Roland System-8 User Manual

Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Editing a Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Editing a Patch’s Bender Settings or Patch Name (PATCH

EDIT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Simulating Aging (CONDITION) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Initializing a Patch (Patch Init) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Saving a Patch (WRITE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Editing a Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Making Settings for the Entire Performance (PERFORM EDIT)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Making Settings for Each Part (PART EDIT) . . . . . . . . . 13

Initializing a Performance (Perform Init) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Saving a Performance (WRITE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Accessing the MENU Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Making System Settings (SYSTEM Setting Screen) . . . . . . . 18

Saving the System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Viewing the System Version (VERSION INFO) . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Viewing Plug-Out Information (PLUG-OUT INFO) . . . . . . . . 22

Convenient Functions (UTILITY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Backing Up Data to SD Card (BACKUP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Restoring Data That Was Backed Up to SD Card (RESTORE) 23

Exporting Sound Data to an SD Card (EXPORT) . . . . . . . . . . 23

Importing Sound Data from an SD Card (IMPORT) . . . . . . . 24

Changing the Order of Patches/Performances

(EXCHANGE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Returning to the Factory Settings (FACTORY RESET) . . . . . 25

Removing a PLUG-OUT (PLUG-OUT REMOVE) . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Formatting an SD Card (SD CARD FORMAT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Deleting a File from an SD Card (Delete File) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Overwrite-Saving Edited Data (Overwrite) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using the Vocoder (VOCODER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Connecting a Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using the Vocoder in Patch Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using the Vocoder in Performance Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

When the PerfMode Is “DUAL” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

When the PerfMode Is “SINGLE” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

About the Step Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

STEP SEQUENCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Recording Steps Consecutively (STEP REC) . . . . . . . . . 31

Recording in Real Time (REAL TIME REC) . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Starting Realtime Recording by Keyboard Input . . . . 32

Recording a Specic Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Editing a Specic Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Transposing the Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Muting the Playback of a Specic Part (Performance Mode Only)

Saving Step Sequencer Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

About FIRST STEP and LAST STEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Selecting the First Step (FIRST STEP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Selecting the Last Step (LAST STEP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Changing the Steps While Maintaining the Spacing

of the First and Last Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

STEP SEQ MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Copying a Pattern (PTN COPY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Specifying the Note Length of One Step (SETTING) . 34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Panel Descriptions

2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9

1 Common section

Here you can make the following settings for the SYSTEM-8.

Controller Value Explanation

[VOLUME] knob --- Adjusts the volume.

[INPUT] knob --- Adjusts the volume level of the INPUT R and L/MONO jacks.

Indicates the analog input level of the rear panel INPUT R, L/MONO jacks.

The PEAK indicator lights if the input level is excessive.

PEAK indicator ---

[VOCODER] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Switches the vocoder on/o.

[ARPEGGIO] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the arpeggio function on/o.

1 OCT UP The keys you press are sounded consecutively upward starting from the lowest.

1 OCT U+D

1 OCT DOWN The keys you press are sounded consecutively downward starting from the highest.

[ARP TYPE] knob

[ARP STEP] knob

[KEY HOLD] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the key hold function on/o.

[CHORD MEMORY]

button

[VELOCITY OFF]

button

[TRANSPOSE] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the transpose function on/o.

2 OCT DOWN

2 OCT U+D

2 OCT UP

1/4 Quarter note

1/8 Eighth note

1/16 Sixteenth note

1/4T Quarter-note triplet

1/8T Eighth note triplet

1/16T Sixteenth note triplet

ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the chord memory function on/o.

ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

Adjust the volume of your connected equipment so that this indicator lights occasionally.

* If the PEAK indicator stays lit even after you adjust the connected device, adjust the

system setting INPUT: Gain (p. 21).

Selects the arpeggio type.

The keys you press are sounded consecutively upward starting from the lowest, and then back down again.

The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded consecutively downward starting from the highest.

The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded consecutively upward starting from the lowest, and then back down again.

The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded consecutively starting with the lowest.

Selects the note value for each step of the arpeggio.

Notes sound at the same volume even if your playing dynamics vary.

