Roland System-8 User manual

© 2016 Roland Corporation 02
Contents
Panel Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Editing a Patch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Editing a Patch’s Bender Settings or Patch Name (PATCH
EDIT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Simulating Aging (CONDITION). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Specifying the Tempo of Each Patch (Patch Tempo) . . . . . . 10
Initializing a Patch (Patch Init) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Saving a Patch (WRITE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Patch Eects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Editing a Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Making Settings for the Entire Performance (PERFORM
EDIT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Making Settings for Each Part (PART EDIT) . . . . . . . . . 16
Initializing a Performance (Perform Init) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Saving a Performance (WRITE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Accessing the MENU Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Making System Settings (SYSTEM Setting Screen) . . . . . . . 21
Saving the System Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Viewing the System Version (VERSION INFO) . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Viewing Plug-Out Information (PLUG-OUT INFO). . . . . . . . 26
Convenient Functions (UTILITY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Backing Up Data to SD Card (BACKUP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Restoring Data That Was Backed Up to SD Card (RESTORE) 27
Exporting Sound Data to an SD Card (EXPORT) . . . . . . . . . . 27
Importing Sound Data from an SD Card (IMPORT) . . . . . . . 28
Changing the Order of Patches/Performances
(EXCHANGE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Returning to the Factory Settings (FACTORY RESET) . . . . . 29
Removing a PLUG-OUT (PLUG-OUT REMOVE). . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Formatting an SD Card (SD CARD FORMAT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Deleting a File from an SD Card (Delete File) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Overwrite-Saving Edited Data (Overwrite). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Using the Vocoder (VOCODER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Connecting a Mic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Using the Vocoder in Patch Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Using the Vocoder in Performance Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
When the PerfMode Is “DUAL”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
When the PerfMode Is “SINGLE” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
About the Step Sequencer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
STEP SEQUENCER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Recording Steps Consecutively (STEP REC) . . . . . . . . . 35
Recording in Real Time (REAL TIME REC) . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Starting Realtime Recording by Keyboard Input . . . . 36
Recording a Specic Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Editing a Specic Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Transposing the Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Muting the Playback of a Specic Part
(Performance Mode Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Saving Step Sequencer Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
About FIRST STEP and LAST STEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Selecting the First Step (FIRST STEP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Selecting the Last Step (LAST STEP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Changing the Steps While Maintaining the Spacing
of the First and Last Steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
STEP SEQ MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Copying a Pattern (PTN COPY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Specifying the Note Length of One Step (SETTING) . 38

2
Panel Descriptions
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
11
12
10
1 Common section
Here you can make the following settings for the SYSTEM-8.
Controller Value Explanation
[VOLUME] knob --- Adjusts the volume.
[INPUT] knob --- Adjusts the volume level of the INPUT R and L/MONO jacks.
PEAK indicator ---
Indicates the analog input level of the rear panel INPUT R, L/MONO jacks.
The PEAK indicator lights if the input level is excessive.
Adjust the volume of your connected equipment so that this indicator lights
occasionally.
* If the PEAK indicator stays lit even after you adjust the connected device, adjust the
system setting INPUT: Gain (p. 24).
[VOCODER] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Switches the vocoder on/o.
[ARPEGGIO] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the arpeggio function on/o.
[ARP TYPE] knob
Selects the arpeggio type.
1 OCT UP The keys you press are sounded consecutively upward starting from the lowest.
1 OCT U+D The keys you press are sounded consecutively upward starting from the lowest, and
then back down again.
1 OCT DOWN The keys you press are sounded consecutively downward starting from the highest.
2 OCT DOWN The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded
consecutively downward starting from the highest.
2 OCT U+D The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded
consecutively upward starting from the lowest, and then back down again.
2 OCT UP The keys you press, together with the keys one octave above those keys, are sounded
consecutively starting with the lowest.
[ARP STEP] knob
Selects the note value for each step of the arpeggio.
1/4 Quarter note
1/8 Eighth note
1/16 Sixteenth note
1/4T Quarter-note triplet
1/8T Eighth note triplet
1/16T Sixteenth note triplet
[KEY HOLD] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the key hold function on/o.
[CHORD MEMORY]
button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the chord memory function on/o.
[VELOCITY OFF]
button ON (lit), OFF (unlit)
Notes sound at the same volume even if your playing dynamics vary.
The velocity value when “VELOCITY OFF” is on is specied by the system setting
(SYSTEM: KEY TOUCH: Fixed Velo) (p. 21).
