Connecting The Vk-8 To External Devices; Playing The Vk-8 From An External Midi Device; Changing The Function Of The Midi In Connectors (Sub Keyboard Function) - Roland VK-8 Owner's Manual

Connecting the VK-8 to External Devices

About MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide
standard for exchanging music data among electronic
musical instruments and computers. MIDI does not send
audio signals, but instead converts performance data and
commands into digital data for transmission. The digital data
handled by MIDI is collectively referred to as MIDI
messages. Any device with a MIDI connector can be
connected via a MIDI cable to another MIDI device, to allow
data to be exchanged regardless of the manufacturer or
model of the device.
MIDI IN connector: Receives MIDI messages from an
external MIDI device.
MIDI OUT connector: Transmits MIDI messages from the
VK-8.
About MIDI Channel
MIDI is able to transmit or receive a large number of
messages over a single cable. In order to do so, it uses a
concept called "channels" (analogous to the channels used in
TV broadcasting), so that MIDI messages are received only
when the channel of the receiving device matches the
channel of the transmitting device.
Playing the VK-8 from an
External MIDI Device
The VK-8 has four parts: the "upper part," "lower part," and
"pedal part" of the organ voice, and "other tones."
When you play a preset sound on the VK-8, you will hear the
sound of the Upper Part. If you connect an external keyboard
or pedal keyboard, you will be able to play the Lower Part or
Pedal Part together with the Upper Part.
The VK-8 has three MIDI connectors.
fig.03-01
The function of these MIDI connectors will change
depending on the "Sub-Keyboard Function" (p. 58) setting.
• When SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is on
KEYBOARD IN Plays the sound of the Lower
connector Part.
PEDAL IN connector Plays the sound of the Pedal Part.
If the Sub Keyboard function is on, you can play the sound of
the Lower part from a device connected to the KEYBOARD IN
connector, and the sound of the Pedal part from a device
connected to the PEDAL IN connector, without having to set
the MIDI transmit channel of the external device to match the
VK-8.
58
• When the SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is off
Plays the Part specified for the
KEYBOARD IN
MIDI channel being used for
Connector
transmission.
Plays the Part specified for the
PEDAL IN Connector MIDI channel being used for
transmission.
Changing the function of the
MIDI IN connectors (SUB
KEYBOARD FUNCTION)
1.
Hold down the HARMONIC BAR PART [UPPER]
[LOWER] [PEDAL] buttons, and press the [REVERB]
button.
The indicators of buttons [1]–[8] will blink.
2.
Press the [3] button.
3.
Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to change
the setting.
Turn the knob clockwise to switch the Sub-Keyboard
Function on, or turn the knob counterclockwise to switch
it off.
• When SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is on
KEYBOARD IN Plays the sound of the Lower
connector Part.
PEDAL IN connector Plays the sound of the Pedal Part.
If the Sub Keyboard function is on, you can play the sound of
the Lower part from a device connected to the KEYBOARD IN
connector, and the sound of the Pedal part from a device
connected to the PEDAL IN connector, without having to set
the MIDI transmit channel of the external device to match the
VK-8.
• When the SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is off
Plays the Part specified for the
KEYBOARD IN
MIDI channel being used for
Connector
transmission.
Plays the Part specified for the
MIDI channel being used for
PEDAL IN Connector
transmission.
If you decide not to change the setting, press the
HARMONIC BAR PART [UPPER] button.
4.
Press the [WRITE] button to finalize the Sub-Keyboard
Function setting.
The sub keyboard function setting will be saved.
While the keyboard function setting are being saved, the
[1]–[8] buttons will blink.
NOTE
Never turn off the power while parameters are being saved.