Roland AIRA TB-3 User manual

ROLAND AIRA TB-3 EFFECTS PARAMETER GUIDE
[all effects have two copies except where noted]
DISTORTION
PITCH SHIFTER / EQUALIZER
REVERB
COMPRESSOR
RING MODULATOR
BIT CRUSHER
TREMOLO
CHORUS
FLANGER
PHASER
DELAY
[dedicated FX section DISTORTION
1. DISTORTION SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches distortion on/off.This is a mono effect.
2. TYPE (0 - 24) Mid Boost
This is a booster with unique characteristics in the
midrange.
Clean Boost
This not only functions as a booster, but also
produces a clean tone that has punch even when
used alone.
Treble Boost
This is a booster that has bright characteristics.
Blues OD
This is a crunch sound of the BOSS BD 2. This
produces distortion that faithfully reproduces the
nuances of picking.
Crunch
A lustrous crunch sound with an added element of
amp distortion.
Natural OD
This is an overdrive sound that provides distortion
with a natural feeling.
OD-1
This models the sound of the BOSS OD 1. This
produces sweet, mild distortion.

T-Scream
This models an Ibanez TS 808.
Turbo OD
This is the high gain overdrive of the BOSS OD 2.
Warm OD
This is a warm overdrive.
Distortion
This gives a basic, traditional distortion sound.
Mild DS
Mid DS
RAT
This models a Proco RAT.
GUV DS
This models a Marshall GUV’ NOR.
DST+
This models a MXR DISTORTION+ .
Modern DST
Solid DST
Stack
This models a Marshall stack.
Loud
Metal Zone
This models the sound of the BOSS MT 2. It
produces a wide range of metal sounds, from old
style to slash metal.
Lead
Produces a distortion sound with both the
smoothness of an overdrive along with a deep
distortion.
'60s Fuzz
This models a FUZZFACE.
Oct Fuzz
A fuzz sound with rich harmonic content.
Muff Fuzz
This models an Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi.
3. DRIVE (0 - 120)
Adjusts the depth of distortion.
4. BOTTOM (0 - 100) -50 – +50
Adjusts the tone for the low frequency range. Turning this
counterclockwise cuts the low end; turning it to the right
boosts the low end.
5. TONE (0 - 100) -50 – +50
Adjusts the tone.
6. COLOR (0 - 1)
When on, this seems to increase the harmonics a small amount at
mainly 2x and 3x the current frequency of the fundamental.
7. EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the distortion effect.
8. DRY LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.

[FX1 only [PS PITCH SHIFTER
1. PS SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches pitch shifter on/off. This is a mono/stereo effect.
2. PS VOICE (0 - 2)
1MONO
One voice pitch shifted sound output in mono. Pitch 2
is disabled in this mode.
2MONO
Two voice pitch shifted sound (1:PITCH, 2:PITCH)
output in mono.
2STEREO
Two voice pitch shifted sound (1:PITCH, 2:PITCH)
output through L channel and R channel. Direct level is
centered in the stereo spectrum.
3. PS 1 PITCH (0 - 48) -2400 – 2400
Adjusts the amount of pitch shift (the amount of
interval) in semitone steps. 0 (24) is the midpoint.
4. PS 1 PRE DELAY (0 - 100) 0 – 100ms
Adjusts the time from when the direct sound is heard until
the pitch shifted sounds of Pitch 1 are heard.
5. PS FEEDBACK (0 - 100)
Adjusts the feedback amount of the pitch shift sound.
6. PS 1 EFX LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the pitch shifter, voice 1.
7. PS 2 PITCH (0 - 48) -2400 – 2400
Adjusts the amount of pitch shift (the amount of
interval) in semitone steps. 0 (24) is the midpoint.
8. PS 2 PRE DELAY (0 - 100) 0 – 100ms
Adjusts the time from when the direct sound is heard until
the pitch shifted sounds of Pitch 2 are heard.
9. PS 2 EFX LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the pitch shifter, voice 2.
10. PS DIRECT LEVEL (0 -100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.

[FX1 only [EQ EQUALIZER
1. EQ SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches equalizer on/off. This is a mono effect.
2. EQ LOW CUT (0 - 17) Flat – 800Hz
This sets the frequency at which the low cut filter
begins to take effect. When “FLAT” is selected, the
low cut filter will have no effect. No effect: 0.
3. EQ LOW GAIN (0 - 40) -20dB – 20dB
Adjusts the low frequency range tone ±20dB.
4. EQ LOW MID FREQ (0 - 27) 20Hz – 10.0KHz
Specifies the center of the frequency range that will
be adjusted by the LOW MID GAIN.
5. EQ LOW MID Q (0 - 5) 0.5 – 16
Adjusts the width of the area affected by the EQ
centered at the LOW MID FREQ. Higher values will
narrow the area.
6. EQ LOW MID GAIN (0 - 40) -20dB – 20dB
Adjusts the low middle frequency range tone
±20dB.
7. EQ HIGH MID FREQ (0 - 27) 20Hz – 10.0KHz
Specifies the center of the frequency range that will
be adjusted by the HIGH MID GAIN.
8. EQ HIGH MID Q (0 - 5) 0.5 – 16
Adjusts the width of the area affected by the EQ
centered at the HIGH MID FREQ.
9. EQ HIGH MID GAIN (0 - 40) -20dB – 20dB
Adjusts the high middle frequency range tone
±20dB.
10. EQ HIGH CUT (0 - 14) 630Hz – Flat
This sets the frequency at which the high cut filter
begins to take effect. When “FLAT” is selected, the
high cut filter will have no effect. No effect: 14.
11. EQ HIGH GAIN (0 - 40) -20dB – 20dB
Adjusts the high frequency range tone ±20dB.
12. EQ LEVEL (0 - 40) -20dB – 20dB
Adjusts the volume level of the equalizer. However,
this feature does not appear to be implemented.

[FX2 only [RV REVERB
1. RV SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches reverb on/off. This is a stereo effect.
2. RV TYPE (0 - 6)
AMBIENCE
If time and predelay are set to 0, gives a nice
doubling effect with more bass at one end and
phasing effect with less low end on the other. Metallic
overtones at low reverb times.
ROOM
Simulates the reverberation in a small room. Provides
warm reverberations.
HALL1
Simulates the reverberation in a concert hall. Provides
clear and spacious reverberations.
HALL2
Simulates the reverberation in a concert hall. Provides
mild reverberations.
PLATE
Simulates the reverberation of a metallic plate. It
provides a slight "wavy" effect sound with a distinct
upper range.
SPRING
Simulates the sound of a guitar amp's built in spring
reverb. The RV SPRING SENS parameter becomes
availble when selected.
MODULATE
This reverb adds the wavering sound found in hall
reverb to provide an extremely pleasant reverb
sound.
3. RV TIME (0 - 99)
Adjusts the reverb time in tenths of seconds (up to 9.9 sec). The
time is fixed and not affected by the value set in TEMPO.
4. RV PRE DELAY (0 - 100) 0 – 100ms
Adjusts the time from when the direct sound is heard
until the reverb sound is heard.
5. RV HPF (0 - 17) Flat – 800Hz
Cuts the frequency range below the cutoff frequency.
No effect: 0
6. RV LPF (0 - 14) 630Hz – Flat
Cuts the frequency range above the cutoff frequency.
No effect: 14
7. RV DENSITY (0 - 10)
Adjusts the density of the reverberations. If predelay is set to 0,
greater values has the effect of smoothing the attack of the reverb.
8. RV SPRING SENS (0 - 100)
Adjusts the reverb spring sensitivity.
9. RV EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the reverb effect.
10. RV DIRECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.

