Roland Audio Canvas UA-100 User manual

Copyright © 1999 ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in
any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORA-
TION.
02012567 ‘99-10-A3-11N
User’s Guide
To resize thickness, move all items on the front cover to left or right
on the master page.

IMPORTANT NOTES
DO NOT play a CD-ROM disc on a conventional audio CD player. The resulting sound
may be of a level that could cause permanent hearing loss. Damage to speakers or other
system components may result.
* Avoid touching or scratching the shiny underside (encoded surface) of the disc. Damaged or dirty CD-ROM
discs may not be read properly. Keep your discs clean using a commercially available CD cleaner.
* Before you open the included CD-ROM, you must read the "license agreement." Opening the CD-ROM will be
taken to mean your acceptance of the terms of the license agreement.
* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change
without prior notice.
* Do not apply excessive force to the buttons or switches. Doing so can damage them, causing injury or electric
shock.
* Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
* Windows® 98 is known officially as: “Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system.”
* Screen shots reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.
* Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
* MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
* Cakewalk is a registered trademark of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc.
* All product names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.

3
About This Document
This document is a helpful guide to everything you need to know to use the UA-100. It
is organized into four sections.
• Parts of the UA-100 and Their Functions
This chapter explains the controls and other parts of the UA-100, and explains their
functions.
• Before you use the UA-100
This chapter explains the internal signal flow of the UA-100, and provides an overview
of the UA-100 Controller, which is software that lets you control the UA-100 from your
computer.FirstyoushouldrefertotheGettingStarted,andconnecttheUA-100toyour
computer, make settings, and install the UA-100 Controller.
• Using the UA-100
This chapter explains the basics of using the UA-100 with a MIDI/audio sequencing
software and with the UA-100 Controller. The explanation will assume that you are
using a sequencing software with MIDI/audio recording capability, so please install
and set up your sequencing software beforehand.
• Appendices
• Troubleshooting
These chapters provide information that you will find helpful as you use the UA-100,
or points to check if you have questions or if you experience problems. Read this
material as necessary.
The included CD-ROM contains Help and a Reference Manual for the UA-100
Controller. Read this material as necessary in order to gain a better understanding of
the UA-100. The Reference Manual can be read using your web browser. For details
refer to the Getting Started section “Using the reference manual.”
In the right side of the pages of this book, the following icons are accompanied by
explanations of vocabulary or points of caution. These provide important information
that you need to be aware of.
Explanation of terms
Points of caution

4
Contents
About This Document........................................................................................3
Parts of the UA-100 and Their Functions ..................................... 5
Front Panel........................................................................................................6
About the Effect Type Selector.................................................................................8
About the Effect Controllers......................................................................................9
Rear Panel ......................................................................................................10
Before You Use the UA-100 ......................................................... 11
The Signal Flow of the UA-100 .......................................................................12
About the UA-100 Controller...........................................................................14
Using the UA-100.......................................................................... 19
Recording Vocals............................................................................................20
Recording Guitar.............................................................................................24
Recording from an Audio Device.....................................................................28
Monitoring the Audio Data While You Record a New Part..............................32
Applying Effects While Playing Audio Data.....................................................35
Applying Effects While You Record.................................................................37
Monitoring the Effect Sound While You Record the Unprocessed (Dry) Sound ... 41
Re-recording Audio Data While Applying an Effect.........................................45
Using Multiple Effects Simultaneously ............................................................49
Adding Harmony to a Vocal.............................................................................53
Using the UA-100 as a MIDI Interface.............................................................56
Using MIDI Messages to Control the UA-100 .................................................58
Digitally Recording to MD/DAT........................................................................60
Appendices ................................................................................... 61
Internal Block Diagram of the UA-100.............................................................62
Effect Parameters Chart..................................................................................66
Effect Parameter Conversion Table................................................................74
MIDI Implementation.......................................................................................78
MIDI Implementation Chart .............................................................................90
Troubleshooting ............................................................................91
Troubleshooting...............................................................................................92
Points to Check on the UA-100 ..............................................................................92
Points to Check for the UA-100 Driver..................................................................105
Points to Check for the UA-100 Controller............................................................106
Index..............................................................................................................107

5
Parts of the UA-100 and
Their Functions
This chapter explains the controls and other parts of the
UA-100, and explains their functions. It also explains
functions that you need to understand when using the
UA-100, such as the Effect Type Selector and the Effect
Controller.

