Roland MV-1 Owner’s Manual

Owner’s Manual

	Before using the unit, ensure that its program is at the most
	recent version. For information on available upgrades for the
© 2021 Roland Corporation	program, see the Roland website (https://www.roland.com/).	01

Contents

	Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	4		Loading/Saving Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21
	:: Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	4		:: Loading from the SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.21. .
	:: Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	. 6. . .	. . .	:: Importing from a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	21. . . .
	:: Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	7		:: Saving to an SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21. . . . . . .
	Turning the Power On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	7
				Changing the Tones	22
	An Overview of the VERSELAB
		. 8. .		:: Tones and Track Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	22
	:: What Is a Project? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	9		:: Changing the Tones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	22. . . . . . . .
	:: What Is a Track? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	9		:: Editing a Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	24. . . . . . . . . .
	:: What Is a Section? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.9. .	. . .	:: Editing the Multi-Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	24
	:: What Is a Clip? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. 9.
				Pad Operations
	:: What Is a Song? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	9			25
	:: What Is a Vocal Take? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	. 9. . .	. . .	:: Note Mode (NOTE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25. . . . . . . . .
	:: About Workflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	10. . . .		:: Velocity Mode (VELOCITY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	25. . . . . . . .
	:: Steps for Creating a Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10		:: Style Mode (STYLE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
				:: Chord Mode (CHORD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
	Listening to and Rearranging the Demo
				:: Section Select Mode (SECTION SELECT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
	Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	11
				Creating Phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	26. .
				:: Step Recording (TR-REC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	26
Reference
				:: Recording in Real Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	26. . . . . .
	Project Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	14		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .:: Editing the Steps	27. . . . . . . .
	:: Loading a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	14		:: Making Measure-Related Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	27
	:: Creating a New Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	14. . . .	.	:: Setting the Tempo and Metronome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	27. . .
	:: Saving a Project	14
			. . . .	.
				Correcting the Timing of Your Performance
	:: Configuring the Project	15
				(Quantize)	28
	:: Locking a Project	15
				:: Quantizing During Playback	28
	:: Deleting Projects	15
				:: Enabling Quantization During Recording	28

Section Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	16
:: Selecting a Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	16. . . . .
:: Setting the Section Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	16. .
:: Copying a Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	.16. . . . .
:: Swapping Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	17. . . . .
:: Deleting a Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	17
:: Naming a Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	17
:: Setting the Pad Illumination Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	17
Track Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	18
:: Selecting Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	18. . . . . . .
:: Making Track Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	18.
:: Editing the Track Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	18. . .
Clip Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	19
:: Selecting a Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	19
:: Editing a Clip’s Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	19
:: Changing Tones/Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	19
:: Editing a Clip’s Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	19. . . . .
:: Copying a Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	20.
:: Swapping Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	20
:: Deleting a Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	20

Recording CTRL Knob Movement in Steps
(Motions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	29. . . . .
Using Sampled Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	31
:: Getting Ready to Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	31
Configuring the External Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	31
Sampling Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	31
:: Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	32. . . . .
Loop Playback of Samples (Audio Looper) . . . . . . . . . .	33
.:. : Changing the Track Type to “Looper” .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..	33
:: Getting Your Sample Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	33
Recording Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	.33. .
Loading Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .	33
Loading Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	33
:: Playing Back Samples in a Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	33. . . .
:: Making Settings that Apply During Playback . . . . . . . . .	34
:: Editing a Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	34
:: Editing the Multi-Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	34
:: Making Measure-Related Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	34

2

Contents

Creating a Song by Arranging the Sections . . ..	35
:: Creating a Song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	35
:: Making Song-Related Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	35. . . .
:: Changing the Key of Sections Arranged in Songs . . . . .	36
:: Using Templates to Create a Song (Song Templates) . . . . . .	36
Recording the Vocals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37
:: Recording the Vocals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	37. . . . . .
:: Importing Samples to Create a Vocal Take . . . . . . . . . . . .	37
:: Editing a Vocal Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	38
Adjusting the Vocal Start Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	38. . . . .
Adding a Vocal Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	38. . . . . . . .
Deleting a Vocal Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	38. . . . . .
:: Editing the Vocal Takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	39. . . . .
Making Settings that Apply During Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	39
Renaming a Vocal Take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	39
Muting the Vocal Takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	39
Deleting a Vocal Take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	39. . . . . .
:: Using the Vocal Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	40. . . . . .
Applying Effects to the Vocal Take Playback Sound . . . . . . . .. .	40
Applying Effects to Audio from the Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	40. . . .
Switching Between Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	40. . . . . . . .
:: Making Vocal Track Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	41
Adjusting the Volume and Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..	41
Adjusting the Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	41