The velocity value when “VELOCITY OFF” is on is specied by the system setting (SYSTEM: KEY TOUCH: Fixed Velo) (p. 18).

Controller Value Explanation

Octave shift

-3–0–+3 (octave units)

OCTAVE [DOWN]

[UP] buttons

-5–0–+6 (semitone units)

MODE [PATCH] button

MODE

[PERFORMANCE]

button

PART ON/OFF

[LOWER] [UPPER]

buttons

PANEL SELECT

[LOWER] [UPPER]

buttons

[MANUAL] button ---

[PORTAMENTO]

knob

[LEGATO] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

[TEMPO] knob 40.0–300.0 (BPM)

[TEMPO SYNC]

button

[MONO] button MONO, UNISON, POLY

MODEL [SYSTEM-8]

[PLUG-OUT 1]– [PLUG-OUT 3]

buttons

[WRITE] button --- Saves sounds, step sequencer and system settings.

[SHIFT] button ---

[MENU] button --- Accesses the MENU screen.

Display --- Shows various information for the operation.

[VALUE] knob ---

cursor [K] [J] buttons

[EXIT] button ---

[ENTER] button --- Press this to conrm a value or execute an operation.

---

ON (lit), OFF (unlit) In performance mode, switch the lower part or upper part on/o.

(The button of the selected part is lit)

OFF, 1–255

ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

(The button of the selected synthesizer is lit)

---

These buttons let you shift the pitch range of the keyboard in one-octave units. The button is lit if the pitch is shifted by one octave, and blinking if the pitch is shifted by two or three octaves.

Key transpose

By pressing a [DOWN] [UP] button while holding down the [TRANSPOSE] button, you can transpose (shift the pitch of ) the keyboard in semitone units.

Switches to Patch mode.

“Editing a Patch” (p. 9)

Switches to Performance mode.

“Editing a Performance” (p. 11)

In performance mode, select the part (lower or upper) that is the target of panel operations.

Causes sound to be produced according to the current settings of the knobs and sliders.

Adjusts the time over which pitch change occurs when portamento is applied.

Portamento is an eect that smoothly changes the pitch between one key and the next-played key.

Applies portamento only when you play legato (i.e., when you press the next key before releasing the previous key).

Species the tempo of the step sequencer and arpeggiator. The indicator blinks at the specied tempo.

The modulation speed (RATE) of the

EFFECTS section are synchronized to the tempo.

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).

When the [SYSTEM-8] button is on, this instrument operates as the SYSTEM-8 synthesizer. When one of the [PLUGOUT 1–3] buttons is on, this instrument operates as a PLUG-OUT synthesizer.

When used in conjunction with other buttons or knobs, lets you view parameters or edit dierent parameters.

By holding down the [SHIFT] button and turning the [VALUE] knob to change the value, you can edit a setting in steps of 10.

Change the value at the cursor position.

By holding down the [SHIFT] button and turning the [VALUE] knob to change the value, you can edit a setting in steps of 10.

Move the cursor left/right.

Alternatively, switch screens.

Returns you to the previous screen.

In some screens, this cancels the operation currently being executed.

LFO section and the delay time (TIME) of the

Panel Descriptions

2 LFO

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

Controller Value Explanation

Selects the variation of the LFO section.

Variation 1

[VARIATION] knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

Wave knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

[PITCH] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the pitch of the partial, producing a vibrato eect.

[FADE TIME] knob 0–255

[FILTER] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the FILTER CUTOFF (cuto frequency),

[KEY TRIG] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

[TRIG ENV] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Causes the envelope to start repeatedly at the LFO cycle (on).

[RATE] knob 0–255

[AMP] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the AMP LEVEL (volume), producing a tremolo eect.

Variation 2

Variation 3

RND Random wave (RND) Random wave (RND x 2) TYPE 6

Variation 1 (Single LFO)

A standard LFO.

Variation 2 (Dual LFO)

This LFO is created by using a separate second LFO to apply frequency modulation to the same LFO waveform as Variation 1. The second LFO is a sine wave ve octaves lower.

Variation 3 (Resonanced Pulse LFO)

This is a pulse waveform with resonance.

The waveform knob selects the frequency of the resonance.

Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3

Sine wave (SIN) Sine wave (SIN x 2) TYPE 1

Triangle wave (TRI) Triangle wave (TRI x 2) TYPE 2

Sawtooth wave (SAW) Sawtooth wave (SAW x 2) TYPE 3

Square wave (SQR) Square wave (SQR x 2) TYPE 4

Sample and Hold (S&H) Sample and Hold (S&H x 2) TYPE 5

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

Species whether the LFO waveform is synchronized to start the moment you press a key (on) or is not synchronized (o).

Determines the speed of the LFO modulation.

The indicator blinks at the speed (rate) of the LFO modulation.

This knob is a GRF (GRIFFER) knob which allows high-precision adjustments.

3 OSC 1, OSC 2

Here you can select the waveform that determines the character of the sound, and specify its pitch. The SYSTEM-8 has three oscillators (OSC 1, OSC 2, and 4 OSC 3/SUB OSC).

Controller Value Explanation

[VARIATION] knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

Wave knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

Octave (feet) knob 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 Species the octave of the oscillator.

[COLOR] knob 0–255

Variation 1 This is the basic oscillator waveform.

Variation 2 This is a distinctive oscillator waveform.

Select the variation of the OSC 1 and OSC 2 sections.

Variation 1 Variation 2

Sawtooth wave (SAW) Noise Saw (NOISESAW)

Square wave (SQR) Logic Operation (LOGIC)

Triangle wave (TRI) FM (FM)

Sawtooth wave2 (SAW2) FM+SYNC (FM SYNC)

Square wave2 (SQR2) Vowel (VOWEL)

Triangle wave2 (TRI2) CB (COWBELL)

Adjusts the tone.

The result depends on the waveform.

Controller Value Explanation

Selects the source that is modulated by the [COLOR] knob.

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

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

The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the

The sound changes over time according to the frequency of the

[MOD] knob

MAN

LFO

P. ENV

F. ENV

A. ENV

OSC 3

[COARSE TUNE] knob -11–0–+11 Adjusts the pitch in semitone steps.

[FINE TUNE] knob -128–0–+127 Allows ne pitch adjustments.

[CROSS MOD] knob

(OSC 1 only)

0–255

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.

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

[RING] button

(OSC 2 only)

ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

OSC 1

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.

Panel Descriptions

PITCH section.

FILTER section.

AMP section.

OSC 3.

[SYNC] button

(OSC 2 only)

ON (lit), OFF (unlit)

OSC 1

OSC 2

4 OSC 3/SUB OSC

Controller Value Explanation

Selects the waveform that is the basis of the sound.

Wave knob

-2Oct

-1Oct

-2Oct

Sine wave two octaves lower

Sine wave one octave lower

Sine wave

Triangle wave

Triangle wave one octave lower

Triangle wave two octaves lower

[COLOR] knob 0–255 The result depends on the waveform.

[TUNE] knob -1200cent–+1200cent Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator.

5 MIXER

Adjust the OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/SUB OSC, Noise’s volume.

Controller Value Explanation

[OSC 1] knob 0–255 Adjust the OSC 1’s volume.

[OSC 2] knob 0–255 Adjust the OSC 2’s volume.

[OSC 3/SUB OSC]

knob

[NOISE] knob 0–255 Adjust the noise’s volume.

[NOISE TYPE] button

0–255 Adjust the OSC 3/SUB OSC’s volume.

White noise (lit),

Pink noise (unlit)

Selects the type of the noise.

Panel Descriptions

6 PITCH

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

Controller Value Explanation

If this knob is turned toward the right, the pitch initially becomes higher and then

[ENV] knob -128–0–+127

[A] slider

[D] slider

0–255

7 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 Value Explanation

[VARIATION] knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

[CUTOFF] knob 0–255

Filter type knob

(only for MODEL: SYSTEM-8)

[RESO] knob 0–255

[ENV] knob -128–0–+127

[KEY] knob -128–0–+127

[VELOCITY SENS]

knob

[HPF CUTOFF] knob 0–255

[A] slider

[D] slider

[S] slider

[R] slider

LPF/HPF (Variation 1) Low pass lter (LPF), High pass lter (HPF)

SBF (Variation 2) Side band lter (SBF)

(Variation 1)

LPF-24dB, LPF-18dB,

LPF-12dB, HPF-12dB,

HPF-18dB, HPF-24dB

(Variation 2)

SBF1–SBF6

0–255

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

AMP section (they aect

the pitch rather than the volume).

