Roland SP-555 Owner's Manual
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Roland SP-555 Owner's Manual

Roland sp-555 owner's manual
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  • Page 2: Main Features

    Looper, now with Effect Memory for instant recall of your effect settings. Audio I/F and SONAR LE SP-555 is also an audio interface for the bundled Cakewalk SONAR LE, or any other audio application on your computer. The perfect computer interface for live use! * The SONAR LE is only for Windows.
  • Page 3 Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland SP-555. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (p. 4; p. 6). These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.

  • Page 4: Using The Unit Safely

    • When using the unit a stand recommended by Roland, the stand must be carefully placed so it is level and sure to remain stable.
  • Page 5 • The unit and the AC adaptor should be located so their location or position does not interfere with their proper venti- lation. • This (SP-555) for use only with Roland stand PDS-10. Use with other stands is capable of resulting in instability causing possible injury.

  • Page 6: Important Notes

    However, in certain cases (such as when circuitry related to memory itself is out of order), we regret that it may not be possible to restore the data, and Roland assumes no liability concerning such loss of data. Additional Precautions •...
  • Page 7 The sound recordings contained in this product are the original works of Roland Corporation. Roland is not responsible for the use of the sound recordings contained in this product, and assumes no liability for any infringement of any copyright of any third party arising out of use of the sounds, phrases and patterns in this product.

  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    D Beam controller... 38 Monophonic synthesizer (SYNTH) ... 38 Filter ... 39 Trigger... 39 Connecting the SP-555 to your computer... 40 Installing the driver and software... 40 Changing the signal flow when using USB audio... 42 About SONAR LE (Windows only)... 43...
  • Page 9 Error message list ... 64 Troubleshooting ... 65 About the pedal ... 68 Attaching the stand (sold separately)... 68 Using the SP-555 with other MIDI equipment.. 69 About MIDI... 69 Synchronizing the SP-555 with another MIDI device ... 69 Synchronizing the pattern tempo and playback start/stop with an external MIDI sequencer ...

  • Page 10: Introducing The Sp-555

    Introducing the SP-555 Panel Descriptions Top panel Internal Mic This is the SP-555’s built-in mic. If you connect your own mic (sold separately) to the MIC jack of the top panel, this internal mic will not function. External Input MIC Jack This is a microphone jack for analog audio signals.
  • Page 11 REC Button Pressed to start recording. During recording, press this button to stop recording. You can also use this to layer an additional sample during LOOP CAPTURE playback. Introducing the SP-555...
  • Page 12 Introducing the SP-555 PLAY Button This plays the recorded phrase. SAVE TO PAD Button This saves a phrase recorded using LOOP CAPTURE to a pad. CANCEL Button By pressing this button you can cancel an operation such as sampling or sample deletion. This button will also stop pattern playback or recording.

  • Page 13: Rear Panel

    USB Connector If you use a USB cable (sold separately) to connect the SP- 555 to your computer, the SP-555 will function as a USB audio interface. You can also record the SP-555’s sound to your computer, or sample sounds from your computer to the SP-555.

  • Page 14: Signal Flow (Block Diagram)

    Introducing the SP-555 PEDAL Jack You can connect a pedal switch (DP series; sold separately) here and use it to perform loop capture or pattern play/stop operations (p. 68). LINE IN Jacks (L/R) Connect these jacks to the audio source device from which...

  • Page 15: Playing Samples

    Playing samples The SP-555 provides sixteen velocity-sensitive pads, which let you vary the volume according to the force with which you strike the pads. Striking a pad strongly will produce a louder sound, and striking it softly will produce a softer sound.
  • Page 16 Playing samples Pad sensitivity You can adjust the relationship between the force used when striking pads and the volume of sample playback. Hold down [CANCEL] and press [FIXED VELOCITY]. While viewing the display, use the CTRL 3 knob to adjust the sensitivity. “-L-”: A loud volume will be produced even if you strike the pads softly.

  • Page 17: Loop Playback

    You can also change the current pad by holding down [REMAIN] and pressing a pad. Press [GATE] to switch on or off the button’s light. [GATE] lit: Gate playback [GATE] unlit: Trigger playback Make sure that [LOOP] is extinguished. If it is lit, press [LOOP] so its light is turned off. Loop playback You can use Loop playback if you want a sampled phrase of several measures to play repeatedly.

  • Page 18: Using Effects

    Using effects The SP-555 contains 37 types of effects. However, you can use only one type of effect at a time. You can’t use a multiple number of effects at the same time. By default, the effect will be applied only to the pad you pressed most recently (the “current pad”).

