Roland Gaia SH-01 User manual

ACHIEVE
MASTERY!
ENJOY CREATING
SOUNDS
WITH
YOUR SYNTHESIZER
Sound synthesis made easy!
Learn the basics of sound creation on Roland’s
new GAIA SH-01 synthesizer!

2
Introducing the Controls
INTRO
What are the Three Elements of Sound?
The three elements of sounds are pitch, brightness, and volume. On a synthe-
sizer, these elements are controlled by the following three sections.
1. Pitch = Oscillator (OSC)
2. Brightness = Filter (FILTER)
3. Volume = Ampli er (AMP)
D Beam
By moving your
hand above the D
Beam controller
you can change
the sound’s pitch,
volume, or bright-
ness.
LFO
This modulates the
sound.
Oscillator (OSC)
This determines the sound’s pitch. The oscilla-
tor is the heart of a synthesizer, and is where
you select the waveform that forms the basis
of the sound.
USB Memory
You can save your
patches to USB
memory.
memory.
Tone
You can layer three
tones to be played
simultaneously.
Here’s where you
select the tone you
want to edit.
Lever
Move this to left or
right to change the
sound’s pitch.
Move this away
from yourself to
apply modulation.
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
The three elements of sounds are pitch, brightness, and volume. On a synthe-
sizer, these elements are controlled by the following three sections.
ADVICE
ADVICE

3
Pitch
OSC
Brightness
FILTER
Pitch
Pitch
Pitch
OSC
OSC
OSC
Brightness
Brightness
Brightness
FILTER
FILTER
FILTER
Roland’s GAIA SH-01 synthesizer is designed so that these three elements of sound are arranged on the
panel in an intuitive layout, making the sound-creating process easy.
EXT IN
You can connect
a portable audio
player here.
Patch
Here you can call up
patches.
Filter
This determines the
sound’s brightness.
Amp
This determines the sound’s
volume. This is also where the
sound’s attack and decay are
adjusted.
E ects
Here you can apply reverb to give
the sound more depth, or add other
e ects.
Volume
This adjusts the
overall volume.
Volume
AMP

4
Play a Sound!
1
STEP
The GAIA SH-01 lets you start playing as soon as you turn on the power.
1. Turn on the power.
2. Press the NUMBER [1] button.
In this example we’ve selected sound (patch) number 1. On the following page we’ll explain more about how to
select “patches.”
3. Use the [VOLUME] knob to adjust the volume.
4. Play the keyboard.
Did you hear sound? Now read the next page, and select and play other sounds (patches).

5
What is a “Patch”?
The GAIA SH-01 lets you save the sounds you create.
Each sound you save is called a “patch.”
You can think of the locations that store the patches as being like shelves.
You’ll select the desired patch by GROUP, BANK, and NUMBER.
PRESET GROUP
Non-rewritable 64 patches
USER GROUP
Rewritable 64 patches
USB MEMORY
Rewritable 64 patches
Internal Memory USB Memory (sold separately)
Internal Memory
USB Memory
Internal Memory
You can use these patches to store the original sounds you’ve created.
Select Other Patches!
A sound you’ve saved can be easily recalled simply by pressing a button.
Go ahead and try out each patch to get an idea of what kind of sounds the GAIA SH-01 can produce.
Select a GROUP
PRESET PATCH
USER PATCH
USB MEMORY PATCH
Select a BANK
Press the [BANK]
and then press one
of the [1]–[8] buttons
Select a NUMBER
Press one of the [1]–[8] buttons
How to Think About Sound Programming
As you take a closer look at the factory-set patches (preset patches),
you’ll notice all sorts of clever tricks that were used to create the sounds.
Remember these tricks, and use them to create new sounds from scratch.
As you create your own sounds by modifying the preset patches, you’ll
learn various ways in which the sound can be changed.
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
ADVICE
ADVICE

