Roland GR-33 User Manual

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Chapter 9 Connecting to External Sound Generators and Sequencers
Chap.
9
* For a detailed explanation of Mono mode and Poly mode, see the 
subsequent section, “Transmitting in Mono Mode or Poly Mode.”
* When using the GR-33 in combination with a multitimbral 
sound module (a sound generator offering a number of 
performance parts) or a sequencer system (an automatic 
performance device), make sure the other instrument parts and 
channels do not overlap.
 BEND RANGE
The GR-33 can even send continuous pitch changes obtained 
with techniques such as bending, finger vibrators, tremolo 
bar usage, and sliding to an external device. This is done 
using MIDI Pitch Bend Change messages, just as with the 
pitch bender on a keyboard. This means that the setting 
called Bend Range must be matched up on the sending and 
receiving instruments.
The GR-33 normally informs the external MIDI device of the 
Bend Range setting on the GR-33, and sends a message 
prompting change every time the patch is switched.
This means that the Bend Range value on the sound 
generator can be set automatically every time the patch is 
changed simply by matching the maximum Bend Range 
value that can be set on the external MIDI sound generator to 
the GR-33. (Setting Bend Range to as large a value as possible 
will help enable smooth pitch changes in a wider range. The 
settable range varies according to the receiving sound 
generator. For equipment having a different settable width in 
the bend up and down directions, match the setting to the 
narrowest maximum value.)
About messages that notify the external MIDI 
instrument of the Bend Range and prompt 
change
The messages used here are MIDI RPN (Registered 
Parameter Number) “Pitch Bend Sensitivity” messages 
(Control Change messages No. 100, No. 101, No. 6, and No. 
38). (Sending of these messages can be stopped, if necessary. 
If you are using an external MIDI sound generator which 
cannot recognize such messages, manually change Bend 
Range on the external device to the same value on the GR-33. 
Refer to the Owner’s Manuals for the external sound 
generator for information about its MIDI specifications.
Setting the Channel (and Sending Mode) 
and Bend Range
1. Press [SYSTEM] to enter System mode.
2. Press [PARAMETER] to select “BASIC CHANNEL.”
fig.9-02
3. Use [VALUE] to select the setting value.
BASIC CHANNEL can be set to values of “Mono 1–11” 
(mono mode transmission) and “Poly 1–16” (poly mode 
transmission).
* When transmitting in Mono mode, six consecutive channels 
are used. For this reason, it is not possible to select 12--16 as 
one of the first channels (BASIC CHANNEL).
4. When you finish making the setting for BASIC 
CHANNEL, press [PARAMETER] to choose “BEND 
RANGE.”
fig.9-03
5. Use [VALUE] to select the setting value.
BEND RANGE can be set to values of “0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 24.”
6. Maximum the setting to the maximum value for Bend 
Range that can be set on the external sound generator, 
then press [PLAY] to return to the Play mode.
* These are the setting items for the GR-33, and not patch 
settings, so there is no need to perform a Patch Write 
operation. The latest setting is automatically stored in 
memory, even after the power is switched off.
If the sending Bend Range on the GR-33 is set to “0,” an effect 
similar to setting COMMON “CHROMATIC” (p. 42) to 
“Type3” is obtained for the sounds from the external MIDI 
sound generator.
When a multitimbral sound generator has been connected 
and Mono mode selected in step 3, the tones to be used are 
allocated to six parts on the sound generator. Also, the 
receiving channels are matched to the six connected channels 
selected on the GR-33. When in this state, you can play the 
external MIDI sound generator by playing the guitar own the 
GK-2A is mounted.
* If not sound is produced by the external MIDI sound 
generator, try turning the volume on the GK-2A all the up and 
setting the GK-2A’s selector switch to “SYNTH” or “MIX.”
If there’s still no sound, check the sound-level settings on the 
sound generator, as well as the cable connections. If the 
setting “MIDI [PC]” described later (p. 88) has been changed, 
make sure that it is set to any setting other than “Off.”
When Using the Volume Knob and Selector 
Switch on the GK-2A
When the volume on the GK-2A is adjusted, the change is 
sent by MIDI Control Change message No. 7 from MIDI OUT 
on the GR-33. (The receiving instrument should be set to 
recognize Control Change message No. 7.)
This makes it possible to control the volume level on the 
external device with the volume knob on the GK-2A. Also, 
when the selector switch on the GK-2A has been set to