Roland Rhythm Composer TR-505 User manual

^Roland
WSm RHVTHM COMPOSER
Owner's Manual
RHVTHrVI COMroserTR-SOS
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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

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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.
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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.
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©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

®To stop playing, push the Start/Stop Key ®again.
(D To play other Track, push the relevant Track Num-
ber Key ®as many times until the desired Track
number is shown in the Display. Then repeat the
steps @to ®.
TRACK
Zl mDQQQQGD
Track Number Keys
To select Track 1or 4
an
-IftACKHUMSER-
To select Track 2or 5
^*— PAlliftt* GROUP »
*GEC*
nan
TfUhCK MyUMn
To select Track 3or 6
DD
-IflACKNUUOEfl-
Summary of the Demo Program
Track 1Latin rock mainly using the latin percus-
sions
Track 2 8 beat rock using the preset rhythm
patterns
Track 3Shaffle using the preset rhythm patterns
Track 4 4 beat jazz
Track 5Samba using the preset rhythm patterns
Tracks Reggae using the preset rhythm pat-
terns
11

3. Playing the Preset Rhythm Patterns
In the TR-505 48 different rhythm patterns (one
pattern is one bar phrase.) are preprogrammed.
These rhythm patterns are devided into 3groups A, B
and C, and numbered 1to 16.
As shown in "Preset Rhythm Pattems" on page 43
and in the separate book "Preset Rhythm Scores",
select the rhythm you like.
®Without the composer playing, push the Mode Key
®to turn to the Pattem Play mode. (The Display
shows PATTERN PLAY.)
•In the Pattern Play mode, the Main Keys Oto
work to select the pattern numbers 1to 16.
nPATTERN PLAY
'Select the pattern group by pushing the Pattern
Group Key ®(A, Bor C).
The Display shows the pattern group you have
selected.
e.g.) Selecting the Pattern Group A
PAtlEftNGHOUP-
@DBE Cf
nn
1<] 2 S 3 6
—TRACK MJMSER '
ISelect the pattern number by pushing the relevant
Main Key (O to ©).
•The Display shows the pattern number you have
selected.
a*;;.fa™.ld
SQ5ri"Q atJQO cTs OO
Main Keys
e.g.) Selecting the Pattem Number 2.
HI CONGA PATTERN
12

iTo play the rhythm pattern you have selected,
push the Start/Stop Key ®.
Pushing the Tempo/Measure Key ®will cause
the Display to show the tempo of the music cur-
rently played.
Even during pattern playing, you can change the
rhythm patterns. When anew pattern is selected,
it will be played from the following measure.
TEMPO/MEAS
D
ITo stop playing, push the Start/Stop Key ®.
•Manual Playing Mode
This mode enables you to add some more drum
voices to the rhythm currently played by tapping the
Instrument Keys (Main Keys Oto (D).
©While holding the Shift Key ®down, push the
Manual Play Key ®.
The Display will respond with:
Shift Key-
f^aiii'S^mi
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-Manual Play Key-
tHit the Main Keys (O to ®), and the relevant drum
voices will sound. Also, hitting the keys while hold-
ing the Accent Key <E) will create the sound with
accent.
IIf you wish to change the pattern numbers, turn
the composer to the usual mode by pushing the
Manual Key ®while holding the Shift Key (D
down.
The Display now shows the group and the number
of the rhythm pattern currently selected. This
means that the Main Keys /low work to change
the pattern numbers.
The Manual Play Mode can be entered in any other
mode. (When the composer is in the Track Play
mode, this Manual Play is always available without
taking any special procedure.)
J3

4. Volume Adjusting
6different volume levels are selectable for drum
voices and also for the accent.
©Turn to the Level Setting mode by pushing the
Level Key ®.
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nrTT^
ooad"Q a&pc 06 O O
Level Key It
)Push the appropriate Main Key of the drum voice
whose volume you wish to change.
The Display shows' the name of the drum voice
you have called and its volume. When the com-
poser is not playing, the above operation will make
the drum voice sound at the set volume.
INSTRUMEFfTJ
i(sd)
TRACK LEVEL MODE
1PAHERN PLAY
)To turn the volume up, press the Up Key ®, and to
turn the volume down, press the Down Key ®.
The 6levels are to 5, and at 0, there is no sound.
Up Key
Down Key
14