Finishing Up the Song as an Audio File

(Mixdown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .42

:: Applying Effects to an Entire Song (Mastering) . . . . . . . 42

:: Creating an Audio File (Mixdown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Other Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	43. . . . .
:: Assigning Parameters to the CTRL Knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . .	43
:: System-Related Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	43
:: Formatting an SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	43. . . . . . .
:: Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset) . . . . . . . . . ..	43
:: Checking the Internal Memory Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .	44.
:: Optimizing the Memory (Looper Optimize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	44
:: Deleting Samples Loaded into a Project .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..	44
:: Using a Computer to Manage an Inserted SD Card . . .	44
Appendices
List of Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	46
Main Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	48

3

Panel Descriptions

Top Panel

3

1

2

6

4

7

8

9

5

1 Common Section (1)

[VOLUME] knob

Adjusts the volume of signal from the LINE OUT jacks.

[PHONES] knob

Adjusts the volume of signal from the PHONES jack.

[SHIFT] button

Use this button with other buttons to switch between functions. Functions that are accessed when holding the [SHIFT] button are shown below each button.

[EDIT] button

Use this with other buttons to call up screens for various settings.

[CLEAR] button

Use this to erase content recorded with the step sequencer as well as sections, clips and so on.

[COPY] button

Use this to copy and exchange sections and clips.

[NOTE] button

Switches the pads to Note mode. This mode lets you play the pads as if playing a keyboard, or use the drum kits (tones) to play drum parts and so on.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [NOTE] button, the pads switch to Velocity mode. This lets you play the pads using 16 levels of velocity (how loud or soft the sound is), regardless of how hard or soft you play the pads.

[STYLE] button

Switches the pads to Style mode. This lets you play phrases with triplets, repeated notes and so on, as well as arpeggios.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [STYLE] button, the pads switch to Chord mode. In this mode, you can play chords just by pressing the pads.

[SECTION SELECT] button

Switches the pads to Section Select mode. In this mode, you can select sections by pressing the pads.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SECTION SELECT] button, the quantize setting screen appears.

[REC] button

Use this button for recording phrases, changing SONG structures, recording vocals and so on.

While holding down the [SHIFT] button, press the [REC] button to enter sampling standby mode.

MEASURE [<] [>] buttons

Use these buttons to move to the measure you want to edit.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the MEASURE [<] [>] buttons, the tonal range of the pads changes in octaves.

Measure indicators (4)

Shows the measure position while editing or during playback.

4

Panel Descriptions

2 Project Section

[LOAD] button

Displays the project settings screen. Use this for the various operations and settings when creating or loading a project.

Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [LOAD] button to save a project.

* Projects are saved on the SD card.

3 Vocal Section

[TONE] knob

This adjusts the amount of vocal effect applied.

*When you turn the [TONE] knob while holding down the [EDIT] button, you can select the parameters to assign to the [TONE] knob.

VOCAL PROCESSOR [ON] button

Turns the vocal processor (effect) on/off.

[GAIN] knob

Adjusts the input gain (sensitivity) for the microphone.

MIC [ON] button

Switches the mic input on/off.

4 Pad Section

Pads (16)

Use the pads to create phrases (performance data) and to select sections.

*The operation and displayed content differs depending on the workflow selected and the pad operation mode.

5 Step Sequencer Section

[ A] (START/STOP) button

Starts and stops playback of performance data. If you press this in record standby mode, recording starts or stops.

STEP SEQUENCER [1]–[16] buttons

Use these buttons to input phrases and edit SONG structures.

*The operations and displayed content differ depending on the editing mode in the workflow.

