Roland S-1 User manual

S-1
Owner’s Manual

Table of contents
2
Table of contents
S-1 Owner’s Manual..................................................................3
Panel descriptions.....................................................................4
Top panel ................................................................................. 4
Rear panel ................................................................................ 7
Playing with the keyboard pads ..........................................8
Selecting and playing a pattern...........................................9
Selecting a pattern.................................................................. 9
Setting the tempo .................................................................11
Creating sounds ...................................................................... 12
OSCILLATOR section .............................................................12
FILTER section........................................................................15
AMP section ...........................................................................18
ENV section ............................................................................19
LFO section.............................................................................22
Controller section..................................................................24
EFX section .............................................................................26
Creating original waveforms for the oscillator (OSC DRAW)
.................................................................................................29
Chopping a waveform and emphasizing its harmonics
(OSC CHOP) ............................................................................31
Editing the notes, performance data and motions... 32
Inputting with the step pads................................................34
Editing with the keyboard pads (chord).............................36
Editing a step .........................................................................38
Inputting your performance in real time............................40
Editing a step while checking what you played.................41
Deleting a group of notes................................................... 43
Inputting/deleting a motion.............................................. 44
Useful sequencer functions................................................ 45
Saving a pattern ......................................................................47
Copying, initializing and reloading a pattern..............48
Other useful functions ..........................................................49
Playing arpeggios..................................................................49
Using the manual function...................................................52
Looping specific steps (step loop) .......................................53
Transposing (key transpose)................................................54
Controlling the parameters by tilting this unit (D-MOTION)
.................................................................................................55
Configuring D-MOTION...............................................................55
Adding a rising or falling sound to your performance
(Riser) ......................................................................................57
Using the metronome ...........................................................58
Setting the probability for the entire pattern (master
probability) ............................................................................59
Using global delay/reverb....................................................60
Connecting to a computer or mobile device...............61
Restoring the factory settings (factory reset) ..............62
Backing up and restoring data ..........................................63
Using the functions................................................................64
Using the menus .....................................................................67
Knob assignments..................................................................70
Main Specifications ................................................................71
Signal flow.................................................................................72
MIDI implementation chart ................................................73

S-1 Owner’s Manual
3
S-1 Owner’s Manual
© 2023 Roland Corporation

Panel descriptions
4
Panel descriptions
Top panel(P.4)
Rear panel(P.7)
Top panel
1. Connectors and jacks
Controller
Explanation
CHARGE indicator
When charging via USB port:
Orange (lit):Charging.
Green (lit): Charging is completed.
Green and orange (blinking):A charging error occurred. Please contact your dealer or Roland support.
https://roland.cm/roland_support
When not charging via USB port:
Red (lit):The remaining battery power is low. Charge the battery.
*The unit powers down within 30 minutes.
SYNC IN jack
Use this jack to input synchronization signals from an external device.
SYNC OUT jack
Use this jack to output synchronization signals to an external device.
MIX IN jack
This is the audio input jack.
The sound from connected devices is mixed with the sound of the S-1 and output from the MIX OUT jack.
MIX OUT jack
This is the audio output jack.
Connect a pair of headphones here.
[VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of audio coming from the MIX OUT jack.
*To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any
connections.
*This product is equipped with a lithium-ion battery.
Even if you do not use this product for an extended period of time, you should charge it once every three months to prevent
the internal lithium-ion battery from degrading.
Ambient temperature range during charging

