Page 3 - The OCTAPAD Legend
The OCTAPAD Legend 1985 was the year that Roland’s revolutionary percussion instrument was announced — the “OCTAPAD” (PAD-8). A totally unique percussion instrument, the OCTAPAD allowed one to perform on the 8 pads, and via MIDI, control a drum machine (like the TR-909) or an external MIDI module or...
Page 4 - Contents; Overview
4 Contents Turning the Power On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Overview 7 01 Overview of the OCTAPAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What is an Inst? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8What is a Kit? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 5 - Appendix
5 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Advanced Operation 2 (Phrase Loop) 43 Creating a Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Measures, Time Signature (Beat) and Metronome (Click) Sound Settings (SETUP) . . . . . . ....
Page 6 - Turning the Power On/Off; Turning the Power Off
6 Turning the Power On/Off NOTE 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 amplified speakers (which we’ll simply call “speakers”) and other de...
Page 8 - Overview of the OCTAPAD; What is does Layer mean?
8 01 Overview of the OCTAPAD What is an Inst? All the sounds and instruments on board the OCTAPAD are referred to as “INST.” What is does Layer mean? Two Insts (Inst A, Inst B) can be assigned to each pad. “Inst Layer Type” (p. 30) lets you choose how the Layer function will operate. The layered sou...
Page 9 - What are Ambience and FX?; What is a Phrase Loop?; Editing and Saving Your Data
9 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix What are Ambience and FX? The “Ambience” selected is a global function, meaning that all kits will use this effect. You can select from various types of rooms and halls.“FX” is a full blown effects unit that c...
Page 10 - Top Panel; Function button 1–3; Panel Descriptions
10 Top Panel Display, Buttons & Knobs Button 1 Button 2 Button 3 Knob 1 Knob 2 Knob 3 Function button 1–3 These buttons (from left to right) [Button 1], [Button 2], and [Button 3] execute various functions indicated in the bottom of the display. Function knob 1–3 These knobs (from left to right)...
Page 11 - Playing area; Pad Status Illumination; Phrase Loop area; “PHRASE LOOP” tempo Indicator
11 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Playing area Pad Status Illumination The LED indicators can be helpful when playing on a dark stage. See “Illumination” (p. 52).When using a Phrase Loop, they will show pad status (muted, erase, etc.) Pad Pla...
Page 12 - Rear Panel Connections
12 Rear Panel Connections USB MIDI connector p. 58 With a USB cable, you can connect the OCTAPAD to your computer for triggering sounds or recording MIDI information to your software sequencer (DAW). USB MEMORY slot p. 55 With a USB memory (sold separately) you can backup and load your data. PHONES ...
Page 13 - FOOT SW jack; EXTERNAL TRIGGER INPUT jacks; MIDI connectors
13 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix FOOT SW jack p. 53 You can connect a pair of foot switches to this input for various possibilities. 4/RIDE 3/HI-HAT 2/SNARE 1/KICK HH CTRL V-cymbal (e.g., CY-12R/C) Cymbal pad (e.g., CY-5) V-pad (e.g., entire...
Page 14 - Displays and Operations; KIT Screen
14 03 Displays and Operations KIT Screen The KIT screen is the basic screen that appears after powering up the OCTAPAD. The function buttons and knobs below the screen are used to navigate between screens. Press the [BACK] button to return to the KIT screen. For details on each screen, refer to the ...
Page 15 - QUICK MENU Screens; QUICK MENU; NAME; PAD EXCHANGE
15 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix QUICK MENU Screens When you see the icon in the upper right of the screen, pressing the [QUICK] button accesses the relative menu. We’ll use the Quick Menu that appears in the KIT screen as an example.In this...
Page 16 - MENU Screen; MENU; INST
16 PHRASE LOOP KIT SETTINGS MENU Screen Accessible from any screen pressing the [MENU] button takes you to the OCTAPAD’s main menu. In various explanations regarding the screens and menus, when you see, for example,“choose MENU Ú SYSTEM Ú F.RESET,” the “ Ú ” points to the next selection you should m...