6 Common Section (2)

Display

Shows various information depending on the operation.

[VALUE] dial

Turn: Selects a parameter or changes a setting value.

Press: Confirms the parameter you selected. This also activates a selected function.

[EXIT] button

Returns the unit to the previous screen or cancels an operation.

[SYSTEM] button

Displays the system settings screen.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SYSTEM] button, the utility screen appears.

7 Control Section

[CTRL 1] [CTRL 2] [CTRL 3] knobs

Use these knobs to edit settings and to record knob motions in clips.

8 Workflow Section

On this unit, a “workflow” means the flow of steps you use to create a song. A workflow is made up of different parts: the three edit modes for creating performance data, the mixer for adjusting the sound, and the mixdown to finish up the song.

&For details on workflows, refer to “About Workflows” (p. 10).

[SEQ] button

Switches the Edit mode to Sequencer mode.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SEQ] button, the screen for setting the tempo and other settings appears.

[SECTION] button

Switches the Edit mode to Section mode.

[SONG] button

Switches the Edit mode to SONG mode.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SONG] button, the screen for selecting the SONG template appears.

[MIXER] button

Displays the mixer screen, where you can adjust the volume, panning and so on.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [MIXER] button, the settings screen for the total effects (effects that are applied to all songs) is displayed.

[MIXDOWN] button

Displays the mixdown settings screen. Use this to mix down your finished songs and create audio files.

If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [MIXDOWN] button, the mastering settings screen appears.

5

Panel Descriptions

9 Track Section

[KICK] button

Selects the KICK track.

[SNARE] button

Selects the SNARE track.

[HI-HAT] button

Selects the HI-HAT track.

[KIT] button

Selects the KIT track.

[BASS] button

Selects the BASS track.

[INST 1] button

Selects the INST 1 track.

[INST 2] button

Selects the INST 2 track.

[VOCAL] button

Selects the VOCAL track.

*The VOCAL track can only be selected when the workflow is in the “SONG” phase.

[MOTION] button

Turns motions on/off (p. 29).

[INPUT] button

Displays the settings screen for audio input.

Front Panel

1 2

1 PHONES jacks

Connect a pair of headphones that uses either a 1/4-inch phone type or stereo mini type plug. You can use both plugs at the same time.

* The same audio signal is output through both PHONES jacks.

2 BUILT-IN MIC

This is the built-in microphone. Use this to record vocals, sample sounds and capture other audio.

6

Panel Descriptions

Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment)

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections.

Cord hook

A B C D E F G H

AC adaptor

A DC IN jack

Connect the included AC adaptor to this jack.

*Use the cord hook to secure the cord of the AC adaptor as shown in the illustration.

B [POWER] switch

Turns the power on/off.

C USB (O) port

Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable (type B) to connect this port to your computer or smartphone. This is used to transfer USB MIDI and USB audio data.

*A USB driver is not required when connecting to this unit.

*This unit also supports USB bus power. The following functions are limited when the unit operates via USB bus power.

55Phantom power cannot be used.

55The headphone volume is lowered.

55The LEDs are dimmer.

G MIC connector

Connect your dynamic mic or condenser mic to this connector.

*Pin assignment of MIC connector

2:HOT 1: GND

3:COLD

*About phantom power

You can supply phantom power (+48 V) from the MIC connector. Turn on phantom power when you’re using a condenser microphone that requires

phantom power.

Use the [INPUT] button0set “Phantom Sw” to “ON.”

NOTE

55If you don’t need phantom power, be sure to turn phantom power off. You risk causing damage if you mistakenly supply phantom power to dynamic microphones or other devices that don’t require such power.

55Phantom power cannot be used when this unit operates on USB bus power.

To use USB bus power without limiting functionality, hold down the [VALUE] dial while powering up this unit. Note that this unit may not start up, depending on the amount of USB bus power supplied.

D MIDI connectors

Connect these to an external MIDI device to transmit and receive MIDI messages.

E SD card slot

Insert an SD card here. The SD card contains various data (such as projects, settings, tones and samples) for this unit.