6
Create a Sound!
2
STEP
Create a Bass Sound
Use the [CUTOFF] Knob to Fatten the Sound!
Moving the [CUTOFF] knob will make the sound fatter or brighter. Once you’ve
familiarized yourself with its function, try moving the [CUTOFF] knob between
10 o’clock and one o’clock while you raise and lower the LFO [FILTER DEPTH]
slider. It’s e ective to do this in sync with the tempo.
1. Call up the “PRESET B-1” patch.
Press the [PRESET
PATCH] button
Press the [1] button
Press the [BANK] button and
then press the [2] (B) button
2. Press the [KEY HOLD] button so it’s blinking.
3. Press the second C key from the bottom.
You’ll hear an arpeggiated techno bass.
4. Turn the FILTER [RESONANCE] knob to the
maximum position.
5. Slowly turn the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob from
the maximum position down to the minimum.
It’s e ective to make this change in sync with the tempo.
6. Set the [RESONANCE] knob at 10 o’clock, and
the [CUTOFF] knob at 12 o’clock.
7. In sync with the tempo, raise the LFO [FILTER DEPTH]
slider, and then bring it back to the center.
For the LFO DEPTH, the center is 0.
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
Use the [CUTOFF] Knob to Fatten the Sound!
Moving the [CUTOFF] knob will make the sound fatter or brighter. Once you’ve
familiarized yourself with its function, try moving the [CUTOFF] knob between
10 o’clock and one o’clock while you raise and lower the LFO [FILTER DEPTH]
slider. It’s e ective to do this in sync with the tempo.
ADVICE
ADVICE

7
Let’s try playing an arpeggiated synth bass sound.
Turn the  lter knob to make the sound change.
How Do I Stop the Sound?
Press the [KEY HOLD] button to stop the sound.
Add More Low End!
Turn on the [TONE 3] button, and play the keyboard.
Layering three tones produces an even fatter sound.
Save The Patch You’ve Created
The GAIA SH-01 has internal memory in which you can store 64 patches
that you’ve created.
By using USB memory (sold separately), you’ll be able to store 64 more
patches.
To save your patch, press the [WRITE] button and then select the save-destination patch number;  nally press
the [WRITE] button once again.
Select the GROUP
USER PATCH
USB MEMORY PATCH
Select a BANK
Press the [BANK]
and then press one
of the [1]–[8] buttons
Select a NUMBER
Press one of the [1]–[8]
buttons
Press the [WRITE] button
Layer Tones to Create Fat Sounds!
The GAIA SH-01 lets you layer three tones together,
allowing you to create incredibly fat sounds. Use the
TONE buttons to turn each tone on/o .
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
The GAIA SH-01 lets you layer three tones together,
allowing you to create incredibly fat sounds. Use the
TONE buttons to turn each tone on/o .
ADVICE
ADVICE

8
3
STEP
Create a Pad Sound
1. Call up the “PRESET A-3” patch.
Press the [PRESET
PATCH] button
Press the [3] button
Press the [BANK] button and
then press the [1] (A) button
2. Press the [KEY HOLD] button so it’s blinking.
3. Simultaneously press the TONE 1 and TONE 2
[SELECT] buttons so they’re lit.
You can use the [SELECT] buttons to select the tone that you want
to edit.
4. Play a chord.
5. While playing a chord, set the AMP [ATTACK]
slider in the range of about 2–5.
The attack sound will become more gentle.
While you play, adjust the slider to get the desired attack.
6. Next, try pressing the TONE 3 [SELECT] button
and adjusting the sound of TONE 3.
7. Raise the FILTER [ENV DEPTH] slider from
the center position to 2. The soft sound will
become brighter.
8. Set the FILTER [ATTACK] slider to 6. Now the
sound of TONE 3 will slowly become brighter
after you play the key.

9
Here we’ll try playing a polyphonic pad sound. This is a synth pad that combines an
attack sound with a softer sound.
9. Lower the FILTER [ENV DEPTH] slider
downward from the center. The sound of TONE
3 will disappear.
For additional expressive possibilities, you can move the FILTER
[ENV DEPTH] slider while you play.
Turn o the [KEY HOLD] button, and raise
the TONE 3 AMP [R] (RELEASE) slider to the
maximum position.
The time over which the sound of TONE 3 disappears will
lengthen.
You can change how the sound varies over time by adjusting the
ADSR, so you may want to adjust these settings until you get the
sound you like.
Save the Patch You’ve Created
To save your patch, press the [WRITE] button, then select the save-destination patch number, and  nally press
the [WRITE] button once again.
Press the [WRITE] button
Adjust the Envelope!
For example, if you want to create a gradual attack, such as for strings, try
raising the [A] slider. If you want the sound to linger for a while after you take
your hand o the keyboard, raise the [R] slider.
The sound’s attack and decay are created in the ENV (envelope generator) section.
Raise or lower the [A] [D] [S] [R] sliders, and notice how they a ect the sound.
Time
Release the key
Volume
Play a key A D
S
R
Symbol Name Volume change
AAttack time Duration of the attack
DDecay time Duration of the decay
SSustain level Level while sustained
RRelease time Duration of the release
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
The sound’s attack and decay are created in the ENV (envelope generator) section.
ADVICE
ADVICE

