Roland J-6 User manual

J-6 (Version 1.02)
Owner’s Manual

Table of contents
2
Table of contents
Panel Descriptions ....................................................................3
Top Panel.................................................................................. 3
Rear Panel ................................................................................ 5
Selecting Patterns .....................................................................6
Selecting Sounds.......................................................................8
Using the Sequencer................................................................9
Using Chord Mode................................................................. 14
Using the Phrase Function.................................................. 16
Functions and Menus ........................................................... 17
Connecting to a Computer or Mobile Device..............20
Factory Reset and Backup/Restore ..................................21
Main Specifications ................................................................22
Signal Flow ................................................................................23
Chord Set List ...........................................................................24
Phrase List..................................................................................31
MIDI Implementation Chart................................................32

Panel Descriptions
3
Panel Descriptions
Top Panel
1. 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 a Roland customer
service center.
https://roland.cm/service
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 output from the MIX OUT jack.
MIX OUT jack
This is the audio output jack.
You can plug a pair of headphones into this jack.
[VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of audio coming from the MIX OUT jack.
*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 miniature 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.

Panel Descriptions
4
2. Common
Controller
Explanation
Display
This is a four-digit, seven-segment LED display.
[TEMPO/VALUE] knob
Changes the values shown in the display.
[SHIFT] button
Use this in combination with other controllers.
[SOUND] button
Switches the unit to sound selection mode.
[PATTERN] button
Switches the unit to pattern selection mode.
3. Sequencer
Controller
Explanation
[ø] (PLAY) button
Plays the pattern.
Press the button again to stop playback.
[ó] (REC) button
Switches the unit to recording standby.
Press the play button to begin recording.
Step [1]–[8] buttons
You can record chord data by holding down these buttons and pressing a keyboard button.
4. Filter/effect/phrase functions
Controller
Explanation
[FILTER] knob
Adjusts the filter’s cutoff frequency.
Adjust the filter resonance by turning the [FILTER] knob while holding down the [SHIFT] button.
[ENVELOPE]
knob
Adjusts the envelope release.
Adjust the envelope attack by turning the [ENVELOPE] knob while holding down the [SHIFT] button.
[DELAY] knob
Adjusts the delay volume.
Adjust the delay time by turning the [DELAY] knob while holding down the [SHIFT] button.
[REVERB] knob
Adjusts the reverb volume.
Adjust the reverb time by turning the [REVERB] knob while holding down the [SHIFT] button.
[STYLE] knob
Selects the phrase style. The chords play differently depending on the style that you select.
Hold down the [SHIFT] button and turn the [STYLE] knob to show the style and variation that are currently set in
the display.
[VARIATION]
knob
Selects the phrase style variation.
Hold down the [SHIFT] button and turn the [VARIATION] knob to show the style and variation that are currently
set in the display.
STYLE [ON]
button
Turns the phrase function on/off.
The phrase function automatically generates various phrases based on the chords you input.
[HOLD] button
When this is turned on (lit), the last buttons you pressed stay pressed even after you take your finger off the
keyboard.
Turn this off (unlit) to cancel.
[CHORD]
button
Switches the keyboard to chord mode. When you press a keyboard button in this mode, the chord registered to
that button plays. To switch between registered chord sets, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the
[CHORD] button.
Refer to “Using Chord Mode(P.14)” for details.
5. Keyboard
Controller
Explanation
Keyboard buttons
Use these buttons to play or to input notes into the sequencer.
Press the buttons in combination with the [SHIFT] button to access a variety of functions.

Panel Descriptions
5
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. Cables used for charging only cannot transmit data.
C. MIDI IN/MIDI OUT jacks
Use TRS/TRS connecting cables (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.

Selecting Patterns
6
Selecting Patterns
Switching between patterns
1. Press the [PATTERN] button.
Pattern mode is activated for the step buttons.
2. Press the step [1]–[8] buttons to switch between patterns.
Switching between banks
1. Hold down the [PATTERN] button and press a step [1]–[8] button.
The bank switches to the bank in the display.
* Performance data is already stored in patterns 1–1 through 2–8 by factory default.

Selecting Patterns
7
Saving a pattern
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [C (WRITE)] button on the right side of the keyboard.
Up to 64 patterns (8 patterns × 8 banks) can be saved.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select what to save.
Ptn: Saves the currently selected pattern.
ALL: Saves all patterns.
3. Press the [D (ENTER)] button.
This saves the pattern(s).
*Once the power is turned off, any unsaved patterns are reset to their last saved state.

