Roland MC-09 - Manual

6 Contents IMPORTANT NOTES ...............................................................................4 Saving data .................................................................................................................................................. 5About the display .................

8 Names of things and what they do Front Panel fig.04-1 Common Section 1. OUTPUT Knob .................................. (p. 13) This knob adjusts the overall volume. 2. [SHIFT] Button This button is used in conjunction with other buttons. 3. [SETUP] Button This button is used for making settings co...

9 Names of things and what they do 11. C1 Knob, C2 Knob, C3 Knob, CUTOFF/BD Knob, RESO/SD Knob, DECAY/HH Knob Use these knobs to adjust various parameters such as cutoff frequency, resonance, and drum volume. * The function of the knobs will depend on the operating mode. For details, refer to “What ...

10 Names of things and what they do Rear Panel fig.04-2 1. POWER Switch This switch turns the power on/off. 2. DC IN Jack Connect the included AC adaptor to this jack. * Use only the AC adaptor that was included with the MC-09. 3. INPUT L, R Jacks These jacks input audio signals. Connect your CD pla...

11 Main features and uses Main features 4-part audio looper The MC-09’s audio looper is like a small sampler designed for creating looped phrases. You can capture (record) an audio signal into each of the four parts. You can also use the merge function to combine two or more parts, to create polypho...

12 Making connections fig.1-1 • 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. • When connecting other equipment to the INPUT or OUTPUT jacks, be sure to use cables that do not have ...

13 Making connections Turning the power on/off Turning the power on • Once the connections have been completed (p. 12), turn on 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. • ...

14 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer —Playing and creating patterns What is a pattern? On the MC-09, a “pattern” is a phrase of one or two measures together with a sound to play that phrase. You can use the [ ](PLAY) button to play back a phrase, or use the keyboard pads to play manually. Depending o...

15 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Playing Playing a pattern Plays the phrase in the pattern. 1 Turn on the power, and adjust the volume of each device in your setup (p. 13). 2 Make sure that the [LEAD] button’s indicator is lit. 3 Make sure that the following appears in the display. This display t...

16 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Selecting a pattern 1 Press either the [LEAD], [BASS], or [RHYTHM] button to select the desired pattern group. 2 Make sure that the display shows the pattern number. At this time, also make sure that the BPM, OCT, or TONE/TYPE indicators are not lit. If one of the...

17 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Adjusting the tempo of a pattern Since each pattern carries its own tempo setting, it will play according to this tempo. 1 Select a pattern. 2 Press the [DISPLAY] button so the BPM indicator lights. The display will show the tempo of the current pattern. 3 Use the...

18 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Playing the keyboard pads The step [1]–[16] buttons can act as a keyboard. These buttons are collectively called the keyboard pads . They let you play the MC-09 like a synthesizer keyboard. * It is not possible to play chords when a pattern from the LEAD or BASS g...

20 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Modifying the sound Using the knobs to edit the settings of the sound You can use the six knobs to edit the sound settings in real time. The settings that can be modified by each knob will depend on the group of the selected pattern, as shown in the table below. f...

21 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer 3 Use the [INC] and [DEC] buttons to select a different tone or rhythm set. When you switch tones, the knobs and other settings included in that tone will be reflected by the pattern. This means that the sound will be heard in a different way than for the original...

22 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Adjusting the pan Here’s how to adjust the pan (stereo position) of a pattern. 1 Select a pattern. 2 Press the button of the selected group ([LEAD], [BASS], [RHYTHM]) once again. The display will show “Pan” for a moment, then the pan setting. 3 Use the [INC] and [...

23 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Creating a phrase (Recording) You can step-input (record) a phrase of up to two measures. The MC-09 provides two recording methods. Use the method that is most appropriate for your situation. * Notes are the only MIDI messages that can be recorded. Step recording ...

24 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Preparations for recording Whether you are using step recording or TR recording, the preparations are the same. Before you begin recording, you must specify the length of the phrase and the note value that you want to input. * The time signature of a phrase is fix...

26 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer 13 Use the C2 knob to adjust the velocity (volume) of the notes you enter, and the C3 knob to adjust the gate time (note duration). fig.2-7_80 Velocity: 1–8 Gate time:1–9, - (Slide-on) Slide-on:The note of the current step will be smoothly connected to the note of...