6
Front Panel
fig.UA-100Gfront_70
Mic 1/ Guitar Input Jack
A microphone or guitar can be connected to this jack.
Mic 2 Input Jack
A microphone can be connected to this jack.
Dynamic microphones are the only type of microphone that can be connected to
the Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack and the Mic 2 Input Jack. The miniature
microphones (condenser microphones) that may be included with your
computer cannot be used.
Input Level/Peak Indicator
This indicator will light in green when there is an input signal from the Mic 1/
Guitar Input Jack, the Mic 2 Input Jack, or the rear panel Line Input Jacks. If the
input level is too high, the indicator will light in red.
Mic 1/Guitar Input Volume
This knob adjusts the input level of the microphone or guitar that is connected
to the Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack. Rotating it counterclockwise will decrease the
input level, and rotating it clockwise will increase the input level. By pressing
this knob, you can switch between the microphone input and guitar input.
Mic 1/Guitar Function Indicator
This indicator shows whether the Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack is being used for a
microphone or for a guitar. Each time you press the Mic 1/Guitar Input Volume
Knob, the setting will alternate.
Lit: guitar
Extinguished: microphone
When the power is turned on, this will be lit (guitar)
Mic 2 Input Volume Knob
This adjusts the input level of the microphone that is connected to the Mic 2
Input Jack. Rotating it counterclockwise will decrease the input level, and
rotating it clockwise will increase the input level.

7
Front Panel
Effect Type Selector
This knob selects the type of preset effect.
The UA-100 contains four preset effects. These are generally controlled from
your computer using the UA-100 Controller, but you can also use this Effect
Type Selector to make simple effect settings.
When controlling the effects from your computer, set the Effect Type Selector to
the [PC] position.
For details refer to " About the Effect Type Selector " (p. 8).
Effect Controller 1/2, 3/4
Theseknobsadjusttheparametersoftheeffectthat is selected by the Effect Type
Selector. The effect parameters assigned to each controller will depend on the
effect type.
When the Effect Type Selector is in the [PC] or [BYPASS] position, the Effect
Controller settings will not function.
For details refer to " About the Effect Controllers " (p. 9).
Line Output Volume
This knob adjusts the volume that is output from the Headphone Jack and the
rear panel Line Output Jacks. Rotating the knob counterclockwise will decrease
the volume, while rotating it clockwise will increase the volume. However,
depending on the settings of the UA-100 Controller or the Effect Type Selector,
the signal from the Line Input Jacks may be output directly, so that it will not be
possible to adjust the volume.
Output Level Indicators
The number of LED’s that light will depend on the output from the Headphone
Jack and the rear panel Line Output Jacks. If the red LED lights, you should
lower the Line Output Volume.
Power Indicator
Lights when the power is on.
Power Switch
Press this switch to turn the power on/off.
Headphone Jack
A pair of headphones can be connected to this jack. Even if headphones are
connected, sound will still be output from the rear panel Line Output Jacks.

8
Front Panel
About the Effect Type Selector
The UA-100 has six operating modes that are appropriate for differing uses. The front
panel Effect Type Selector is used to switch between these operating modes.
■ PC mode
Select this mode when you wish to control the UA-100’s effects from your computer.
This mode contains an additional three modes (VT Effect mode, Full Effect mode,
Compact effect mode). For details on these effect modes, refer to the reference manual.
■ VT mode
Select this mode when you wish to use the Effect Controller knobs on the front panel
of the UA-100 to control the VT (Voice Transformer) effect. In this mode, the VT effect
will be applied to the input signal from the front panel Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack. If the
UA-100 is connected to a computer, you can use the UA-100 Controller to change the
effect parameters that are assigned to be controlled by the front panel Effect Controller
knobs 1–4. You can also use the UA-100 Controller to specify the default settings of the
effect parameters that will be used when VT mode is selected.
■ VOCAL mode
In this mode, you can use the effect controller knobs of the UA-100 to control the Vocal
Multi effect. In this mode, the effect will be applied to the signal that is input from the
front panel Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack. If the UA-100 is connected to a computer, you can
use the UA-100 Controller to change the effect parameters that are assigned to be
controlled by the front panel Effect Controller knobs 1–4. You can also use the UA-100
Controllertospecifythedefaultsettingsoftheeffectparametersthatwillbeusedwhen
VOCAL mode is selected.
■ GUITAR mode
In this mode, you can use the effect controller knobs of the UA-100 to control the Guitar
Multi 1 effect. In this mode, the effect will be applied to the signal that is input from the
front panel Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack. If the UA-100 is connected to a computer, you can
use the UA-100 Controller to change the effect parameters that are assigned to be
controlled by the front panel Effect Controller knobs 1–4. You can also use the UA-100
Controllertospecifythedefaultsettingsoftheeffectparametersthatwillbeusedwhen
GUITAR mode is selected.