[TRANSPOSE] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Turns the transpose function on/o.

3
Panel Descriptions
Controller Value Explanation
OCTAVE [DOWN]
[UP] buttons
-3–0–+3 (octave units)
Octave shift
These buttons let you shift the pitch range of the keyboard in one-octave units. The
button is lit if the pitch is shifted by one octave, and blinking if the pitch is shifted by
two or three octaves.
-5–0–+6 (semitone units)
Key transpose
By pressing a [DOWN] [UP] button while holding down the [TRANSPOSE] button,
you can transpose (shift the pitch of ) the keyboard in semitone units.
MODE [PATCH]
button --- Switches to Patch mode.
&“Editing a Patch” (p. 9)
MODE
[PERFORMANCE]
button
--- Switches to Performance mode.
&“Editing a Performance” (p. 14)
PART ON/OFF
[LOWER] [UPPER]
buttons
ON (lit), OFF (unlit) In performance mode, switch the lower part or upper part on/o.
PANEL SELECT
[LOWER] [UPPER]
buttons
(The button of the selected
part is lit)
In performance mode, select the part (lower or upper) that is the target of panel
operations.
[MANUAL] button --- Causes sound to be produced according to the current settings of the knobs and
sliders.
[PORTAMENTO]
knob OFF, 1–255
Adjusts the time over which pitch change occurs when portamento is applied.
Portamento is an eect that smoothly changes the pitch between one key and the
next-played key.
[LEGATO] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Applies portamento only when you play legato (i.e., when you press the next key
before releasing the previous key).
[TEMPO] knob 40.0–300.0 (BPM)
Species the tempo of the step sequencer and arpeggiator. The indicator blinks at
the specied tempo.
If “Patch Tempo” (p. 22) is “ON,” the tempo can be stored as a patch setting.
[TEMPO SYNC]
button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) The modulation speed (RATE) of the 2LFO section and the delay time (TIME) of the
9EFFECTS section are synchronized to the tempo.
[MONO] button MONO, UNISON, POLY If this is on (lit), the synth will play monophonically (single notes).
If this is blinking, the synth will play all sounds in unison (UNISON mode).
MODEL [SYSTEM-8]
[PLUG-OUT 1]–
[PLUG-OUT 3]
buttons
(The button of the selected
synthesizer is lit)
When the [SYSTEM-8] button is on, this instrument operates as the SYSTEM-8
synthesizer. When one of the [PLUGOUT 1–3] buttons is on, this instrument operates
as a PLUG-OUT synthesizer.
[WRITE] button --- Saves sounds, step sequencer and system settings.
[SHIFT] button ---
When used in conjunction with other buttons or knobs, lets you view parameters or
edit dierent parameters.
By holding down the [SHIFT] button and turning the [VALUE] knob to change the
value, you can edit a setting in steps of 10.
[MENU] button --- Accesses the MENU screen.
Display --- Shows various information for the operation.
[VALUE] knob ---
Change the value at the cursor position.
By holding down the [SHIFT] button and turning the [VALUE] knob to change the
value, you can edit a setting in steps of 10.
cursor [K][J]
buttons --- Move the cursor left/right.
Alternatively, switch screens.
[EXIT] button --- Returns you to the previous screen.
In some screens, this cancels the operation currently being executed.
[ENTER] button --- Press this to conrm a value or execute an operation.

4
Panel Descriptions
2 LFO
Here you can create cyclic change (modulation) in the sound by applying vibrato (pitch modulation) or tremolo (volume modulation).
Controller Value Explanation
[VARIATION] knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Selects the variation of the LFO section.
Variation 1 Variation 1 (Single LFO)
A standard LFO.
Variation 2
Variation 2 (Dual LFO)
This LFO is created by using a separate second LFO to apply frequency modulation
to the same LFO waveform as Variation 1. The second LFO is a sine wave ve octaves
lower.
Variation 3
Variation 3 (Resonanced Pulse LFO)
This is a pulse waveform with resonance.
The waveform knob selects the frequency of the resonance.
Wave knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3
RSine wave (SIN) Sine wave (SIN x 2) TYPE 1
STriangle wave (TRI) Triangle wave (TRI x 2) TYPE 2
TSawtooth wave (SAW) Sawtooth wave (SAW x 2) TYPE 3
USquare wave (SQR) Square wave (SQR x 2) TYPE 4
WSample and Hold (S&H) Sample and Hold (S&H x 2) TYPE 5
RND Random wave (RND) Random wave (RND x 2) TYPE 6
[PITCH] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the pitch of the partial, producing a vibrato eect.