Panel descriptions
5
5–35°C
However, in order to take full advantage of the lithium-ion battery’s performance, we recommend that you charge it in a
temperature range of 10–30°C.
*Use cables with monaural mini phone type plugs to connect to/from the SYNC IN/OUT jacks. Do not use cables with stereo
mini phone type plugs, as these cables do not work.
*Do not connect an audio device to the SYNC OUT jack. Doing so may cause a malfunction.
*If an external device is connected to the SYNC IN jack, the unit synchronizes with the clocks inputted to the SYNC IN jack,
regardless of the MIDI Clock Sync setting.
*Use cables with stereo mini phone type plugs to connect to/from the MIX IN/OUT jacks. Do not use cables with monaural
mini phone type plugs, as these cables do not work.
2.
Controller
Explanation
Display
This is a four-digit, seven-segment LED display.
If a pattern has been edited, a dot lights up on the right side of the display.
[TEMPO/VALUE]
knob
Changes the values shown in the display.
Use this knob with the [SHIFT] button to fine-tune the tempo or to make larger adjustments to the
parameter values.
[
ø
] (PLAY) button
Plays the pattern.
Press the button again to stop playback.
[
ó
] (REC) button
Switches the unit to recording standby.
Recording starts when pattern playback begins.
When you press a keyboard pad or turn a knob, the corresponding note or parameter change is recorded
to the step sequencer.
3.
Section
Controller
Explanation
LFO
[RATE] knob
Determines the LFO’s modulation speed.
[WAVE FORM] knob
Selects the LFO waveform.
(sawtooth wave),
(inverted sawtooth wave),
(triangle wave),
(square wave),
RND (random),
NOISE (noise)
OSCILLATOR
[RANGE] knob
Sets the octave of the oscillator.
[LFO] knob
Adjusts the intensity at which LFO modulates the oscillator.
[] (Square wave)
knob
Adjusts the level of the square wave.
[] (Sawtooth wave)
knob
Adjusts the level of the sawtooth wave.
[SUB] knob
Adjusts the level of the sub oscillator.
[NOISE] knob
Adjusts the level of the noise.
FILTER
[FREQ] knob
Sets the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter.
[RESO] knob
Emphasizes the frequencies around the filter’s cutoff frequency.
[LFO] knob
When the cutoff frequency is set to be controlled by the LFO, this adjusts the
intensity.
[ENV] knob
When the cutoff frequency is set to be controlled by the ENV, this adjusts the
intensity.
ENV
[ATTACK] knob
Adjusts the attack time.
[DECAY] knob
Adjusts the decay time.
[SUSTAIN] knob
Adjusts the sustain level.
[RELEASE] knob
Adjusts the release time.
EFX
[DELAY] knob
Adjusts the delay volume.
[REVERB] knob
Adjusts the volume of the reverb.

Panel descriptions
6
Section
Controller
Explanation
[D-MOTION]
(DESTINATION) button
Turns the D-MOTION function on/off, which controls the tones according to the
angle at which this unit is tilted.
For details, refer to “Controlling the parameters by tilting this unit (D-
MOTION)(P.55)”.
*When using the D-MOTION function, firmly grip both sides of this unit and be
careful that the connected cables are not excessively bent.
Use this with the [SHIFT] button to bring up the DESTINATION screen, where you
can configure D-MOTION.
[PATTERN] (STEP LOOP)
button
Turn this on (the button lights up) to switch to pattern select mode.
Use this with the [SHIFT] button for using the STEP LOOP function.
[STEP] (KEY TRANSPOSE)
button
When this button is lit, the white keyboard pads function as step pads [1]–[16].
Use this with the [SHIFT] button to configure KEY TRANSPOSE.
By turning the knobs while holding down the [SHIFT] button, you can access tone parameters that are different from the
normal parameters. There is also a way to check the setting value without modifying them.
For details, refer to “Knob assignments(P.70)”.
4.
Controller
Explanation
[SHIFT] button
Hold down the [SHIFT] button while pressing the various buttons to set the parameters and execute
different functions.
[HOLD] (MANUAL)
button
Turns the keyboard pad hold function on/off.
Press the [SHIFT] + [HOLD] buttons for manual operations. When doing so, the current knobs positions
are applied to the tone of the selected pattern.
Only the parameters accessible from the top panel knobs are applied to the pattern.
*This has no effect on the parameters that are set in combination with the [SHIFT] button (Knob
assignments(P.70)).
Keyboard pads
Use these to play notes as with a regular keyboard, or use the pads to specify a scale and record to the
sequencer.
When the [STEP] button is lit, the white keys operate as step pads [1]–[16].
You can also use the pads along with the [SHIFT] button to set the parameters and execute different
functions.
Refer to “Using the functions(P.64)” and “Using the menus(P.67)” for an overview.