9
Front Panel
■ GAME mode
Select this mode when the UA-100 is connected to your computer and you wish to
apply the UA-100’s Game effect to the output of the computer’s audio device. In this
mode, the effect will be applied to the signal that is input to the Roland UA-100 Wave
1 audio device. You can use the UA-100 Controller to change the effect parameters that
are assigned to be controlled by the front panel Effect Controller knobs 1–4. You can
also use the UA-100 Controller to specify the default settings of the effect parameters
that will be used when GAME mode is selected.
■ BYPASS mode
Select this mode when you want the input signal from the front panel Mic 1/Guitar
Input Jack and the Mic 2 Input Jack to be output without change.
About the Effect Controllers
You can control the effects of the UA-100. The effect parameters assigned to each knob
will differ depending on the effect type.
With the factory settings, they have the following assignments.
fig.01-01
(This is also printed on the top panel of the UA-100.)
When you switch the Effect Type Selector, the value of each effect parameter will be
reset to the default value regardless of the position of the effect controller knobs. You
can move the effect controller knobs to adjust the parameters.
You can use the UA-100 Controller to change the parameters that are assigned to each
effect controller and the default values of the parameters. For details refer to " About
the UA-100 Controller " (p. 14) and the UA-100 Controller Help.
If the Effect Type Selector is in the PC or BYPASS position, the effect controller settings
willnotfunction.Inordertoenabletheeffectcontrollersettings,youmustsettheEffect
Type Selector to a position other than PC or BYPASS.

10
Rear Panel
fig.UA-100rear_70
AC Adaptor Jack
Connect the supplied AC adaptor to this jack.
Line Input Volume
This knob adjusts the audio input level from the Line Input Jacks. If the input
level exceeds the peak (i.e., if it is too loud), the front panel input level peak
indicator will light in red.
Line Input Jacks
Connect these jacks to your external MIDI sound module, or to the LINE OUT
of an audio device such as MD or DAT.
Line Output Jacks
Connect these jacks to your stereo or audio system.
Digital Output Connector
Connect an optical digital cable to this connector when you wish to digitally
output the audio signal to a digital recorder such as MD or DAT.
MIDI OUT 1/2 Connectors
Transmit MIDI messages to other MIDI devices.
MIDI IN 1/2 Connectors
Receive MIDI messages from other MIDI devices.
USB Connector
You can use a USB cable to connect this to your computer so that audio signals
and MIDI messages can be exchanged.

11
Before You Use
the UA-100
Before you begin using the UA-100, please read the
following explanations of the internal signal flow inside
the UA-100, and the UA-100 Controller software which
controls the signal flow.

12
The Signal Flow of the UA-100
The UA-100 consists of an audio block which handles audio signals, and a MIDI
interface block that handles MIDI messages.
Audio Block
The audio block is divided into an analog mixer and a digital mixer. The portion
enclosed in a dotted line is the analog mixer, and the digital mixer is located in the
center. The digital mixer contains a proprietary Roland effect processor that uses
technology developed for its musical instruments, and applies various effects to the
audio signal.
fig.02-01e
For details on the signal
flow of the UA-100, refer
to "Internal Blocks of the
UA-100" (p. 64) in the
Appendices.