[FADE TIME] knob 0–255 Species the time from when the tone sounds until the LFO reaches its maximum
amplitude.
[FILTER] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the FILTER CUTOFF (cuto frequency),
[KEY TRIG] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Species whether the LFO waveform is synchronized to start the moment you press a
key (on) or is not synchronized (o).
[TRIG ENV] button ON (lit), OFF (unlit) Causes the envelope to start repeatedly at the LFO cycle (on).
[RATE] knob 0–255
Determines the speed of the LFO modulation.
The indicator blinks at the speed (rate) of the LFO modulation.
This knob is a GRF (GRIFFER) knob which allows high-precision adjustments.
[AMP] knob -128–0–+127 Allows the LFO to modulate the AMP LEVEL (volume), producing a tremolo eect.
3 OSC 1, OSC 2
Here you can select the waveform that determines the character of the sound, and specify its pitch. The SYSTEM-8 has three oscillators (OSC 1,
OSC 2, and 4OSC 3/SUB OSC).
Controller Value Explanation
[VARIATION] knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Select the variation of the OSC 1 and OSC 2 sections.
Variation 1 This is the basic oscillator waveform.
Variation 2 This is a distinctive oscillator waveform.
Wave knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Variation 1 Variation 2
TSawtooth wave (SAW) Noise Saw (NOISESAW)
USquare wave (SQR) Logic Operation (LOGIC)
STriangle wave (TRI) FM (FM)
TSawtooth wave2 (SAW2) FM+SYNC (FM SYNC)
USquare wave2 (SQR2) Vowel (VOWEL)
STriangle wave2 (TRI2) CB (COWBELL)
Octave (feet) knob 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 Species the octave of the oscillator.
[COLOR] knob 0–255 Adjusts the tone.
The result depends on the waveform.
T
U
S

5
Panel Descriptions
Controller Value Explanation
[MOD] knob
Selects the source that is modulated by the [COLOR] knob.
MAN The sound is determined by the position of the [COLOR] knob. It will not vary over
time.
LFO The sound varies over time at the rate specied in the 2LFO section.
P. ENV The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the 6PITCH section.
F. ENV The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the 7FILTER section.
A. ENV The sound changes over time according to the envelope of the 8AMP section.
OSC 3 The sound changes over time according to the frequency of the 4OSC 3.
[COARSE TUNE] knob -11–0–+11 Adjusts the pitch in semitone steps.
[FINE TUNE] knob -128–0–+127 Allows ne pitch adjustments.
[CROSS MOD] knob
(OSC 1 only) 0–255
Modies the OSC 1 frequency according to the OSC 2 waveform. Turning the knob
toward the right makes OSC 1 become a more complex sound, allowing you to create
metallic sounds or sound eects.
[RING] button
(OSC 2 only) ON (lit), OFF (unlit)
This is a ring modulator. It generates a complex waveform by multiplying OSC 1 and
OSC 2.
OSC 1
OSC 2
[SYNC] button
(OSC 2 only) ON (lit), OFF (unlit)
This is oscillator sync. It generates a complex waveform by forcibly resetting OSC 2 to
the beginning of its cycle in synchronization with the OSC 1 frequency.
OSC 1
OSC 2
4 OSC 3/SUB OSC
Controller Value Explanation
Wave knob
Selects the waveform that is the basis of the sound.
R-2Oct Sine wave two octaves lower
R -1Oct Sine wave one octave lower
RSine wave
STriangle wave
S-1Oct Triangle wave one octave lower
S-2Oct Triangle wave two octaves lower
[COLOR] knob 0–255 The result depends on the waveform.
[TUNE] knob -1200cent–+1200cent Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator.
5 MIXER
Adjust the OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/SUB OSC, Noise’s volume.
Controller Value Explanation
[OSC 1] knob 0–255 Adjust the OSC 1’s volume.
[OSC 2] knob 0–255 Adjust the OSC 2’s volume.
[OSC 3/SUB OSC]
knob 0–255 Adjust the OSC 3/SUB OSC’s volume.
[NOISE] knob 0–255 Adjust the noise’s volume.
[NOISE TYPE] button White noise (lit),
Pink noise (unlit) Selects the type of the noise.

6
Panel Descriptions
6 PITCH
Here you can create time-varying change (envelope) for pitch.