  • Page 19: Effect Knob Control

    Effect knob control The SP-555 lets you choose either of the following two methods of operation to specify what will happen to the knob settings when you switch from one type of effect to another. While holding down [CANCEL], press [SUPER FILTER].
  • Page 20 Using effects Applying an effect to all pads Here’s how to apply the effect to all pads of banks A–J. Make sure that [PATTERN SELECT] is extinguished. If it is lit, press [PATTERN SELECT] to turn it off. While holding down [EFFECT ASSIGN], press [SUB PAD].

  • Page 21: Sampling (Recording)

    (11 minutes) * This includes the PRELOADED SAMPLES THAT ARE ASSIGNED A when the SP-555 is shipped from the factory. * LO-FI: This mode provides the distinctive low-fidelity sound that is typical of early digital devices. It allows longer sampling times, but the sound quality is not as good as STANDARD.

  • Page 22: Standby Mode

    Sampling (recording) Standby mode * During this procedure, you can cancel the preceding steps by pressing [CANCEL]. Make sure that [PATTERN SELECT] is off (extinguished). Press [SAMPLING]. Press a bank button to specify the bank into which you want to sample. When you press a bank button, the pads within that bank to which you can sample (i.e., pads that do not contain a sample) will blink.

  • Page 23: Sampling With A Specified Tempo

    Sampling with a specified tempo If you specify the BPM (tempo) while you’re still in sampling standby mode, the end point (the timing at which the sound stops playing) will be automatically set after sampling to a beat of the BPM value you specified. Enter sampling standby mode.

  • Page 24: Deleting All Samples

    Sampling (recording) Deleting all samples Here’s how to delete all samples from internal memory or the CompactFlash card. Make sure that [PATTERN SELECT] is extinguished. If it is lit, press [PATTERN SELECT] to turn it off. While holding down [CANCEL], press [DEL]. The display will indicate “dAL,”...

  • Page 25: Loop Capture

    Loop Capture The SP-555’s Loop capture function lets you capture the currently playing sound as a loop phrase. LINE OUT / PHONE LINE IN / MIC LOOP CAPTURE SAVE TO PAD Saves the phrase recorded by Loop Capture to a pad as a sample.

  • Page 26: Deleting The Phrase Recorded By Loop Capture

    Loop Capture Deleting the phrase recorded by Loop Capture Press [DEL]. The display will indicate “dEL” and [PLAY] will blink. If you’ve selected a protected bank, the display will indicate “Prt,” but you’ll still be able to delete the phrase. In the LOOP CAPTURE section, press [PLAY].

  • Page 27: Saving A Recorded Phrase To A Pad

    (sound) greater than a specified level is received. If you’ve pressed [AUTO START], pressing [REC] will put the SP-555 in standby mode, and recording will begin when a signal is input. This function is independent of the sampling function Auto Sampling.

  • Page 28: Editing A Sample

    Adjusting the playback region of a sample For each sample, the SP-555 lets you specify the region within the sample’s waveform data that will actually play. The point within the waveform data at which playback will begin is called the Start Point, and the point at which playback will end is the End Point.
  • Page 29 Adjusting both the start point and end point Make sure that [PATTERN SELECT] is extinguished. If it is lit, press [PATTERN SELECT] to turn it off. Press the pad whose playback region you want to adjust, making it sound. If [MARK] is lit, the start point or end point has already been adjusted.

  • Page 30: Exchanging Samples Between Two Pads30

    Editing a sample Making fine adjustments to the start point and end point Make sure that [PATTERN SELECT] is extinguished. If it is lit, press [PATTERN SELECT] to turn it off. Play the pad whose playback region you want to adjust, making it the current pad.

  • Page 31: Copying A Sample To Another Pad

    Copying a sample to another pad You can copy a sample from one pad to another pad. This lets you create another sample based on an existing sample. If you decide to cancel this operation during the procedure, press [CANCEL]. While holding down [DEL], press [RESAMPLE].

  • Page 32: Changing A Sample's Bpm

    Editing a sample Changing a sample’s BPM A sample’s BPM (tempo) is automatically determined by the length between the sample’s start point and end point. However, depending on this length, the calculated BPM value may be half or double the actual BPM. In this case, you can correct the BPM as follows.

  • Page 33: Playing Samples And Recording Your Performance (Pattern Sequencer)

    (1–16) of the panel. After a pattern has been assigned to each pad, such a collection of sixteen patterns is called a “pattern bank.” The SP-555 lets you use ten pattern banks, A–J. Pattern banks A and B are located in the SP-555’s internal memory, and pattern banks...

