Roland VT-4 User manual

1
Owner’s Manual
© 2018 Roland Corporation
Before using this unit, carefully read the leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES.” After reading, keep the document(s) where it will
be available for immediate reference.
[VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of the LINE OUT jacks
and the PHONES jack.
[MIC SENS] knob
Adjusts the input sensitivity of the mic
connected to the MIC IN jacks (front/rear).
[ROBOT] button
Transforms your voice into that of a robot,
with a xed pitch and an expressionless
character.
[MEGAPHONE] button
Gives your voice a distorted character as if
you were speaking through a megaphone.
PEAK indicator
Lights if the mic input level is excessive.
Use the [MIC SENS] knob to adjust the
sensitivity so that this indicator lights
occasionally.
[MANUAL] button
Applies the current settings of the sliders
and the [AUTO PITCH] knob to the sound.
[BYPASS] button
Disables the eects (including reverb).
[KEY] knob
Species the key used when applying the
eect of the [ROBOT] button or the [AUTO
PITCH] knob (p. 5).
Panel Descriptions

Panel Descriptions
2
[LINE OUT] switch
Switches the audio that is output from the LINE OUT jacks.
STEREO Stereo audio will be output.
MONO The processed sound (L/MONO) and the unprocessed sound (R/BYPASS) will be
output separately.
[PHANTOM] switch
Turn this “ON”if you want phantom power
to be supplied to the MIC IN jack (rear).
* Phantom power is not supplied to the
TRS phone plug.
[AUTO PITCH] knob
Corrects the pitch.
This lets you constrain your vocal to the
key specied by the [KEY] knob, creating
a warbling pitch change that is typical of
dance music.
The amount of correction increases as you
turn the knob toward the right.
If this is “OFF,” correction is not applied.
[HARMONY] button
Adds harmony to your voice.
[VOCODER] button
Transforms the sound into a vocoder voice.
[PITCH] slider
Adjusts the pitch of the voice.
You can adjust this in a range of 1 octave
up or down.
[FORMANT] slider
Adjusts the formant.
Negative (“-”) settings produce a masculine
character; positive (“+”) produce a
feminine character.
[BALANCE] slider
Adjusts the balance between the
unprocessed voice (NORMAL) and the
eect-processed voice (EFFECT).
[REVERB] slider
Adjusts the amount of reverberation.
Scene memory [1]–[4] buttons
Recall eect settings (scenes).
The button of the“recalled” scene memory is lit.
You can store up to eight scenes.
&“Recalling Eect Settings (Scene Memories)”
(p. 6)

3
Rear panel
Front panel
[POWER] switch
Turning the Power On/O
After you’ve made connections correctly,
turn on the power in the order of this
unit0connected devices.
When turning the power o, do so in the
order of the connected devices0this unit.
MEMO
This unit can operate on USB bus power
or on batteries.
If you want to use it on batteries, install
batteries beforehand (p. 11).
Connecting Your Equipment
LINE OUT jacks
Connect these jacks to your amp or
monitor speakers.
MIC IN jack (rear)
Connect a mic (sold separately) here.
If a condenser mic is connected to the
XLR connector, phantom power can be
supplied (p. 2).
* Pin assignment of MIC IN jack (rear)
1: GND2: HOT
3: COLD
TIP: HOT
RING: COLD
SLEEVE: GND
MIDI IN connector
Connect a MIDI device.
You can use incoming MIDI note messages to
play the robot voice, etc. (p. 5).
USB (O) port
If this port is connected to your computer via a
commercially available USB 2.0 cable, you can
use the VT-4 as a USB audio interface.
* If USB bus power is supplied, the unit
operates on USB bus power.
* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn o all the units before making any connections.
* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when
switching the unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
PHONES jack
Connect headphones (sold separately)
here.
MIC IN jack (front)
Connect a mic that is compatible with
plug-in power (sold separately).
* This is only for use with a mic that is
compatible with plug-in power.