®When the composer is not playing, you can hear
what it sounds lil<e by hitting the relevant Main Key.
I!f you do not like the volume you set, repeat the
step (D and ®-
iTake the same procedures as <D, ®and ®for
other voices.
®To adjust the accent level, push the Accent Key
then lake the step ®.
The Display shows the current accent level.
^CCEN^ CficceifT~)
TRACK LEVEL MODE
1
1It PATTERN PLAY
)After adjusting all volumes of all the voices, push
the Level Key to turn the composer to the usual
mode.
This Level Adjusting mode can be entered from
any other mode.
15

5. Track Writing and Playing
The TR-505 is afully programmable rhythm machine,
that is, you can make acomplete tune by using var-
ious rhythm patterns. In this manual we call this Track
Writing. The composer allows you to make up to 6
Tracks (6 tunes).
[Example score] 16 beat Rock
[Track Writing ]
Here, we write a track using only the preset rhythm
patterns.
®Push the Mode Key ®to turn to the Track Play
Mode. (The Display shows TRACK PLAY.)
>Select the Track (1 to 6) which you wish to use.
®A-7 ®A-7 ®A-7 ®A-ll
®A-7 ®A-7 ®A-7 ®A-13
®A-8 ®A-8 ®A-8 ®A-,4
^
®A-8
!
®A-8
_j ®A-8
H®A-16 H1
If the composer is set to the Track Write mode,
you cannot select the Track number.
To select Track 1or 4
PATTERN GROUP
ASECF
i2 i 3 «
-TRACK WJUBEB
To select Track 2or 4
PATTERN GROUP
AD BE CF
4IS 3 6
-TRACK HUMMS
To select Track 3or 6
PATTERN GROUP
A 8 EOf
nn nun nn
4IS 3 6
-TRACK WUHBER
'While holding the Shift Key ®down, push the
Mode Key ®to turn to the Track Write Mode.
(The Display shows TRACK WRITE.)
The Main Keys now work for selecting the pattern
number (1 to 16).
While
holding
down
TRACK WRITE
@To erase the data previously written In the Track,
push the Enter Key ®while holding the Track
Clear Key ®down.
Track Clear Key
—
(^J^^ QiJ SSO oS O O
Enter Key
16

IIf you wish to monitor the rhythm patterns you are
programming into aTrack, push the Start/Stop Key
IWhen you have written awrong rhythm pattern,
go to the bar where you made amistal<e by using
the Measure Back l<ey or Measure FonA^ard Key
®, with the aid of the Display. Assign the correct
rhythm pattern, then hit the Enter Key ®.
Measure-
Back Key
ISelect the rhythm pattern to be played at the 1st
bar. In this example score, A-7 {pattern group A,
pattern number 7) should be selected.
p" QygOp oQ O O Measure
Forward Key
®Push the Enter Key ®.
iWhen you have completed to program up to the
last bar, stop playing by pushing the Start/Stop
Key.
The rhythm pattern A-7 is now written into the 1st
measure.
The Display now shows the 2nd measure.
ETrack Playing ]
Now, let's play the Track you have written.
®Push the Mode Key to turn to the Track Playing
mode.
ISelect the rhythm pattern to be played at the 2nd
bar. Here, it is the same as the one before (A-7),
so skip and hit the Enter Key ®.
The 3rd bar is the same case as the 2nd bar.
>The rhythm pattern to be played for the 4th bar is
A-11, so assign the pattern number 11, then hit
the Enter Key.
(Write the 5th to 16th bars as above.
IPush the Start/Stop Key.
The composer plays the rhythm patterns from the
first bar, and when plays up to the last bar, starts
playing from the first bar again.
>To stop playing, push the Start/Stop Key.
If you want to play the Track just once, write
several blanks after the last bar of the Track, and
push the Start/Stop Button while the blank bars
are playing.
?7

