Roland System-1 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

English

Before using this unit, carefully read the leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY.” The leaet provides important information concerning the proper operation of the unit. Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature of your new unit, read Owner’s Manual in its entirety. This manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.

Panel Descriptions

2 3 4 5 6 7 81

9 10

Common section

Here you can make the following settings for the SYSTEM-1.

Controller Explanation [VOLUME] knob Adjusts the volume. [PORTAMENTO] knob

[LEGATO] button

[TEMPO] knob Sets the tempo of the arpeggiator (scatter). The LED blinks at the tempo you specied. [TEMPO SYNC]

button [LFO KEY TRIG]

button

[MONO] button

MODEL [SYSTEM-1]/ [PLUG-OUT] button

[MANUAL] button Causes sound to be produced according to the current settings of the knobs and sliders.

Memory[1]–[8] button

LFO

Here you can create cyclic change (modulation) in the sound by applying vibrato (pitch modulation) or tremolo (volume modulation).

Controller Explanation

Wave knob

[FADE TIME] knob

[RATE] knob Determines the speed of the LFO. [PITCH] knob Allows the LFO to modulate the pitch, producing a vibrato eect. [FILTER] knob Allows the LFO to modulate the FILTER CUTOFF (cuto frequency), [AMP] knob Allows the LFO to modulate the AMP LEVEL (volume), producing a tremolo eect.

OSC 1/OSC 2

Here you can select the waveform that determines the character of the sound, and specify its pitch. The SYSTEM-1 has two oscillators (OSC 1 and OSC 2).

Controller Explanation

Wave knob

[COLOR] knob The result depends on the waveform.

[MOD] knob

Octave (feet) knob Species the octave of the oscillator.

[CROSS MOD] knob

[TUNE] knob

[RING] button

[SYNC] button

Creates a smooth change in pitch between one key and the next key played. The knob adjusts the time required for the pitch change. Applies portamento only when you play legato (i.e., when you press the next key before releasing the previous key).

Synchronizes the RATE of the section to the tempo. Species whether the LFO cycle will be synchronized to begin when the key is pressed (ON) or not (OFF). If this is on (lit), the synth will play monophonically (single notes). If this is blinking, the synth will play all sounds in unison (UNISON mode).

If the [SYSTEM-1] button is on, this unit will operate as a SYSTEM-1 synthesizer. If the [PLUG-OUT] button is on, this unit will operate in “plug-out” mode. &Refer to “About Plug-In/Plug-Out”

Use these buttons to store/recall eight sets of panel settings (knobs/sliders).

To store panel settings in a memory button

Long-press a memory [1]–[8] button.

To recall settings (a sound) from a memory button

Press a memory [1]–[8] button.

Selects the LFO waveform. R (Sine wave), S (Triangle wave), T (Sawtooth wave), U (Square wave), W (Sample and Hold), RND (Random wave)

Species the time from when the tone sounds until the LFO reaches its maximum amplitude.

Selects the waveform that is the basis of the sound. T (Sawtooth wave), U (Square wave), S (Triangle wave),

(Square wave 2), (Triangle wave 2)

Selects the source that modulates the [COLOR] knob.

The sound is determined by the position of the [COLOR] knob. It will not vary over

MAN

time.

LFO

The sound varies over time at the rate specied in the

P. ENV

The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the

F. ENV

The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the

A. ENV

The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the

S. OSC The sound changes over time according to the frequency of the sub-oscillator.

Modies the OSC 1 frequency according to the OSC 2 waveform. Turning the knob toward the right makes OSC 1 become a more complex sound, allowing you to create metallic sounds or sound eects. Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator.

Coarse Tune

Adjusts the pitch in semitone steps. By holding down the [RING][SYNC] buttons simultaneously and turning the SCATTER [TYPE] dial, you can adjust the Coarse Tune. The SCATTER LEDs (1–10) indicate the amount of Coarse Tune (OFF (unlit), -11–+11). (LEDs 10 and 1 light simultaneously to indicate 11.)