  • Page 34: Recording A Pattern

    Playing samples and recording your performance (Pattern Sequencer) Recording a pattern When you play samples and record your performance as a pattern, recording will occur repeatedly for the number of measures you specify (i.e., “loop recording”), allowing you to continue layering (overdubbing) additional samples onto the pattern.
  • Page 35 Press the pads at the desired timing. During recording, you can use the pads to play samples. You can also press a bank button to switch sample banks. The samples of the pads you pressed will play, and will be recorded at the timing specified by the selected quantize setting.

  • Page 36: Deleting A Pattern

    Playing samples and recording your performance (Pattern Sequencer) Deleting a pattern Press [PATTERN SELECT] so the button is lit. The display will indicate “Ptn” and the pads that have been recorded will blink. Press [DEL] so the button is lit. The display will indicate “dEL.”...

  • Page 37: Exchanging The Patterns Of Two Pads

    Exchanging the patterns of two pads You can change the patterns assigned to each pad by exchanging patterns between two pads. You can also exchange patterns between a pad to which an already-recorded pattern is assigned and a pad to which no pattern is assigned.

  • Page 38: D Beam Controller

    D Beam controller The SP-555 provides a D Beam controller, which lets you modify the sound in various ways by moving your hand above it. You can choose one of three modes: [SYNTH] (monophonic synthesizer), which lets you control the pitch by your hand position;...

  • Page 39: Filter

    [TRIGGER] on, you’ll be able to use the D Beam controller to control the volume of the roll. If the SP-555 is in a state in which pressing a pad does not play a sample (e.g., if [PATTERN SELECT] is lit or if [EFFECT ASSIGN] is lit), you won’t be able to use the D Beam controller...

  • Page 40: Connecting The Sp-555 To Your Computer

    AIFF format files that you created on your computer into SP- 555 samples, or to convert SP-555 samples to WAV/AIFF format files. You must install the driver before you connect the SP-555 to your computer. Installing the driver and software Windows XP users * In order to install the driver and the software, you’ll need to log...

  • Page 41: Windows Vista Users

    ➜ “Vista” folder, and double-click Setup.exe. A user account control screen will appear; click [Continue]. When the display indicates “Roland SP-555 Driver will be installed on your computer...” click [Next]. Follow the on-screen directions to proceed with the driver installation.

  • Page 42: Changing The Signal Flow When Using Usb Audio

    If you’re using software that has a recording monitor or input monitor function, and select “InP” as the source being output from the SP-555 to USB, it is possible that the audio signal will create a feedback loop. Either turn off the recording monitor or input monitor function in your software, or select “OFF”...

  • Page 43: About Sonar Le (Windows Only)

    SP-555 Wave Converter is a tool that converts samples on a CompactFlash card formatted for the SP-555 to WAV/AIFF files on your computer, and vice versa. In order for you to use SP-555 Wave Converter, you’ll need a CompactFlash card, and a CompactFlash card reader for your computer.

  • Page 44: About Compactflash

    The SP-555 supports CompactFlash cards (type I) having a capacity of from 32 MB up to 2 GB. * You can’t use Type II cards such as Microdrives. As of this date, Roland has verified that the SP-555 will work correctly with the following memory cards. Manufacturer...

  • Page 45: Inserting And Removing Compactflash Cards

    Carefully insert the CompactFlash card all the way in–until it is firmly in place. If you’re using a CompactFlash card for the first time, you must format it using the SP-555. The SP-555 will not recognize a CompactFlash card that was formatted by another device. Removing a CompactFlash card Switch off the SP-555’s power.

  • Page 46: Importing Audio Files

    • Loop point settings in an AIFF file will be ignored. • If you attempt to import a WAV/AIFF file whose format is not supported by the SP-555, the error message “UnS” (Unsupported) will appear, and you won’t be able to import the file.

  • Page 47: Exporting Audio Files

    Exporting audio files A sample assigned to a pad can be exported to a CompactFlash card as an audio file. While holding down [RESAMPLE], turn on the power. Turn the CTRL 3 knob to select the format in which you want to export the files.

  • Page 48: Saving Backup Data (Backup Save)

    Here’s how to load a set of backup data (containing all the SP-555’s settings including sample banks and pattern banks) from a CompactFlash card. When you execute the backup load operation, the SP-555’s settings will be erased and overwritten by the newly loaded backup data.

  • Page 49: Deleting Backup Data (Backup Delete)

    Deleting backup data (backup delete) Here’s how to delete a set of backup data (containing all the SP-555’s settings including sample banks and pattern banks) from the CompactFlash card. While holding down [DEL], press one of the BANK [C/ G]–[F/J] buttons.