Panel descriptions
7
Rear panel
A. [POWER] switch
Turns the power on/off.
B. USB port (USB Type-C®)
Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable (Type-A to C, or Type-C to C) to connect this port to your computer.
This is used to transfer USB MIDI and USB audio data.
*Do not use a USB cable that is designed only for charging a device. Charge-only cables cannot transmit data.
If you’re powering this unit via the USB port, this charges the battery. To check the battery status, refer to “CHARGE indicator(P.4)”.
*When charging this unit, connect to the USB port on your computer or use a commercially-available USB power adaptor
(at least 5 V, 500 mA).
Do not use a fast-charging USB power adaptor (which outputs at voltages higher than 5 V) to charge this unit, as this may
cause the unit to malfunction.
*Charge the device using the included USB cable.
C. MIDI IN/MIDI OUT jacks
Use TRS/TRS (BCC-1-3535 or BCC-2-3535, sold separately) or TRS/MIDI connecting cables (BMIDI-5-35, BMIDI-1-35 or BMIDI-2-35,
sold separately) to connect this unit to an external MIDI device.
You can make this unit play in sync with a MIDI device by connecting the devices with a commercially available MIDI cable.
*Do not connect audio devices to these jacks. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

Playing with the keyboard pads
8
Playing with the keyboard pads
You can use the keyboard pads to play notes on this unit right after turning it on.
Switching the octave
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [OCT-] [OCT+] pads.
Setting range: -4 to +4 octaves
By holding down the [SHIFT] button and pressing the [OCT-] pad and the [OCT+] pad, you can reset the octave setting (to zero).
(Ver. 1.02)

Selecting and playing a pattern
9
Selecting and playing a pattern
Selecting a pattern(P.9)
Setting the tempo(P.11)
Selecting a pattern
What’s a pattern?
On the S-1, the performance data (sequence) in the sequencer as well as the tones (sounds) used in performance are handled
together as a single set of data.
This is called a “pattern”.
The patterns are arranged in banks (1–4) and numbers (1–16), for a total of 64 patterns.
This unit contains the following data by factory default.
Bank number
Explanation
1-01–1-16
Preset patterns (can be overwritten)
2-01 – 4-16
Empty patterns
1. Hold down the [PATTERN] button and press the [1]–[4] pads to select a bank.
The pad of the selected bank lights up while you press the [PATTERN] button, and the pads for the other banks blink.
If you’re holding down the [PATTERN] button but then remove your finger from the button without selecting a bank, you can
then proceed to step 2 (selecting the number) without changing the bank.
2. Take your finger off the [PATTERN] button and use the [1]–[16] pads to select the number.
When you change the pattern while another pattern is still playing, this specifies which pattern is to be reserved (played
next).
Once the current pattern finishes playing, the next pattern you reserved automatically begins playing.

Selecting and playing a pattern
10
When the [PATTERN] button is lit
1. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select a pattern.
You can also use the [1]–[16] pads to select the number.

Selecting and playing a pattern
11
Setting the tempo
1. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to set the tempo.
Hold down the [SHIFT] button and turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to fine-tune the value.
The value can be adjusted (fine-tuned) in steps of 0.1.

Creating sounds
12
Creating sounds
The S-1 features a number of functions you can use to create sounds. The tones you create are saved to each pattern.
The performance data and tones from the factory settings (presets) are saved in patterns 1-01 through 1-16.
When you want to create a sound from scratch, we recommend that you either select an empty pattern from 2-01 onward, or
initialize a pattern.
ØSelecting a pattern(P.9)
ØInitializing a pattern(P.48)
OSCILLATOR section(P.12)
FILTER section(P.15)
AMP section(P.18)
ENV section(P.19)
LFO section(P.22)
Controller section(P.24)
EFX section(P.26)
Creating original waveforms for the oscillator (OSC DRAW)(P.29)
Chopping a waveform and emphasizing its harmonics (OSC CHOP)(P.31)
OSCILLATOR section
The OSCILLATOR section features an oscillator (hereafter “OSC”) with variable pitch (frequency). The OSC generates the basic
waveform used as the sound source for the synthesizer.
Waveform
Waveform characteristics
Harmonic structure
Sawtooth wave (Sawtooth)
Sawtooth waves are composed of a fundamental sine wave
and the sine waves of the integer harmonics, all at a fixed ratio.
The way that these waves are structured is shown at the graph
at right. The wave includes the nth harmonic at a volume of
1/n, with the fundamental wave considered as “1”.
Square wave (Square)
Square waves are composed of a fundamental sine wave and
the sine waves of the odd-numbered harmonics, all at a fixed
ratio.
For the nth harmonic, the sine waves are included at a ratio of
1/n, the same as for the sawtooth wave.
However, the even-numbered harmonics are left out entirely.