Selects the variation of the FILTER section.

Species the cuto frequency of the lter.

This knob is a GRF (GRIFFER) knob which allows high-precision adjustments.

Selects the slope of the lter.

Low pass lter (LPF), High pass lter (HPF)

LPF: -24dB, -18dB, -12dB

Volume

-24 dB

-18 dB

-12 dB

Frequency

HPF: -12dB, -18dB, -24dB

Volume

-18 dB

-12 dB

-24 dB

Frequency

Side band lter (SBF)

You can use the [CUTOFF] knob to adjust the band interval.

You can also use the lter type knob to select the range of the band interval.

SBF1–3: Low range, Mid range, High range with original sound

SBF4–6: High range, Mid range, Low range without original sound

You can use the resonance knob to adjust the band width.

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.

Adjusts the sensitivity by which the key velocity (playing dynamics) varies the depth of the lter envelope.

Species the cuto frequency of the high-pass lter. Frequency components below the cuto frequency are cut.

These sliders operate similarly to the [A] [D] [S] [R] sliders of the

AMP section

(they aect the cuto frequency rather than the volume).

8 AMP

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

Controller Value Explanation

[VELOCITY SENS]

knob

0–255

Adjusts the sensitivity by which the key velocity (playing dynamics) varies the volume.

[TONE] knob -128–0–+127 Adjusts the brightness of the sound.

[LEVEL] knob 0–255 Adjusts the volume.

[A] slider

(Attack time)

[D] slider

(Decay time)

[S] slider

(Sustain level)

[R] slider

(Release time)

0–255

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.

9 EFFECTS, DELAY/CHORUS, REVERB

Here you can adjust the eect, delay/chorus, and reverb depth.

Controller Value Explanation

(OVERDRIVE),

(DISTORTION),

Eect type knob

(FUZZ),

(CRUSHER),

(PHASER)

(METAL),

[TONE] knob 0–255 Species the character of the eect.

[DEPTH] knob OFF, 1–255 Species the depth of the eect.

(DELAY),

DLY

PAN

(PANNING DELAY),

CH1

Delay/chorus type knob

(CHORUS 1),

CH2

(CHORUS 2),

(FLANGER),

DLY+CH

(DELAY + CHORUS)

[TIME] knob 0–255 Adjusts the time by which the sound is delayed.

[LEVEL] knob OFF, 1–255 Adjusts the volume of delay/chorus.

(AMBIENCE),

AMBI

ROOM

(ROOM),

HALL1

Reverb type knob

HALL2

PLATE

MOD

(HALL 1),

(HALL 2),

(PLATE),

(MODULATION)

[TIME] knob 0–255 Species the reverb time.

[LEVEL] knob OFF, 1–255 Species the reverb volume.

Selects the eect type.

Switches the delay/chorus type.

Switches the reverb type.

Panel Descriptions

10 PITCH BEND/MODULATION

This allows you to control pitch bend or apply vibrato.

Controller Value Explanation

BEND SENS [PITCH] slider

BEND SENS [FILTER] slider

MOD SENS [PITCH] slider

0–255 Species the amount of the pitch change produced by pitch bend operations.

0–255 Species the amount of the lter change produced by pitch bend operations.

0–255 Species the amount of the pitch change produced by modulation operations.

Panel Descriptions

Controller Value Explanation

MOD SENS [FILTER] slider

Pitch bend/ Modulation lever

11 Step sequencer

Here you can record your keyboard performance and knob operations, and play them back repeatedly.

Controller Value Explanation

[EDIT/DISP] button --- Shows the STEP SEQ screen.

[REST] button ---

[TIE] button ---

[STEP REC] button --- Starts step recording.

[REAL TIME REC]

button

[START] button --- Plays the step sequencer.