13
The Signal Flow of the UA-100
MIDI Interface Block
If your computer and the UA-100 are connected via a USB cable, the UA-100 will have
two MIDI ports for controlling external MIDI devices (MIDI IN 1, 2 and MIDI OUT 1,
2), and one MIDI port for controlling the UA-100 (UA-100 MIDI Control IN, OUT).
fig.02-02ae
If your computer and the UA-100 are not connected via a USB cable, MIDI messages
from the MIDI IN 1 connector will be routed to internal control of the UA-100, allowing
an external MIDI device to control the UA-100.
fig.02-02be

14
About the UA-100 Controller
The UA-100 Controller is software that monitors the state of the UA-100 and is able to
control it.
* If the power switch is off, or if the USB connector is disconnected, the UA-100 Controller will
exit automatically. (Since the settings of the mixer window and effect window are saved
automatically when the program exits, these settings can be recovered by opening the windows
the next time the program is started up.)
Main window
When you start up the UA-100 Controller, the Main window will open first.
fig.02-03e.eps_50
This main window has the following functions.
• Effect Type Selector display
The current position (mode) of the Effect Type Selector knob will be shown as Mode in
the UA-100 Controller.
• Display buttons for the windows of the UA-100 Controller
When you click the following buttons, the corresponding window will open. The
windows that can be displayed will depend on the mode of the Effect Type Selector.
• UA-100 internal parameter settings
By selecting System setting from the Setting menu, you can set internal parameters
of the UA-100. For details refer to UA-100 Controller Help.
• Viewing the UA-100 Controller Help
From the Help menu, select UA-100 Controller Help to start up Help for the UA-100
Controller.
Button Mode
Mixer [PC], [VT], [VOCAL], [GUITAR], [GAME], [BYPASS]
VT Mixer [PC]
Control Assign [VT], [VOCAL], [GUITAR], [GAME]
Effect Assign [VT], [VOCAL], [GUITAR], [GAME]

15
About the UA-100 Controller
Mixer window
When you click [Mixer] in the main window, the mixer window will appear. Here you
can set the volume of the line input and of the input from the computer, adjust the
volume of the output from the UA-100, and select the output source to specify how the
signal will be routed and processed.
fig.02-04e.eps_70
* The diagram shown is for when the Effect Type Selector is at [PC] . The content that can be
controlled in the Mixer window will depend on the setting of the Effect Type Selector.
INPUT
INPUT in the upper left contains controllers (knobs) that control the pan (left/
right proportion) , Send 1 (level of the signal sent to system effect 1) , and
Send 2 (level of the signal sent to system effect 2) . The Sub button is used
to switch the Sub fader on/off.
In the lower are the Main faders which control the levels of Mic1/GUITAR ,
Mic2 , Wave1 , and Wave2 . Each fader has a Mute and a Solo button.
SYSTEM EFFECT
SYSTEM EFFECT shown in the upper middle of the screen contains two
controllers (knobs) that control the system effect levels.
EFFECT
EFFECT lets you choose between the two Insertion Effect modes: Compact
Effects Mode or Full Effects Mode . To apply an effect, click the appropriate
effect select button (LINE, MIC1, MIC2, WAV1, WAV2, SYS1, SYS2) .
EASY SETTING
The EASY SETTING buttons let you automatically set input sources and output
routings simply by pressing a button.
OUTPUT
OUTPUT lets you select the output sources, and control the master output level.
Master Source Selector (Source Select: white) selects the source to be
monitored. At the right, Wave Source Selector (Source Select: red) selects
the source to be recorded.
For details on the Mixer
window, refer to the UA-
100 Controller Help.

16
About the UA-100 Controller
Effects window
Clickthe effect select buttons of the Mixer window to open this. Here you can control
the internal digital effects of the UA-100. The following three types of effect window
are provided.
- 64 compact effect windows that can be used in conjunction with a system effect
- System effect windows for Delay, Chorus, and Reverb
- 6 full-effect windows such as Vocoder and Mic Simulator
fig.02-06e.eps_65
VT Mixer window
This will open when you click [VT Mixer] in the Main window. VT is a unique effect
designed specially for voice, that can create unique vocal characters. The pitch and
formants (the tonal character determined by the dimensions of the vocal cords and
throat) can be controlled independently.
fig.02-09e.eps_40
For details on effects, refer
to UA-100 Controller
Help and to the reference
manual.
For details on the VT
Mixer, refer to the UA-100
Controller Help.

