Roland GR-30 User manual

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GUITAR
Regional Training Guide

ROLAND GR-30
GUITAR SYNTHESIZER
OVERVIEW
The new Roland GR-30 is Roland’s most powerful GR to date,featuring 384 high quality sounds and 256 patches.It
includes an Arpeggiator (designed just for guitar),Synth Harmonist,Multiple Effects and Roland’s exclusive high
speed tracking.All 384 sounds were created exclusively for the GR-30 with the guitarist in mind. The GR-30’s 28 notes
of polyphony accommodate even the most extensive sounds like layers and splits.Assignable expression pedal and
multiple pedal operations make the GR-30 great for live applications.The operations of the GR-30 have been consoli-
dated to 2 easy-to-use dials to select various parameters and quick programming.
FEATURES
¨384 High Quality Sounds
¨128 User Patches/128 Preset Patches
¨Arpeggiator (designed just for guitar)
¨Synth Harmonist (Intelligent Harmony from a single note)
¨Multiple Effects - Chorus, Flanging, Delay, Reverb,Wah, Pitch Glide, Special Effects
¨Built In Chromatic Tuner
¨MIDI IN/OUT Jacks for connecting to other MIDI devices
¨Guitar Out for processing the direct guitar sound
¨Expression Pedal Jack for controlling Volume, Effects,and Patch Parameters
¨Easy Two-Dial Operation for editing parameters

FRONT PANEL TOUR
UPPER SECTION
1. Three-digit Indicator
In the Play mode (the mode at start-up), this three-place indicator displays the patch numbers.
In the Edit mode,it displays the values and settings status of the currently selected item. Various other messages
are also displayed here.
2. Five-light Indicator
This illuminated indicator consists of five LEDs. For the Tuner function and sensitivity adjustment, the entire
group of indicator lights functions as a meter. In other cases,it displays the following status conditions:
LOCAL OFF
Starting up with local control off is indicated when the green light turns on.
EFFECT BYPASS
When,bypressingthe[+]buttonwhileholdingdown[EDIT/PLAY],internaleffectsaretemporarilyswitchedoff;
this is indicated when the green light comes on.
ARP/HAR
The green light turns on whenArpeggiator is turned on,and the light shines red when Harmonist is turned on.
GTR-ENV FOLLOW
When settings to“PLAY FEEL”are made with either“EF1”or“EF2”, the green light comes on,indicating that the
decay of the string vibration is being accompanied by a corresponding change in the synth sound.
EDIT
The green light comes on when you go into the Edit mode. When a change to patch settings is made here, it is
indicated by the light beginning to flash on and off. Furthermore, if you jump to the Play mode without per-
forming the write procedure,the red light will flash, and if at this point you proceed to switch patches,a message
is displayed stating that you have just lost the changes you had made.
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3. EDIT/PLAY Button
This button switches between the Play mode and the Edit mode.
Pressing the button while you are in the Play mode switches the GR-30 to the Edit mode, enabling each dial to
select various settings,and allowing you to create and save sounds,adjust sensitivity, and so on. Pressing the but-
ton again returns the unit to the Play mode.
4. PATCH (VALUE) Buttons [+] / [-]
In the Play mode (status at start-up), press these buttons to go through the different patches (tones) in sequence.
In the Edit mode,press the buttons to change the settings values or options selected with the dials.
Pressing the [+] button once increases the setting value by one. When the button is held down, the value continues to
change. If you then hold down the [-] button at the same time, the speed of this change increases. Press the buttons
in the reverse fashion to cause the values to decrease.
The [+] and [-] buttons are also used in other tasks, including writing to patches, setting the Effect Time Off, calling
up the Tuner, and so on.
NOTES:
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GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer

FRONT PANEL TOUR CONT.
MIDDLE SECTION
5. VOLUME Knob
This knob adjusts the signal volume output from the MIX OUT jack.The center marking provides an easy refer-
ence setting when connecting to an instrument amp or mixer.
* The output level from the GUITAR OUT jack is controlled separately.
6. STRING SELECT Knob
When making changes in 1ST/2ND tone assignment (LAYER),transposition (TRANSPOSE), and other settings
of individual strings,use this knob to designate the which string is to be set.
7. EDIT TARGET Dial
This dial is used for determining which of the eight “targets” (groups of settings) — 1ST TONE, TONE MIX,
EFFECT, and the like — is to have settings acted upon. This dial has no effect other than in the Edit mode.
8. PARAMETER SELECT Dial
This dial is used for determining which of the groups [A] to [D] will have its settings acted upon. It is also used
in other procedures such as adjusting pickup sensitivity and saving tones.
This dial generally has no effect outside of Edit mode,but in the Play mode, only "PATCH INC/DEC BY S1/S2"
can be selected when the dials turned completely clockwise. When it is in this position,you can go up and down
through sequences of patch numbers just by using the“S1/S2”buttons on the guitar controller (GK-2A).
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GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer
FRONT PANEL TOUR CONT.
PEDAL SECTION
9. Foot Pedals
These are four foot-operated switches. In the Play mode,together with the GK-2A’s“S1,”they are used mainly to
switch patches. After pressing the GK-2A’s“S2”to go into Pedal Effect mode, you can step on the switch to get
performance effects such as wah, pitch glide, and hold. (Even in the Play mode, these effects are enabled when
dial 5 is pointing at PATCH INC/DEC BY S1/S2.
Additionally, this can be used when calling up special functions to carry out operations such as creating
Arpeggiator patterns, changing Banks, initializing or transfering system exclusive information.
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BACK PANEL TOUR
BACK SECTION
10. MIX OUT Jack
L-MIXOUT-R/PHONES (PHONES)
The output of the synthesizer is sent out here. Ordinarily, two cables are plugged into the L and R jacks,and the
signal is then sent to a stereo amplifier.
Furthermore,sinceboth of theLandR jacksacceptstandardstereoplugs,they canalsobe usedastwoheadphone
jacks. (However,note that the left and right output of the R (PHONES) jack are reversed. Also be aware that you
cannot simultaneously use one jack as a LINE OUT while using the other as a headphone jack.)
When there is nothing connected to the GUITAR OUT jack,the sound of the guitar itself is also mixed into,and
sent out with this output.
*In order to have the sound of the factory-installed patches play correctly, use a stereo amplifier or stereo headphones
if at all possible. If you must use monaural headphones,please be sure to turn the unit on while pressing Pedal 1 at
the left of the base module.
11. GUITAR RETURN Jack
When using the GUITAR OUT jack (the following item) as an external guitar effect send, use this jack for the
return signal from the external effect. With a single-input amp, although the synth and guitar sounds are com-
bined, effect will be applied only to the guitar.
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12. GUITAR OUT Jack
Use this jack when you wish the guitar output to be separate from the synth sound. Connect to your own guitar
amp or guitar effects devices.
13. BANK SHIFT Jack
This jack is especially for connecting a patch bank expansion foot switch. You can connect two Boss FS-5U foot
switches using a PCS-31 cable (each sold separately). Expansion foot switches control different functions in all
modes except Play mode.
14. EXP PEDAL (Expression Pedal) Jack
An external pedal (e.g. model EV-5, sold separately) connected to this jack can be used to carry out a variety of
controlling functions,including synth volume,tone,interval,Arpeggiator tempo, and so on.
15. GK IN Connector
Usethis special 13-pin branchcable,includedwiththeGR-30,toconnectthe GK-2A synthesizerdriver(sold sep-
arately).
*The original GK-2 can also be used in the same way.
*For connection to a commercial guitar which supports a guitar synthesizer,consult the guitar’s manufacturer or your
dealer.
16. MIDI Connectors (MIDI IN/OUT)
These connectors are for hooking up an external MIDI device with a MIDI cable. Use this connection when you
want the base module to control the sounding of an external sound generator module, or to exchange tone data
when using a MIDI device.
17. Power Switch
This is the main switch that turns power to the entire unit on and off.
18. AC Adaptor Jack/Cord Hook
TheAC adaptor included with the GR-30 plugs in here. Additionally, hanging the adaptor cord on the cord hook
can help prevent the cord from accidentally being pulled out of the jack while you are playing.
*Use ONLY the AC adaptor included with this guitar synthesizer. (This adaptor differs from those compatible with
the GR-09.)
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GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer

ROLAND GR-30
HANDS ON
INITIALIZING THE GR-30
You can return the GR-30 to its original factory settings for the Program Numbers,
System Parameters, Patches,or ALL Data by re-initializing the unit.
1) Turn the GR-30 ON while pressing PEDAL 2.
2) Press PATCH [+] to select the type of initialization.“Pgo”initializes the MIDI Program Numbers,“Pat”ini-
tializes Patches,“Sys”initializes System Settings, and“ini”initializes all data.
3) Press EDIT/PLAY.
4) Press PATCH [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously.
SETTING STRING SENSITIVITY
Setting the string sensitivity is very important in order to insure accurate tracking.To perform properly, each string
should be adjusted so that it is not too hot or too weak in amplitude.
1) Use the Dial on the right hand side of the GR-30 to select PICKUP SENS (1-6).
2) Press the EDIT/PLAY button.
3) Play a string fairly hard.The number to the left of the display is the string num-
ber, and the number to the right is the level of sensitivity.
4) As you play the string, the meter to the left of the display will show the level of sensitivity. Use the [+] or [-]
buttons to adjust the level so that only the green lights appear. If the red light appears then the sensitivity is
too hot.
5) After adjusting, press EDIT/PLAY to return to the play mode.
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Number of string played (1 to 6)
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String sensitivity setting value for the played string (1 to 8)

USING THE CHROMATIC TUNER
Method 1
The GR-30 includes a built-in chromatic tuner which can be accessed two ways. First, to access the tuner with the
EDIT/PLAY and PATCH buttons do the following:
1) Press the EDIT/PLAY and PATCH [-] buttons simultaneously.
2) Play each string individually. The number indicates the string you are playing and the letter indicates the note
name.
3) Tune your guitar to the five digit LEDs. When the guitar is in tune,a red light will appear in the middle of the
LEDs.
Method 2
The tuner can also be accessed with the switch on the GK-2A pickup and Pedal 1 on the GR-30. This is great for live
performance!
1) Make sure the PARAMETER SELECT switch is not set to PATCH INC/DEC BY S1/S2.
2) While holding down the S1 button on the GK-2A pickup, press PEDAL 1 marked TUNE. This will access the
chromatic tuner.
3) Just like in Step 3 above, tune your guitar to the five digit LEDS. When the guitar is in tune,a red light will
appear in the middle of the LEDs.
4) When finished tuning, press EDIT/PLAY to return to Play mode.
While holding down S1
The red light comes on
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GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer