Roland super quartet mks-7 User manual

fBRoland
miSOUND MODULE
{MK®^"^
Owner's Manual

Radio and television interference
"Warning -This equipment has been verified to comply with the limits for aClass Bcomputing
device, pursuant to Subpart J, of Part 15, of FCC rules. Operation with non-certified or non-
verified equipment is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception/'
The equipment described in this manuai generates
and uses radio-frequency energy, tf it is not installed
and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with
our instructions, it may cause interference with
radio and television reception.
This equipment has been tested and found to com^
ply with the limits for aClass Bcomputing device in
accordance with the specifications in Subpart J, of
Part 15, of FCC Rules. These rules are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such an inter^
ference in aresidential installation.
However, there is no guarantee that thejnterference
will not occur in aparticular installation. If this
equipment does cause interference to radio or televi-
sion reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by the following
measure:
•Disconnect other devices and their input/output
cables one at atime. If the interference stops, it is
caused by either the other device or its I/O cable,
These devices usually require Roland designated
shielded I/O cables. For Roland devices, you can
obtain the proper shielded cable from your dealer.
For non Roland devices, contact the manufacturer
or dealer for assistance.
if your equipment does cause interference to radio
or television reception, you can try to correct the
interference by using one or more of the following
measures:
•Turn the TV or radio antenna until the interfer-
ence stops.
•Move the equipment to one side or the other of
the TV or radio.
•Move the equipment farther away from the TV or
radio.
•Plug the equipment into an outlet that is on adif-
ferent circuit than the TV or radio. (That is, make
certain the equipment and the radio or television
set are on circuits controlled by different circuit
breakers or fuses.)
•Consider installing arooftop television antenna
with coaxial cable lead-in between the antenna
and TV.
it necessary, you should consult your dealer or an
experienced radio/televiston technician for addi-
tional suggestions. You may find helpful the follow-
ing booklet prepared by the Federal Communica-
tions Commission:
"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interfer-
ence Problems"
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402, Stock No.
004-000-00345-4.
Bescheinigung des Herstellers /Importeurs
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daB der/die/das
ROLAND SUPER QUART^^^^^
IGerat, Typ. Bezeichnung)
in Obereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der
Amtsbl. Vfg 1046/1984
(Amtsblattverfugung)
funk-entstort ist.
Der Deutschen Bundespost wurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerates
angezeigt und die Berechtigung zur Dberprufung der Serie auf Einhaltung
der Bestimmungen eingeraumt.
Roland Corporation Osaka /Japan
Name des Herstellers/lmpofteurs

mPANEL DESCRIPTION
OTune Knob
Volume Knob
Rhythm Level Knob
OBass Level Knob
©Chord Level Knob
Melody Level
Knob
ODisplay Window
Nunnber Buttons
Dynamics
Sens
Knob
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(^ Melody Button
>Chord Button
)Bass Button
®Rhythm Button
<B> Headphones Jack
Transpose Button Power Switch
©MIDI Channel Button
©Sound Source Selector Buttons
wuywffi:
SHOCK rtUJUB) Roland
IPitch Bender Sens Knob
Modulation Sens Knob
Bass Detune Knob
©MIDI THRU Connector
(MIDI IN Connector
©(^
o®©©^©©
4^
Mix Output Jack
(Stereo)
©Output Level Switch
©Rhythm Output Jack
Bass Output Jack
^Chord Output Jack
IMelody Output Jack
Multi Output Jacks

IMPORTANT NOTES
Power Supply
•The appropriate voltage to be used is shown on
the name plate of the rear panel. Be sure that it
meets the line voltage system in your country.
•Do not use the same socket that is used for any
noise generating device, such as amotor, or
variable lighting system.
•When setting up the MKS-7, be sure that all the
units are turned off.
Cleaning
•Use asoft cloth and clean only with amild
detergent.
•Do not use solvent such as paint thinner.
Location
•Operating the MKS-7 near aneon or fluorescent
lamp may cause noise interference. If so, change
the angle or position of the MKS-7,
•This unit might not work properly if turned on
immediately after turned off, or if the power
cable is plugged in with the unit turned on. If
this happens, simply turn the unit off, and turn it
on again after afew seconds.
•This unit might get hot while operating, but
there is nothing to worry about it.
•Avoid using the MKS-7 in extreme heat or
humidity or where it may be affected by dust.
CONTENTS
mPANEL DESCRIPTION 3
mCONNECTIONS ..... 6
mOPERATION 7
1. MIDI Channel Setting -•7
2. Tone Color Selection (1) •••9
3. Tuning 12
4. Level Setting 12
5. Setting Dynamics Sensitivity ••13
6. Key Transpose 14
7. Pitch Bender and Modulation Sensitivity ••15
8. Other Useful Information 16
SI APPLICATIONS 18
1..MID! Functions 13
2. Whole Mode ..................... ig
3. Tone Color Selection (2) --21
4. System Examples 22
mSPECIFICATIONS 24