*You can install the included SD card protector to prevent the SD card from being accidentally pulled out. Use the two included screws to fasten the card protector in place.

*Never turn off the power or remove the SD card while the SD card is being accessed.

*Some SD card types or SD cards from some manufacturers may not record or play back properly on the unit.

F LINE IN jacks

These are the audio input jacks. Connect your musical instrument or other equipment to these jacks.

H LINE OUT jacks

These are jacks for outputting the audio signal. Connect these to your amp or monitor speakers.

Turning the Power On/Off

*Before turning the unit on/off, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/off. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

Turning the power on

1.Power-on your equipment in the order of this unit 0 connected equipment.

2.Raise the volume to an appropriate level.

Turning Off the Power

1.Power-off your equipment in the order of connected equipment 0this unit.

7

An Overview of the VERSELAB

How the SONG is configured

Project

VOCAL track

		Take 1
Take 2	Take 2	Take 2
	Take 3
		Take 4

SONG

KICK/SNARE/HI-HAT/KIT/BASS/INST 1/INST 2 tracks

Section 1	Section 3	Section 2	Section 3	Section 4	Section 5
			Vocal effects		Mastering effects

Tracks and sections

	Section 1
KICK track	Clip 1
SNARE track	Clip 1
HI-HAT track	Clip 1
KIT track	Clip 1
BASS track	Clip 1
INST 1 track	Clip 1
INST 2 track	Clip 1
	Setting
VOCAL track	Take 1
Clips
Track type: Tone

Clip

Tone

Tone

MFX

Phrase

Setting

Section 2		Section 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Clip 2		Clip 3
Setting		Setting
Take 2	Take 3	Take 4

Track type: Drum Kit

Clip

Drum Kit

Tone

MFX

Instrument

Tone

Phrase

Setting

	Section 16
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Clip 16	EQ/COMP
	Setting
Take 5	Take 16	EQ/COMP	MFX

Track type: Looper

Clip

Sample

MFX

Phrase

Setting

8

An Overview of the VERSELAB

What Is a Project?

The data used for creating songs is managed as a “project.” Here’s how to create and save projects for each song.

Projects are saved on the SD card. When you create a song, you’ll need to load a single project from the SD card into this unit for editing.

Projects contain settings for clips, sections, tracks, songs, effects and so on.

What Is a Track?

A track is a place where you create your performance data. This unit features eight tracks, including the KICK, SNARE, HI-HAT, KIT, BASS, INST 1, INST 2 and VOCAL tracks.

There are four types of tracks, as shown below. For the tracks aside from the VOCAL track, you can change to one of three track types including “tone,”“drum kit” and “looper,” according to your needs (p. 18).

*The VOCAL track always uses the “vocal” type.

*Only the INST 1 and 2 tracks can be set to “looper.”

Tone: This track type is used for single tones such as bass guitar, piano, synths and so on.

You can play the individual pads like a scale, or play chords with the pads.

Drum kit: This track type combines multiple percussion sounds (drum kits).

Use this track type to play different percussion sounds (drum instruments) using separate pads.

Looper: This track type is for looped playback of audio phrases, such as drum performance, guitar riffs and so on.

Time stretch is also supported. This feature lets you change the playback speed without changing the pitch.

Vocal: This track type is used for recording vocals, backing vocals and so on.

* This track type is for the VOCAL track only.

What Is a Clip?

A “clip” is a collection of data that is used by a track (except for the VOCAL track). The data that a track can record or playback depends on its track type.

Track type: Tone

Clip settings: Name, length, volume, key, shuffle, etc.

Tone:

Tone and multi-effect settings

Phrase: Performance data and CTRL knob operation data (motions)

Track type: Drum Kit

Clip settings: Name, length, volume, key, shuffle, etc.

Drum kit: Tone and multi-effect settings

Drum instrument: Tone settings

Phrase: Performance data and CTRL knob operation data (motions)

Track type: Looper

Clip settings: Name, length, volume, etc.

Sample: Audio data played by the looper

Looper setting: Looper playback method

MFX:	Multi-effect settings

Phrase: CTRL knob operation data (motions)

What Is a Section?