4
Transforming Your Voice
Applying an Eect
1. Connect your mic to the MIC IN jack (front or rear).
* If you connect a condenser mic to the MIC IN jack (rear) via an XLR
connector, turn the [PHANTOM] switch on.
2. Turn the [BYPASS] button on.
3. While vocalizing into the mic, use the [MIC SENS] knob to
adjust the input sensitivity.
Adjust the sensitivity so that the PEAK indicator lights occasionally.
* Adjust the input sensitivity accurately. If the mic input level is too
low or too high, the eect won’t work correctly.
4. Press a scene memory button to recall a scene (p. 6).
5. Turn the [BYPASS] button o.
6. Set the [BALANCE] slider to the EFFECT position.
7. Vocalize into the mic.
Your voice processed by the eect is output.
* When inputting voice into the mic, input the voice of only one
person. If multiple voices are input, the eect won’t work correctly.
* Take care that sound from the speaker does not enter the mic.
MEMO
If feedback occurs, set the noise gate (p. 7).
Editing the Eect
1. Press the [MANUAL] button.
You can press a scene memory button to recall a saved eect, and
then edit those eect settings (p. 6).
2. Use the controllers (buttons, knobs, sliders) to edit the
eect settings.
Controller Explanation
[ROBOT]*1 Produces an expressionless voice with a xed
pitch, evocative of a robot.
[MEGAPHONE]*1 Produces a distorted voice, as though you
were using a megaphone.
[VOCODER]*1 Produces a vocoder voice.
[HARMONY]*1 Lets you add harmony to the sound.
[AUTO PITCH] Pitch-corrects your voice.
[KEY]
Species the key that is used when applying
an eect with the [ROBOT] button or the
[AUTO PITCH] knob (p. 5).
[PITCH] Adjusts the pitch of the voice.
[FORMANT] Adjusts the formants of the sound.
[BALANCE]
Adjusts the balance between the normal
voice (NORMAL) and the eect-processed
voice (EFFECT).
[REVERB]*1 Adjusts the amount of reverb (reverberation).
*1 To select an eect variation, hold down an eect button and press a
scene memory button.
&“Eect Variation List” (p. 11)
3. As necessary, save the eect settings in a scene memory
button (p. 6).

Transforming Your Voice
5
Using the [KEY] knob to specify the key
You can specify the key that is
used when applying an eect
with the [ROBOT] button or the
[AUTO PITCH] knob.
MEMO
To specify a minor scale, turn the knob
three clicks to the right from the desired
key indication.
For example, if you want to set the key
to “Am,” turn the knob three clicks to the
right from the “A”position, setting it to
the “C” position.
Inputting Note Messages to the MIDI IN Connector
You can use note messages input via the MIDI IN connector to play the
robot voice. You can also play the vocoder voice, or generate harmony
notes.
1. Connect a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI device to the
MIDI IN connector.
2. While inputting note messages from the MIDI device,
vocalize into the mic.
The VT-4 switches to robot voice (the [ROBOT] button is lit), and the
robot voice is sounded by the incoming note messages. (The robot
voice turns on automatically.)
3. If you want to add harmony, turn the [HARMONY] button
on, and input your voice.
Up to four notes of harmony are heard based on the note messages
that are input.
4. If you want to perform with a vocoder voice, turn the
[VOCODER] button on, and input your voice.
To exit robot voice, press the [ROBOT] button (the [ROBOT] button
goes dark).
* The setting of the [KEY] knob is ignored if note messages are being
input.
Am
Bm
Cm
DmEm
Fm
Gm
G#m A#m
C#m
D#m
F#m
C#
D#
F#
G#
A#
Am

6
Recalling Eect Settings (Scene Memories)
Eect settings (scenes) that you’ve saved in the scene memory buttons
can be recalled instantly.
You can save up to eight scenes.
Scene 1 Scene 4
Scene 5 Scene 8
MEMO
You can back up the scene memories to your computer (p. 9).
Recalling a Scene
1. Press the scene memory [1]–[4] button that you want to
recall.
The scene memory button lights, and the eect settings (the scene)
is recalled.
To recall scenes 5–8, hold down the [MANUAL] button and press a
scene memory [1]–[4] button.
For example, to recall scene 5, hold down the [MANUAL] button and
press the scene memory [1] button (the [MANUAL] button blinks
slowly).
* When you recall a scene, the current positions of the slider/[AUTO
PITCH] knob/[KEY] knob will not match the actual sound.
* When you adjust the eect after recalling a scene, the setting of the
controller is applied to the sound. At this time, the scene memory
button blinks.
Saving a Scene
Here’s how to save the eect settings to a scene memory button.
1. Use the controllers to adjust the eect.
2. Hold down the scene memory [1]–[4] button in which
you want to save the scene.
When the scene has been saved, all the scene memory buttons
change from blinking0unlit.
For example, if you want to save the settings to scene 5, hold down
the [MANUAL] button and hold down the scene memory [1] button.
Copying a Scene
Here’s how to copy a scene to another number.
1. Press a scene memory [1]–[4] button to recall the scene
that you want to copy.
2. Hold down the copy-destination scene memory [1]–[4]
button.
When the scene has been copied, all the scene memory buttons
change from blinking0unlit.