OUTLINE
The Roland Super Quartet MKS-7 is aversatile
sound module designed for MIDI devices.
The MKS-7 consists of 4Blocks, Melody, Chord,
Bass and Rhythm. Each block can operate in adif-
ferent MIDI channel.
The Melody block is a2voice polyphonic synthe-
sizer, the Chord is 4voices, the Bass is monophonic,
and the Rhythm, which is PCMsound module, is
11voices.
The MKS-7 has 100 different preset tone colors for
Melody and Chord Blocks and another 20 for Bass.
You can select any of these just by flick of aswitch.
System Setup
MIDI IN
Connector
Melody Block
2Voice
Polyphonic
Synthesizer
Chord Block
4Voice
Polyphonic
Synthesizer
Bass Block
Monophonic
Synthesizer
Rhythnn Block
11 Voice
PCM
Chorus
MIDI THRU
Connector
Chorus
Mixer Mixer
Mixer
&
Fader
T>@"
^>©
Output
Level
Mix
Output
Jack
Headphones
Jack
Melody Output Jack
Chord Output Jack
Bass Output Jack
Rhythm Output Jack
Multi
Output
Jacks

mCONNECTIONS
Do not connect more than three devices
through MIDI THRU's. For connecting
more devices, use the MIDI THRU BOX
I\/IM-4 (optional).
Computer
MIDI Interface
MPU-401 etc.
MIDI
Sequencer
MIDI
OUT
Other device
with
MIDI OUT
MIDI
OUT
Roland 0)^
-{Refer to page 22.)-
®l< O
(o)
/AUX IN\
\LINE )N/
Amplifier
Stereo Headphones (RH-IO)

ai OPERATION
1, MIDI Channel Setting
Each b!ock can select aMIDI Channel of 1to 16. To
operate the MKS-7, it is essential to match the
channel number of each block to that of the MIDI
signal coming in the MKS-7.
When the power is applied, the MKS-7 defaults to
the MIDI Channel numbers as shown in the right
table.
Operation
(T) Push the MIDI Channel Button
Block MIDI
Channel
Melody 1
Chord 3
Bass 2
Rhythm TO
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The Display Window ©shows L_I,and the
Rhythm Button <D ,Bass Button <^ ,Chord But-
ton ®,and the Melody Button <E> flash.
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®Select the Block you like by pressing the cor-
responding button.
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(e.g. To change the MIDI Channel of the Chord Block to 16)
The Display Window ®shows the current MIDI
Channel number of the selected block.
While still holding the corresponding Button
down, set the MIDI Channel you want by using
the Number Buttons .
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(White holding the button down)
The Display Oshows the MIDI Channel number
you have set.
(D Press the MID! Channel Button ®.
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2. Tone Color Selection (1)
The MKS-7 has 100 different tone colors (00 to 99)
for the Melody and Chord, and 20 (00 to 19) for
the Bass. Any of these tone colors can be called
easily by pushing buttons or externally with MIDI.
(Refer to page 21.)
When power is applied, the MKS-7 defaults to the
tone colors as shown in the right table.
The Melody and the Chord can take on avibrato
effect by using MIDI Control Change message
(= Modulation message).
Block Tone Color
Number
Melody 00
Chord 00
Bass 00
Operation
®Call the Block that contains the tone color you
want, by pressing aSound Source Selector But-
ton ®(Bass, Chord or Melody).
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{e. g.: To call Tone Color 15 of the Bass Block)
The pressed button lights up, and the Display
shows the current tone color number.
'Call the tone color you like by using the Number
Buttons O.
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The Display Onow shows the tone color num-
ber you have called.