Track Editing Total bar numbers of a Track
To replace arhythm pattern with other one, turn the
composer to the Track Writing mode, then take the
step ®on page 17. Also, if you wish to add some
more measures of rhythm patterns, again select the
Track Writing mode, and push the Last Measure Key
®to go to the last measure {—17th measure in this
example), then repeat the steps ®to ®.
D
How many bars can be used for programming a Track
depends on how many bars have been taken away
for other 5Track. Total of 423 bars are available for
the 6Tracks.
e.g. 1
Track Number Bar Number
180
280
380
480
580
f) 623
Total 423
e.g. 2
Track Number 8ar Number
1200
2200
323
4
5
+) 6 3
Total 423
In this example, no more bar can be written In the
Tracks 4, 5and 6.
in other words, if all of the 423 bars are used for a
single Track, no bar is left for writing other Tracks.
When no bar is left, the Display will respond with
as shown below. Therefore, if you wish to write a
Track, you have to erase awhole Track or that
many bars to make aspace.
CI II
IUL

6. Writing and Playing rhythm
Patterns
Apattern is aone bar phrase. We can write into
memory alarge number of patterns (up to 48) to
recall later in any order we like, either manually or as
acompletely assembled track stored in memory. In
practice, we will find it easier to write patterns in the
same order we later assemble them into tracks, or
complete tunes.
There are two ways of writing patterns,
a-Step Writing, in which we enter or toad one step
at atime without worrying about tempo,
b-Tap Writing, in which we write the rhythm pattern
by tapping the Main Keys in time to a Rim shot pro-
duced every quarter-beat by the composer.
a. Before start writing
Before writing rhythm patterns either in the Step
Writing or Tap Writing, take the following steps ®to
®With the composer stopped, hold the Shift Key ®,
and without releasing it, press the Mode Key ®as
many times until the Display shows STEP WRITE
or TAP WRITE which you like.
The Main Keys (1 to 16) here work to select Pat-
tern Numbers.
IPush any of the Pattern Group Keys (D, Eor F),
select aPattern Group.
The Display shows the pattern group you have
selected.
Rhythm patterns have been preprogrammed in the
Pattern Groups A, Band Cand they cannot be
edited or rewritten. *(d) eEcF
nan
14 is 36
TRACK NUMBER
IWhile holding the Pattern Clear Key ®down,
select the Pattern Number where you wish to
write the rhythm pattern using the Main Key. This
erases the rhythm pattern previously written.
i$^aiii
rrfir
Pattern Clear Key ^ag~Q LI 000 "'^ OO
Main Key
®Go to the "Step Writing" on page 20 or "Tap Writ-
ing" on page 22.
19

b. Step Writing
Take the above procedures <T) to ®. then write the
rhythm pattern shown right.
The score can be modified as shown below for easier
Step Writing.
CLOSED
HI-HAT 1-
SHARE
DRUM
BASS
DRUM
>= Accent
>>
nnnn
^J^J
-Where the sound is output
CLOSED HI-HAT
|lM tlM ^I»l^l* l
n.nnn
SNARE DRUM
I
I11t1++^
<- JfJ
BASS DRUM
II11 I
I1*II*I
I1II
Jr>n f
ACCENT
|i ii ^iii| mi| ii i
SCALE ;JJJ1
PATTEflN • • ••••••
STEP 123 4 56789Iio(iiIrIi3Ii4|isIi6|
iKSrnuiiCHT CH
SCALE JJJJ1
PATTERN ••
STEP 12 3 4S67Sl9l»0(llll2ll3!l4 1516|
iHsmjHtxj SO
SCALE JJJJ1
PATTERN •• • •
STEP 12345 6 78l9lW(llll2h3!l4il5|l6l
IhSTRUHCHT BO
SCALE JJ J J 1
PATTERN ••••
STEP 1234S678910 11 K13(14 15 <^
ACCEMt
(D Push the Start/Stop Key ®. •The Tempo Indicator flashes.
ITo write the rhythm of the Bass Drum, press the
Main Key (Bass Drum) while holding the Instru-
ment Selector Key ®.
The Display shows BD (Bass Drum). Here, regard
the 16 Main Keys as an entire bar, and push the
corresponding Main Keys where you wish to write
the Bass Drum sound-
Instrument —
;
Selector Key '99^'P U qS§ ~^^ OO,
iQQgQQQQGG D•
QbPDQDrJD D;
BASS DRUM
INSTTnWEKT BD
20