Prg Chg Parameters - Roland A-37 Owner's Manual

Owner's Manual

5.4 PRG CHG parameters

As can be inferred from the assigned buttons ([3]~[6] have no function), this EDIT level in fact consists of two groups:
the first three parameters can be set for both zones independently, while the last three apply to the A-37 as a whole.
Nevertheless, even these parameters are saved along with the remaining settings (see p. 16).
See page 9 for how to select and set these parameters.
[0] c00, [1] c32 (Bank Select messages)
[2] pc (Program Change)
Nowadays, most MIDI instruments and effects
devices contain a lot more than 128 sounds/memo-
ries. When the MIDI standard was developed, some
20 years ago, 128 memories seemed a lot, which is
why it was decided to use a dedicated message type
(Program Change) for selecting memories on an
external device.
The entire MIDI standard evolves around the magi-
cal number "128". Given that there is no way of
expanding that number, so-called Bank Select mes-
sages were later added to accommodate the grow-
ing number of memories (synthesizers with more
than 2,000 sounds are quite common these days).
At the time, neither CC00, nor CC32 had dedicated
functions, and so these two control change mes-
sages were appointed Bank Select messages (by
Roland, by the way, with the introduction of its GS
Format).
Two bank addresses (MSB and LSB aka CC00 &
CC32) with 128 possibilities each, plus 128 Program
Change numbers provide 128 x 128 x 128 possibili-
ties – a lot more than you can eat.
Mind you, nobody has even contemplated releasing
instruments with over 2 million memories, but at
least this system provides enough flexibility for
many years to come.
On the A-37, these three messages (CC00, CC32 and
Program Change) are always sent as a set. Transmit-
ting only Bank Select messages does nothing at all,
while working only with Program Change messages
means that you are stuck with 128 memories in the
currently active memory bank.
That is why you need to transmit:
• A value for control change CC00 (MSB)
• A value for control number CC32 (LSB)
• A Program Change number
See the manual of the receiving MIDI instrument for
the MSB and LSB values it supports.
As soon as you press [ENTER] to confirm the Pro-
gram Change number (after first entering and con-
firming the CC00 and CC32 values), the selected
section (Upper or Lower) immediately transmits the
14
memory selection cluster. If you save your settings
to a Patch, these values will also be memorized and
Upper, Lower
transmitted each time you select that Patch.
As you will notice, this procedure is very user-
friendly indeed: after pressing [0] to select c00, and
entering the desired value for CC00, pressing
[ENTER] to confirm your setting will immediately
take you to [1], where you can enter the value for
CC32.
When you confirm that value by pressing [ENTER],
you can enter the Program Change number. (There is
thus no real need to press [1] or [2] to select the c32
and pc parameters).
As soon as you confirm the pc value (by pressing
[ENTER]), the memory selection cluster is transmit-
ted to the MIDI OUT socket assigned to the active
section (A or B).
Note: While the setting range for CC00 and CC32 is
0~127, that of the pc parameter is 1~128.
Note: You can also select 0FF for these three parame-
ters to prevent the section in question from sending
that message.
Note: If pc is set to 0ff, the c00 and c32 are not
transmitted (CC00/CC32 must always be followed by a
Program Change number).
Note: These memory selection clusters can be pro-
grammed for the Upper and Lower sections individu-
ally.
[7] clt (MIDI Clock on/off)
This parameter (and the following two) allow you to
set the tempo and control playback of an external
sequencer.
With this parameter, you can specify whether (0n)
or not (0FF) the A-37 should transmit the MIDI
Clock messages set with the following parameter.
Selecting 0ff also means that the A-37 transmits
the MIDI Clock messages received via MIDI IN. This is
not the case if you select 0n, because then, the
A-37 transmits its own MIDI Clock signal.
Note: The A-37 is also capable of receiving MIDI Clock
messages and of retransmitting them to the MIDI OUT
A socket.