Roland CD-2i User manual

CD-2i Workshop
Presented by
The Education and Business Development Division
ROLAND CORPORATION US
5100 Southeastern Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90040
317/331-9262

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CD-2i Overview
The CD-2i combines advanced recording technologies with a well-designed operating
system, resulting in an easy-to-use device that produces professional recording results
with a minimum of technical knowledge or skill. CDs produced by the CD-2i can be
played on virtually any CD player.
Music Training Tools –(Music Tutor Features)
The CD-2i is designed for use by musicians and music educators. To support those
users the CD-2i features a complement of features for rehearsal and practice:
•TUNER
The CD-2 provides tuning support for instrumentalists in two different ways:
1. A chromatic tuner with automatic pitch identification. Just play the tuning
note . . . the CD-2i will identify the note’s pitch in the display and indicate
whether the note being played is sharp or flat.
2. Audible Tone Tuning. The CD-2i can generate tuning tones (default pitch
is A440) for reference in tuning acoustic instruments. Choose from 25
notes, and non-standard (other than A-440) tuning references are
possible as well.
•A/B REPEAT
This feature may be utilized for both CD AND SD playback. Ideal for student
practice, choral and instrumental rehearsals, and for transcription.
•METRONOME
The CD-2i features a built-in metronome with choice of three tones and a variety
of choices for beat emphasis (time signatures).
•FINE TUNING (Pitch)
Playback from CDs and SD card may be accurately adjusted to match the tuning
(pitch) of other instruments.
•KEY CHANGE (Pitch)
You may raise or lower the ‘key’ of CD and SD card playback as necessary.
•TEMPO CHANGE
You can play music from a CD or the SD card and change playback speed
without changing the pitch. Speed is adjustable from 50% to 125%.
•CENTER CANCEL
Center cancel eliminates, or greatly reduces, the vocalist or lead instrument
during playback of most CDs or SD music files.
Range of Applications
The CD-2i features built-in stereo microphones and speakers as well as additional inputs
for external microphones and a line level and phono level input. The CD-2i may be
connected to other instruments or amplification by use of its line output. This makes the
CD-2i a self-supporting unit that can be creatively utilized with any instrument, electronic
or acoustic (brass, wind, voice, percussion, etc.). Because of this comprehensive design
the CD-2i can be utilized in many ways:

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Churches and Church Musicians can:
1. Record services and other special programs direct to CD for distribution.
2. Create practice CDs for choir, song leaders, and instrumentalists.
3. Make CDs from accompaniment tapes.
4. Record and play back performances at rehearsals for evaluation.
5. Play pre-recorded CDs and raise or lower the ‘key’ in real time.
6. Play pre-recorded CDs and slow the tempo for rehearsal of difficult
passages.
7. ‘Remove’ vocals from pre-recorded CDs.
Private and Group Teachers of ALL instruments and Classroom Music Teachers
can:
1. Create practice CDs for students.
2. Record recitals or other special programs direct to CD.
3. Make CDs from MIDI accompaniment disks.
4. Record and playback student performances during lessons for evaluation
or archiving.
5. ‘Remove’ vocals from any pre-recorded CD.
6. Play pre-recorded accompaniment CDs and raise or lower the ‘key’ of the
performance in real time.
7. Play pre-recorded accompaniment CDs and slow the tempo for the
rehearsal of difficult passages.
8. Set A-B markers for rehearsal of difficult passages.
Everyone can:
1. Produce CDs of original music.
2. Archive cassette or vinyl recordings.
Recording
We could record directly to a CD/R1or a CD/RW2(refer to the Owner’s Manual
beginning at page 40 -“Recording Acoustic Instruments or Vocals”) but there are
advantages to recording to the Secure Digital (SD) memory first, then creating your CD
from the recording tracks you have made using the SD card. These advantages include:
1. The ability to erase and reuse SD memory.
2. You waste no CD/Rs.
3. After you have recorded on SD memory you can decide the performance
order in which you will place them on your final CD/R.
4. You can OVERDUB (as many as 99 times) on the SD memory card.
Refer to SECTION 1 of the orange Quick Start Card -“Record Your Performance”.
Make (burn) a CD from the Recording
Refer to PAGE 2 of the Quick Start Card -“Create a CD from the Recorded
Performance”.
1a CD that can record and once finalized, cannot be altered
2a CD that can record and then be erased for reuse