Controller Value Explanation
[ENV] knob -128–0–+127
If this knob is turned toward the right, the pitch initially becomes higher and then
returns to the pitch of the key you pressed.
If this knob is turned toward the left, the pitch initially becomes lower and then
returns to the pitch of the key you pressed.
[A] slider 0–255 These sliders operate similarly to the [A] [D] sliders of the 8AMP section (they aect
the pitch rather than the volume).
[D] slider
7 FILTER
These settings determine the brightness and thickness of the sound. Here you can also specify the time-varying change (envelope) for the lter.
Controller Value Explanation
[VARIATION] knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Selects the variation of the FILTER section.
LPF/HPF (Variation 1) Low pass lter (LPF), High pass lter (HPF)
SBF (Variation 2) Side band lter (SBF)
(Variation 3) This is a SYSTEM-1 type low pass lter (LPF).
[CUTOFF] knob 0–255 Species the cuto frequency of the lter.
This knob is a GRF (GRIFFER) knob which allows high-precision adjustments.
Filter type knob
(only for MODEL:
SYSTEM-8)
Selects the slope of the lter.
(Variation 1)
LPF-24dB, LPF-18dB,
LPF-12dB, HPF-12dB,
HPF-18dB, HPF-24dB
Low pass lter (LPF), High pass lter (HPF)
LPF: -24dB, -18dB, -12dB
-18 dB
-12 dB
-24 dB
Volume
Frequency
HPF: -12dB, -18dB, -24dB
-18 dB
-12 dB -24 dB
Volume
Frequency
(Variation 2)
SBF1–SBF6
Side band lter (SBF)
You can use the [CUTOFF] knob to adjust the band interval.
You can also use the lter type knob to select the range of the band interval.
SBF1–3: Low range, Mid range, High range with original sound
SBF4–6: High range, Mid range, Low range without original sound
You can use the resonance knob to adjust the band width.
(Variation 3)
LPF-24dB, LPF-18dB,
LPF-12dB
This is a SYSTEM-1 type low pass lter (LPF)
Although the knob moves through six steps, this setting has three values. Even if you
move the knob to the fourth or subsequent step, the value is LPF-12 dB.
[RESO] knob 0–255
Resonance boosts the sound in the region of the lter’s cuto frequency.
Higher settings produce stronger emphasis, creating a distinctively “synthesizer-
like” sound.
[ENV] knob -128–0–+127
This knob species the depth and direction of the cuto frequency change produced
by the [A], [D], [S], and [R] sliders.
If the knob is turned toward the right, the cuto frequency moves in the upward
direction.
If the knob is turned toward the left, the cuto frequency moves in the downward
direction.
[KEY] knob -128–0–+127
Allows the lter cuto frequency to vary according to the key that you play.
If the knob is turned toward the right, the cuto frequency becomes higher as you
play higher notes.
If the knob is turned toward the left, the cuto frequency becomes lower as you play
lower notes.
[VELOCITY SENS]
knob 0–255 Adjusts the sensitivity by which the key velocity (playing dynamics) varies the depth of the lter envelope.
[HPF CUTOFF] knob 0–255 Species the cuto frequency of the high-pass lter. Frequency components below
the cuto frequency are cut.

7
Panel Descriptions
Controller Value Explanation
[A] slider
0–255 These sliders operate similarly to the [A] [D] [S] [R] sliders of the 8AMP section
(they aect the cuto frequency rather than the volume).
[D] slider
[S] slider
[R] slider
8 AMP
Here you can create time-varying change (envelope) for the volume.
Controller Value Explanation
[VELOCITY SENS]
knob 0–255 Adjusts the sensitivity by which the key velocity (playing dynamics) varies the volume.
[TONE] knob -128–0–+127 Adjusts the brightness of the sound.
[LEVEL] knob 0–255 Adjusts the volume.
[A] slider
(Attack time) 0–255 Species the time from the moment you press the key
until the maximum volume is reached.
[D] slider
(Decay time) 0–255 Species the time from when the maximum volume is
reached, until it decays to the sustain level.
[S] slider
(Sustain level) 0–255
Species the volume level that will be maintained from
when the attack and decay times have elapsed until you
release the key.
[R] slider
(Release time) 0–255 Species the time from when you release the key until the
volume reaches its minimum value.
9 EFFECTS, DELAY/CHORUS, REVERB
Here you can adjust the eect, delay/chorus, and reverb depth.