[SCALE] knob

[PLAY MODE] knob

[GATE] knob -128–0–+127 You can adjust the duration of the note recorded at each step.

[SHUFFLE] knob -128–0–+127

[FIRST STEP] button

[LAST STEP] button

0–255 Species the amount of the lter change produced by modulation operations.

While playing the keyboard, move the lever toward the left to lower the pitch, or

---

toward the right to raise the pitch.

Move the lever away from yourself to apply vibrato.

Enters a rest during STEP REC.

If you hold down the [EDIT/DISP] button and press the [REST] button, the SEQ ERASE screen appears.

Enters a tie during STEP REC.

If you hold down the [EDIT/DISP] button and press the [TIE] button, the STEP LENGTH screen appears.

--- Starts realtime recording.

1/8 Eighth note

1/16 Sixteenth note

1/32 Thirty-second note

1/4T Quarter-note triplet

1/8T Eighth-note triplet

1/16T Sixteenth-note triplet

(FWD)

(REV)

(FWD&REV)

(INVERT)

RND

(RND) Play steps randomly.

KEY TRIG

(TRIG) Play normally while the keyboard is held.

Play forward from the rst step.

Play backward from the last step.

Play forward from the rst step, and then play backward from the last step.

Play with even-numbered and odd-numbered steps inverted.

You can adjust the timing of the notes for even-numbered steps (Step 2, Step 4, Step

6...).

If the knob is in the center position, the timing is not adjusted.

1– (the value specied for STEP LENGTH)

Plays with the specied step as the rst step.

Plays with the specied step as the last step.

For details on the step sequencer, refer to “Step Sequencer” (Owner’s Manual

12 [A]–[H], [1]–[8] buttons

Use these buttons to recall sounds.

A–H (bank), 1–8 (number)

These buttons also indicate steps of the step sequencer.

1–16 (step)

p.14

Editing a Patch

Patch mode

This is the SYSTEM-8’s basic mode, in which it plays a single part.

* Use the MODEL buttons to select the desired synthesizer sound engine.

1. Press the MODE [PATCH] button.

The SYSTEM-8 is in patch mode.

2. Select a patch as necessary.

3. Move the top panel knobs and sliders.

When you operate a knob or slider, the parameter name, and value appear. After a few seconds, the top screen reappears.

OSC1: Wave SAW

When you edit a patch, an “*” appears at the left of the Bank–Number.

PATCH SYS8 *A-1 SY System-8 Saws

Editing a Patch’s Bender Settings or Patch Name (PATCH EDIT)

MEMO

For the SYSTEM-8, all settings other than Bend Range and Gain can be controlled from the panel controllers.

1. In patch mode, press the [MENU] button.

2. Use the cursor [

3. Use the cursor [

4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the MENU screen.

Patch parameters

[SHIFT] + cursor [K] [J]

BEND

NAME (Patch Name) Species the name of the patch.

* For the JUPITER-8 (PLUG-OUT 1), Bend Range, Gain, and parameters not assigned to the panel can be edited in PATCH EDIT.

] [J] buttons to select “PATCH EDIT,” and then press the [ENTER] button.

] [J] buttons to select a parameter, and use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.

Parameter

Cursor [K] [J]

Bend Range 1–24

Bend Gain x1, x2, x3, x4

Value

[VALUE] knob

Explanation

Species the amount of pitch change (in semitone units, up to two octaves) that occurs when you operate the pitch bend lever.

Species a multiplier for the Bend Range, extending the range of change.

For example, if the Bend Range is set to “24” and the Bend Gain is “x4,” the range of pitch bend change will be eight octaves.

Simulating Aging (CONDITION)

The SYSTEM-8 can simulate the changes that occur in an older unit (Aging).

The condition setting is saved as a patch parameter.

1. In patch mode, press the [MENU] button.

2. Use the cursor [

3. Use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.

4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the MENU screen.

Parameter Value

CONDITION -128–0–+127 (Default: 0)

] [J] buttons to select “CONDITION,” and then press the [ENTER] button.

Editing a Patch

Initializing a Patch (Patch Init)

Here’s how to initialize the patch in the temporary area, setting it to

“Init Patch” (the basic sound).