  • Page 50: Other Settings

    If you decide to cancel the operation, simply turn off the power. If you are sure you want to restore the SP-555 to the factory settings, press [SAMPLING]. [SAMPLING] will light, and the dot in the display will blink. When the blinking dot disappears, the operation has been completed.

  • Page 51: Protecting The Memory

    If you are playing only a few pads at a time, or if you have connected the SP-555 to a DJ mixer or other device, and are using it as an effects processor, raising this internal processing level will allow you to output a higher level.

  • Page 52: About V-Link

    MIDI cable (sold separately). Connection example As an example, we will use a setup in which the SP-555 is connected to the motion dive .tokyo Performance Package. Use a MIDI cable to connect the SP-555’s MIDI OUT connector to the MIDI IN connector of the Edirol MD-P1.
  • Page 53 V-LINK settings You can set or edit the following functions that are related to V-LINK. With the exception of the pad mode, make the setting and then press [SAMPLING] to save the setting. Function Value (display indi- cation) Pad mode Clip/Palette (“CLP”, “PLT”) V-LINK Ctrl...

  • Page 54: Appendix

    Appendix Effect list Effects that you can select by directly pressing a button Type CTRL 1 function (display) SUPER FILTER CUTOFF (CoF) A filter with an extremely Adjusts the cutoff frequency. steep slope (sharp attenua- tion). (-36 dB/octave) VOICE TRANS FORMANT (FrM) Processes a human voice to Adjusts the character (formant) of...
  • Page 55 MFX bank A Number Type FLANGER Creates modulation reminis- cent of a jet airplane taking off and landing. PHASER Creates modulation by add- ing a phase-shifted sound. Produces a wah effect. TREMOLO/PAN Cyclically varies the volume or panning. REVERB Adds reverberation to the sound.
  • Page 56 Appendix Number Type SLICER+FLG Repeatedly cuts the sound. A flanger is added. RING MOD Gives the sound a metallic character. PITCH Changes the pitch. CHROMATIC PS A two-voice pitch shifter that changes the pitch in semi- tone steps. ✩: The depth of these parameters will be limited if you turn on “Effect Limit mode” (p. 20). For FLANGER and PHASER, you can use [MFX] + CTRL 1 knob to adjust the volume balance between the direct sound and effect sound.
  • Page 57 MFX bank B Number Type COMP Makes the sound more con- sistent. EQUALIZER Adjusts the volume of each frequency region. C.CANCELER Cancels the vocal or other sound located in the center. SUBSONIC Adds a low-frequency sine wave based on the volume being input to the effect (*2).
  • Page 58 Appendix Number Type BPM LOOPER Loops the input sound over a short period. REVERSE Adds a delayed and re- versed version of the input sound. ✩ : The depth of these parameters will be limited if you turn on “Effect Limit mode” (p. 20). *1: RATE is specified as a note value relative to the tempo of the longest sample of the samples to which the effect is being applied.

  • Page 59: Quick Reference Of Operations

    Quick reference of operations Sampling operations To accomplish this Play a sample Play the external input sound Set the volume of the external input Record a sample Make auto sampling settings Cancel auto sampling Set the BPM for sampling Sample with a count-in Resampling Set the volume of a sample Set the start/end points...
  • Page 60 Appendix To accomplish this Specify effect send for USB Specify effect send for D Beam Synth Effect send for current bank Effect send for all samples Effect assign mode Check the previous effect Set the parameters of the effect to use next Effect limit mode Effect knob control Reset an effect’s tempo synchronization to the tempo of...

  • Page 61: System Settings

    To accomplish this Rehearse pattern recording Delete playback data Exchange patterns between pads Copy patterns between pads Delete an individual pattern Delete all patterns Play/stop patterns in sync with external sequencer (when MIDI synchronization mode is Auto Sync) D-Beam controller operations To accomplish this D Beam Synth settings D Beam Filter settings...
  • Page 62 Appendix CompactFlash card operations To accomplish this Format a CompactFlash card Import an audio file Export an audio file Settings for exported audio files Backup save Backup load Backup delete USB MIDI/audio interface operations To accomplish this USB Audio Input Sw setting USB Audio Output Source setting V-LINK operations To accomplish this...

  • Page 63: Parameters That Can Change The Start-Up State

    ➜ making the setting, press [SAMPLING] to save it. Bank [A] CTRL 3 knob [TIME/BPM] + Power On Specifies whether the SP-555 will synchronize to the ➜ ➜ MIDI clock from the MIDI connector (MIDI), or the MIDI Bank [B] CTRL 3 knob clock from USB MIDI (USB).