10
Create a Wind Sound
4
STEP
Use Cuto to Control the Character of the Wind
As you turn the [CUTOFF] knob
toward the left, the sound will
become more mu ed. When the
knob is turned all the way toward
the left, the sound will be nearly
inaudible. This is because most of the
frequency range is not being allowed
to pass.
Let’s try playing a wind sound that was created using noise. Noise allows you to produce this type of sound.
We’ll try controlling the character of the wind while listening to it.
1. Turn the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob all the way to
the left.
2. Call up the “PRESET A-8” patch.
Press the [PRESET
PATCH] button
Press the [8] button
Press the [BANK] button and
then press the [1] (A) button
3. Press the [KEY HOLD] button so it’s blinking.
4. Press and hold any key. The wind will start
blowing.
The sound of trickling water will also begin.
5. While holding down the key to make the wind
continue blowing, turn the FILTER [CUTOFF]
knob toward the right, and move it between
the 10 o’clock and 1 o’clock positions.
This lets you control the character of the wind.
Level
Frequency
Overtones
being cut
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
ADVICE
ADVICE

11
5
STEP
Create A Distorted Guitar
Sound
The GAIA SH-01 contains a powerful e ects section that lets you use  ve e ects simultaneously.
Let’s try creating the sound of a distorted guitar.
1. Call up the “PRESET A-6” patch.
Press the [PRESET
PATCH] button
Press the [6] button
Press the [BANK] button and
then press the [1] (A) button
2. Press the [KEY HOLD] button to turn o its
illumination.
3. First, let’s listen to the undistorted sound.
Press the EFFECTS [DIST] button so its light is o , and play the
keyboard.
You’ll hear the undistorted sound.
4. Press the EFFECTS [DIST] button so it’s lit, and
play the keyboard again.
Play two- ngered chords to simulate the performance of a rock
guitarist.
If you hold a note for a while, you’ll hear the feedback that’s
typical of a guitar amp played at high volume.
GAIA’s Amazing E ects!
The GAIA SH-01 contains  ve e ects processors: distortion (DIST), modula-
tion (FLANGER), delay (DELAY), reverb (REVERB), and low boost (LOW
BOOST). Using the DIST or FUZZ e ects located in the leftmost column will
distort the sound, making it more aggressive. DELAY and REVERB let you
create lush, spacious sounds. Go ahead and try out various e ects to hear
what they do.
Press the [DIST] button
so its light goes out
A NOTE OF
ADVICE
ADVICE
ADVICE

12
Synth Bass (PRESET PATCH: H-1)
2 3 7
1 5 46 4 9
8
1
1 Press the [CANCEL/SHIFT] button and [WRITE] button to recall the initialized sound.
The sawtooth wave is selected. Press the [VARIATION] button to light the [WAVE] button into red.
2 Since the bass usually sounds in the lower registers, turn the [PITCH] knob to the left so the sound is
lowered by an octave.
3 Set the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob between 8 and 9 o’clock.
The sound will diminish.
4 Next, you need to specify the character of the sound’s sustained portion. Set the FILTER ENV [ENV
DEPTH] slider to the 60% position. Set the FILTER ENV [S] slider to the 65% position. The sound will
be somewhat muted.
5 Now you’re ready to create the attack. Set the FILTER ENV [D] slider to the 35% position. The attack
will be softened.
6 To simulate the e ect of keeping a  nger on the string and sliding to a di erent fret,
press the [MONO] button so it’s lit.
7 Set the [RESONANCE] knob to the 11 o’clock position, giving the sound a distinctive character.
8 Set the AMP ENV [S] slider to the maximum position, and set the [A] [D] [R] sliders to the minimum
position.
9 Make  ne adjustments to the FILTER ENV [ENV DEPTH] slider to determine the overall tonal
character.
This synth bass is similar to the sound in chapter 2 “Recall and Edit Presets”, chapter 5 “How to Make
a Sound” of the DVD.
Examples of Creating Sounds
APPENDIX