Sound Check
To listen to the tone color currently called in each
Block, simply push the corresponding button: Rhy-
thm Button <D ,Bass Button ^,Chord Button ^
or Melody Button §) .
a. To listen to the tone color in the Melody, Chord
or Bass Block.
Operation
®Press the relevant button of Bass ^.Chord ®
or Melody ®.
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While the button is being pressed, the tone color
currently called in that block will be heard in the
pitch of Akey.
MIDI Program Change message has priority. That
is, if program change message is received while a
tone color is being selected on the panel, the
tone color will inevitably change according to the
program change message. To solve this, simply
hold the Sound Source Selector Button ®down
throughout the tone color selecting operation.
10

b. To listen to the tone color in the Rhythm Block
Operation
®Push the Rhythm Button
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The Rhythm Button flashes, and the Display
®shows Idr I.
While the Display is showing IJr| ,the Number
Buttons ®and Transpose Button serve as drum
voice buttons as shown right.
(D Hit the button which corresponds to the drum
voice you want to listen to.
®Press the Rhythm Button 9.
The Display now returns to the tone color num-
ber.
*It is not possible to hear two voices at a time.
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Each of the Melody ^,Bass ®and Chord #
Buttons usually serves as aGate Indicator. That
is, each button is lighted while sound is output,
and stays dark while no sound- is output. (It, how-
ever, does not light up while in the Hold mode.)
IV

3, Tuning 4. Level Setting
The MKS-7 has the Bass Detune Knob ®as well as
ausual Tune Knob O-
a. Tune Knob O
TUNE
Use this knob to tune the MKS-7 with other musical
instrument. (This knob can simultaneously tune all
the Blocks: Melody, Chord and Bass.)
*The Chord Block is set to 2cent lower than the
Melody, except when in the Whole mode (see
page 19).
b. Base Detune Knob ®
BASS
DETUNE
This knob can detune the pitch of the Bass Block by
±50 cent from the Chord and Melody.
*The pitch does not change while adjusting the
Bass Detune Knob. First adjust the knob then play
akey, and now the pitch of the sound is altered.
You may need to repeat this procedure quite a
few times to successfully complete tuning.
The MKS-7 has aseparate level control for each
Block of Melody, Chord, Bass and Rhythm enabling
individual level setting.
VOLUME RHYTHM BASS CHORD VELOm
a. Volume Knob O
This adjusts the overall volume of the MKS-7.
b. Rhythm Level Knob ®
This adjusts the volume of Rhythm Block.
c. Bass Level Knob O
This adjusts the volume of Bass Block.
d. Chord Level Knob
This adjusts the volume of Chord Block.
e. Melody Level Knob
This adjusts the volume of Melody Block.
f. Output Level Switch ®
HML
LL
Select H(high), M(medium) or L(tow) depending
on the rated input level of the amplifier (or mixer)
you use.
KEYBOARD AMP M/H
AUDIO AMP H
P.A. MIXER L/M/H
GUITAR AMP L/M
etc.
12

5. Setting the Dynamics Sensitivity
"Dynamics sensitivity" Is the function that can alter
the volume or tone color depending on how hard
the key is attacked.
Each block of the Melody, Chord and Bass can be
individually set the sensitivity of Dynamics effect.
When the MKS-7 is turned on, the Dynamics sensi-
tivity of each block is automatically set to astand-
ard value.
Operation
®By pressing the Sound Source Selector Button ti>,
call the Block whose Dynamics sensitivity you
want to change from the standard value.
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Set the Dynamics Sens Knob ©to your taste.
When the knob is moved even slightly, the pre-
vious setting will be deleted, and replaced with
the current knob position.
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The selected button is lighted.
Lowering the knob too low may decrease the volume.
13

6, Key Transpose
The MKS-7 features the Key Transpose function
that allows transposition in semi-tone steps up to
±1octave„
Operation
®Press the Transpose Button ®
.
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The Display ©shows the number that represents
how many semi-tones are currently transposed
from the Ckey.
(D By using the Number Buttons ®and/or the MIDI
Channel Button ^, enter anew number.
Transpose value 1means asemi-tone transposi-
tion from the Ckey. To transpose to the key
higher than Ckey, simply enter the appropriate
number, but to transpose to lower than C, press
the MIDI Channel Button first. For example, to
transpose to the lower G, press the MIDI Channel
Button ®, the Number Button 0, then 5.
d) Press the Transpose Button ®
.
The Transpose function does not apply to the
Rhythm Block.
Key Transpose
Display ®Transpose
Value
.'^ +12
1 1 +11
in
lU +10
3+9
8+8
1
t+7
S+6
5+5
•-I +4
3+3
.3 +2
1
1+1
O
1
1. ~1
3. -2
3»3
V. -4
S. -5
S. -6
1
i. -7
8. -8
3-9
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11
1', -II
1.3 -12
14