[CS COMPRESSOR
1. CS SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches compressor on/off. This is a mono effect.
2. CS ATTACK (0 - 124) 0 – 800ms
Adjusts the compressor attack time.
3. CS RELEASE (0 - 124) 0 – 8000ms
Adjusts the compressor release time.
4. CS THRESHOLD (0 - 40) -40 – 0dB
Adjusts the threshold at which the compressor is
activated, increasing in 1dB increments.
5. CS RATIO (0 - 13)
1:1.0, 1:1.1,
1:1.2, 1:1.4,
1:1.6, 1:1.8,
1:2.0, 1:2.5,
1:3.2, 1:4.0,
1:5.6, 1:8.0,
1:16, 1:INF
Adjusts the compression ratio. As a
compressor it functions more as an
overdrive with artifacts and aliasing
showing up when presented with richly
harmonic waveform content. Attack,
release, and threshold also need to be
carefully set to avoid audio artifacts.
6. CS KNEE (0 - 9) Hard
Soft1 – Soft9
This is a function that gradually applies
compression starting earlier than the threshold,
smoothing the transition.
7. CS GAIN (0 - 80) -40 – 40dB
Adjusts the output gain ±40dB.
8. CS BALANCE (0 - 100) -50 – 50
Volume balance between the direct sound and the
effect sound. Full left adds no compressor.
[RM RING MODULATOR
1. RM SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches ring modulator on/off. This is an effect that
applies amplitude modulation (AM) to the input signal.
This is a mono effect.
2. RM FREQUENCY (0 - 127)
Adjusts the frequency at which amplitude modulation is applied.
3. RM SENS (0 - 127)
Adjusts the amount of frequency modulation applied.
4. RM POLARITY (0 - 1) UP DOWN
Determines whether the frequency modulation
moves towards higher frequencies (UP) or lower
frequencies (DOWN). The two effects are very
different, with UP probably being the more
useable of the two. Down is a buzzier effect.
5. RM EQ LOW (0 - 30) -15dB – 15dB
Gain of the low frequency range ±15dB.
6. RM EQ HIGH (0 - 30) -15dB – 15dB
Gain of the high frequency range ±15dB.
7. RM BALANCE (0 - 100) -50 – 50
Volume balance between the direct sound and the
effect sound.
8. RM LEVEL (0 - 127)
Adjusts the level of the ring modulator effect.

[BC BIT CRUSHER
1. BC SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches bit crusher on/off. This is a mono effect.
2. BC FILTER (0 - 127)
Adjusts the bit crusher LPF cutoff frequency.
3. BC SAMPLE RATE (0 - 127)
Adjusts the sample rate (higher values = lower sample rates).
4. BC EQ LOW (0 - 30) -15dB – 15dB
Gain of the low frequency range ±15dB.
5. BC EQ HIGH (0 - 30) -15dB – 15dB
Gain of the high frequency range ±15dB.
6. BC LEVEL (0 - 127)
Adjusts the volume of the bit crusher effect.
[TR TREMOLO
1. TR SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches tremolo on/off. This is a mono/stereo effect.
2. TR TYPE (0 - 5)
triangle
slight dip at middle and ends
up sawtooth
right to left modulation
down sawtooth
left to right modulation
sine
smooth modulation
square
on/off modulation
random
random volume and stereo value added
3. TR PHASE (0 - 100) 0 – 360°
The phase of the wave on which to start.
4. TR RATE (0 - 100) 8000 – 20ms
Adjusts the rate of the tremolo effect. When BPM
sync is turned on, this parameter is disabled.
5. TR BPM SYNC (0 - 20) OFF 2 3/2 4/3 1 3/4 2/3 1/2 3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16
1/6 1/8 3/32 1/12 1/16 3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
6. TR SHAPE (0 - 100)
Adjusts changes in volume level. A higher value will steepen
the waveform selected in TR TYPE.
7. TR DEPTH (0 - 100)
Determines the depth of the tremolo effect.
8. TR PAN SELECT (0 – 1)
Switches tremolo effect from mono (0/TRE) to stereo
(1/PAN).
9. TR EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the tremolo effect.

[CH CHORUS
1. CH SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches chorus on/off. This is a mono/stereo effect.
2. CH MODE (0 - 2)
MONO
This chorus effect outputs the same sound from both L
channel and R channel.
STEREO1
This is a stereo chorus effect that adds different chorus
sounds to L channel and R channel.
STEREO2
This stereo chorus uses spatial synthesis, with the direct sound
output in L channel and the effect sound output in R channel.
Left channel only operation can be obtained by bringing
chorus effect level to 0.
3. CH RATE (0 - 100) 8000 – 20ms
Adjust the speed of the chorus effect. When BPM sync
is turned on, this parameter is disabled.
4. CH BPM SYNC (0 - 20) OFF 2 3/2 4/3 1 3/4 2/3 1/2 3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16
1/6 1/8 3/32 1/12 1/16 3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
5. CH DEPTH (0 - 100)
Determines the depth of the chorusing effect.
6. CH PRE DELAY (0 - 80) 0 – 80ms
Adjusts the time from when the direct sound is heard until the
chorus sounds are heard.
7. CH HPF (0 - 17) Flat – 800Hz
Cuts the frequency range below the cutoff frequency.
No effect:0.
8. CH LPF (0 - 14) 630Hz – Flat
Cuts the frequency range above the cutoff frequency.
No effect: 14.
9. CH EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the chorus effect.
[FL FLANGER
1. FL SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches flanger on/off. This is a stereo effect.
2. FL RATE (0 - 100) 8000 – 20ms
Adjusts the rate of the flanging effect. When BPM
sync is turned on, this parameter is disabled.
3. FL BPM SYNC (0 - 20) OFF 2 3/2 4/3 1 3/4 2/3 1/2 3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16
1/6 1/8 3/32 1/12 1/16 3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
4. FL DEPTH (0 - 100)
Determines the depth of the flanging effect.
5. FL MANUAL (0 - 100) -50 – 50
Adjusts the center frequency at which to apply the effect.
6. FL RESONANCE (0 - 100)
Determines the amount of resonance (feedback). Increasing the value will
emphasize the effect, creating a more unusual sound.
7. FL SEPARATION (0 - 100)
Adjusts the diffusion. The diffusion increases as the value increases.
8. FL HPF (0 - 10) Flat – 800Hz
Cuts the frequency range below the cutoff frequency.
No effect: 0.
9. FL EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the flanger.
10. FL DIRECT LEVEL (0 -100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.