Selecting Sounds
8
Selecting Sounds
Switching between sounds
1. Press the [SOUND] button.
The unit enters sound select mode.
2. Press the step [1]–[8] buttons to switch between sounds.
You can also use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to switch between sounds.
3. Press the [SOUND] button once again.
The unit returns to the previous screen.
You can also hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [C (EXIT)] button on the left side of the keyboard to go back to the
previous screen.
Switching between banks
1. Hold down the [SOUND] button and press the step [1]–[8] buttons.
The selected bank lights up while you press the [SOUND] button.
2. Take your finger off the [SOUND] button.
Once you take your finger off the [SOUND] button, the unit enters sound select mode.

Using the Sequencer
9
Using the Sequencer
Basic operations (basic steps for inputting notes)
1. Press the step [1]–[8] buttons.
The [SHIFT] button blinks, and the note you pressed on the keyboard is displayed.
2. Press the keyboard buttons.
This adds note data to the step.
If the [CHORD] button is on, the notes in the chord are inputted (this overwrites any existing data).
If the [CHORD] button is off, a single note is added. If there are already four notes in the step, you can’t input any more.
By pressing the STYLE [ON] button to make it light up, you can use the [STYLE] knob and [VARIATION] knob to play notes and
chords for the selected phrase.
On steps for which the STYLE [ON] button is unlit (STYLE: OFF), the phrase selected in the previous step continues to be used.
When the STYLE: OFF steps continue from the step at which playback begins, the phrase selected in the pattern is applied.
3. Press the step [1]–[8] buttons again.
Step editing ends, and the keyboard goes dark.
The display returns to showing the tempo.
Deleting the contents of a step
1. Press the step [1]–[8] buttons.
2. Press the note or chord’s keyboard button to delete from the keyboard buttons that are lit.
The note for the selected key button is deleted.
In the case of chords, all of the chord’s notes are deleted.
*If there is a note or chord outside of the octave range shown by the keyboard buttons, the keyboard buttons light up dimly.

Using the Sequencer
10
Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [C# (OCTAVE-)] or [D# (OCTAVE+)] buttons on the keyboard to switch octaves,
and when the keyboard button turns lit, you can delete it.
*Press the [G (CLEAR)] button on the keyboard while holding down the [SHIFT] button to delete all note and phrase data at
once.
Ø Using the Phrase Function(P.16)
Setting the tempo
The tempo is always shown on the display.
1. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob.
2. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to fine-tune the value in decimal
points.
You can set a different tempo for each pattern.
Switching between pages indicated on the panel
You can record sequences in eight pages of eight steps for each pattern, for a maximum of 64 steps.
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the step [1]–[8] buttons.
Doing so switches to the respective page.
While you hold down the [SHIFT] button, the displayed page lights up, and the buttons blink as they play back.
If you select a page that’s past the last step, the last step of the page you selected is automatically set as the last step.

Using the Sequencer
11
Setting the playback range (last step)
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [F (LAST)] keyboard button.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to set the value.
3. When you are finished, press the [C (EXIT)] button.
Inputting consecutive ties (long notes)
1. Select a step that contains notes and press the [HOLD] button.
This inputs a tie into the next step.
2. Press the [HOLD] button once again.
This inputs a tie into the next step after.
You can input long notes by pressing the [HOLD] button a number of times.
To delete a tie, select a step that contains a tie and press the [HOLD] button. The button goes dark.
When inputting a tie into a step, the step must not contain any notes.

Using the Sequencer
12
Useful sequencer functions
Copying steps (COPY)
1. While a step is selected, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [B (MENU)] keyboard button.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “COPY”.
3. Press the [D (ENTER)] button.
Pasting a copied step (PSTE)
1. While a step is selected, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [B (MENU)] keyboard button.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “PSTE”.
3. Press the [D (ENTER)] button.
The data is pasted into the selected step.
Inserting an empty step (INSR)
1. While a step is selected, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [B (MENU)] keyboard button.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “INSR”.
3. Press the [D (ENTER)] button.
The empty step is inserted into the selected step, and all steps afterwards are shifted forward by one step.
Copying all steps to double the length (DUPL)
1. While a step is selected, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [B (MENU)] keyboard button.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “DUPL”.
3. Press the [D (ENTER)] button.
The steps up through the last step are copied after the last step, doubling the length.
Changing the step length (BEAT)
1. Hold down the [PATTERN] button and turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the number of beats (the
step length) in one measure of the pattern (Beat(P.18)).
To set and make the beat play back shorter, such as 1/4th the beat’s length (“1_4”, sixteenth notes), set STYLE [ON] to a
phrase whose length matches that of the beat, by selecting the values from STYLE: 3 (see the “Phrase List(P.31)” for details).