The seven tracks besides the VOCAL track are collectively known as a “section.” You can create up to 16 sections.

For each section, you can create an intro, verse 1, verse 2, chorus, outro and so on.

What Is a Song?

A “song” is a collection of sections arranged in order. This is played along with the VOCAL track.

You can apply mastering effects and play back the song and vocals, and save this as a WAV file (mixdown).

What Is a Vocal Take?

A “vocal take” is an audio phrase recorded to the VOCAL track, such as vocals or backing vocals. You can create up to 16 vocal takes and play them back at the desired timing of the song.

The performance data is recorded in the VOCAL track as a vocal sequence.

9

An Overview of the VERSELAB

About Workflows

A “workflow” refers to the flow of steps you use to create a song. The workflow section on this unit has the following modes.

SEQ (Sequencer)

Use this mode to create the clips for individual tracks. Clips are the smallest unit used in a song.

55Select the instrument (tone) you want to play, and then record your performance.

55Import and play back audio phrases (looper).

SECTION

Use this mode to preview sections and adjust the number of measures in each section.

SONG

55Use this mode to create a song by arranging sections in order. 55Record the vocals while listening to the song.

MIXER

Use this mode to adjust the audio output of each track.

MIXDOWN

Turn your completed song (the song and vocal) into a WAV file and export it to an SD card.

Steps for Creating a Song

Follow the operations below to create a new song.

Creating a New Project

Creating a Project (p. 14)

Setting the Tempo (p. 27)

Making Song-Related Settings (p. 35)

Creating a Section

Create the clip (the smallest unit used in a song) for each track to complete the first section.

Modifying the Tones (p. 22)

Creating Phrases (p. 26)

Creating Section Variations

Create variations of the sections you make by copying them and using them as a basis for the intro, verse 1, verse 2, chorus and so on.

Copying a Section (p. 16)

Editing the Section Length (p. 16)

Creating a Song by Arranging the Sections

Arrange the variations of the sections you made in order to create a song, and record the vocals.

Creating a Song (p. 35)

Recording the Vocals (p. 37)

Adjusting the Volume and Equalizer for Each Track

Adjust the song’s sound balance by adjusting the volume, equalizer and other parameters for each track.

Making Track Settings (p. 18)

Mixing Down

Complete your song by adjusting the overall effects for the song and then mixing it down.

Applying Effects to an Entire Song (p. 42)

Creating an Audio File (p. 42)

Saving a Project (p. 14)

10

Listening to and Rearranging the Demo Songs

This explains how to rearrange the demo songs (projects) on the SD card included with this unit and output them as a WAV file to the SD card.

Flow of Operations

Load the project and play back the song.

Load a clip and edit the tones/phrases.

Edit the structure of the song by rearranging the sections, changing their lengths and so on.

Record the vocals.

Mix the song down and output the song and the vocals as a WAV file.

Loading the Project and Playing Back

the Song

Load the demo project called “05_Dark Cherry” and play back the song.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “LOAD” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The PROJECT LOAD screen appears.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select the “05_Dark Cherry” demo project, and then press the [VALUE] dial.

A confirmation message appears.

4.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “OK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The project is now loaded.

*If you have edited the project, a confirmation message appears asking whether you want to save the current project. Select “SAVE” (p. 14) to save the current project, or “LOAD” if you don’t want to save it.

Loading Clips

Now, let’s load a preset clip from the SD card and edit its tone and phrase (performance data).

This example shows the steps for editing the clip of the INST 1 track in section 4.

1.Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.”

2.Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.

3.Press the [INST 1] button to select the INST 1 track.

You can press one of the pads that is lit up brightly to preview the clips of the INST 1 track.

4.Press the [EDIT] button, and then pad [4] to specify where to load the clip.

The CLIP EDIT MENU screen appears.

5.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “LOAD CLIP,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The CLIP FILE screen appears.

6.Use the [VALUE] dial to select the clip that you want to load (.mvc), and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The clip is now loaded.

Press pad [4] to preview the clip, and confirm that the tone and phrase has changed.

