User manual ROLAND A-33

[. . . ] The Roland A-33 is a MIDI keyboard controller. It does not contain any sound-generating circuitry. It is designed to transmit note messages, program changes, bank select messages as well as a variety of other MIDI messages (such as Reverb and Chorus Send levels) to an external sound module. To avoid confusion, let's agree to. . . [. . . ] Alternately pressing [UPPER] and [LOWER] allows you to control different MIDI instruments as and when needed. Example: you could use the Lower section for controlling an organ sound of one module (or part), and the Upper section for playing a lead synthesizer part using a different MIDI instrument. (1) Press and hold the [SPLIT] button. (2) While still holding that button, press the key that should become the lowest note of the Upper section. You can also use the [DOWN]/[UP] buttons. (3) Release both the [SPLIT] button and the key you pressed. Note: This setting can be saved to a Patch. Your KEYBOARD MODE selection is also saved. Note: To return to the default setting (C4), simultanesouly press [DOWN]/[UP]. Layer (Lower + Upper) Lower section + Upper section (two different MIDI channels) In Layer mode, the A-33 transmits on two MIDI channels simultaneously (assigned to Lower and Upper). Every action on the A-33 is thus translated into two MIDI message strings. Hold down [LOWER] while pressing [UPPER] to select this mode. To leave it, press [LOWER], [UPPER], or [SPLIT]. 8 5. Configuring the A-33 r A-33 Your A-33 comes with a great many MIDI parameters, or message types that can be transmitted so as to control your MIDI rig to your liking. 14), CC00 and CC32 are unlikely candidates for other assignments. Assigning them to the [DATAENTRY] slider therefore makes little sense. If you assign CC10 (Pan) to this slider, positions below the center correspond to the left side, while settings above the center correspond to the right. [2] bnd (Pitch Bend) Upper, Lower This parameter allows you to specify whether the selected section should (0N) or should not (0ff) transmit Pitch Bend messages when you use the A-33's BENDER/MODULATION lever. Upper, Lower This parameter allows you to specify whether the selected section should (0N) or should not (0ff) transmit Modulation messages (CC01) when you use the A-33's BENDER/MODULATION lever. CC01 messages can be used for creating vibrato, tremolo, or WahWah effects. This depends on how the receiving MIDI instrument uses these messages. Upper, Lower This parameter allows you to assign a velocity curve to the selected section. The A-33's keyboard is velocity sensitive and very responsive to nuances of your playing. You may, however, be controlling a MIDI instrument that does not interpret the velocity values in the desired way. Rather than reprogram the sound (if that is at all possible), you can simply select another curve on the A-33 so that your striking force is translated in a different way and thus more usable for the part you wish to play. Select L (light) if the section in question should send high velocity values even when you strike the keys with light-to-medium force. [. . . ] Your A-33 comes with a TRANSPOSE function you may want to use for playing songs in difficult keys. To set the desired transposition interval: 6. 1 Transpose (1) Hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button and wait until the current transposition interval is displayed. (2) Keep holding the [TRANSPOSE] button while you press the key assigned to the note you wish to assign to every C key (­6~5 semitones, i. e. The [TRANSPOSE] indicator now lights steadily to indicate that the Transpose interval has been set and is being used. [. . . ]