Roland Soun Canvas P-55 User manual

Roland
OWNER'S MANUAL
souNoGanvas
PIANO MODULE P-55

INTRODUCTION
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland P-55 Piano Module.
In order to fee! confident you have gained agrasp of every feature this unit offers, and can
enjoy trouble-free service for years to come, please take the time to read this manual in its
entirety.
FEATURES
OStocked with awealth of high-quality piano sounds. With these sounds at your
fingertips, you can now easily accommodate almost any musical genre.
ODesigned for compactness, the unit's footprint is small, and can easily be carried with
you wherever you go.
OPerforms superbly as afull-featured, 3-part multi-timbral sound module.
OThe unit is capable of emulating the sound of music played in aconcert hall, through
using its onboard reverb and chorus effects.
Oits "Sub-Instrument" feature allows you to play two sounds at once.
OOffers acomprehensive selection of tuning features, providing for classical tunings,
baroque pitch, and stretch tuning.
OSince it is equipped with input jacks, you can mix the sound from another sound
generating unit with this unit's sound before it is output.
OBy making use of the unit's "Stacking" capabilities, and adding on additional P-55s, you
can increase the number of voices you have at you disposal.
About the symbols that appear in this manual:
^nt^^ This manual employs the following symbols to indicate buttons or controls on
^^-^^ the panel that should be used.
^'^^ The symbols shown below are used to indicate steps that should be performed
when operating the unit.
©Copyright 1993 by ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
1

CONTENTS
PRECAUTIONS ,...„. 4
Important Notes 4
Panel Descriptions 5
Making the Connections ..; 7
Turning on the Power 8
installing the P-55 in aracic 8
AUDITIONING THE DEMOSONGS 9
AUDITIONING THE SOUNDS 10
Adjusting the Volume 1
Selecting Sounds 10
Silencing Sounds —Mute 10
COMBINING THE P-55 WITH ASOUND MODULE 11
Combining the P-55 with aMulti-Timbral Sound Module 11
Combining the P-55 with aGM or GS Generator 1
2
P-55 PARAMETERS 13
About the P-55's Parameters 1
3
Changing the Parameter to be Edited 13
ABOUT THE DISPLAY ,14
changing the Parameters Normally Displayed 14
PART PARAMETERS T..... 15
Altering the Settings for Part Parameters 115
Values for the Parameters/Changing Their Settings 15
•Selecting the Sound Assigned to aPart —Instrument 1
5
•Adjusting aPart's Volume —Level 16
•Adjusting aPart's Pan (Sound Image Orientation) —Pan 1
6
•Adding Reverberation —Reverb 17
•Adding Expansiveness to the Sound —Chorus 17
•Transposing the Pitch of Notes in Semitone Units —Key Shift 17
•Altering the Channel on Which MIDI Messages are Received —MIDI Channel 18
PART PARAMETERS 219
Altering Settings for Part Parameters 219
Values for the Parameters/Changing Their Settings 19
•Adjusting the Sound's Brightness —Brilliance 19
•Selecting aSub-Instrument —Sub-Instrument.. 19
•Adjusting the Volume of the Sub-Instrument —Sub-Instrument Level 20
•Fine-Tuning the Pitch of a Sub-Instrument —Sub-Instrument Detune 20
•Setting the Changes in Volume and Timbre Obtained Through Velocity —Touch 21
•Changing the Tuning Curve —Stretch 22
•Transposing the Sub-Instrument —Sub-Instrument Key Shift 22
•Splitting Notes to be Played by instrument/Sub-Instrument ^Split Point .-. 23

SYSTEM PARAMETERS 25
Making Settings for the System Parameters ,25
Values for the Parameters/Changing Their Settings 25
•Fine-Tuningthe Pitch —Tune 25
•Playing Using Baroque Pitch —Baroque Pitch 26
•Playing Using Classical Tuning —Temperament 26
•Changing the Tonic —Temperament Key 27
•Changing the Type of Reverb —Reverb Type 28
•Changing the Type of Chorus —Chorus Type 28
•Using Multiple P-S5s —Stacking 29
•Changing the MIDI Reception Mode —MIDI Mode 30
OTHER FUNCTIONS 31
storing Your Favorite Settings-User Patches 31
•Calling Up User Patches 31
•Changing the Settings for aUser Patch 32
Changing the Device ID 33
Transmitting the P-55's Settings from MIDI OUT —Bulk Dump 33
Restoring All the Settings the Unit Originally Had —Factory Preset 34
TOWARD BEnER PERFORMANCES 35
The Two Instrument Tables 35
About Pedals 37
Effects Parameters Available Only Through MIDI 38
When You Don't Have Enough Polyphonic Notes 38
APPENDICES 39
ErrorAVarning Messages 39
Instrument Chart 40
Factory Preset Chart 41
Troubleshooting 42
Roland Exclusive Messages 45
MIDI Implementation 47
MIDI Implementation Chart 53
SPECIFICATIONS 54
INDEX TO PROCEDURES ...55
INDEX 57