Controller Value Explanation
Eect type knob
OD (OVERDRIVE),
DS (DISTORTION),
MT (METAL),
FZ (FUZZ),
CR (CRUSHER),
PH (PHASER)
Selects the eect type.
[TONE] knob 0–255 Species the character of the eect.
[DEPTH] knob OFF, 1–255 Species the depth of the eect.
Delay/chorus type
knob
DLY (DELAY),
PAN (PANNING DELAY),
CH1 (CHORUS 1),
CH2 (CHORUS 2),
FL (FLANGER),
DLY+CH (DELAY + CHORUS)
Switches the delay/chorus type.
[TIME] knob 0–255 Adjusts the time by which the sound is delayed.
[LEVEL] knob OFF, 1–255 Adjusts the volume of delay/chorus.
Reverb type knob
AMBI (AMBIENCE),
ROOM (ROOM),
HALL1 (HALL 1),
HALL2 (HALL 2),
PLATE (PLATE),
MOD (MODULATION)
Switches the reverb type.
[TIME] knob 0–255 Species the reverb time.
[LEVEL] knob OFF, 1–255 Species the reverb volume.

8
Panel Descriptions
10 PITCH BEND/MODULATION
This allows you to control pitch bend or apply vibrato.
Controller Value Explanation
BEND SENS [PITCH]
slider 0–255 Species the amount of the pitch change produced by pitch bend operations.
BEND SENS [FILTER]
slider 0–255 Species the amount of the lter change produced by pitch bend operations.
MOD SENS [PITCH]
slider 0–255 Species the amount of the pitch change produced by modulation operations.
MOD SENS [FILTER]
slider 0–255 Species the amount of the lter change produced by modulation operations.
Pitch bend/
Modulation lever ---
While playing the keyboard, move the lever toward the left to lower the pitch, or
toward the right to raise the pitch.
Move the lever away from yourself to apply vibrato.
11 Step sequencer
Here you can record your keyboard performance and knob operations, and play them back repeatedly.
Controller Value Explanation
[EDIT/DISP] button --- Shows the STEP SEQ screen.
[REST] button ---
Enters a rest during STEP REC.
If you hold down the [EDIT/DISP] button and press the [REST] button, the SEQ
ERASE screen appears.
[TIE] button ---
Enters a tie during STEP REC.
If you hold down the [EDIT/DISP] button and press the [TIE] button, the STEP
LENGTH screen appears.
[STEP REC] button --- Starts step recording.
[REAL TIME REC]
button --- Starts realtime recording.
[START] button --- Plays the step sequencer.
[SCALE] knob
1/8 Eighth note
1/16 Sixteenth note
1/32 Thirty-second note
1/4T Quarter-note triplet
1/8T Eighth-note triplet
1/16T Sixteenth-note triplet
[PLAY MODE] knob
(FWD) Play forward from the rst step.
(REV) Play backward from the last step.
(FWD&REV) Play forward from the rst step, and then play backward from the last step.
(INVERT) Play with even-numbered and odd-numbered steps inverted.
RND (RND) Play steps randomly.
KEY TRIG (TRIG) Play normally while the keyboard is held.
[GATE] knob -128–0–+127 You can adjust the duration of the note recorded at each step.
[SHUFFLE] knob -128–0–+127
You can adjust the timing of the notes for even-numbered steps (Step 2, Step 4, Step
6...).
If the knob is in the center position, the timing is not adjusted.
[FIRST STEP] button 1– (the value specied for
STEP LENGTH) Plays with the specied step as the rst step.
[LAST STEP] button 1– (the value specied for
STEP LENGTH) Plays with the specied step as the last step.
&For details on the step sequencer, refer to “Step Sequencer” (Owner’s Manual
p.14 ).
12 [A]–[H], [1]–[8] buttons
Use these buttons to recall sounds.
A–H (bank), 1–8 (number)
These buttons also indicate steps of the step sequencer.
1–16 (step)

9
Editing a Patch
Patch mode
This is the SYSTEM-8’s basic mode, in which it plays a single part.
* Use the MODEL buttons to select the desired synthesizer sound engine.
1. Press the MODE [PATCH] button.
The SYSTEM-8 is in patch mode.
2. Select a patch as necessary.
3. Move the top panel knobs and sliders.
When you operate a knob or slider, the parameter name, and value appear. After a few seconds, the top screen reappears.
OSC1:
Wave SAW
When you edit a patch, an “*” appears at the left of the Bank–Number.