1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button, and then press the

MODE [PATCH] button.

A conrmation message appears.

Patch Init? [Exit]:N [Ent]:Y

2. To initialize, press the [ENTER] button.

If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button.

MEMO

5 When you initialize the patch, an “*” appears beside the

Bank–Number.

PATCH SYS8 *A-1

----------------

5 When you initialize the patch in performance mode, the

patch of the part selected by PANEL SELECT is initialized.

6. Press the [ENTER] button.

A conrmation message appears.

Patch Write? [Exit]:N [Ent]:Y

7. To save, press the [ENTER] button.

If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button.

When saving is completed, the display indicates “Completed!”

Completed!

MEMO

Arpeggio, chord memory, and step sequencer settings/data are also saved within the patch data.

Saving a Patch (WRITE)

1. In patch mode, press the [WRITE] button.

The WRITE screen appears.

<WRITE> [Ent] PATCH* À

When you edit a patch, the display indicates “PATCH*.”

2. Press the [ENTER] button.

The PATCH NAME screen appears.

PATCH NAME [Ent] User_Patch_Name

3. Use the cursor [

to change the character.

Operation Explanation

[SHIFT] button

+ cursor [K] button

[SHIFT] button

+cursor [J] button

[SHIFT] button

+ [VALUE] knob

] [J] buttons and the [VALUE] knob

Deletes one character (Erase).

Inserts one character (Insert).

Switches between uppercase/ lowercase/numerals.

4. Press the [ENTER] button.

A screen allows you to select the save-destination.

To:SYS8 A-1[Ent] [SY System- aws]

5. Use the [VALUE] knob to select the save-destination.

Editing a Performance

Performance mode

In this mode you can assign a patch to each of two parts (UPPER part and LOWER part) and play them in dual or single performance modes.

In patch mode, the tempo and AUDIO INPUT (Vocoder) settings are only system settings; however in performance mode, each performance can have its own values for these settings.

1. Press the MODE [PERFORMANCE] button.

The SYSTEM-8 is in performance mode.

2. Select a performance as necessary.

Editing a patch

Use the PANEL SELECT [UPPER] [LOWER] buttons to select the part (UPPER part, LOWER part) that you want to edit.

Detailed editing is the same as in patch mode.

Editing a performance

There are two screens: the PERFORM EDIT screen (where you edit settings for the overall performance) and the PART EDIT screen (settings for each part).

3. Press the [MENU] button.

The MENU screen appears.

Making Settings for the Entire Performance (PERFORM EDIT)

4. Use the cursor [

] [J] buttons to select “PERFORM EDIT,” and then press the [ENTER] button.

<MENU> [Ent] ÄPERFORM EDIT À

* “PERFORM EDIT” is not shown in patch mode.

5. Use the cursor [

PERFORM:COMMON Perf Mode DUAL

Parameter

] [J] buttons to select a parameter, and use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.

Value

6. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the MENU screen.

Performance parameters

[SHIFT] +cursor [K] [J]

COMMON

Parameter

Cursor [K] [J]

Perf Mode

Perf Level -INF, -53.0dB–0.0dB–10.0dB Species the volume of the performance.

Value

[VALUE] knob

DUAL

SINGLE

Explanation

In this mode you can perform using both the upper part and the lower part. Each part has a maximum polyphony of four notes.

You can use the Key Range setting to freely create splits or partial layers.

In this mode you can perform using either the upper part or the lower part. The part you play has a maximum polyphony of eight notes.

In this mode, use the PANEL ON/OFF [UPPER] [LOWER] buttons to select the part that you want to play.

While being in performance mode, this setting lets you play just as in patch mode. The Arp Src and Arp Dst settings you specied for the performance are ignored, and the settings stored in the patch are used.

+ 23 hidden pages

Roland System-8 User Manual

Contents

Panel Descriptions

Editing a Patch

Editing a Patch’s Bender Settings or Patch Name (PATCH EDIT)

Simulating Aging (CONDITION)

Initializing a Patch (Patch Init)

Saving a Patch (WRITE)

Editing a Performance

Making Settings for the Entire Performance (PERFORM EDIT)