[PH PHASER
1. PH SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches phaser on/off. This is a mono effect.
2. PH TYPE (0 - 3)
4Stage
This is a four phase effect. A light phaser effect is
obtained.
8Stage
This is a eight phase effect. It is a popular phaser
effect.
12Stage
This is a twelve phase effect. A deep phase effect is
obtained.
Bi-Phase
This is the phaser with two phase shift circuits
connected in series.
3. PH RATE (0 - 100) 8000 – 20ms
Adjusts the rate of the phaser effect. When BPM sync
or STEP RATE is turned on, this parameter is disabled.
4. PH BPM SYNC (0 - 20) OFF 2 3/2 4/3 1 3/4 2/3 1/2 3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16
1/6 1/8 3/32 1/12 1/16 3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
5. PH DEPTH (0 - 100)
Determines the depth of the phasing effect.
6. PH MANUAL (0 - 100) -50 – 50
Adjusts the center frequency at which to apply the effect.
High values create lots of low end.
7. PH RESONANCE (0 - 127)
Determines the amount of resonance (feedback).
8. PH STEP RATE (0 - 20)
OFF 2 3/2 4/3 1 3/4 2/3 1/2
3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16 1/6 1/8 3/32
1/12 1/16 3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
Similar to BPM sync
except the values are
stepped. Sounds Ilke
"aliasing" at high
depths/note divisions.Nice
effect at lower depths.
9. PH EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the phaser.
10. PH DIRECT LEVEL (0 -100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.

[DD DELAY
1. DD SW (0 -1) OFF ON
Switches delay on/off. This is a mono/stereo effect.
2. DD TYPE (0 - 2)
SINGLE
simple monoaural delay
PAN
This delay is specifically for stereo output and allows you to
obtain the tap delay effect that divides the delay time, then
deliver them to L channel and R channel.
STEREO
The direct sound is output from L channel, and the
effect sound is output from R channel.
3. DD TIME (0 - 100) 0 – 100ms
Adjusts the delay time. When BPM sync is turned on,
this parameter is disabled.
4. DD TAP TIME (0 - 100) 0 – 100%
Adjusts the delay time of L channel . This setting adjusts L
channel delay time relative to R channel delay time
(considered as 100%). If BPM sync mode is off, the effect
is not as dramatic. Unless DD TYPE is set to PAN, this
parameter is disabled.
5. DD BPM SYNC (0 - 13)
OFF 3/8 1/3 1/4 3/16
1/6 1/8 3/32 1/12 1/16
3/64 1/24 1/32 3/128
The number of BPM sync options
for delay does not have the slower
divisions found in the other BPM
sync parameter lists, having only
14 while the others have 21.
6. DD FEEDBACK (0 - 100)
Adjusts the proportion of the delay sound that is fed back into the effect.
7. DD LPF (0 - 14) 630Hz – Flat
Cuts the frequency range above the cutoff frequency.
No effect: 14.
8. DD EFFECT LEVEL (0 - 100)
Adjusts the volume of the delay effect.
9. DD DIRECT LEVEL (0 -100)
Adjusts the volume of the direct sound.
Resources Used:
•parameter guides for Roland
◦[RD-2000
◦[MS-3
◦[GT-01
◦[GT-100
◦[Fantom
▪and others
•Unofficial TB-3 MIDI Implementation v1.3
•Roland-Aira-TB-3_MI_1.pdf sysex document
by: Dope Robot
corrections/updates/comments: [email protected]