Roland Rhythm Composer TR-505 User manual

^Roland
WSm RHVTHM COMPOSER
Owner's Manual
RHVTHrVI COMroserTR-SOS
Ittt^ "ikT i^K^rsL cibj P5 t*t ?^ tV ^^ ^^*

Important
•operating the TR-505 near aneon or fluorescent
lamp may cause noise interference. If so, change
the angle of the unit.
•Avoid using the unit in excessive heat or humidity or
where it may be affected by direct sunlight or dust.
•Use asoft cloth and clean only with aneutral deter-
gent.
•Do not use solvents such as paint thinner.
•View the Display from the proper angle.
•Please be careful not to damage the window.
Initialization
After placing the batteries for the first time as shown
in "Battery Replacement", be sure to initialize the
TR-505 as follows.
Make sure that the TR-505 is turned off, then turn it on
while holding the Mode Key ®and Pattern Group Key
A®down.
«.. 'CW w« .(,g,[, POWER
DQggg c>o»mOFF
While holding down
The above initializing procedure is not necessary when
you replace the batteries later.
CONTENTS
Q] Panel Description 3
(2] Outline of the TR-505 6
(H Connections 7
J4] Operation 8
1. Manual Playing 9
2. Demonstration Program 10
3. Playing the Preset Rhythm Patterns 12
4. Volume Adjusting 14
5. Track Writing and Playing 16
6. Writing and Playing Rhythm Patterns • - 19
a. Before writing rhythm patterns 19
b. Step Writing 20
c. Tap Writing 21
d. Pattern Playing 23
7. About Scale and Last Step 24
8. Useful Functions in
Pattern Writing Mode 26
a. Copying aRhythm Pattern 26
b. Chaining Patterns 27
9. Other Useful Functions 28
a. Assigning aBar 28
b. Delete 28
c. Insert 28
d. Copy 29
e. Continue Start 29
f. Last Measure 29
g. Start/Stop 35
[5] Tape Memory 35
a. Saving 35
b. Verification 36
c. Loading 37
[6] MIDI 38
a. Setting MIDI Sync 39
b. Setting OMNi Mode 39
c. Changing the Receive Channels 39
d. Changing the Key Numbers 40
e. Changing the Transmit Channels 40
[t] Specifications 50

o
LU
Q
<
o.
o
sr
£tg
i5^ -^ m0.
>-
>-
i^
?
=10 b
>Ji s
^22
io >:i =j
HS«
25SH
9$9®
I^
©
®
-O
30 g
«

Memory Back-up
The TR-505 features memory back-up system that
retains the data even when switched off. Aset of bat-
teries supports its back-up circuit.
Be sure to keep the batteries securely connected even
during AC operation.
Always replace with acomplete set of new batteries
once ayear no matter how rarely you have used the
unit.
IRemove the battery cover on the bottom of the unit.
Change the batteries with the TR-505 switched off.
If the unit is not to be used for long periods of time,
please save the data on atape or cartridge then switch
it off and remove the batteries, otherwise various trou-
bles may be caused by battery leakage.
Please observe the following "Battery Replacement".
Please be sure that the polarities of the batteries are
correct.
When the Tempo Indicator's flashing is dimmer or the
sound and action of the unit are unstable, immedi-
ately replace the batteries.
Initialization explained on page 2is not necessary
after replacing the batteries.
Battery Replacement
Please save the data in memory on acartridge or tape
to prevent accidental loss of memory during battery
replacement.
Use six 1.5V (UM-3) batteries.
®Remove the batteries from the battery case.
®Place anew set of batteries taking care of the polar-
ities.
'Replace the battery cover.
®Make sure that the TR-505 is turned off.
POWER
ON

mOUTLINE OF THE TR-505
The Rhythm Composer TR-505 is afully programm-
able rhythm machine with 48 different rhythm pat-
terns preprogrammed.
The 16 digital drum voices are abasic drum set and
some Latin percussions, allowing wide variety of
rhythms.
The TR-505 allows you to program 6Rhythm Tracks
or tunes (altogether 423 bars) from the 48 user-pro-
grammed and another 48 preset rhythm patterns.
There are two methods for programming arhythm
pattern; Step Writing in which we enter or load one
step at atime without worrying about tempo, and Tap
Writing that is programming arhythm by actually
tapping the Instrument Keys.
The large display window makes the operation
easier.
The Tape Interface function makes it possible to save
the data on atape and later load it back.
The MIDI Connectors on the rear panel interfaces
with other MID! devices for sync'ing or using the
TR-505 as asound source.