This is a ring modulator. It generates a complex waveform by multiplying OSC 1 and OSC 2.

This is oscillator sync. It generates a complex waveform by forcibly resetting OSC 2 to the beginning of its cycle in synchronization with the OSC 1 frequency.

LFO section and the delay time (TIME) of the 8 EFFECTS

(Sawtooth wave 2),

LFO section.

PITCH section.

FILTER section.

AMP section.

MIXER

Here you can adjust the volume of OSC 1, OSC 2, the sub-oscillator (an oscillator that produces a sound one or two octaves lower), and noise.

Controller Explanation [OSC 1] knob Adjusts the volume of the OSC 1. [OSC 2] knob Adjusts the volume of the OSC 2. [SUB OSC] knob Adjusts the volume of the sub oscillator.

[OSC TYPE] button

[NOISE] knob Adjusts the volume of the noise. [NOISE TYPE]

button

PITCH

Here you can create time-varying change (envelope) for pitch.

Controller Explanation

[ENV] knob

[A] slider [D] slider

FILTER

These settings determine the brightness and thickness of the sound. Here you can also specify the time-varying change (envelope) for the lter.

Controller Explanation

[LPF CUTOFF] knob

[LPF TYPE] button

[HPF CUTOFF] knob

[RESO] knob

[ENV] knob

[KEY] knob

[A] slider [D] slider [S] slider

[R] slider

AMP

Here you can create time-varying change (envelope) for the volume.

Controller Explanation [TONE] knob Adjusts the brightness of the sound.

[CRUSHER] knob Modies the tonal character by distorting the waveform. [A] slider

(Attack time)

[D] slider

(Decay time)

[S] slider

(Sustain level)

[R] slider

(Release time)

EFFECTS

Here you can adjust the amount of reverb and delay.

Controller Explanation [REVERB] knob Adds reverberation. [DELAY] knob Adjusts the volume of delay sound. [TIME] knob Adjusts the delay time (the time by which the sound is delayed).

PITCH BEND/SCATTER

“Pitch bend” modies the pitch.

What is Scatter?

This is a function that applies various changes to the arpeggio performance, creating musical grooves.

Controller Explanation

[ARPEGGIO] button

[ARP TYPE] knob Selects the arpeggio variation. [ARP STEP] knob Species the note value for each step of the arpeggiator.

[PITCH BEND/ SCATTER] jog shuttle

[TYPE] dial Selects the scatter type (1–10). [KEY HOLD] button You can make notes continue sounding even after you take your hand o the keyboard.

Selects the type of the sub oscillator. Lit: Sound one octave below, Unlit: Sound two octaves below

Selects the type of the noise. Lit: white noise, Unlit: pink noise

If this knob is turned toward the right, the pitch initially becomes higher and then returns to the pitch of the key you pressed. If this knob is turned toward the left, the pitch initially becomes lower and then returns to the pitch of the key you pressed.

These sliders operate similarly to the [A][D] sliders of the pitch rather than the volume).

Species the cuto frequency of the low-pass lter. Frequency components above the cuto frequency are cut, making the sound mellower.

Selects the slope (steepness) of the low-pass lter. Lit: -12 dB, Unlit: -24 dB

Species the cuto frequency of the high-pass lter. Frequency components below the cuto frequency are cut. Resonance boosts the sound in the region of the lter’s cuto frequency. Higher settings produce stronger emphasis, creating a distinctively “synthesizer-like” sound. This knob species the depth and direction of the cuto frequency change produced by the [A], [D], [S], and [R] sliders. If the knob is turned toward the right, the cuto frequency moves in the upward direction. If the knob is turned toward the left, the cuto frequency moves in the downward direction. Allows the lter cuto frequency to vary according to the key that you play. If the knob is turned toward the right, the cuto frequency becomes higher as you play higher notes. If the knob is turned toward the left, the cuto frequency becomes lower as you play lower notes.

