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Roland AX-Synth manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    r® Owner’s Manual AX-Synth_e2 Page 1 Monday, October 12, 2009 3:41 PM[...]

  • Page 2

    For Canada This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. NOTICE AVIS For the USA FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC [...]

  • Page 3

    r Shoulder Synthesizer Owner’s Manual ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Thank you and congratulations on your choice of the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer. Fitted with a powerful sound engine, the AX-Synth represents the next generation of Roland’s legendary AX-series of shoulder keyboards, with sounds derived from Roland’[...]

  • Page 4

    4 USING THE UNIT SAFELY • Do not open (or modify in any way) the instrument, and avoid damaging the AC adapter. • Do not attempt to repair the instrument, or replace parts within it (except when this manual provides specific instructions directing you to do so). Refer all servicing to your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an auth[...]

  • Page 5

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 5 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH • Batteries must never be heated, taken apart, or thrown into fire or water. • DO NOT play a CD-ROM disc on a conventional audio CD player. The resulting sound may be of a level that could cause permanent hearing loss. Damage to speakers or other system components may[...]

  • Page 6

    Important notes 6 In addition to the items listed under “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” on p. 4, please read and observe the following: Power supply • The AX-Synth can be operated using 8 rechargeable AA-type Ni-MH batteries or the supplied adaptor. Be careful to insert the batteries the right way around. If you prefer to use the adaptor, be sure to [...]

  • Page 7

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 7 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH • Be sure to carefully instruct any person on the proper way of han- dling batteries. • Never dispose of the battery in a fire. Never heat it. Doing so may melt the insulation, damage the gas release vents or protective devices, cause combustion through chemical react[...]

  • Page 8

    Important notes 8 USING THE UNIT SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Important notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1. The AX-Synth in a nutshell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

  • Page 9

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 9 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH High-quality Internal sound source A “shoulder synthesizer”, the AX-Synth comes with 256 high-quality sounds specially selected for solo performances, 4 SuperNATURAL™ sounds (Violin, Cello, Shakuhachi, Trombone) and 4 SPECIAL sounds (Trumpet, Sax, Strings and Jazz S[...]

  • Page 10

    Panel descriptions 10 Front panel A PGM CHANGE INC & DEC buttons These buttons are used to transmit program change messages on the selected MIDI channel. They work in a sequential fashion (incremental or decremental). Program change numbers can also be entered directly, however (see p. 28). B TX ON button This button is used to enable (button l[...]

  • Page 11

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 11 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ‘Neck’ (control) section K VOLUME knob This knob allows you to set the AX-Synth’s overall output volume. L AFTER TOUCH knob This knob sends channel aftertouch messages for the notes you are playing (see p. 23). M OCTAVE/VARIATION (TRANSPOSE) buttons These buttons a[...]

  • Page 12

    Panel descriptions 12 Connection panel (rear) U OUTPUT R & L/MONO sockets These 1/4” sockets need to be connected to the inputs of a keyboard amplifier, mixer, etc. To take advantage of the AX-Synth mobility factor, consider using a commercially available wireless system. Note: If you can/want to use only one channel on your external amplifie[...]

  • Page 13

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 13 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Note: To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn off the power on all devices before making any connections. Note: When audio cables with resistors are used, the AX-Synth’s volume level may be low. If this h[...]

  • Page 14

    Making connections 14 (3) Insert 8 rechargeable AA-type Ni-MH batteries into the compartment (4 on either side), taking care to orient them in accordance with the “+” and “–” indications. (4) Close the AX-Synth’s battery compartment. Battery charge indication If, while using batteries, three flashing dots appears in the display, the rem[...]

  • Page 15

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 15 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Using a wireless system to connect the AX-Synth to your amplifier, etc. Using a commercially available wireless system and bat- teries has the advantage that you are free in your move- ments on stage—with no cables to worry about. Note: Be sure to only use wireless tra[...]

  • Page 16

    Making connections 16 Working with a computer or sequencer If you want to use the AX-Synth as Master keyboard for recording applications that involve a computer with sequencing software, or take advantage of the “AX-Synth Editor” software, here is the most useful con- nection system: Note: The AX-Synth is not multitimbral. Using headphones The [...]

  • Page 17

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 17 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Powering up Once the connections have been completed (page 14), turn on the power to your various devices in the order specified. By turning on devices in the wrong order, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to speakers and other devices. (1) Before you turn on th[...]