Page 18 - PHRASE LOOP Screen
18 Make settings Record Play back Stop Enter standby mode Hit a pad to start recording PLAY p. 45 Switch to PLAY mode. Shown while you hold down the [STANDBY] button SETUP p. 43 Specify the measures, beat, and click. REC p. 45 Record your phrase. STANDBY p. 44 Make quantize and tempo set- tings, and...
Page 19 - Loop recording
19 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Modify the phrase Record Play back Set loop points p. 43 Record an additional performance Perform along with the phrase playback Loop recording Loop playback Control the effect Mute Erase Reserve the next ope...
Page 20 - FACTORY RESET; If you selected “Restore One Kit”; If you selected Restore All Kits/
20 The restore function gives you a choice of restoring individual kits or all of them, all phrases, or a full Factory Reset. NOTE When you perform the Factory Reset operation, the kits and phrase data saved in the OCTAPAD will be initialized. If there’s any data you want to keep, be sure to back it...
Page 21 - Basic Operation
Basic Operation It is important to understand the basic operations and functions of the OCTAPAD before using it . Please read this section fully as you check out the OCTAPAD’S possibilities .
Page 22 - Information shown in the KIT screen; Selecting a Kit; KIT LIST; How to Register a favorite kit; How to Recall a favorite kit; KIT CHAIN Function
22 Select any kit. The kit number and name appear in the KIT screen. Information shown in the KIT screen Indicates if the FX/ambience are on or off and the FX name. Kit number/Kit name. The Inst and group names are highlighted when you play the pads. The external trigger indicators can be turned on ...
Page 23 - Selecting an Inst
23 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Here’s how to change or assign an Inst to each pad. More about Insts and Layers is here: “What is an Inst?” (p. 8).The changes you make here are saved. You can’t modify a kit whose “Kit Protect” (p. 34) is on...
Page 24 - MULTI EDIT
24 What is Multi Edit? Pushing the Multi Edit button gives you access to 10 different editing parameters. (See the chart below) 1. In the KIT screen, press [Button 2] (MULTI EDIT) . The Multi Edit screen appears.Here you can see all the relative values assigned to each pad and external trigger input...
Page 25 - AMBIENCE; FX; Using the knobs to control FX; Effects Editing
25 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix For an overview of the effects, refer to “What are Ambience and FX?” (p. 9). AMBIENCE 1. Choose MENU Ú AMBIENCE Ú AMBIENCE (p . 16) . The AMBIENCE screen appears. Use [Knob 1] and [Knob 3] to switch ambience ...
Page 26 - Step 2: Make Settings Before Recording; Recording a Phrase Loop
26 To simply explain the Phrase Loop function we will use the basic 8-beat phrase shown below. Step 1: Select a Kit 1. Use the [KIT] buttons to select the acoustic kit “50: Tutorial .” In kit “50: Tutorial,” instruments are assigned to pads as follows. Start by practicing this phrase. Hi-hat cymbal ...
Page 27 - Quantization and tempo settings; What is quantization?
27 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Quantization and tempo settings What is quantization? Quantization is a function that automatically corrects the timing of your playing. It only functions during the recording process. By making the appropria...
Page 28 - Re-doing the Recording; Exiting Phrase Loop Mode; Advanced techniques
28 Re-doing the Recording If you want to re-do the recording, it’s easy to use the following methods. Erasing a Track (ERASE) During playback or recording, you can erase just the track of a specific pad. Start erasing Stop erasing 1. Hold down the [ERASE] button, and when you want to start erasing, ...
Page 29 - Advance Operation
Advance Operation 1 Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 30 This chapter explains how to create a kit and use effects . 2 Phrase Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 43 This chapter provides a full exp...
Page 30 - Creating a Kit
30 Inst Settings (INST) Inst and Layer Settings (INST-INST) For more about Insts and Layers, refer to “What is an Inst?” (p. 8). How to access individual Inst parameters for each pad. 1. Choose MENU Ú INST Ú INST (p . 16) . The INST-INST screen appears. Use [Knob 1] (SEL) to select a parameter. Dark...