PRECAUTIONS
Important Notes
•Be sure to use only the adaptor supplied with the unit. Use
of any other power adaptor could result in damage,
malfunction, or electric shock.
[Power Supply]
•When making any connections with other devices, always
turn off the power to all equipment first; this will help
prevent damage or malfunction.
•Do not use this unit on the same power circuit with any
device that will generate line noise, such as amotor or
variable lighting system.
•The power supply required for this unit is shown on its
nameplate. Ensure that the line voltage of your installation
meets this requirement.
•Avoid damaging the power cord; do not step on it, place
heavy objects on it etc.
•When disconnecting the AC adaptor from the outlet, grasp
the plug itself; never pull on the cord.
•If the unit is to remain unused for along period of time,
unplug the power cord.
[Placement]
•Do not subject the unit to temperature extremes {eg. direct
sunlight in an enclosed vehicle).
Avoid using or storing the unit in dusty or humid areas or
areas that are subject to high vibration levels.
•Using the unit near power amplifiers (or other equipment
containing large transformers) may induce hum.
•This unit may interfere with radio and television reception.
Do not use this unit in the vicinity of such receivers.
•Do not expose this unit to temperature extremes (eg. direct
sunlight in an enclosed vehicle can deform or discolor the
unit) or install it near devices that radiate heat.
[Maintenance]
•For everyday cleaning wipe the unit with asoft, dry cloth
(or one that has been slightly dampened with water). To
remove stubborn dirt, use amild neutral detergent.
Afterwards, be sure to wipe the unit thoroughly with asoft,
dry cloth.
•Never use benzene, thinners, alcohol or solvents of any
kind, to avoid the risk of discoloration and/or deformation.
[Memory Backup]
•The unit contains abattery which maintains the contents of
memory while the main power is off. The expected life of
this battery is 5years or more.
However, to avoid the unexpected loss of memory data, it is
strongly recommended that you change the battery every 5
years.
Please be aware that the actual life of the battery will
depend on the physical environment (especially
temperature) in which the unit is used. When it is time to
change the battery, consult with qualified service personnel.
•When the battery becomes weak, the following message
will appear in the display: "btL "Please change battery
as soon as possible to avoid the loss of memory data.
•Please be aware that the contents of memory may at times
be lost; when the unit is sent for repairs or when by some
chance amalfunction has occurred.
important data should be stored in another MIDI device (e.
g. asequencer), or written down on paper. During repairs,
due care is taken to avoid the loss of data.
However, in certain cases, (such as when circuitry related
to memory itself is out of order) we regret that it may be
impossible to restore the data.
[Additional Precautions]
•Protect the unit from strong impact.
•Do not allow objects or liquids of any kind to penetrate the
unit. In the event of such an occurrence, discontinue use
immediately. Contact qualified service personnel as soon
as possible.
•Never strike or apply strong pressure to the display.
•Asmall amount of heat will radiate from the unit, and thus
should be considered normal.
•Should amalfunction occur (or if you suspect there is a
problem) discontinue use immediately. Contact qualified
service personnel as soon as possible.
•To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not open the unit or
its AC adaptor.