PATCH SYS8 *A-1
SQ Star Spiral
MEMO
If you press the [ENTER] button while a knob operation has caused a parameter to appear in the display, the parameter will remain
visible. In this state, you can use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.
If you operate a dierent knob, the display changes to that parameter; however, after a time, the previous display reappears.
FILTER:
Cutoff 145
To cancel, press the [EXIT] button.
This is also canceled when you select a dierent patch, etc.
Editing a Patch’s Bender Settings or Patch Name (PATCH EDIT)
MEMO
For the SYSTEM-8, all settings other than Bend Range and Gain can be controlled from the panel controllers.
1. In patch mode, press the [MENU] button.
2. Use the cursor [K][J]buttons to select “PATCH EDIT,” and then press the [ENTER] button.
3. Use the cursor [K][J]buttons to select a parameter, and use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.
4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the MENU screen.
Patch parameters
Menu
[SHIFT] + cursor [K][J]
Parameter
Cursor [K][J]
Value
[VALUE] knob Explanation
BEND
Bend Range 1–24 Species the amount of pitch change (in semitone units, up to two
octaves) that occurs when you operate the pitch bend lever.
Bend Gain x1, x2, x3, x4
Species a multiplier for the Bend Range, extending the range of change.
For example, if the Bend Range is set to “24” and the Bend Gain is “x4,”
the range of pitch bend change will be eight octaves.
NAME (Patch Name) Species the name of the patch.
* For the JUPITER-8 (PLUG-OUT 1), Bend Range, Gain, and parameters not assigned to the panel can be edited in PATCH EDIT.

10
Editing a Patch
Simulating Aging (CONDITION)
The SYSTEM-8 can simulate the changes that occur in an older unit
(Aging).
The condition setting is saved as a patch parameter.
1. In patch mode, press the [MENU] button.
2. Use the cursor [K][J]buttons to select
“CONDITION,” and then press the [ENTER] button.
3. Use the [VALUE] knob to edit the value.
4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the MENU
screen.
Parameter Value
CONDITION -128–0–+127 (Default: 0)
Specifying the Tempo of Each Patch (Patch Tempo)
If “Patch Tempo” (p. 22) is “ON,” the tempo specied for each
patch is used (only in Patch mode).
Enabling patch tempo
1. Press the [MENU] button.
2. Use the Cursor [K][J]buttons to select “SYSTEM,”
and then press the [ENTER] button.
3. Use the cursor [K][J]buttons to select “SYNC/
TEMPO: Patch Tempo” parameter.
4. Use the [VALUE] knob to turn the “SYNC/TEMPO:
Patch Tempo” parameter “ON.”
SYNC/TEMPO:
Patch Tempo ON
5. Press the [EXIT] button several times to return to the
top screen.
If you want to keep this change, save the system settings.
&“Saving the System Settings” (p. 25)
Specifying the patch tempo
6. Use the [TEMPO] knob to change the Patch Tempo.
TEMPO:
PatchTempo 120.0
MEMO
Changing the patch tempo will edit the patch. If you want to
keep this change, save the patch.
&“Saving a Patch (WRITE)” (p. 10)
Initializing a Patch (Patch Init)
Here’s how to initialize the patch in the temporary area, setting it to
“Init Patch” (the basic sound).
1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button, and then press the
MODE [PATCH] button.
A conrmation message appears.
Patch Init?
[Exit]:N [Ent]:Y
2. To initialize, press the [ENTER] button.
If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button.
MEMO
5When you initialize the patch, an “*” appears beside the
Bank–Number.
PATCH SYS8 *A-1
----------------
5When you initialize the patch in performance mode, the
patch of the part selected by PANEL SELECT is initialized.
Saving a Patch (WRITE)
1. In patch mode, press the [WRITE] button.
The WRITE screen appears.
<WRITE> [Ent]
PATCH* À
When you edit a patch, the display indicates “PATCH*.”
2. Press the [ENTER] button.
The PATCH NAME screen appears.
PATCH NAME [Ent]
User_Patch_Name
3. Use the cursor [K][J]buttons and the [VALUE] knob
to change the character.
Operation Explanation
[SHIFT] button
+ cursor [K]button Deletes one character (Erase).
[SHIFT] button
+cursor [J]button Inserts one character (Insert).
[SHIFT] button
+ [VALUE] knob
Switches between uppercase/
lowercase/numerals.
4. Press the [ENTER] button.
A screen allows you to select the save-destination.
To:SYS8 A-1[Ent]
[SY System- aws]
5. Use the [VALUE] knob to select the save-destination.