Page 31 - You can’t select Inst Layer Type for an external pads
31 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix You can’t select Inst Layer Type for an external pads For external pads (p. 60), you can only use 2 sounds: Inst Head and Inst Rim. (Dual trigger pad is needed to have head and rim sounds) Refer to the owner’...
Page 33 - HH CTRL setting examples; If a hi-hat control pedal is connected; If a hi-hat control pedal is not connected; INST Screen QUICK MENU
33 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix HH CTRL setting examples If a hi-hat control pedal is connected Choose “PEDAL” for the pad that’s assigned to the hi-hat Inst. Set to “PEDAL” If a hi-hat control pedal is not connected Make the following sett...
Page 35 - NAME Palette QUICK MENU; Copying a Pad
35 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Assigning a Name (NAME) Here’s how to enter a name for a kit or phrase. 1. From the KIT screen, choose QUICK MENU Ú Kit Name (p . 15) . * In some cases the NAME palette may also be displayed from other screen...
Page 36 - Copying a Kit
36 Copying a Kit Here’s how to copy the currently selected kit. 1. Select the copy-source kit . 2. From the KIT screen, choose QUICK MENU Ú Copy Ú Kit (p . 15) . 3. Press [Button 3] (OK) to copy the kit . 4. Select the copy-destination kit . 5. From the KIT screen, choose QUICK MENU Ú Paste Ú Kit . ...
Page 37 - KIT CHAIN Screen QUICK MENU; KIT CHAIN
37 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix The Kit Chain function lets you decide a specific order in which kits will be switched. This makes it very easy, during live performances, to switch kits in your desired order. You can use the [KIT] buttons o...
Page 38 - Switching Kit Chains
38 Switching Kit Chains From the KIT screen, choose QUICK MENU Ú Kit Chain ON/OFF to turn Kit Chain on/off. If Kit Chain is on,the CHAIN icon appears in the display. You can use the knobs, [KIT] buttons, or foot switch to move in the order you have decided. You can also switch between the Chain Bank...
Page 40 - FX Screen QUICK MENU; Copying FX Settings
40 Setting the FX Send Level for Each Pad (FX-SEND) Each pad has its own individual effects send level. 1. Choose MENU Ú FX Ú SEND (p . 16) . The FX-SEND screen appears. Value for each pad (Inst A is above, Inst B is below) Value for external trigger inputs 1–4 (Head is above, Rim is below) [Knob 2]...
Page 41 - Using the Knobs to Control the FX (FX CONTROL); Adjusting the FX send level for each pad (FX CONTROL-FX SEND)
41 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Using the Knobs to Control the FX (FX CONTROL) You can use [Knob 1]–[Knob 3] to control FX parameters. For each FX, the most suitable parameters are automatically assigned to the three knobs.Changes you make ...
Page 42 - Editing the AMBIENCE
42 This section explains how to adjust the overall sound of the entire OCTAPAD. You can use a choice of Ambiences plus an Equalizer and Limiter. As these effects are applied to the entire OCTAPAD, they will not change when you switch kits. Ambience Settings (AMBIENCE-AMBIENCE) Here’s how to make Amb...
Page 43 - Using the [SET LOOP] Button to Set the Loop Point; Using a foot switch to set the loop point; Creating a Phrase
43 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix For an overview of Phrase Loop, refer to “What is a Phrase Loop?” (p. 9). Measures, Time Signature (Beat) and Metronome (Click) Sound Settings (SETUP) Hold down the [STANDBY] button; the PHRASE LOOP SETUP scr...
Page 44 - STANDBY Screen QUICK MENU
44 Quantize and Tempo Settings (STANDBY) Press the [STANDBY] button; the [STANDBY] button will light, and the PHRASE LOOP STANDBY screen appears. The currently selected kit is shown here. Turn [Knob 3] (TEMPO) to set the tempo. You can set the tempo by pressing [Button 3] (TAP) four times or more at...