13
Synth Lead (PRESET PATCH: H-7)
7 32
9
411
105
8
61
1 Press the [CANCEL/SHIFT] button and [WRITE] button to recall the initialized sound.
The sawtooth wave is selected. Press the [VARIATION] button to light the [WAVE] button into
red.
2 Turn the [PITCH] knob to the right so the sound is raised by an octave.
3 Set the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob to the 2 o’clock position.
4 Set the FILTER [RESONANCE] knob to the 8 o’clock position.
5 Now you’re ready to create the attack.
Set the FILTER ENV [A] [D] [S] [R] sliders all to the lowest position.
6 Next, you need to determine the overall tonal character.
Slightly raise the FILTER ENV [ENV DEPTH] slider.
7 Press the FILTER [SLOPE] button to select -24 dB.
The sound will become a bit softer.
8 Set the AMP ENV [S] slider to the maximum position, and set the [A] [D] [R] sliders
to the minimum position.
9 To get a more appropriate lead feeling, press the [MONO] button so it’s lit.
With this setting, the patch will play only single notes, and if you press a key while still holding
the previous key, the sound will change smoothly to the new pitch.
10 Press the [REVERB] button so it’s lit.
11 Turn the [CONTROL 1] knob to add reverberation to the lead sound.
This synth lead is similar to the sound in chapter 2 “Recall and Edit Presets” of the DVD.

14
Synth Pad (PRESET PATCH: H-2)
1
2 3
5
6
7 8 9 11
10 12
4
1 Press the [CANCEL/SHIFT] button and [WRITE] button to recall the initialized sound.
The sawtooth wave is selected.
2 Press the OSC [WAVE] button to select SUPER SAW. Press the [VARIATION] button to light the [WAVE]
button into red.
3 Set the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob to the 1 o’clock position.
The sound will become a bit darker.
4 Now you’re ready to specify the overall character of the sound. Set the FILTER ENV [A] slider to 55%,
the [D] slider to 70%, the [S] slider to 25%, and the [R] slider to 10%.
5 Raise the FILTER ENV [ENV DEPTH] slider from 0 to the second mark to specify the overall character.
6 Turn the AMP [LEVEL] knob all the way to the right (MAX).
7 Set the AMP ENV [A] slider to the 20% position.
The attack will become slower.
8 Raise the AMP ENV [R] slider to about the middle position.
Now the sound will linger for a while even after you take your  nger o the key.
9 Press the [PANNING DELAY] button so it’s lit.
10 Set the EFFECTS [CONTROL 1] knob to the 10 o’clock position to add a sense of spaciousness.
11 Press the [REVERB] button so it’s lit.
12 Set the EFFECTS [CONTROL 1] knob to the 1 o’clock position to add reverberation.
This synth pad is similar to the sound in chapter 5 “How to Make a Sound” of the DVD.
Examples of Creating Sounds
APPENDIX

15
Sound E ect (PRESET PATCH: H-5)
1
2 3
6
4
8 10
9 11
5 7
Here’s how to create a sound e ect that might be appropriate
for a spaceship taking o .
* These settings may produce a sudden, loud sound. Turn the knobs slowly to avoid damaging your hearing
or your speakers.
1 Press the [CANCEL/SHIFT] button and [WRITE] button to recall the initialized sound.
The sawtooth wave is selected.
2 Press the OSC [WAVE] button to select NOISE.
3 Turn the FILTER [CUTOFF] knob all the way to the left (MIN).
You will no longer hear sound.
4 Set the FILTER [RESONANCE] knob to the 9 o’clock position.
5 Set the FILTER ENV [A] slider to 50%, the [D] slider to 65%, and the [R] slider to 60%.
Lower the [S] slider all the way to the bottom.
6 Slowly raise the FILTER ENV [ENV DEPTH] slider to the maximum position.
7 Set the AMP ENV [A] slider to 55%, the [D] slider to 65%, and the [R] slider to 70%.
Lower the [S] slider all the way to the bottom.
8 Press the [PANNING DELAY] button so it’s lit.
9 Set the EFFECTS [CONTROL 1] knob to the 11 o’clock position to add some spaciousness.
10 Press the [REVERB] button so it’s lit.
11 Set the EFFECTS [CONTROL 1] knob to the 12 o’clock position to add reverb.
This sound e ect is similar to the sound in chapter 5 “How to Make a Sound” of the DVD.

* 5 1 0 0 0 1 1 7 3 0 - 0 3 *
RAM-4520
Experience the magic of creating your own sounds.
For more than a quarter century, Roland has de ned and rede ned the state of the art in
synthesizers.
Today, the fundamentals for sound creation remain the same for most synthesizers.
By understanding the fundamentals, anyone can enjoy creating sound for virtually any
type of synthesizer.
Copyright © 2010 ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
Roland and GAIA are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Roland
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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