How to select clips

The preset clips in the SD card are organized in categories by folder. View the folder contents and select the clip (.mvc).

Folders are shown with the “F:” prefix.

55Press the [VALUE] dial while selecting a folder to display the next level down in the folder structure (the folder contents).

55Press the [EXIT] button to go back up one level.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.”

Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.

Press the [ A] (START/STOP) button.

The song plays.

Press the [ A] (START/STOP) button again to stop playback.

Press one of the pads that is lit up brightly while the song is stopped to preview its clips, section by section.

11

Listening to and Rearranging the Demo Songs

Changing the Structure of a Song

5.Press one of the pads [1]–[16] that are unlit (the unrecorded vocal takes) to select where to record your vocal.

“[REC] RecStandby” appears on the screen.

Rearranging sections

This shows you to rearrange the sections of the song.

In this example, we show you how to change the placement of the sixth section in the song.

1.Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.”

2.Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.

3.Press the [REC] button to make it light.

4.Press the STEP SEQUENCER [6] button to specify where to place the section.

The STEP SEQUENCER [6] button blinks.

5.Press pads [1]–[8] to select the sections.

The song is now rearranged, with the selected section placed in sixth position.

6.Press the [REC] button to make it go dark.

The vocal you recorded is assigned as a vocal take to an individual pad.

6. Press one of the STEP SEQUENCER [1]–[10] buttons to set the timing at which you want to start recording.

The timing for starting the recording (measure-beat) is shown at the top right-hand of the screen.

7.Press the [REC] button to enter record standby.

8.Press the MIC [ON] button to make it light.

Audio can now be input through the built-in mic.

9.Use the [GAIN] knob to adjust the recording volume.

Make some sound to input audio through the mic, and adjust the volume as high as possible without letting the level meter reach full scale.

Level meter

Changing the length of a section

Here we’ll change the length (the number of measures) of a section.

This example shows you how to change the number of measures for section 1.

1.Press the [SECTION] button to set the workflow to “Section.”

2.Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.

3.Press pad [1] to select section 1.

STEP SEQUENCER buttons [1]–[8] light up to show section 1’s length (in measures).

Each button corresponds to one measure (16 steps).

4.Press the STEP SEQUENCER [4] button.

The length of section 1 changes from eight measures to four.

Recording the Vocals

Now, let’s record the vocals for our song using the built-in mic while listening to the song.

1.Press the [EDIT] button, and then press the MIC [ON] button.

The MIC SETTING screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “Mic In,” and set it to “BUILT-IN” (the built-in mic).

3.Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.”

4.Press the [VOCAL] button to select the VOCAL track.

10.Press the [ A] (START/STOP) button to begin recording.

11.Press the [ A] (START/STOP) button to stop recording.

When you play back the song, you can also hear the vocal takes you recorded that go along with the song.

12.Press the MIC [ON] button to make it go dark.

55To delete a vocal take, hold down the [CLEAR] button and press the pad [1]–[16] (p. 39) corresponding to the vocal take.

55You can use the vocal processor to add effects to the vocal audio (p. 40).

Mixing Down

Now, let’s export your song and the vocals you recorded to an SD card and create a WAV file.

* Mixing a song down takes the same amount of time as playing it back.

1.Press the [MIXDOWN] button.

The MIXDOWN screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “FULL MIX” (SONG + vocal takes) and then press the [VALUE] dial.

Mixdown begins and playback starts.

The mixdown ends automatically when the song finishes playing back.

After mixdown ends, select “PREVIEW” on the MIXDOWN screen and press the [VALUE] dial to preview the WAV file that was created.

3. Press the [EXIT] button to close the MIXDOWN screen.

12

Reference

Project Operations

The data used for creating songs is managed as a “project.” Here’s how to create and save projects for each song.

NOTE

If you turn off the power without saving the data, any data you edited is lost. To keep your edited data, make sure to save the projects to an SD card.

Loading a Project

Load the project from the SD card and then edit the song.

NOTE

When you load a new project, any unsaved content of the currently open project is lost.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “LOAD,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The PROJECT LOAD screen appears.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select the project you want to edit, and then press the [VALUE] dial.