Panel Descriptions
souNoOonvos
I.POWER Switch
Press to turn power ON or OFF.
2. VOLUME Knob
Provides control over the volume of the sound output from the
OUTPUT jacks and PHONES jack.
3. PHONES Jack
Accepts connection of headphones (preferably the optionally
available Roland RH-20/80/120). Even with headphones
connected, sound will continue to be output from the
OUTPUT jacks.
4. Parameter Indicators
Allow you to determine the parameter for which the display
currently indicates avalue. The indicators light in
correspondence with the buttons at the panel's upper right.
5. Display
Provides display of the Tone numbers or the values of the
various parameters, depending on the status of the unit at that
time.
6. Parameter Group Button
Allows you to switch between the various parameter groups
that can be edited from the panel.
7. MUTE Button
You can mute the sound that is output from the P-55 by
pressing this button.
8.
Part Buttons (PART)
Used to select the Part for which you wish to alter settings.
Depending on the mode, they are also used to adjust the
brilliance and tuning (standard pitch).
Instrument Buttons (INSTRUMENT)
Used to select the Instrument (sound). Also, depending on the
mode, they are used to select the Sub-Instrument and turn
On/Off the baroque pitch feature.
Level Button (LEVEL)
Used to adjust the volume for each of the Parts. Also,
depending on the mode, it is used to adjust the volume for the
Sub-Instrument, and to select atemperament (tuning).
Pan Button (PAN)
Used to adjust the position of the sound image. Also,
depending on the mode, it is used to detune the Sub-
Instrument (fine adjustment of the pitch) and to select the tonic
(central pitch) for tuning.
Reverb Button (REVERB)
Adjusts the reverberation level. Also, depending on the mode,
it is used to select the Touch and Reverb type.
Chorus Button (CHORUS)
Adjusts the chorus level. Also, depending on the mode, it is
used to select the tuning curve and Chorus type.
Key Shift Button (KEY SHIFT)
Used to perform pitch transpositions. Also, depending on the
mode, it is used to transpose the Sub-Instrument and make
settings for "Stacking."
MIDI Channel Button (MIDI CH)
Used to select the channel used for MIDI reception. Also,
depending on the mode, it is used to adjust the split point and
make settings for the MIDI reception mode.

10 11
iNPui ourpur
Roland Corpor.iiJoii
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES
WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS 5UBJECTT0THE FOLIIOV/IMG TV/O CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE I.IAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE. AND |2)THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY
INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAV CAUSE UNDESIREO OPERATION.
12 13
B—LiO: i,A
-
©"< £__©
.;.- no. AM)
/C Or! A!.--.
Ail/.F'TO'' OM.V
9. INPUT Jacks
These jacks accept the input of audio signals coming from
some external unit. These signals will be mixed with the audio
produced by the P-55 itself, and then output from the
OUTPUT jacks.
10. OUTPUT jacks
These jacks provide output of the sound produced by the P-55,
which is mixed with whatever sound has been sent to the
INPUT jacks.
11. MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT, THRU)
These connectors allow MIDI messages to be exchanged with
other MIDI devices;
12. Cord Hook
To prevent the AC adaptor cord from being accidentally
disconnected, it should be looped around this hook.
13. AC Adaptor Jack
The supplied AC Adaptor should be connected to this jack.

Making the Connections
Following the illustration below, connect the P-55 with your external devides.
OLLOV/INC TVIO CONDIIIONS:
THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY
.USE UflDESIBEO OPERATION.-
LINE rN, AUX,
TAPE IN, or the like
Audio Sei
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
To ihe outlet
AC Adaptor (supplied)
MIDI device, such as a MIDI keyboard
or sequencer
The P-55 does not come with its own amplifier or speakers. To hear the sound it
produces, you will need to connect an amplifier and speakers, or use headphones.
When connecting cords between this unit's OUTPUT jacks and an amplifier or stereo set,
make sure you have the power to all equipment turned OFF. Also, to prevent damage to
speakers, make sure to have the volume on ail units set at the lowest possible level.
To use headphones, insert the plug into the PHONES jack.
Using tiie cord hoolc
Connect the included AC adaptor to the P-55, and then plug it into an AC outlet. By fixing
the AC adaptor cable with the cable hook, you can prevent the plug from accidentally
being disconnected.
*Please use only the included AC adaptor. Using other AC adaptors can result in
malfunction or electric shock.
7

Turning on the Power-
Once all the necessary connections have been made, follow the steps below to turn the
unit ON.
^^r^ Set the volume on all external devices to the lowest possible level.
Turn the volume knob on the P-55 all the way to the left so you have the volume at
minimum.
Push the power switch ON.
*If you connected the P-55 directly to your stereo system, be careful of the output
level. Excessive volumes can damage your speakers.
*When powering down, first turn down the volume on your amplifier, then turn off the P-55.
Installing the P-55 in a Rack •
Attach the P-55 to the RAD-50 Rack Mount Adaptor (sold separately) as illustrated in the
following diagram. Other half-rack size dievices, such as the Sound Canvas, can also be
installed.
W"\W With ascrewdriver, carefully remove the four rubber feet from the bottom of the unit.
8
Attach the RAD-50 adaptor to the P-55 using the screw holed located nearest the front of
the unit, using the screws from the rubber feet. Do not re-attach the rubber feet.
*When re-attacbing the rubber feet to the unit, be sure to use the same screws that you
used to attach the unit to the rack mount. Use ofadifferent type ofscrew could result
in damage or mulfunction.