7,Pitch Bender, Modulation Sensitivity
In the Melody and Chord Blocks, the sensitivity of
the Pitch Bender and Modulation message which are
sent with MIDI can be adjusted with the Pitch
Bender, Modulation Sens Knob.
BENDER MODULATION
SENS SENS
a. Pitch Bender Sens Knob ®
This knob can change the maximum effect of the
Pitch Bender within the range of to 1octave.
b. Modulation Sens Knob ^
This can change the maximum effect of the Modula-
tion within the range of to ±400 cent.
15

8. Other Useful Information
a. The sound range receivable with MIDI
8Va[
#
442Hz
^T.
m
(I) Receivable Sound Range
•Bass
#31 to #96
/Actual KeysV
\#19to#84)
(2) Receivable Sound Range
•Melody
•Chord
#24 to #108 !Piano Keyboard
MiddleC
Above picture shows the sound range (7 octaves) of
Note On/Off message that can be received by the
MKS-7. If the data sent exceeds this range, it wilt be
automatically transposed up or down to fit in the
range.
16

b. Rhythm and Note Number
The Rhythm Block of the MKS-7 operates by Note
ON/OFF message. The relation between the keys
and drum voices is shown below.
a
:;K:i|iDi?iii^|iif«
H! TOM
|:liiii^g|||^l|
HI TOM
MID TOM
MID TOM
LOW TOM
LOW TOM
SNARE DRUM
:}y^<^j^^i;:^:. SNARE DRUM
BASS DRUM
BASS DRUM
:/-...^^^^#;fK:
-NOTE #=48
NOTE# DRUM VOICES
51 RIDE CYMBAL
50 HI TOM
49 CRASH CYMBAL
48 HI TOM
47 MID TOM
46 OPEN HI-HAT
45 MID TOM
44 CLOSED HI~HAT
43 LOW TOM
42 CLOSED HI-HAT
41 LOW TOM
40 SNARE DRUM
39 HAND CLAP
38 SNARE DRUM
37 RIM SHOT
36 BASS DRUM
35 BASS DRUM
-NOTE #=36
c. The Display reaction at receiving Exclusive message
"Exclusive" is akind of MIDI message. (Refer to
the different volume "MIDI".) The MKS-7 uses this
for editing the parameters of atone color.
When the MKS-7 receives the Exclusive message,
dots will be indicated in the Display Qas shown
right.
17

mAPPLICATIONS
1, MIDI Functions
The MKS-7 can reject one or more than one of the
following MIDI messages.
1Hold
2Program Change {Patch Selection message)
3Pitch Bender, Modulation
4Exclusive (used for editing the parameters of
tone color)
Operation
(D Push the Transpose Button ®.
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The Rhythm Button #, Bass Button ®, Chord
Button 9and Melody Button •will all light up.
These four buttons now serve as On/Off switches
of the above 4MIDI messages as shown right.
When the button is lighted, the corresponding
message will be received.
CD Push the button that corresponds to the MIDI
message that you want the MKS-7 to ignore.
The pushed button goes out.
(D Push the Transpose Button A.
ISRoland sufsr qurrtet
Hold
Program Change
Pitch Bender, Modulation
Exclusive
18

2. Whole Mode
With the MKS-7 set to the Whole mode, the Melody
and Chord Blocks are united and act as asix voice
synthesizer. That is, the Chord Block becomes six
voices, and there is no sound from the Melody
Block. To turn the MKS-7 to the Whole mode, take
the follov\/ing operation.
Operation
®Press the MIDIChannel Button #
.
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The Display Oshows I- -
1
and the Rhythm
Button d^ ,Bass Button (^ ,Chord Button ^
and Melody Button Wflash.
While holding the Chord Button ^,press the
Melody Button ®
.
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(While holding this button down
The both CHORD and MELODY of the Sound
Selector Buttons ®light, which shows that the
MKS-7 is now in the Whole mode.
Press the MIDI Channel Button %.
19

<Cancelling the Whole Mode>
Operation
®Press the MIDI Channel Button #.
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(D Press the Melody Button ^.
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The MELODY of the Sound Selector Button ®lights up.
Press the MIDI Channel Button
*It is also possible to turn the MKS-7 to the Whole
mode or cancel Iit externally by using MIDI.
(Refer to "MIDI Impli mentation Chart".)
*The MIDI Channel set in the Chord Block will be
used in the Whole mode. So, when you want to
change the Channel number in the Whole mode,
change that of the Chord Block.
20