Using the Sequencer
13
Starting playback from a specific step
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [ø] (play) button.
Inputting notes in real time
1. Press the [ó] (record) button.
The [ó] (record) button lights up, and the [ø] (play) button blinks.
2. Press the [ø] (play) button.
The [ø] (play) button lights up, and real-time input begins.
If a “Count In” value has been set, real-time input begins after the [ø] (play) button blinks a number of times equal to the set
number of count-in beats.
3. You can press the keyboard buttons to input notes and chords while the step button currently playing
back is blinking.
4. To exit real-time input, press the [ø] (play) button.
If you press the [ó] (record) button during playback, real-time input starts right when you press the button. You can stop
real-time input but still continue playback by pressing the [ó] (record) button during real-time input.

Using Chord Mode
14
Using Chord Mode
Basic operations
1. Press the [CHORD] button.
Chords sound when you play the keyboard.
*If you just want to check how a chord sounds, press the STYLE [ON] button to turn it off.
Selecting the chord set
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [CHORD] button.
The selected chord set number is shown in the display.
The [CHORD] button and [SHIFT] button blink.
2. Select with the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob.
3. When you are finished, press the [CHORD] button.

Using Chord Mode
15
Changing the keyboard transposition
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [A (KEY)] keyboard button.
This returns you to the transpose setting screen.
2. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to edit the value.
3. When you are finished, press the [C (EXIT)] keyboard button on the left side.

Using the Phrase Function
16
Using the Phrase Function
Basic operations
1. Press the STYLE [ON] button to make it light up (ON).
2. Play the keyboard.
Arpeggios or phrases play according to the STYLE and VARIATION settings.
*To check the effect of playing a chord, press the [CHORD] button to make it light up.
Selecting the phrase type (style/variation)
1. Turn the [STYLE] knob.
The style changes according to the position (value) of the knob.
2. Turn the [VARIATION] knob.
The variation changes for each style according to the position (value) of the knob.
ØPhrase List(P.31)
Phrases that are selected when the STYLE [ON] button is lit are stored for patterns, as well as for each step in step edit. When all
steps in a pattern are set to STYLE: OFF, the phrase selected for the pattern is applied to all steps. For steps set to STYLE: ON, the
phrases selected for the steps are given priority, and these phrases continue to be used even if the following steps are set to
STYLE: OFF.

Functions and Menus
17
Functions and Menus
Using the functions
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the keyboard button to which the function you want to execute
is assigned.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to set the values, or use the [D (ENTER)] button (for CLEAR, WRITE and
MENU) to confirm.
The unit returns to the previous screen after CLEAR or WRITE are executed.
3. When you are finished, press the [C (EXIT)] button.
List of functions
Operation
Explanation
[SHIFT] + [C (EXIT)]
Exits the menu.
[SHIFT] + [D (ENTER)]
Confirms the editing of a value or the selection of an item.
[SHIFT] + [E (SHUFFLE)]
Configures the shuffle settings.
Press [C (EXIT)] to exit.
[SHIFT] + [F (LAST)]
Sets the length (the last step) of the selected pattern.
*Press [C (EXIT)] to exit.
[SHIFT] + [G (CLEAR)]
Initializes the selected pattern.
If a step is selected, the selected step is initialized.
[SHIFT] + [A (KEY)]
This transposes the keyboard.
Edit the setting using the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob.
*Press [C (EXIT)] to exit.
[SHIFT] + [B (MENU)]
Displays the menu.
[SHIFT] + [C (WRITE)]
Saves the pattern.
Press the [D (ENTER)] button to save.
Press the [C (EXIT)] button to cancel.
[SHIFT] + [C# (OCTAVE-)]
[SHIFT] + [D# (OCTAVE+)]
Changes the octave at which the notes sound that you play using the keyboard buttons.

Functions and Menus
18
Using the menus
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [B (MENU)] button.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select the item, and then press the [D (ENTER)] button.
The value is displayed.
3. Turn the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to set the value.
4. Press the [C (EXIT)] button to return to the list of menus (step 2).
5. When you are finished making the settings, press the [C (EXIT)] button again.
List of menus
This is a list of menus that you can execute using the [SHIFT] + [B (MENU)] button combination.
Item
Value
Explanation
vOL
(Volume) (*1)
0–127
Sets the pattern’s volume.
trAn
(Transpose) (*1)
-12
–
12
Transposes the sounds made by the sound generator.
d.Syn
(Delay Sync) (*1)
OFF, On
Synchronizes the delay time to the tempo.
bEAt
(Beat) (*1)
1-4
,
1-3
,
1-2
,
1–8
Sets the number of beats (the step length) in one measure of the pattern.
1-4: Sixteenth note
1-3: Eighth-note triplet
1-2: Eighth note
1–8: Number of beats per quarter note
*You can also switch between settings by holding down the [PATTERN] button
and turning the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob.
A.vLo
(Accent Velocity) (*1)
1–127
Sets the velocity of accents included in phrases.
P.chg
(Pattern Change) (*1)
SñEP
,
1
–
8
Sets the timing for changing the pattern (at the end of a step, or after a certain
number of beats).
S.cLk
(Sync Clock) (*1)
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,
12
,
24
Sets the number of sync clocks per beat.
CH
(MIDI Channel)
1–16
Specifies the MIDI transmit/receive channel.

