Aftertouch; Using The D Beam Controller - Roland AX-Synth Owner's Manual

In most cases, the ribbon allows you to change the pitch
of the notes you are playing (Pitch Bend).
Selecting the Bender Mode
The [BENDER¥MODE] button at the back of the neck can
be used to select one of two modes for the TOUCH CON-
TROLLER ribbon:
[BENDER¥MODE]
The ribbon works like any Pitch Bend
is off device, i.e. it immediately affects the pitch
(Normal mode) of the notes you are playing.
[BENDER¥MODE]
If you place a finger somewhere off cen-
lights ter on the Touch Controller (not in the
(Catch + Last middle) and then play a note, that note
mode) uses its normal pitch. To bend it at a later
stage, keep holding the note and slide
your finger past the Touch Controller's
center.
If you first play a note and then slide a
finger over the Touch Controller, the
note's pitch changes immediately. Subse-
quent notes you play while still touching
the ribbon will use their normal pitch,
however. Combining these two tech-
niques allows you to simulate "double
bendings" of electric guitarists.

Aftertouch

The [AFTER¥TOUCH] knob can be used to generate chan-
nel aftertouch messages for the notes you are playing.
The AX-Synth's keyboard does not transmit these mes-
sages (it is velocity sensitive, however).
What happens now depends on the aftertouch assign-
ment of the Tone you are using: the knob may change
the Tone's level or pitch, generate filter sweeps etc. (This
needs to be specified using the "AX-Synth Editor" soft-
ware.)
Note: The knob does not return to its minimum setting auto-
matically. Do not forget to turn it back to zero if you no longer
need the aftertouch functionality.

Using the D Beam controller

The D Beam controller can be used simply by waving
your hand over it. Depending on the function you select,
the D Beam controller can be used to apply various
effects and to modify the sounds.
The usable range of the D Beam controller
The diagram shows the usable range
of the D Beam controller. Waving
your hand outside this range will
produce no effect.
Note: The usable range of the D Beam
controller will become extremely small
when used under strong light.
(1) Select the function you want the D Beam control-
ler to perform by pressing one of the following
buttons:
PITCH Moving your hand over the D Beam con-
troller changes the pitch of the notes you
are playing.
FILTER Moving your hand over the D Beam con-
troller changes the cutoff frequency
(brightness).
ASSIGNABLE The D Beam transmits the selected Control
Change message (see below).
(2) While you play the keyboard to produce sound,
place your hand above the D Beam controller and
move it slowly up and down.
The button you pressed in step (1) above flashes.
(3) To turn off the D Beam controller, once again press
the button you pressed in step (1) so the indicator
goes dark.
r AX-Synth Owner's Manual
23