  • Page 18

    Playing the AX-Synth 18 Selecting ‘regular’ Tones The AX-Synth contains 256 Tones derived from Roland’s cutting-edge synthesizers, 4 “SuperNATURAL™” Tones, and 4 “SPECIAL” Tones. These sounds can be played via the 49 velocity-sensitive keys (or via MIDI). Selecting ‘regular’ Tones sequentially The AX-Synth’s “regular” Tone[...]

  • Page 19

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 19 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH You can repeat this step to select other sounds at a later stage. If you entered the wrong number, you can erase it by pressing the CANCEL key, then start again. (5) Release the [SHIFT] button. Selecting ‘SuperNATURAL’ and ‘SPECIAL’ Tones There are four “SuperN[...]

  • Page 20

    Playing the AX-Synth 20 Recalling FAVORITE memories To select the Tones assigned to the FAVORITE memories, proceed as follows. (1) Press the FAVORITE [A] or [B] button to select the bank. The FAVORITE button you press lights and the display shows “ A - ” (bank “A”) or “ b - ” (bank “B”). (2) Press one of the eight TONE buttons to se[...]

  • Page 21

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 21 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH The AX-Synth provides several functions that allow you to add expression to your music, change the pitch/key, etc. Master Tune This parameter allows you to change the AX-Synth’s overall tuning. The factory default, 440Hz, represents the reference pitch used by most ele[...]

  • Page 22

    Using the AX-Synth’s performance functions 22 Shifting the keyboard pitch in octave steps You can shift the pitch of the currently selected Tone upward or downward in steps of an octave, over a max- imum of three octaves up or down. Octave Switch mode This mode means that the octave transposition you set is used until you change this setting agai[...]

  • Page 23

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 23 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH In most cases, the ribbon allows you to change the pitch of the notes you are playing (Pitch Bend). Selecting the Bender Mode The [BENDER¥MODE] button at the back of the neck can be used to select one of two modes for the TOUCH CON- TROLLER ribbon: Aftertouch The [AFTER[...]

  • Page 24

    Using the AX-Synth’s performance functions 24 Assigning a different function to the D Beam controller While the functions of the D BEAM [PITCH] and [FILTER] buttons are fixed, you can assign a MIDI control change number (CC) to the [ASSIGNABLE] button to control the desired parameter in real-time. (1) Hold down the [SHIFT] button while pressing t[...]

  • Page 25

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 25 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH (4) Confirm your selection by pressing the [WRITE] button. Note: This selection is remembered even after switching the AX-Synth off. (5) Release the [SHIFT] button Sustaining notes The AX-Synth provides two controls for holding the notes you are currently playing. HOLD b[...]

  • Page 26

    Editing Tone settings 26 Editing the volume and Reverb Send levels Though most sound parameter can only be edited using the dedicated “AX-Synth Editor” software and a com- puter, you can change the volume and Reverb Send lev- els of the Tones on the AX-Synth itself and save those changes to a FAVORITE memory. Note: The two parameters discussed [...]

  • Page 27

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 27 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH The AX-Synth can transmit and receive performance data when connected to an external MIDI device, which enables the two devices to control each other’s performance. For example, one device can play or switch sounds on the other device. MIDI stands for “Musical Instru[...]

  • Page 28

    Using the AX-Synth as MIDI controller 28 (4) Press the [WRITE] button to confirm your setting. (5) Release the [SHIFT] button. Transmitting Program Change numbers The AX-Synth automatically transmits the Program Change numbers of the sounds you select in the TONE section. The messages sent in this way also include the Bank Select address (CC00 and [...]

  • Page 29

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 29 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Using the Bulk Dump function The AX-Synth provides a Bulk Dump function that allows you to archive its settings by transmitting them to a MIDI sequencer, and to send them back to the AX-Synth at a later stage. Archiving the AX-Synth’s settings using a MIDI sequencer Th[...]

  • Page 30

    Using the AX-Synth as MIDI controller 30 The AX-Synth’s FAVORITE [WRITE] button flashes to indicate that SysEx data are being received. When all data blocks have been received, the display changes to “ Urt ” (writing data) and the FAVORITE [WRITE] button lights. (5) Wait until “ dne ” appears in the AX-Synth’s display and until the FAVO[...]