Functions and Menus
19
Item
Value
Explanation
SYnC
(MIDI Clock Sync)
AUTO
,
InT
,
NIDI, USB
Sets which synchronization signal is used by this unit.
AUTO (Auto): Inputted clocks are accepted.
InT (Int): The unit operates according to its internal clock.
NIDI (MIDI): Only MIDI input is accepted.
USB (USB): Only USB MIDI input is accepted.
*Note that when an external device is connected to the SYNC IN jack, the unit
always synchronizes to the clocks that are inputted to the SYNC IN jack.
thrv
(MIDI Thru)
OFF, On
Sets whether to output the messages that are input from the MIDI IN connector to the
MIDI OUT connector (ON) or not (OFF).
txPc
(TX Program Change)
OFF
,
On
Sets whether program change messages are transmitted or not when the pattern
changes.
rxPc
(RX Program Change)
OFF, On
Sets whether the pattern changes when a program change message is received.
Pc.Ch
(Program Change
Channel)
1
–
16
Sets the MIDI channel for transmitting/receiving the program change messages used
to change patterns.
vELo
(Key Velocity)
1–127
Sets the keyboard velocity.
tUnE
(Tune)
433.0
–
448.0
Sets the master tuning.
(Default value:
440.0
Hz)
USb.d
(USB Direct Out)
OFF
,
1
–
127
Configures the volume of the signal output to USB.
OFF: Uses the VOLUME knob’s setting.
1
–
127
: Sets the volume apart from the VOLUME knob’s setting.
A.LnK
(AIRA Link) (*2)
OFF
,
On
Set this to ON when connecting a device via USB that is compatible with AIRA LINK,
such as the MX-1.
Otherwise, leave this at the OFF setting.
The setting takes effect after the unit is powered off and on again.
Cnt.I
(Count In)
OFF, 2–4
Sets the length (the number of beats) of the count-in for recording.
COPY
(Copy)
Copies the current pattern to a specified pattern.
The save destination number is shown in the display.
●Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select the save destination number.
●Press the [D (ENTER)] button to save.
●If you want to cancel, press the [C (EXIT)] button.
init
(Initialize Pattern)
Initializes the currently selected pattern (including the sounds).
*1: The settings are made for the currently selected pattern (and can be saved for each pattern).
*2: When using with another port besides the USB HOST 3 port on the MX-1, the unit starts up in battery-only mode. To use
battery-only mode, turn on the power while holding down the [C (EXIT)] button.

Connecting to a Computer or Mobile Device
20
Connecting to a Computer or Mobile Device
You can transmit and receive audio and MIDI data by connecting a USB cable from your computer or mobile device (smartphone
or tablet) to this unit.
You don’t need to install a device driver on your computer or other device to do this (the unit supports USB Audio Device Class 2.0
specs).
Note that data may not be directly transmitted/received between this unit and your computer or mobile device if you’re
connecting through a USB hub.
Do not use a USB cable that is designed only for charging. Cables used for charging only cannot transmit data.
We cannot guarantee the correct functionality of all apps.
*Android devices are not guaranteed to work with this unit.
Turning AIRA LINK mode off
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the keyboard buttons.
2. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “A.Lnk”, and press the [D (ENTER)] button. The value is
displayed.
3. Use the [TEMPO/VALUE] knob to select “OFF”.
4. Press the [C (EXIT)] button to return to the list of menus, and then press the [C (EXIT)] button again.
5. After making the setting, turn the power off and then on again.
Connecting to your computer
Use a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable (included) or a cable that uses USB Type-C on both sides (commercially available) to
connect this unit to your computer.
Connecting to a mobile device
For iOS devices with Lightning connectors
Power up the unit in battery-only mode.
1. While holding down the [C] button, turn on the power.
This powers up the unit in battery-only mode.
2. Use an Apple-manufactured USB adaptor (such as the Lightning-USB Camera Adapter, the Lightning to
USB 3 Camera Adapter and so on) as a converter for the iOS device’s connector.
3. Use a USB cable (USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, included) to connect this unit to the USB adaptor.
*Commercially available USB Type-C to Lightning conversion cables cannot be used.
For iOS devices with a USB Type-C port
Connect your iOS device to this unit using a USB cable with USB Type-C connectors on both ends (commercially available).
When doing so, you can power this unit from your iOS device.