Creating sounds
13
Waveform
Waveform characteristics
Harmonic structure
Asymmetrical square wave
For asymmetrical square waves, the harmonic composition
changes greatly depending on the ratio of the upper and lower
widths.
These waveforms characteristically drop the nth harmonic
series is dropped when the upper width is 1/n that of the
entirety.
The graph at right shows that with a width of 1/3 (33%), the
third, sixth and ninth harmonics are dropped.
[RANGE] knob
This knob switches between frequency ranges for the oscillator.
By switching the settings from 64′all the way down to 2′, you can change the tonal range in octaves.
When this is set to 8′, the pitch of the lowest C (keyboard pad [2]) is equivalent to middle C (MIDI note number: 60) on a piano
(with Transpose set to “0”).
You can turn the [RANGE] knob while holding down the [SHIFT] button to alter the pitch within a ±1 octave range (this works as
a FINE TUNE knob).
Setting the pulse width control source (PWM SRC)
What’s “pulse width”?
A square wave whose upper and lower widths are not the same is called an “asymmetrical square wave”. “Pulse width” refers to
how wide the upper width is compared to the entire wave, expressed as a percentage.
The harmonic structure changes greatly depending on this value, as does the sound.
This pulse width is used at a fixed preset value, but you can apply time-based changes to the pulse width with the LFO or envelope
generator signal.
This is called “pulse width modulation” (PWM).
Use the PWM source switch to select whether to set the pulse width to a fixed preset value (“NAn”) , or to apply time-based
changes using the LFO (“LFO”) or envelope generator (“Env”) signals.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [PWM SRC] pad.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
Env
Changes by the signal of the envelope generator over time.
Use the PWM DEPTH parameter to adjust the depth of the effect.
NAn
Specifies a fixed value, set in PWM DEPTH.
LFO
Changes by the signal of the LFO over time.
Setting the pulse width value or modulation (PWM DEPTH)
Here’s how to set the pulse width value and modulation depth.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [PWM DEPTH] pad.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
0–255 Sets the pulse width value when PWM SOURCE is “NAn”.
When using the “LFO” or “Env” setting, this adjusts the modulation depth.
Creating original waveforms for the oscillator (OSC DRAW)
ØCreating original waveforms for the oscillator (OSC DRAW)(P.29)

Creating sounds
14
Chopping a waveform and emphasizing its harmonics (OSC CHOP)
ØChopping a waveform and emphasizing its harmonics (OSC CHOP)(P.31)
[LFO] knob
This knob adjusts the modulation intensity, when you use the modulator signal from the LFO section to control the fundamental
frequency (pitch) of the OSC.
The method of change depends on the setting of the [WAVE FORM] knob in the LFO section.
Mixing the output from the oscillator (source mixer)
Four waveforms are always output from the OSC, and you can mix their levels in the ratio you like. The source mixer output is sent
to the FILTER section.
Controller
Explanation
[ (square wave)] knob
Adjusts the level of the square wave or the original waveform you create using OSC DRAW.
[ (sawtooth wave)] knob
Adjusts the level of the sawtooth wave.
[SUB] knob
Adjusts the level of the sub oscillator.
[NOISE] knob
Adjusts the level of the noise.
Selecting the output waveform for the sub-oscillator (SUB OCT)
This shows how to select the sub-oscillator output waveform.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SUB OCT] pad.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
-2o.A
-2 octave asymmetrical waveform
-2oc
-2 octave symmetrical waveform
-1oc
-1 octave symmetrical waveform
Selecting a noise output waveform (Noise Mode)
Here’s how to select the noise output waveform.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press pad [15] (MENU).
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “nS.Nd” (Noise Mode), and press pad [2] (ENTER).
3. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
Pink
Pink noise
ľhit
White noise

Creating sounds
15
FILTER section
The FILTER section is used for reducing or emphasizing harmonic components in the original sound that’s mixed in the OSC
section, and to alter the tone.
This lets you pass the lower frequencies through while cutting the higher frequencies (LPF: Low-Pass Filter).
[FREQ] knob
This knob sets the cutoff point (cutoff frequency) for the filter.
Turning the knob counterclockwise cuts the higher frequencies and makes the waveform closer to that of a sine wave. At the
minimum setting, there is no sound.
[RESO] (Resonance) knob
Emphasizes the frequencies around the cutoff point that you set using the [FREQ] knob.
Turning the knob clockwise emphasizes specific harmonic components, adding character to the sound.
In particular, when you move the cutoff point while the resonance is raised, you can get a sound that’s unique to synthesizers.
Also, if you raise the resonance to maximum, the filter oscillates at the cutoff point.
[LFO] knob
This adjusts the intensity (depth) when controlling the filter’s cutoff point with the modulator signal from the LFO section.
The method of change for the cutoff point depends on the setting of the [WAVE FORM] knob in the LFO section.
[ENV] (envelope depth) knob
This adjusts the intensity (depth) when controlling the filter’s cutoff point with the envelope generator’s signal.
Turn the knob clockwise to change the filter cutoff point according to the ADSR pattern (the combination of settings for the four
knobs in the ENV section), which you set beforehand for each note you play.
Use this to make changes in the sound over a short time within single notes.
Changing the cutoff point according to the pitch (FILTER KYBD: filter keyboard
follow)
This parameter adjusts the intensity (depth) when controlling the filter’s cutoff point with the pitch signals generated by the
keyboard.
By making the cutoff point follow the pitch of the notes played, you can keep the same harmonic components.
For instance, when you play a high note while the cutoff point is set to a lower frequency range, the cutoff point doesn’t change
even when the fundamental frequency changes, thus creating large changes in the sound.
If you don’t want this to happen, increase the filter keyboard follow value.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press pad [7] (FILTER KYBD).
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
0–255
Changes the filter cutoff point according to the notes played on the keyboard.
Larger values make the harmonic components change less in response to the notes you play.
A value of “255” makes the cutoff point perfectly follow the pitch.

Creating sounds
16
Cutoff point (cutoff frequency)

Creating sounds
17
Resonance

Creating sounds
18
AMP section
This section controls the volume of the sound, letting you change the attack and decay of the sound by controlling the output
signal from the standard envelope generator.
Switching between AMP control sources
Use these steps to select whether to control the AMP by using the envelope generator signal (“Env”) or by using the gate signal
(“GAtE”).
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [AMP] pad.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
GAtE
Controls the AMP by using the gate signal.
Env
Controls the AMP by using envelope generator signal.

Creating sounds
19
ENV section
This section creates control signals to make time-based changes to the sound.
These signals are generated when you play the keyboard pads. The signals control the FILTER and AMP sections to change the
sound and volume of each note you play over time.
[ATTACK] knob (A)
This knob sets the time (attack time) it takes for the control signal to reach its peak level after you press a keyboard pad.
[DECAY] knob (D)
This knob sets the time (decay time) it takes for the control signal to reach the sustain level after reaching its peak level.
The decay time is closely related to the sustain level. When you adjust the [DECAY] knob while the sustain is set to the highest
level, the envelope shape doesn’t change.
[SUSTAIN] knob (S)
This knob sets the sustain level, which is the level that the sound stays at after the envelope reaches its peak.
The level is held as long as you hold down the keyboard pad.
[RELEASE] knob (R)
This knob sets the time (release time) it takes for the control signal to drop to zero (where the envelope reaches its end) after you
release the keyboard pad.

Creating sounds
20
ADSR settings and envelope waveforms
When the [ATTACK] knob, [DECAY] knob, [SUSTAIN] knob and [RELEASE] knob are all set to “0”, an extremely short pulse wave is
generated, producing a click noise.
Selecting the signal used to control the envelope (ENV TRG: envelope trigger)
Follow these steps to select which signal is used for controlling the envelope generator.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [ENV TRG] pad.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Value
Explanation
LFO
LFO
The envelope generator operates repeatedly, following the LFO rate (cycle) of the modulator.
With this setting, the envelope repeats its attack phase while you’re holding down a keyboard pad, and the envelope
stops when you release the pad.
Each time you play a keyboard pad again (after completely taking your finger off a pad and then playing the next pad),
the envelope always returns to the beginning (attack phase), regardless of what’s going on with the LFO.