17
About the UA-100 Controller
Control Assign window
When you use the UA-100 Effect Type Selector to select VT/Vocal/Guitar/GAME,
[Control Assign] will appear in the Main window.
When you click this button, the Control Assign window will open. When the UA-100
is used by itself, four effects (VT, Vocal, Guitar, Game) can be used. The UA-100 has
four effect controllers that can control the parameters of these effects, and these
parameter assignments can be modified. Since the assignments you change are
remembered by the UA-100, they will still remain even when the UA-100 is
disconnected from the computer.
* This customization can be performed only by the UA-100 Controller. If you wish to make
changes, you will need to re-connect the UA-100 to your computer.
fig.02-10e.eps_60
Assigning effects to the Effect Controller
1. Make sure that the UA-100 is connected to your computer.
2. Open the Main window of the UA-100 Controller.
3. Rotate the Effect Type Selector of the UA-100 to select the effect type. Control
assignments can be made for four effect types such as VT/Vocal/Guitar/Game.
4. In the UA-100 Controller, click [Control Assign]. The Control Assign window
will appear.
5. Assign a parameter to each effect controller. Assign a total of four parameters;
one for the center and one for the outer concentric knobs of both Effect Control
knobs. For each, choose a parameter from the drop-down list.
6. When you have finished making assignments, click [Assign Write] to write the
settings into the UA-100.
7. If you wish to restore the assignments to the preset selections, click [Preset].

18
About the UA-100 Controller
Effect Assign window
When you use the Effect Type Selector of the UA-100 to select either VT, Vocal, Guitar,
or Game, [Effect Assign] will appear in the Main window.
By clicking [Effect Assign], you can open the Effect Assign window. When using the
UA-100 by itself, you can use four types of effect (VT, Vocal, Guitar, Game). You can
change the initial settings (default values) of these effects.
fig.02-11e.eps_60
Since the default values you change are remembered by the UA-100, they will still
remain even when the UA-100 is disconnected from the computer.
* This customization can be performed only by the UA-100 Controller. If you wish to make
changes, you will need to re-connect the UA-100 to your computer.
Changing the default values of the effects
You can change the initial values (default values) of the effects in each mode (VT/
Vocal/Guitar/Game). Use the following procedure.
1. Make sure that the UA-100 is connected to your computer.
2. Open the Main window of the UA-100 Controller.
3. On the front panel of the UA-100, rotate the Effect Type Selector to select an effect
type. Effect assignments can be made for the four effect types VT/Vocal/Guitar/
Game.
4. In the UA-100 Controller, click [Effect Assign]. The Effect Assign window will
appear.
5. Set the default values of each parameter. Select the parameter that you wish to
set, and use the slider located at the right to set the parameter value.
6. When you have finished making settings, click [Assign Write] to write the
settings into the UA-100.
7. If you wish to return to the preset selections, click [Preset].

19
Using the UA-100
This section explains basic operation of the UA-100 using
a MIDI/Audio sequencing software and the UA-100
Controller. Before you read this, please read the Getting
Started, connect the UA-100 to your computer, make
settings, and install and set up the UA-100 Controller.
The explanation in this chapter assumes that you are
using a sequencing software with MIDI/Audio
recording functionality. Before you continue, please
install your sequencing software and set it up.
* For details on the UA-100 Controller, refer to the UA-100 Controller Help.
* For details on installing, setting up, and using your sequencing software, refer to
the manual for your sequencing software.

20
Recording Vocals
The UA-100 has two inputs to which a microphone can be connected, allowing you to
record vocals or acoustic instruments.
Here we will explain how to connect a microphone to the UA-100 and use your
sequencing software to record a vocal.
Connecting the Microphone
1Before connecting a Microphone to the UA-100, lower the Mic 1/ Guitar Input
Volume level.
2When connecting a microphone, make sure that the Mic 1/Guitar function indicator is
dark. If the Mic 1/Guitar indicator is lit, press the Mic 1/Guitar input knob.
fig.03-01e
3Connect your microphone to the UA-100’s Mic 1/Guitar Input Jack.
fig.03-02e
Depending on the location of the microphone and speakers, acoustic feedback (a high-
pitched squeal) may be heard. If this occurs, take the following steps.
1. Change the direction of the microphone
2. Move the microphone away from the speaker
3. Lower the volume
If the Mic 1/Guitar Input
Volume is set for guitar
input when a mic is being
used, the audio level will
b
e too low.