  • Page 64: Error Message List

    Processing could not be performed because of insufficient memory. Processing could not be performed because Protect is enabled. Processing was halted because the WAV or AIFF was in a format not supported by the SP-555. Remarks After making the setting, press [SAMPLING] to save it.

  • Page 65: Troubleshooting

    This section lists some items to check and actions to take if you experience problems. Refer to the section appropriate for your situation. No sound / Insufficient volume Has the power to the SP-555 and your connected equipment been turned on? Are the SP-555 and your external equipment connected correctly? Check the connections.
  • Page 66 If you’re sampling to sample banks C–J, make sure that the CompactFlash card is inserted correctly. (p. 45) Is the CompactFlash card formatted correctly? Format the CompactFlash card using the SP-555. (p. 45) Are samples assigned to all pads? You can’t sample if there are no vacant pads. Delete unwanted samples to free up some pads.
  • Page 67 MIDI clock only during playback. Does the tempo of the external MIDI device exceed the tempo range to which the SP-555 is able to synchronize? The SP-555 can synchronize to a tempo in the 40–200 range. It may be unable to synchronize to a tempo that is outside this range.

  • Page 68: About The Pedal

    If you attach the SP-555 to the PDS-10, you must spread the legs of the PDS-10 to their full extent. You must set up the stand so that the total height including the SP-555 itself does not exceed one meter.

  • Page 69: Using The Sp-555 With Other Midi Equipment

    MIDI messages the SP-555 is able to receive. By comparing the MIDI implementation charts of the SP-555 and some other MIDI device, you can see which messages are compatible between the two devices. Synchronizing the SP-555 with another MIDI device While holding down [TIME/BPM], turn on the power.

  • Page 70: Synchronizing The Pattern Tempo And Playback Start/Stop With An External Midi Sequencer

    MIDI messages (start, stop, continue). If the SP-555 is synchronized to an external MIDI device, it will not transmit timing clock or synchronization-related MIDI messages. While holding down [TIME/BPM], switch on the SP- 555’s power.

  • Page 71: Midi Channel (Pad Base Ch.) And Note Numbers

    MIDI channel (Pad Base Ch.) and note numbers Use the following MIDI channels and note numbers when playing the SP-555’s samples from an external MIDI device, or when using the SP-555’s pads to play an external MIDI device. Note Note #...

  • Page 72: Midi Implementation

    MIDI Implementation Model: SP-555 Date: May 01, 2007 Version: 1.00 1. Receive data ■Channel Voice Messages * For the correspondence between note numbers and pad banks, refer to “MIDI channel (Pad Base Ch.) and note numbers” (p. 71). ●Note Off...

  • Page 73: Control Change

    ●Note On Status 2nd byte 3rd byte n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) kk = note number: 23H - 72H (35 - 114) vv = note on velocity: 01H - 7FH (1 - 127) ●Control Change ❍CTRL1 (Controller number 13) Status 2nd byte...
  • Page 74 MIDI Implementation Model SP-555 Function... Basic Default Channel Changed Default Mode Messages Altered Note Number : True Voice Note On Velocity Note Off After Key's Touch Channel's Pitch Bend Control Change Program : True Number Change System Exclusive : Song Position...

  • Page 75: Specifications

    Specifications SP-555: Sampler Maximum Polyphony 12 voices Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz Data Format SP-555 original format (WAV/AIFF import/export possible) Sampling Mode STANDARD, LO-FI Maximum Sampling Time (mono, approx.) Internal Memory * Including Pre-loaded Samples STANDARD LO-FI 11 min. 22 min.

  • Page 76: Index

    Index AC adaptor ... 13 AIF ... 64 AiF ... 47 Assign Effect ... 19 Preloaded samples ... 21 AUt ... 63 Aut ... 69 Auto Sampling ... 22 Start ... 11, 27 Bank ... 12, 15, 18 C.JP ... 19 C.nL ...
  • Page 77 effect ... 18 sampling ... 22 sensitivity ... 16 Pad stand ... 68 Pattern backup delete ... 49 backup load ... 48 backup save ... 48 clear ... 50 copy ... 37 delete ... 36 exchange ... 37 factory setting ... 50 play ...
  • Page 78 For EU Countries For China...
  • Page 79 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Compliance Information Statement Model Name : SP-555 Type of Equipment : Sampler Responsible Party : Roland Corporation U.S. Address : 5100 S. Eastern Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938 Telephone : (323) 890-3700 NOTICE AVIS For the U.K.
  • Page 80 Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. AFRICA PHILIPPINES G.A. Yupangco & Co. Inc. 339 Gil J. Puyat Avenue EGYPT Makati, Metro Manila 1200, Al Fanny Trading Office...

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