27 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer 18 To exit Step Edit mode, press the [EXIT] or [ ] (STOP) button. Creating a drum phrase (TR Recording) 10 Press the [ ](PLAY) button. The display will briefly indicate "tr.r" (TR Recording), and then TR Recording will begin. 11 Make sure that the [KEYBOAR...

29 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Editing a phrase 1 Select the pattern that contains the phrase you want to edit (p. 16). 2 Press the [SEQ REC] button. The display will briefly indicate "St.E" (Step Edit), and then you will enter Step Edit mode. The display will show the status of the cur...

30 Using the MC-09 as a synthesizer Saving a pattern If you’ve modified the contents of a pattern by editing the tone settings or by recording, you must save the pattern if you want to keep it. * All your changes will be lost if you select a different pattern or turn off the power before you save th...

31 Creating and playing a loop What is a loop? The audio looper has four parts: parts 1 through 4. Each part can record (capture) a performance from the DSP synthesizer (a pattern from the LEAD, BASS, or RHYTHM group), or an external audio input. The data recorded in each part is called a loop . The...

32 Creating and playing a loop The process of creating a loop This page outlines the process of creating a loop. fig.3-0 If you turn an effect on, you will not be able to capture the performance of the parts for which the effect is not turned on. When capturing to each part, you should ensure that t...

34 Creating and playing a loop Auditioning a loop (Preview) Here’s how you can preview each part of the recorded loop. 1 Make sure that a pattern or effect control is not playing. If any of these are playing, press the [ ](STOP) button to stop them. 2 Press the [SEL] button of the part that you want...

35 Creating and playing a loop Playback 1 Press one of the following buttons to select how you want playback to occur. Then select the pattern or effect pattern that you want to play. 2 To begin loop playback, press the [ ](PLAY) button. * When you press the [ ](PLAY) button, playback will always st...

36 Creating and playing a loop Muting or un-muting a part When you press the [ ](PLAY) button to play back a loop, all captured loops will normally be heard. However, you can use the Mute function to mute (silence) specific parts. 1 Press the [STATUS] button for the part that you do not want to hear...

37 Creating and playing a loop Changing the settings of part 1 You can change the playback pitch and playback region of the sound that you captured in part 1. Playback pitch:This changes the pitch of the loop. Raising the pitch will speed up the playback tempo of the loop, resulting in a silent port...

38 Creating and playing a loop Combining several parts into one (Loop Merge) You can free up additional parts by combining several previously recorded parts into a single part. This is called loop merge . fig.3-3_75 * You must have an empty part in order to perform Loop Merge. * Adjust the desired v...

39 Creating and playing a loop 4 Press a [SEL] button to choose the part into which the other parts will be combined. The [SEL] button of the selected part will light, and the [LOOP MERGE] button indicator will blink. * Be aware that if you select an already-captured part, the existing content will ...

40 Creating and playing a loop Contents that are saved in a process patch • Eleven most recent button operations• Settings of the pattern when you captured it• Capture volume• Settings of part 1• Loop merge From and To parts• Pattern settings when you saved the process patch• Pan settings when you s...

41 Applying an effect The MC-09 offers four effects: filter , isolator , phaser , and slicer . You can select one of these and apply it to the external input or a loop. Specifying the effect routing fig.4-1**_80 1 Press the [EFFECTS] button. 2 Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [LINE IN] but...

42 Applying an effect Turning the effect on/off 1 Press the [EFFECTS] button so its indicator lights. The effect will be turned on. 2 To turn off the effect, press the [EFFECTS] button to make the indicator blink. Rapidly switching the effect on/off You can use the effect grab function to rapidly sw...

44 Applying an effect Changing the effect type Each effect provides several variations, which allow it to be controlled by the step sequencer or by external synchronization. These are called effect types . You can select the effect type that is most suitable for your performance situation. Smoothing...

45 Applying an effect 1 Select an effect pattern (p. 42). 2 Press the [DISPLAY] button enough times to get the TONE/TYPE indicator to light. The display will show the effect type that is specified for the currently selected effect pattern. 3 Use the [INC] and [DEC] buttons to change the effect type....

46 Applying an effect Using effect control to perform When you play back an effect pattern for which Effect Control is specified, the effect will change consecutively. 1 Select an effect pattern for which effect control has been specified (p. 42). 2 As necessary, adjust the tempo at which the effect...