These sliders operate similarly to the [A][D][S][R] sliders of the the cuto frequency rather than the volume).

Species the time from the moment you press the key until the maximum volume is reached. Species the time from when the maximum volume is reached, until it decays to the sustain level. Species the volume level that will be maintained from when the attack and decay times have elapsed until you release the key. Species the time from when you release the key until the volume reaches its minimum value.

Causes an arpeggio to be produced when you simply hold down a chord on the keyboard. (This function is called the “arpeggiator.”)

The jog shuttle normally operates as pitch bend. If the [ARPEGGIO] button is turned on, the jog shuttle adjusts the scatter depth.

* S catter is on while you operate the jog shuttle. When you return the jog shuttle to the

center, scatter turns o.

AMP section (they aect the

AMP section (they aect

Controller Explanation

OCTAVE [DOWN] [UP] button

[MOD] button

Keyboard

This is a standard-size keyboard. It is not touch-sensitive (the velocity is xed).

Octave shift

You can shift the keyboard’s pitch range in steps of one octave. The button is lit for the one octave setting; the button is blinking for the 2–3 octave setting. If you press the [DOWN] [UP] buttons simultaneously, the keyboard will return to its normal pitch range.

Key transpose

By holding down the [DOWN][UP] buttons simultaneously and turning the SCATTER [TYPE] dial, you can transpose the keyboard in semitone steps (only upward).

• The SCATTER LEDs (1–10) indicate the amount of transposition (1–11). (LEDs 10 and 1 light simultaneously to indicate 11.)

• All unlit (OFF) when turned to the far left

Vibrato (modulation) is applied to the sound while you hold down the [MOD] button. By holding down the [MOD] button and operating the MOD depth.

LFO section, you can adjust the

Connecting Your Equipment

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn o all the units

before making any connections.

A B C E F GD

DC IN jack

Connect the included AC adaptor here. Use only the included AC adaptor.

* To prevent the inadvertent disruption of power to your unit (should the plug be pulled

out accidentally), and to avoid applying undue stress to the DC IN jack, anchor the power cord using the cord hook, as shown in the illustration.

USB ( ) port

Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable to connect this port to your computer. It can be used to transfer USB MIDI and USB audio data. You must install the USB driver before connecting the SYSTEM-1 to your computer. Download the USB driver from the Roland website. For details, refer to Readme.htm which is included in the download.

& http://www.roland.com/support/

MIDI connectors

For connecting MIDI device.

Security slot (

& http://www.kensington.com/

PEDAL jacks

If you connect a pedal switch (DP series, BOSS FS-5U; sold separately) to the HOLD jack, the notes will be sustained as long as you continue holding down the pedal even after you take your hands o the keyboard. If you connect an expression pedal (EV-5; sold separately) to the CONTROL jack, you’ll be able to use the expression pedal to control the volume and add expression to your performance.

* Use only the specied expression pedal (EV-5; sold separately). By connecting any other expression pedals,

you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit.

OUT jacks

Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor speakers. If your system is monaural, use only the L/MONO jack.

PHONES jack

Connect headphones (sold separately) here.

)

Turning the Power On/O

[POWER] switch

This turns the power on/o.

* After you’ve made connections correctly, be sure to turn on the power in the order of the SYSTEM-1 rst,

and then the connected system. Powering-on in the incorrect order may cause malfunctions or damage. When turning the power o, power-o the connected system rst, and then the SYSTEM-1.

* This unit is equipped with a protection circuit. A brief interval (a few seconds) after turning the unit on is

required before it will operate normally.

* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down,

you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

About Plug-In/Plug-Out

When you turn on the [SYSTEM-1] button, this unit operates as a SYSTEM-1 synthesizer. When you turn on the [PLUG-OUT] button, this unit operates as a “plug-out” synthesizer.

What is “plug-out”?