7
Suppressing Feedback (Noise Gate)
You can make noise gate settings to suppress feedback.
1. Hold down the [MANUAL] button and press the
[VOCODER] button (keep holding down the [MANUAL]
button).
The scene memory [1]–[4] buttons light.
2. Continuing to hold down the [MANUAL] button, press
one of the memory [1]–[4] buttons to set the noise gate.
Higher-numbered scene memory [1]–[4] buttons apply the noise
gate eect more strongly.
Preventing Unintended Sound (Low Cut Filter)
You can make low cut lter settings to prevent the VT-4 from
unintentionally producing sound in response to low-frequency sounds
nearby (such as the kick sound of a drum set).
1. Hold down the [MANUAL] button and press the
[HARMONY] button (keep holding down the [MANUAL]
button).
The scene memory [1]–[4] buttons light.
2. Continuing to hold down the [MANUAL] button, press
one of the scene memory [1]–[4] buttons to set the low
cut lter.
Higher-numbered scene memory [1]–[4] buttons specify a higher
frequency below which the sound is cut.
Clarifying the Sound (Enhancer)
By applying the enhancer eect, you can improve the clarity of the
high-frequency region.
1. Hold down the [MANUAL] button and press the
[MEGAPHONE] button (keep holding down the
[MANUAL] button).
The scene memory [1]–[4] buttons light.
2. Continuing to hold down the [MANUAL] button, press
one of the memory [1]–[4] buttons to set the enhancer.
Higher-numbered scene memory [1]–[4] buttons apply the enhancer
eect more strongly.
Convenient Functions

Convenient Functions
8
Using the VT-4 As a USB Audio Interface
By using a commercially available USB 2.0 cable to connect the VT-4 to
your computer, you can use the VT-4 as a USB audio interface.
* You must install the USB driver before connecting the VT-4 to
your computer.
Download the USB driver from the Roland website.
For details, refer to Readme.htm which is included in the download.
http://www.roland.com/support/
Playback
Sound played back by your computer can be output from the VT-4 via
the following routes.
Computer sound
Route Explanation
OUT Output from the LINE OUT jacks and PHONES jack (no
eect is applied).
TO MIC IN Output from the VT-4 as sound that’s input from the
MIC IN jack.
TO CARRIER
The sound of an external synthesizer that’s input to
“TO CARRIER” of the USB port can be used as the signal
(tonality and pitch) that is the basis of the vocoder
voice.
Turn the external carrier setting (p. 9) “On” when
using this.
Recording
The mic sound processed by the VT-4 can be recorded on your
computer.
Mic sound
Sound Explanation
MIX The sound of the LINE OUT jacks is input.
WET The eect-processed sound is input.
DRY The sound before being eect-processed is input.
Making Settings for Other Functions
1. Turn on the power while holding down the [ROBOT]
button.
The [MANUAL] button blinks.
2. Turn the [KEY] knob to select the parameter that you
want to set.
[KEY]
knob Parameter Value Explanation
CMIDI channel Omni (0),
1–16 Ch
Species the MIDI
transmit/receive channel.
DSaver time O (0), 1–20
min
Changes the time until
the screen saver is
applied.

Convenient Functions
9
[KEY]
knob Parameter Value Explanation
EExternal
carrier O, On
Species whether the
vocoder eect is applied
(on) or is not applied (o)
to the carrier signal being
input via USB.
FFormant
depth 1–4
Species the range
in which the formant
changes.
GMonitor mode O, On
Species whether the
[VOLUME] knob aects
the volume of only the
PHONES jack (on).
If this is on, the volume
of the LINE OUT jacks
is xed.
APlayback level 0–20
Adjusts the volume
balance between the USB
audio input and the mic
input.
3. Edit the setting of the parameter that you selected.
Operation Explanation
On/o setting On Press the [HARMONY] button
O Press the [VOCODER] button
Operation Explanation
Value setting
Increase by 1 Press the [HARMONY] button
Decrease by 1 Press the [VOCODER] button
Checking the volume
The total value of the scene memory [1]–[4]
buttons that are lit indicates the“ones”place.
The [MEGAPHONE] button is lit if the value is
10–19, and the [ROBOT] button is also lit if the
value is 20.
For example, if the value is “18,” scene memory [1],
[3], and [4] buttons and the [MEGAPHONE] button
are lit.
4. When you have nished making settings, press the
[MANUAL] button.
The setting is saved and VT-4 restarts.
Backing Up or Restoring the Scene Memories
You can use your computer to back up scene memories and restore
them from your computer.
Backing up
1. With the VT-4 powered-o, connect the VT-4 to your
computer via a USB cable.