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Understanding the Simple Recording Possibilities
1. Microphones
a. Internal –Stereo Condenser Microphones
b. External Jacks
i. Unbalanced3inputs are located on the left side
ii. Balanced4input located on the left side with phantom power5
capability (XLR connector)
2. Metronome
Unleashing the Power of SD Recording –OVERDUBBING
1. Record the first part to SD memory, refer to the Quick Start card if necessary.
(Or the owner’s manual beginning on page 61.)
2. After you have the first part recorded . . .
3. On the top of the CD-2i, push the MENU button.
4. Use the right and left arrows to choose SD CARD –Overdub SD SD.
Push ENTER.
5. The CD-2i will enter RECORD STANDBY MODE and the RECORD & PLAY
BUTTONS will be flashing. The display should say SDXX SDXX (The SD
track number to the left is your original recording, the SD track number to the
right will be the new overdubbed recording.)
6. Press the PLAY button to begin recording; the CD-2i will also simultaneously
begin playback of the first part.
7. When recording of the second part is complete, touch STOP.
8. Touch PLAY to hear the new (overdubbed) recording.
BREAK –10 minutes
Using OVERDUB to Create a Rehearsal CD.
1. Record the accompaniment part (it could be track one on the completed CD).
2. OVERDUB the desired part with voice or another instrument (it could be track
two on the completed CD). To help the new part ‘stand out’ you can reduce
the volume of the accompaniment part. To do this:
a. PUSH the PLAY button.
i. Use the RIGHT & LEFT BUTTONS by the MENU button and
the display will indicate SD/CD LEVEL: XX.
ii. You can use the -/+ buttons to change the playback level
(volume) from a range or -6 to +6.
b. PUSH STOP.
3. If you want to create additional rehearsal parts, use the << >> buttons
(located at the REW and FF buttons) on the top of the CD-2i to choose the
track with the original accompaniment recording. Then choose OVERDUB in
the display.
3a type of microphone hookup used with shorter cables and typically ending in a ¼” plug
4a type of microphone hookup used to prevent hum in longer cables and typically ending in an
XLR connector
5Many better quality microphones require power from a battery or other source, the CD-2i can
provide this power thru the microphone cable

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4. When complete, create a CD (you can use the QUICK START card, or begin
at page 97 of the Owner’s Manual). The tracks for the CD can be chosen in
any order from the SD card.
Performance Possibilities
The CD-2i offers an array of features for performance and rehearsal:
1. Change the KEY (in realtime) for both CD or SD performance.
2. Slow the TEMPO of a CD or SD performance.
3. Add A-B MARKERS for rehearsal (repeat a marked passage) for both CD
and SD performance.
Combining Performance and Recording Possibilities
The CD-2i offers the unique ability to play a performance from a CD while recording it
AND a new part created by you to the SD memory. You can:
1. Play a CD and record it with added parts to the SD memory. (Refer to the
Owner’s Manual beginning on page 61 “Layering Your Performance onto an
SD Card and Recording It”)
2. Play a CD (and remove the vocal or lead instrument with CENTER CANCEL)
while recording it to SD memory.
Other Possibilities
1. Hook up a cassette deck or turntable to the LINE INPUTS/PHONO INPUTS
on the left side of the CD-2i to create CDs of your accompaniment tapes.
Summary
Put the power of the CD-2i to work for you. YOU can produce CD recordings with
outstanding results from a system that is both versatile and easy-to-operate.
And don’t forget when you have questions, we have answers. We offer outstanding
Customer Support available both on-line at www.rolandus.com/support (including a
searchable Knowledge Base) and live support by telephone at 323/890-3740 available
Monday through Friday from 7:30AM to 6:00PM Pacific Standard Time.

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