47 Applying an effect 5 Use the [INC] and [DEC] buttons to specify the length for effect control (1 or 2 measures). The display will indicate the effect control length. 6 Press the [SCALE] button to specify the step unit and number of steps. 16th notes x16 steps: indicator dark 8th note triplets x12...

48 Applying an effect Saving your effect settings If you want to save your effect settings or effect control settings, you must save the effect pattern. * All your changes will be lost if you select another effect pattern or turn off the power before saving. * The Save operation cannot be performed ...

49 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control ) What is Loop Control? You can use the step sequencer in conjunction with a loop to change the way in which the loop plays back. This is called loop control . You can use loop control to play a loop in three ways. • Play the loop while changin...

50 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) Trigger Normally when you play the loop, the four parts will play back together. By using Trigger playback, you can play the four parts separately. For each step, you can specify which part will play. This lets you create performances similar ...

51 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) Using loop control for realtime performance Realtime pitch performance You can use the step [1]–[16] buttons to play part 1 at different pitches. * There will be no sound if you exceed a range of one octave higher or lower than the original pi...

52 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) Realtime performance using Trigger You can play parts 1–4 by pressing the step [1]–[4] buttons. This is convenient for live performance. 1 Load the loop that you want to play into part 1–4 (p. 59). 2 Press the [LOOP CTRL] button so its indicat...

53 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) 5 Press the step [1]–[16] button for the section that you want to play. 6 When you are finished with Divide times 16 performance, press the [LOOP CTRL] button so the indicator goes out. Playing back a loop with Loop Control Loop Control is inc...

54 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) Making loop control settings 1 Select the pattern or effect pattern for which you want to store loop control settings. If you want to edit an existing loop control setting, select the pattern/effect pattern that includes it. 2 Press the [LOOP ...

55 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) 9 Press the [EXIT] button. You will exit preparatory settings for loop control. 10 Press a step [1]–[16] button to specify the step for which you will input a value. If you want to input the same value for more than one step, hold down the but...

56 Changing the way in which a loop plays (Loop Control) Saving your loop control settings If you want to preserve the loop control settings, save the pattern/effect pattern that contains them. * The settings you make will be lost if you select another loop control pattern or turn off the power befo...

57 About the tempo The MC-09 has a single tempo setting that governs the playback. This is called the standard tempo . Although each pattern also has its own tempo, this is separate from the standard tempo. When you select a pattern, its tempo will be loaded and will become the standard tempo. The s...

58 Using a memory card Memory cards usable with the MC-09 The MC-09 can use commercially available SmartMedia memory cards. However, a memory card is not included. You can purchase a memory card at a nearby computer shop or digital camera dealer. When you purchase a memory card, make sure that it me...

59 Using a memory card Saving a loop to a memory card The loops recorded in the audio looper can be saved on a memory card. Here we will explain how to save individual loops of the specified part. 1. Press the [SETUP] button. 2. Press the [INC] or [DEC] button until the display indicates “ ”. 3. Pre...

60 Using a memory card Saving all settings of the MC-09 to a memory card The following settings stored in the audio looper will be saved together on the memory card. • All loops and user patterns • Process patch • System settings • The settings of the currently selected pattern/effect pattern For de...

61 Connecting external MIDI devices By using MIDI cables to connect devices that have MIDI connectors, you can synchronize two or more MIDI devices or control them simultaneously. * For an explanation of MIDI-related parameters, refer to “Parameter functions” (p. 71). MIDI signal flow The following ...

63 Connecting external MIDI devices Using the MC-09 as the slave The device that transmits MIDI messages is called the master , and the device that receives the messages is called the slave . Here’s how you can use the MC-09 as the slave and an external MIDI device as the master. fig.7-3_70 * When u...

66 How the MC-09 is organized Audio signal flow fig.block_95 DSP synthesizer This section produces the sound, and acts as an effects processor when processing the sound. It produces sound when it is played by the step sequencer or keyboard pads. It can also be played by an external MIDI device. This...

67 What knobs do Common condition * To return to the standard value (0), hold down the [SHIFT] key and press the [KEYBOARD] button. Recording condition * The settings that can be modified will depend on the selected effect type. Refer to “Changing the effect type” (p. 44). Others MODE C1 knob C2 kno...