Convenient Functions
10
2. While holding down the [VOCODER] button, turn the
power on.
The [ROBOT] button and the [BYPASS] button light, and the scene
memory buttons through the [MANUAL] button blink while moving
between left and right.
3. On your computer, open the “VT-4”drive.
4. From inside the BACKUP folder, copy the backup les to
your computer.
Backup les VT4_PATCH1.PRM (scene 1)–VT4_PATCH8.PRM
(scene 8)
5. When copying is nished, perform the appropriate
operation on your computer to disconnect the USB drive.
6. Turn the power o, and on again.
Restoring
1. As described in “Backing up” (p. 9), open the “VT-4”
drive on your computer.
2. Copy the backup les from your computer into the
RESTORE folder.
3. When copying is nished, perform the appropriate
operation on your computer to disconnect the USB drive.
4. Press the [MANUAL] button.
5. When the blinking button goes dark, turn the power o
and then on again.
Using Batteries Even When Connected to USB
If the VT-4 is connected to a USB port that does not support USB bus
power, such as when using the VT-4 and the MX-1 (Mix Performer) with
AIRA LINK, you can use the VT-4 in battery-powered mode.
1. While holding down the [HARMONY] button, turn the
power on.
The VT-4 is in battery-powered mode.
To return to the usual mode, turn the power o and on again.
Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset)
Here’s how to return the VT-4 to its factory-set state.
1. While holding down the [BYPASS] button, turn the
power on.
The [MANUAL] button blinks.
If you decide to cancel factory reset, turn the power o.
2. Press the [MANUAL] button to execute factory reset.
3. When all buttons blink, turn the power o and on again.

11
Appendix
Eect Variation List
Eect button (hold down) +
scene memory button Eect variation
[ROBOT]
[1] NORMAL
[2] OCTAVE -1
[3] OCTAVE +1
[4] FEEDBACK
[MEGAPHONE]
[1] MEGAPHONE
[2] RADIO
[3] BBD CHORUS
[4] STROBO
[VOCODER]
[1] ADVANCED
[2] VP
[3] TALK BOX
[4] SPELL TOY
[HARMONY]
[1] +5
[2] +3
[3] +3, -4
[4] +3, +5
[BYPASS] (reverb)
[1] REVERB
[2] ECHO
[3] TEMPO DELAY
[4] DUB ECHO
MEMO
You can hold down an eect button to see the currently selected
eect variation (the scene memory button blinks).
Installing Batteries
As an alternative to USB bus power, you can use commercially available
AA nickel-metal hydride batteries or alkaline batteries to power the unit.
* If USB bus power is being supplied, the unit uses USB bus power
even if batteries are installed.
1. Remove the battery cover.
* When turning the unit over, be careful so as to protect the buttons
and knobs from damage. Also, handle the unit carefully; do not
drop it.
2. Taking care to observe the correct orientation of the
batteries, insert the batteries into the battery case.
3. Close the battery cover.
* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid
leakage. Make sure that you carefully observe all of the items related
to batteries that are listed in the leaet“USING THE UNIT SAFELY.”
Battery replacement indicator (PEAK indicator)
When the batteries run low, the PEAK indicator blinks rapidly. When this
occurs, install new batteries.

Appendix
12
Main Specications
Roland VT-4: Voice Transformer
Power Supply
Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery (AA, HR6),
Alkaline (AA, LR6) x 4, or obtained via USB port
(USB bus power)
Current Draw 500 mA
Expected battery life
under continuous use
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6):
Approx. 7 hours (phantom power: O)
Approx. 5.5 hours (phantom power: On)
Alkaline (AA, LR6):
Approx. 6 hours (phantom power: O)
Approx. 4 hours (phantom power: On)
* These can vary depending on the
specications of the batteries and the
conditions of use.
Dimensions 174 (W) x 133 (D) x 58 (H) mm
6-7/8 (W) x 5-1/4 (D) x 2-5/16 (H) inches
Weight
(including batteries)
554 g
1 lb 4 oz
Accessories Owner’s Manual, Leaet “USING THE UNIT
SAFELY,” Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
* This document explains the specications of the product at the time
that the document was issued. For the latest information, refer to the
Roland website.