Page 45 - Performing Along with a Recorded Phrase (PLAY Mode); REC/PLAY Screen QUICK MENU
45 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Recording a Phrase (REC Mode) From the PHRASE LOOP STANDBY screen, press [Button 2] (START) or hit a pad to start recording. This indicates each part’s kit. If not even one note has been recorded in a part, a...
Page 46 - What You can do in REC/PLAY Mode; Differences in muting between Play mode and Rec mode; Editing a Phrase
46 What You can do in REC/PLAY Mode In Phrase Loop record or play mode, you can press the following buttons to access various realtime editing or performance functions. This ability to modify phrases in realtime is one of the OCTAPAD’s most important and distinguishing features. Button Explanation P...
Page 47 - Reserving the Operation at the Next Loop (NEXT)
47 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Erasing a Track (ERASE) Hold down the [ERASE] button; the PHRASE LOOP ERASE screen appears. The text label of the pad (track) being erased will blink. Pressing [Button 1] (CANCEL) will cancel all of the erase...
Page 48 - Adjusting the Volume of Each Part (PART LEVEL)
48 Adjusting the Volume of Each Part (PART LEVEL) Here’s how to adjust the level of parts 1–3. 1. From the PHRASE LOOP screen (during Rec or Play), choose the QUICK MENU command Part Level . Use the three knobs to adjust the level of parts 1–3. Press the [BACK] button to return to the REC/PLAY scree...
Page 49 - Saving/Loading a Phrase
49 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Saving/Loading a Phrase Saving a Phrase (SAVE PHRASE) A phrase you record will be lost when you select a different phrase or turn off the power. You can save the phrase to internal memory or to USB memory. 1....
Page 50 - PHRASE LIST Screen QUICK MENU
50 Loading a Phrase (PHRASE LIST) Phrases saved to internal memory or USB memory can be selected from a list and previewed, or you can load that phrase and use Phrase Loop to play it or record additional material into it. 1. Choose MENU Ú LIST (p . 16) . The PHRASE LIST screen appears. Use the follo...
Page 51 - Phrase Loop and Metronome (Click) Sound Settings
51 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Phrase Loop Settings (PHRASE LOOP SETUP) Here’s how to make phrase loop settings. 1. Choose MENU Ú SETUP Ú SETUP (p . 16) . The PHRASE LOOP SETUP-SETUP screen appears. [Knob 3] (–/+) edits the value. [Knob 1]...
Page 53 - Connecting Foot Switches; Making Settings
53 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Advanced Operation 3 (Other Settings) Foot Switch and External Pad Settings (SYSTEM-CONTROL) Connecting Foot Switches You can connect foot switches to the FOOT SW jack. You can use a dedicated cable (PCS-31L:...
Page 55 - Using USB Memory; Don’t hit the pads when you’re in the USB screen!; Don’t disconnect USB memory while the OCTAPAD is powered-on!
55 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Using USB Memory By connecting a USB memory (sold separately), you can back up all of the OCTAPAD’s settings (or even just an individual kit) to USB memory. Don’t hit the pads when you’re in the USB screen! I...
Page 58 - Connecting to your Computer via USB; Roland website; USB driver settings
58 Connecting to your Computer via USB If you use a commercially available USB cable to connect the OCTAPAD’s rear panel USB (MIDI) connector to a USB connector of your computer, you’ll be able to do the following things using MIDI. • Trigger sounds in the computer by playing the OCTAPAD. • Record i...
Page 59 - Internal Pad Sensitivity Settings
59 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Internal Pad Sensitivity Settings Internal Pad Settings (PAD SETTING-INTERNAL) Here’s how to adjust the sensitivity of the internal pads. 1. Choose MENU Ú PAD Ú INTERNAL (p . 16) . The PAD SETTING-INTERNAL sc...