A confirmation message appears.

*To cancel the operation, press the [EXIT] button.

4.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “OK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

This loads the project.

*If you have edited the project, a confirmation message appears asking whether you want to save the current project. Select “SAVE” to save the current project, or select “LOAD” if you don’t want to save it.

Creating a New Project

To make a new song, you’ll need to create a project.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “NEW,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

A confirmation message appears.

*To cancel the operation, press the [EXIT] button.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “OK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

This creates the new project.

*If you have edited the project, a confirmation message appears asking whether you want to save the current project. Select “SAVE” to save the current project, or select “NEW” if you don’t want to save it.

Saving a Project

Here’s how to save the project to the SD card.

1.Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [LOAD] button.

The project name edit screen appears.

Cursor (blinking)

2.Edit the project name.

You can change the character shown at the cursor position.

Operation	Explanation
MEASURE [<] [>]	Selects the character to edit.
[VALUE]
	Edits the character.
[SHIFT] + MEASURE [>]
	Inserts a space.
[SHIFT] + MEASURE [<]
	Deletes the character.
[CLEAR]
	Deletes the character and replaces it with a space.

3.Press the [VALUE] dial.

A confirmation message appears.

*To cancel the operation, press the [EXIT] button.

4.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “OK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

This saves the project.

NOTE

Never turn off the power or remove the SD card while the screen indicates “Now Writing.”

*If there is already a project with the same name, a confirmation message appears, asking you whether to overwrite it and save the new project. Select “OK” to overwrite and save, or “Cancel” to stop.

*A locked project (p. 15) cannot be overwritten.

14

Project Operations

Configuring the Project

Here’s how to configure the project’s settings, such as the reference pitch, pad illumination colors and more.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “SETTING,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The project settings screen appears.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select a parameter, and edit the value.

	Parameter			Value	Explanation
	COMMON
				435.0–	Specifies the reference pitch (master tune) for the
	MstrTune				project.
				445.0Hz
					* This has no effect on the pitch of the VOCAL track.
	PC IN			These are the settings for audio input from a computer or smartphone
				connected via USB.
	PC Level			&“Parameter Guide” (PDF)
	PC Pan
	COLOR			Sets the pad illumination colors for each pad operation mode (p. 25).
				ORANGE	Sets the color used for pads used for playing in Note
	Note			YELLOW
					mode.
				GREEN
				BLUE
				PURPLE	Sets the color used to indicate that a clip is playing back
	Play			PINK
					in Section Select mode.
				WHITE
				SKYBLUE
				P.YELLOW	Sets the color used to indicate that a clip has stopped in
	Stay			P.BLUE
					Section Select mode.
				P.PINK
				L.RED
				L.ORANGE	Sets the pad color used when a drum track (KICK,
	D.Style			L.YELLOW
					SNARE, HI-HAT, KIT) is selected in Style mode.
				L.GREEN
				P.GREEN
	M.Style			L.SKYBLUE	Sets the pad color when a melodic track (BASS, INST 1,
				L.BLUE
					INST 2) is selected in Style mode.

L.PURPLE

Locking a Project

Here’s how to protect a project so that it can’t be overwritten or deleted.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “LOCK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The PROJECT LOCK (or UNLOCK) screen appears.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select the project to protect, and then press the [VALUE] dial.

A lock symbol appears at the top right-hand part of the screen to show that the project is locked.

*Selecting a project marked with the lock symbol and pressing the [VALUE] dial unlocks the project.

Deleting Projects

Here’s how to delete a project stored on the SD card.

NOTE

You cannot restore a project that has been deleted.

1.Press the [LOAD] button.

The PROJECT screen appears.

2.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “DELETE,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

The PROJECT DELETE screen appears.

3.Use the [VALUE] dial to select the project file to delete, and then press the [VALUE] dial.

A confirmation message appears.

*To cancel the operation, press the [EXIT] button.

4.Use the [VALUE] dial to select “OK,” and then press the [VALUE] dial.

This deletes the project.

*You cannot delete a locked project file.

15