• A separately sold plug-out compatible software synthesizer can be downloaded to this unit, allowing you to play this unit by itself.

• The plug-out compatible software synthesizer can also be used as a plug-in synthesizer on your computer.

• For details on dedicated plug-out software synthesizers and how to obtain them, and on the operating requirements, refer to the Roland website.

& http://roland.cm/system1

Synchronizing/Recording with Other Devices

The SYSTEM-1 can receive MIDI Clock (F8) data to synchronize its tempo.

Synchronizing with a TR-8

You can synchronize the SYSTEM-1 with a TR-8 by using a commercially available MIDI cable to make connections.

Synchronizing/recording with your computer DAW via

MIDI OUT MIDI IN

TR-8 (master) SYSTEM-1

(slave)

USB

If you use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable to connect the SYSTEM-1 to your computer, you can synchronize the SYSTEM-1 with your DAW via USB MIDI, or record the sound of the SYSTEM-1 onto tracks of your DAW via USB audio.

Various Settings

Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

Here’s how to return the SYSTEM-1 to its factory-set state.

1. While holding down the [MANUAL] button, turn on the power.

The [ARPEGGIO] button blinks. If you decide to cancel the factory reset, turn o the power.

2. Press the [ARPEGGIO] button to execute the factory reset.

3. When all buttons lit, turn the SYSTEM-1’s power o, then on again.

MIDI and Other Settings

1. While holding down the [SYSTEM-1] button, turn on the power.

The [ARPEGGIO] button blinks. If you decide not to make settings, turn o the power.

2. Use the [1]–[3] buttons and the SCATTER [TYPE] dial to change the settings.

Parameter Controller Explanation

Unlit (OFF)

MIDI channel

MIDI Clock Source

MIDI Thru [2] button

BOOST mode

LED DEMO

3. Press the [ARPEGGIO] button to save the settings.

The settings are saved, and the SYSTEM-1 restarts.

[TYPE] dial

1–16

All lit (OMNI)

Lit (AUTO)

[1] button

Unlit (INTERNAL)

Lit (ON)

Unlit (OFF)

Lit (ON)

[3] button

Unlit (OFF)

Hold down [MOD] and turn the [TYPE] dial

Species the MIDI transmit/receive channel. The SCATTER LEDs (1–10) indicate the channel. (default: 1)

• All unlit (OFF) when turned to the far left

• All lit (OMNI) when turned to the far right

• For 11–16, LEDs 10 and 1–6 are lit simultaneously. MIDI messages of all channels are received. The MIDI transmit channel will be 1.

If MIDI clock is being input to the MIDI IN connector or the USB port, the SYSTEM-1’s tempo will automatically synchronize to MIDI clock. (default)

* I f MIDI clock is being simultaneously input from the MIDI IN

connector and from the USB port, the USB port takes priority. The SYSTEM-1 operates at the tempo specied on the unit itself. Choose the “INTERNAL” setting if you don’t want to synchronize to an external device. Species whether data received from the MIDI IN connector will be retransmitted from the MIDI OUT connector (ON: default) or will not be retransmitted (OFF).

Boosts the output level of the OUT jacks.

Species the time (minute) until the LED DEMO is shown. If this is unlit, the LED DEMO is not shown.

Main Specications Roland SYSTEM-1: PLUG-OUT SYNTHESIZER

Maximum Polyphony 4 voices (SYSTEM-1 Mode) Power Supply AC adaptor Current Draw 850 mA Dimensions 472 (W) x 283 (D) x 70 (H) mm 18-5/8 (W) x 11-3/16 (D) x 2-13/16 (H) inches Weight 2.4 kg (excluding AC adaptor) 5 lbs 5 oz Accessories AC adaptor, Owner’s Manual, Leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” Options (sold separately)

* I n the interest of product improvement, the specications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to

change without prior notice.

Pedal switch: DP Series, Footswitch: BOSS FS-5U, Expression pedal: EV-5