68 Parameter list DSP synthesizer parameters Common to LEAD and BASS 1 *1: For some tones, it is not possible to change the OSC waveform. fig.2-4b fig.wave Parameter Range Controller Parameter function LFO rate 0–120, note value [SHIFT] + STEP [1] Specifies the LFO speed. If a note value is selected...

70 Parameter list EFFECTS Filter Modifies the brightness of the sound. Isolator This is an equalizer that drastically cuts the sound, producing a unique effect by cutting the volume of a specific frequency range. Phaser Adds a phase-shifted sound to the original sound, creating modulation and produc...

71 Parameter list System parameters fig.99-1 Parameter Display Range Parameter function Transpose -12–12 Transposes Tuning 427.4–452.6 (Hz) Adjusts the tuning Sync mode INT, SLAVE, REMOTE Specifies the tempo reference for synchronization Sync out OFF, ON Specifies whether synchronization-related MID...

72 Troubleshooting If there is no sound, or if the MC-09 does not operate as you expect, please check the following points first. If this does not resolve the problem, please contact your dealer or a nearby Roland Service Center. * Roland Corporation assumes no responsibility whatsoever concerning t...

73 Error messages If you perform an incorrect operation or if the data could not be processed as you specified, an error message will be displayed. Refer to the explanation for the error message that appears, and take the appropriate action. Message Cause Action E01 A large number of MIDI messages w...

74 * A separate publication titled "MIDI Implementation" is also available. It provides complete details concerning the way MIDI has been implemented on this unit. If you should require this publication (such as when you intend to carry out byte-level programming), please contact the nearest...

75 Specifications MC-09: Phrase Lab DSP Synthesizer ● Number of Parts 1 ● Maximum Polyphony LEAD, BASS: 1RHYTHM: 3 ● Preset Tones LEAD: 128BASS: 128RHYTHM: 10 ● Effects Type FILTER, ISOLATOR, PHASER, SLICER Number of Types 30 LEAD Group OVERDRIVE, DISTORTION, PHASER, SLICER + RING MODULATOR Step Seq...

76 Sound List Preset Pattern (LEAD Group) No. Pattern Name T L S T No. Effect L Ctrl P01 Acid Techno 1 140 1 16 16 Distortion 1 - P02 Hard Trance 1 140 1 16 62 Distortion 1 - P03 Acid Techno 2 140 2 16 65 Distortion 1 - P04 Acid Techno 3 140 1 16 94 Distortion 1 - P05 Hard Trance 2 140 1 16 61 Disto...

78 Sound List Preset Pattern (EFFECTS Group) No. Pattern Name T L S Effect Type P01 Slicer 1 140 1 16 S-4 P02 Phaser 1 140 1 16 P-8 P03 Filter 1 140 1 16 F-2 P04 Isolator 1 140 1 16 I-3 P05 Isolator 2 140 1 16 I-2 P06 Filter 2 140 1 16 F-2 P07 Phaser 2 140 1 16 P-5 P08 Slicer 2 140 1 16 S-4 P09 Phas...

79 Sound List No. Tone Name Cross RingEffect Vintage Mod Mode 62 SAW Detune SAW 14 - - Distortion 1 Off 63 PLS Detune PLS 4 - - Distortion 1 Off 64 SAW Detune SAW 15 - - Distortion 1 Off 65 SAW Detune SAW 16 - - Distortion 1 Off 66 SAW 4 - - Distortion 1 On 67 TRI Detune TRI XMod Ring 1 ❍ ❍ Distorti...

82 Index A Audio looper ............................................................. 11, 66 B BPM .................................................................................. 57 C Capture quantize ............................................................ 34Capturing ..........................

84 Operation map Performance Capture Recording Performance method Buttons Play LEAD/BASS/RHYTHM pattern Play LEAD/BASS/RHYTHM pattern (without phrase playback) Play LEAD/BASS/RHYTHM together with an external device Apply effect to loop and/or external device Input external device Play loop using loo...

85 Operation map Edit a phrase in pattern Make effect control settings Make loop control settings Save the pattern/effect pattern/loop control pattern Select the pattern Begin editting Select the step Input the value Stop editting Select the effect pattern Begin making settings Specify the effect co...

Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. As of June 1, 2002 (Roland) ARGENTINA Instrumentos Musicales S.A. Av.Santa Fe 2055 (1123) Buenos AiresARGENTINATEL: (011) 4508-2700 BRAZIL Roland Brasil ...