strings, Classical Strings, Marcato Strings, Violin Ensemble, Viola Ensemble, Cello Ensemble, Bass Ensemble, Slow Strings, Octave Strings, Bass Strings

Strings — Special (6)

Tremolo Strings, Pizzicato Str., Synth Strings 1, Synth Strings 2, Bowed Bass, Country Fiddle

Strings — Solo (3)

Violin, Jazz Violin, Viola, Cello

Vocal (9)

Vocal Ah, Pop Vocal Ah, Stereo Vocal Ah, Vocal Ooh, Humming, Synth Vocal, Air Vox, Vocal Doo, Vocal Daa

Accordion — German (10)

German Acdn 1-8, German Acdn Bs1, German Acdn Bs2

Accordion — Italian (10)

Italian Acdn 1-8, Italian Acdn Bs1, Italian Acdn Bs2

Accordion — General (5)

Bright Accordion, Mellow Accordion, Musette, Bandoneon, Folk Accordion

Organ (13)

Perc Organ, Full Drawbars, Jazz Drawbars, Accomp Drawbars, Pop Organ, Soul Organ, Rock Organ, Organ Bass, Chapel Organ, Full Organ, Cathedral Organ, Theatre Organ, Theatre Accomp, Theatre Novelty

Brass — Ensemble (6)

Bigband Brass, Marching Brass, Brass & Synth, Octave Brass, Octave Horns, Brass Fall

Brass — Solo (10)

Trumpet, Solo Trumpet, Orchest. Trumpet, Harmon Mute Tpt, Straight Mute Tpt, Flugel Horn, Bright Trombone, Mellow Trombone, Cup Mute Trombone, Closed Fr.Horn, Open Fr.Horn, Marching Tuba, Orchestral Tuba

Brass — Synth (2)

Synth Brass 1, Synth Brass 2

Saxophone (10)

Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Mellow Alto Sax, Tenor Sax 1, Tenor Sax 2, Breathy Tenor, Rock Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Distortion Sax, Unison Saxes

Clarinet & Reed (7)

Jazz Clarinet 1, Jazz Clarinet 2, Mellow Clarinet, Classic Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Harmonica, Blues Harmonica

Woodwind — Double Reed (3)

English Horn, Bassoon, Bagpipe

Flute (12)

Piccolo, Jazz Flute, Classical Flute, Alto Flute, Alto Ensemble, Flutter Flute, Pan Flute 1, Pan Flute 2, Recorder, Ocarina, Blown Bottle, Whistle

Flute — World & Special (6)

Shakuhachi, Quena, Chopper Flute, Penny Whistle, Marching Whistle, Chiff Flute, Synth Calliope, Shanai

Bass — Acoustic (2)

Acoustic Bass, Mellow Ac.Bass

Bass — Electric (9)

Electric Bass, Bright E.Bass, Fusion E.Bass, Funky E.Bass, Fretless Bass, Picked E.Bass, Mute Bass, Slap Bass 1, Slap Bass 2

Bass — Synth (7)

Killer Bass, Analog Bass, Soul Bass, Wow Bass, Dance Bass, House Bass, Plastic Bass, Basic Synth Bass, Techno Bass

World Percussion (8)

Kalimba, Metal Kalimba, Steel Drum, Bonang, Sarrons, Kenong, Slentem, Talking Drum

Percussion & SFX (10)

Wood Block, Taiko Drum, Melodic Tom, Synth Drum, Sleigh Bell, Tinkle Bell, Agogo, Reverse Cymbal, Orchestra Hit, Dance Hit 1, Dance Hit 2

Sound Effects (7)

Fret Noise, Breath Noise, Seashore, Bird Tweet, Telephone, Helicopter, Applause, Gun Shot

Synth — Lead (12)

Square Lead, Saw Lead, Sine Lead, Chiffer Lead, Charang, Metallica Solo, Talking Lead, Digi Stack, 80’s Solo, Steamy Keys, Olymp Synth, Voco Synth

Synth — Pad & Texture (20)

Block Synth, 5th Wave, Bass & Lead, Talking Synth, Synth Harp, Afro Dance, Digi Bells, Crystal, Mellow Ensemble, Warm Synth Pad, Spacy Pad, Metal Pad, Star Theme, Bowed Glass, Atmosphere, Fantasia, Bell Pad, Dream, Sweep Pad, Halo Pad, Echo Drops, Poly Synth, Warm Synth Brass, Ice Rain, Soundtrack

Synth — Multi Sweeper (1)

Multi Sweeper

Orchestra Combo (14)

Goblins, Strings & Horns, Strings & Flutes, Piano & Strings, Heavenly Strings, Warm String Pad, Chamber Orch, Cathedral, Movie Musical, Field of Voices, Horns & Woods, Dark Movie Scene, Orchestral Sweep, Moonlight Pad, Orchestra Pizz, Synth Orchestra

Orchestra Combo — Specialty (5)

Unison Strings, Springtime Orch, Dreamy Strings, Many Horns, Big Band Pad

Harmonium & Misc (2)

Harmonium, Rock Harmonics

GM-Only Patches (12)

Pipe Organ, Accordion, Jazz Guitar, Solid Guitar, Modern E.P., E.Piano (variant), Bright Bass, Synth String 1, Synth String 2, Jazz Clarinet (variant), Brightness, Warm Pad

Research Needed

  • Decode the exact binary format of large categories (PIANO, STRINGS & VOCAL, MALLET & ORCH PERC)
  • Determine meaning of sub-category indices in headers (bytes 0-7 or 0-9)
  • Map voice_id/bank pairs to actual sound names — 303 patch names extracted from Table Data ROM
  • Trace UI event codes that trigger sound selection
  • Document MEMORY A/B user sound storage format in DRAM
  • Understand voice IDs ≥ 0xF0 (organ drawbar mode hypothesis)
  • Analyze relationship between these voice_id values and Table Data ROM waveform indices
  • Map exact voice_id/bank → Table Data ROM patch name correspondence

Code References

Symbol Address Description
SOUND_DATA_SECTION_PTRS 0xE023B0 16-entry pointer table to category data
SOUND_CATEGORY_NAMES 0xE023F0 18 × padded ASCII category name strings
SOUND_DATA_PIANO 0xE02510 Piano voice data (8320 bytes)
SOUND_DATA_BRASS_PTRS 0xE06BB0 Brass pointer table (128 entries)
SOUND_DATA_WORLD_PERC 0xE0ADCD World Perc pointer table (128 entries)
SOUND_DATA_ORGAN_ACCORDION 0xE0B190 Organ inline 2-byte pairs (128 entries)
Audio_SendCommand 0xFF0B6B Main CPU audio command interface (197+ call sites)
Voice_ProgChange Sub CPU Sub CPU program change handler