  • Page 31

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 31 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH The AX-Synth is equipped with a USB port for MIDI communication with a computer. General considerations Possible applications If you connect the USB port located on the AX-Synth’s rear panel to a USB port of your computer, you’ll be able to do the following things. ?[...]

  • Page 32

    Using the AX-Synth’s USB port 32 Making the settings for the USB driver For successful USB communication, you need to specify the USB driver you want to use, and then activate that driver. (1) Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press PGM CHANGE [INC] . The display now shows the name of the driver that is currently active (“ Gen ” or “ Uen ”[...]

  • Page 33

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 33 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH V-LINK ( ) is a function that allows music and images to be performed together. By using MIDI to connect two or more V-LINK compatible devices, you can easily enjoy performing a wide range of visual effects that are linked to the expressive elements of a music performanc[...]

  • Page 34

    Additional functions 34 Battery-related functions Here are two functions that may come in handy when you are using the AX-Synth with batteries. Checking the remaining battery charge If you are not sure whether your AX-Synth contains fresh (or fully recharged) batteries, you may want to check how much power is left before going on stage. (1) Hold do[...]

  • Page 35

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 35 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Troubleshooting This section provides points to check and actions to take when the AX-Synth does not function as you expect. Refer to the appropriate section for the problem you are experiencing. Power does not turn on Is the included AC adaptor/power cord correctly con-[...]

  • Page 36

    Appendix 36 Control Change list Here are the official or frequently-used functions of Control Change numbers CC00~127. Not all MIDI instruments support all Control Changes, while some instruments may use certain numbers for different pur- poses. Be sure to check the MIDI implementation chart of the external instrument. CC00 . . . . . . . . . . Bank[...]

  • Page 37

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 37 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Tone list SuperNATURAL Tones SPECIAL Tones Regular Tones Position T one CC00 CC32 PC 1 V iolin 66 0 1 2 Cello 66 0 2 3 Shakuhachi 66 0 3 4 T rombone 66 0 4 Position T one CC00 CC32 PC 5 T rumpet 87 64 1 6 Sax 87 64 2 7 Strings 87 64 3 8 Jazz Scat 87 64 4 Synth Lead 1 CC0[...]

  • Page 38

    Appendix 38 Organ/Clavi CC00 CC32 PC 1 Lord Organ 1 87 1 65 2 Lord Organ 2 87 1 66 3 Rotary Org 1 87 1 67 4 Rotary Org 2 87 1 68 5 Vi ntage Org 1 87 1 69 6 Vi ntage Org 2 87 1 70 7 VK Organ 1 87 1 71 8 VK Organ 2 87 1 72 9 D-Bars 1 87 1 73 10 D-Bars 2 87 1 74 11 D-Bars 3 87 1 75 12 D-Bars 4 87 1 76 13 D-Bars 5 87 1 77 14 AX Dist Org1 87 1 78 15 AX [...]

  • Page 39

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 39 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Note: In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice. 12. Specifications Keyboard 49 keys, velocity sensitive Sound Generator Maximum polyphony 128 [...]

  • Page 40

    MIDI implementation chart 40 [Shoulder Synthesizer] Date: March 2009 Model: AX-Synth Version: 1.00 13. MIDI implementation chart Function... T r ansmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel Default Changed 1 1~16, Off 1 1~16 Memorized Mode Default Message Altered Mode 3 Mono , P oly ***** Mode 3 Mode 3, 4 (M= 1) X Note Number T rue V oice 0~127 *****[...]

  • Page 41

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 41 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH A Aftertouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Archiving settings . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 ATT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 B Bank Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Batteries . . . . [...]

  • Page 42

    42 As of Jan. 1, 2009 (ROLAND) Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. EGYPT Al Fanny Trading Office 9, EBN Hagar Al Askalany Street, ARD E1 Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, EGYPT TEL: (022)-417-1828 REUNION Maison FO - YAM Marcel 25 Rue Jules H[...]

  • Page 43

    r AX-Synth Owner’s Manual 43 ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH For China AX-Synth_e2 Page 43 Monday, October 12, 2009 3:41 PM[...]

  • Page 44

    R® 602.00.0354.02 RES 750-09 AX-Synth Owner's Manual - E AX-Synth_e2 Page 44 Monday, October 12, 2009 3:41 PM[...]