[3] CONNECTIONS
R/MONO LPHONES
Amplifier
Headphones
I-
Audio Amplifier
PA. IVlixer
U

aOPERATION
The TR-505 has the following modes.
TRACK PLAY Mode plays asong or tune.
PATTERN PLAY Mode plays abar of rhythm pattern.
TRACK WRITE Mode writes asong or tune.
STEP WRITE Mode writes abar of rhythnn pattern (1)
TAP WRITE Mode writes abar of rhythm pattern (2)
The Display Window shows the mode in which the
TR-505 currently is.
SCALE JJ
56 789K 11 If 13 14 15)6
srfMiewil
.STEP WRITE ,
\1AP WHITE/
To Change the modes, press the Mode Key ®(some-
times with the Shift Key held down.)
Mode Key.
Shift Key
ggggfg) tJ 005 ^"^ QO
The picture below shows how the mode changes by
pressing the Mode Key.
iPATTER PI AY 1Tli TRACK PLAY |
...
^
[
^f
TRACK WRITE |
STEP WRITE 1
<^
V1TAP WRITE 1
^^
4-" Pressing the Mode Key
<0= Pressing the Mode Key While
holding the Shift Key down
Do not try to change the modes while the TR-505 is
playing.

1. Manual Playing
With the composer connected to the power source
and to your amplifier or mixer, you are ready to try out
avariety of sounds by playing it manually.
Switch it on. Make sure that the composer is in the
Track mode {the Display shows TRACK PLAY). The
Main Keys numbered Oto ®have the drum voices
marked above. Simply tap each key; all voices have
different drum sounds, Also, if you tap the key with
the Accent Key down, the created sound will take on
accent.
>afc^B^?tfe
iTT^P^
sgaS QOpo go oo
DaapQDD
Main Keys Accent Key
if the composer is not in the Track Play mode, push
the Mode Key ®as many times until the Display
shows TRACK PLAY.
TRACK PLAY
Summary of Drum Voices
HAND CLAP
DRUMS COWBELL &CYMBAL CONGA
BASS DRUM(BD}
SNARE DRUM(SD|
LOW TOM{LT)/MID TOM(MT)/Hl T0M(HT}/T1M8ALE(TB)
RIM SHOT(RIM)/HAND CLAP(HCP)
OPEN HIHAT(OH)/CLOSED HIHAT(CH)
LOW CONTA(LCG)/HI CONGA(HCG)
LOW COWBELL(LCB)/HI COWBELL(HCB)
CRASH CYMBAL(CC)/RIDE CYMBAL
The drum voices written In the same line cannot be played at the same time.
The letters in ()are the abbreviation shown in the Display.

2. Demonstration Program
6Tracks (6 songs) of sample program are stored in
your composer. The procedure for initialization (see
page 2) always restores the demo program.
How to play the demo program
®Make sure that the Display shows TRACK PLAY. MODE
TRACK PLAY
'Push the Strat/Stop Key ®.
Start/Stop Key
IMPCMra
I'M"" '["
The composer plays the demo program, and the
Tempo Indicator blinks in the tempo of the music.
gQ^"U [J SSO d5 OO
©Adjust the tempo with the Tempo Knob ®, and
the volume with the Volume Knob ®.
Slows down ,_
the tempo Quickens Turns the
.the tempo volume down Turns the
.volume up
Each time you push the Tempo/Measure Key ®, the
Display changes between the tempo and measure.
D^D
IL u
#When the song is played up, the first measure
automatically returns.
70