How It Works - Roland Fantom-X User Manual

Why It Works
Each time you edit a parameter on the Fantom-X using the
VALUE dial, the INC/DEC buttons and the F buttons, a string
of System Exclusive—or "Sys Ex"—values are transmitted.
These MIDI Sys Ex values are in a language specific to the
Fantom-X—hence the "Exclusive" part of "System Exclusive. "
As with any other sort of MIDI message, the Fantom-X
sequencer can record and play back Sys Ex messages. During
playback, the Sys Ex messages you recorded during editing
are played back, invisibly reproducing your actions, and thus
recreating your edits.

How It Works

This is simple—just turn on the transmission of Sys Ex data
during operation of the VALUE dial, INC/DEC buttons and F
buttons.
1. Press PATCH/RHYTHM, LAYER/SPLIT or MIXER.
2. Press MENU, highlight "System" and then press ENTER.
3. Press F2 (↓) and/or F1 (↑) to display the MIDI tab.
4. Set Transmit Edit Data to On.
5. Press F8 (System Write).
When you start recording and then change parameter values,
they're captured in the currently selected track or pattern.
When you're done recording parameter edits, turn off Transmit Edit Data.
This shuts off the production of now-unnecessary MIDI data and prevents
the accidental recording of other edits. It has no effect on the playback of
your already-recorded edits.
Using the Fantom-X with an External Sequencer
While its own internal sequencer is powerful, the Fantom-X
can also serve as a master MIDI controller and multitimbral
MIDI sound module for use with an external sequencer such
as one on a personal computer. You can record notes into
the sequencer using the Fantom-X keyboard and pads as the
sequencer plays the Fantom-X's sounds.
You can also play commercially available General MIDI and General MIDI 2
sequences on your computer using the Fantom-X's sounds.
In the following sections, we'll describe how to use the
Fantom-X with a computer-based sequencing program.
Create a Reception Performance
Create a Fantom-X performance that contains the sounds
you want to use, with each sound assigned to its own part—
remember to set up the performance's effects as well.
The purpose of this reception performance is to respond to
MIDI messages received from the external sequencer. Set it up
just as you would if you were recording on the Fantom-X. You
can tweak it as your arrangement evolves.
To learn about setting up a song's performance, see the Workshop series
booklet Recording on the Fantom-X.
Make sure all Keyboard Switch checkboxes on the Performance Layer
screen are turned off.
Be sure to save your reception performance to user or card memory as
described in the Workshop series booklet Performing with the Fantom-X.
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