Page 60 - Connecting Optional Pads or Pedals; About banks; External Pad and Pedal Settings
60 Connecting Optional Pads or Pedals The OCTAPAD lets you connect a hi-hat control pedal (FD-8), kick trigger or pads to the external trigger inputs. The illustration below shows a typical set of connections, but there are many possibilities; like connecting two kick pedals to the 1/KICK input and ...
Page 61 - Specifying the External Pad Type (PAD TYPE); Adjusting the External Pad Sensitivity
61 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Specifying the External Pad Type (PAD TYPE) The “Pad Type” is a set of various pad-related parameters corresponding to specific pads. Those parameters are set to their appropriate values automatically upon se...
Page 62 - VH-11 Offset Adjustment; Offset Adjustment Points
62 Parameter Value Explanation X-Talk Cancel Rate (%) 0–80 This setting cancels “crosstalk,” which means that when you play one pad you hear a sound coming from another pad. This can happen when two pads are installed on the same stand. In some cases you can prevent crosstalk by increasing the dista...
Page 63 - MIDI Settings; About MIDI
63 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix MIDI Settings About MIDI MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is a global standard that allows electronic musical instruments and computers to exchange performance data.“MIDI Implementati...
Page 64 - For the HIHAT or KNOB tabs; KIT MIDI Screen QUICK MENU
64 For the HIHAT or KNOB tabs [Knob 1] (SEL) selects a parameter. [Knob 3] (–/+) edits the value. Parameter Value Explanation HIHAT tab HH Close Note# A OFF, 0–127 MIDI note number transmitted by closed hi-hat Inst A (Head). With the “OFF” setting, MIDI messages will not be transmitted. HH Close Not...
Page 66 - Using V-LINK to Control Images; Connection example; CLIP tab; SETUP tab
66 Using V-LINK to Control Images What is V-LINK? V-LINK ( ) is a function that allows a musician to make visual performances with images at the same time he or she is performing music. By using MIDI to connect two or more V-LINK compatible devices, you can easily enjoy performing , in real time, a ...
Page 69 - Troubleshooting
69 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Troubleshooting Problem Items to check Action No sound / Insufficient volume Is the OCTAPAD and the connected equipment powered-on? Use the dedicated AC adaptor. Is the OCTAPAD correctly connected to the exte...
Page 70 - MIDI Implementation Chart
70 MIDI Implementation Chart Function... Basic Channel Mode Note Number : Velocity After Touch Pitch Bend Control Change Program Change System Exclusive System Common System Real Time Aux Messages Notes Transmitted Recognized Remarks Default Changed Default Messages Altered True Voice Note On Note O...
Page 72 - USING THE UNIT SAFELY; WARNING
72 USING THE UNIT SAFELY Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of injury or material damage should the unit be used improperly. * Material damage refers to damage or other adverse effects caused with respect to the home and all its furnishings, as well to domestic animals or p...
Page 73 - IMPORTANT NOTES
73 O ver view Basic Oper ation Adv . 1 (K it) Adv . 2 (P hr ase) Adv . 3 (O ther) A ppendix Power Supply • Do not connect this unit to same electrical outlet that is being used by an electrical appli- ance that is controlled by an inverter (such as a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, or...
Page 74 - Index
74 Index A AC ADAPTOR 12 AMBIENCE 9 , 25 , 42 AMBIENCE-AMBIENCE 42 AMBIENCE-EQ 42 AMBIENCE-LIMIT 42 B [BACK] BUTTON 10 BACKUP ALL 56 BEAT 43 , 51 C CH 63 CHAIN NAME 37 CHANGE DATA FOLDER 57 CHANGE NAME 50 CLEAR ALL 35 CLEAR ALL STEPS 37 CLICK 43 , 51 COARSE TUNE 24 COPY 36 COPY FX 40 COPYING A KIT 3...
Page 78 - NOTICE; FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION; DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. For EU Countries For Canada This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur...
Page 79 - Information
Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. AFRICA EGYPT Al Fanny Trading Office 9, EBN Hagar Al Askalany Street, ARD E1 Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, EGYPT TEL: (022)-417-1828 REUNION MARCEL FO-Y...
