Roland JX-03 User Manual
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Roland JX-03 User Manual

Programmable polyphonic synthesizer
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JX-03
PROGRAMMABLE POLYPHONIC SYNTHESIZER
A USER'S GUIDE TO THE ROLAND JX-03

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Summary of Contents for Roland JX-03

  • Page 1 JX-03 PROGRAMMABLE POLYPHONIC SYNTHESIZER A USER’S GUIDE TO THE ROLAND JX-03...

  • Page 3: Acknowledgements

    The document is intended as a companion guide for the Roland JX-03 Synthesizer Module. It is in no way offered as a criticism, or intended to be an authoritative guide to replace the official documentation which accompanies the commercial purchase of Roland Boutique, or Roland AIRA musical instruments.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Acknowledgements …………… Basic Connections …………… Introduction …………………… I. General Functions ………… Common Section ……………… USB Interface ……………… Data Backup & Restore …… Auto Off …… Preset Section …… II. Functions for Sound Creation ………………….…… ………………………. ………………………. ………………………. ………….…………… SOLO/UNISON/POLY ………………… III.

  • Page 6: Basic Connections

    Basic Connections NOTE - the use of the Compaq Portable™ for the purposes of illustrating a personal computer in this diagram does not suggest that a Compaq Portable™ will work in this instance. The fact is, the Compaq Portable™ doesn’t even have a USB port on it, nor do we know of a currently produced or functional ADB to USB adaptation technique.

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Like the other members of the Roland Boutique range, we also added a few subtle improvements that weren’t found on the original models. The JX-03 benefits from extra waveforms and extended range for both DCOs as well as extra waveforms for the LFO. The second DCO also gets extra cross modulation options. These additions further expand the sound creation possibilities of the battle-tested JX engine.

  • Page 8: General Functions

    I. General Functions Common Section The Common Section of the JX-03 is where bank and patch information is stored and recalled for performance. The first set of 3 buttons marked A,B and C are the BANK selection buttons The second set of 16 buttons are the PATCH selection buttons To select a bank choose the bank from the A, B or C section and then select the patch.

  • Page 9: Usb Interface

    Both will work, but make sure that whichever you’ve chosen can provide sufficient power to run the JX-03. If the JX-03 goes to sleep while you believe you’re plugged into the wall, then your power supply is either faulty, or it isn’t powerful enough to run the synth (and you’re running off the batteries.)

  • Page 10: Data Backup & Restore

    1. Follow the above procedure for mounting the JX-03 2. Copy the backup files, or the new patches you’d like to check out into the “RESTORE” folder on the JX-03 drive 3. When copying is completed, eject the JX-03 drive.

  • Page 11: Preset Section

    16 user programmable patches. As with all of the boutique synths, each of these 16 patch destinations have sounds in them, but they can be overwritten by the user to store 16 patches for later use, and exchange with other JX-03 users.

  • Page 12: Functions For Sound Creation

    II. Functions for Sound Creation DCO-1 / DCO-2 DCO is the digitally controlled oscillator that controls the pitch and creates two types of waveforms which are the sound source of the synthesizer. Compared to VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator), DCO has superior stability. The operations and functions of the DCO are virtually the same as those of the VCO.
  • Page 13 Adjusts the depth by which the Envelope modulates the DCO in total. This is enabled with the Frequency Modulation switches, and the amount is adjusted with this knob. The shape of the modulation is controlled with the actual Envelope section of the JX-03. POLARITY This switch selects the polarity of the envelope modulation for the DCO.

  • Page 14: Vcf

    Voltage Controlled Filter This is the filter to change the tone color of your patch by cutting or emphasizing harmonics. This filter, however, lets the low frequency harmonics pass and blocks the high frequency harmonics, and the cutoff point is controlled by voltage - thus it is a low pass voltage controlled filter.
  • Page 15 PITCH FOLLOW The VCF cutoff point alters depending on which key is played on the keyboard. This pitch follow can be used to prevent any inconsistency in the harmonic content caused by pitch alteration. So effectively it is a scale effect for the 1 Volt/Oct pitch tracking supplied to the filter. It’s nice to be able to choose between full tracking, and no tracking at all.

  • Page 16: Vca

    This is where the volume (amplitude) of the sound is controlled. Normally it is controlled by the voltage from the Envelope. But there is a switch to choose between Envelope and Gate as well as a level control. VCA MODE This is to select whether to control the VCA by the signal from the Envelope or by the Gate signal Up selects the ENV, and down selects the GATE.

  • Page 17: Env

    ENV (Envelope Generator) This generates a control voltage (CV) envelope which controls the VCF and VCA, therefore, alters the tone color and volume in each note by way of Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release knobs. It works with and is triggered by the keyboard gate input which is generated by a key played on the keyboard, or a MIDI note arriving which then emulates one.

  • Page 18: Lfo

    RATE This sets the frequency (rate) of the LFO. SOLO/UNISON/POLY The JX-03 has three methods of voicing: SOLO Monophonic mode, where only once voice will sound at a time. UNISON All voice available will play back at the same time.

  • Page 19: Ribbon Controller

    III. Functions for Performance Ribbon Controller These are touch-type “light strip” ribbon controllers. C1 (left) is pitch bend, and C2 (right) is modulation like a traditional keyboard’s pico bender and modulation wheel. These controllers transmit midi data through the midi out and can be used to capture performances when recording a midi sequence.

  • Page 20: Portamento

    Hold MANUAL and touch the C1 ribbon controller. The options are ON or OFF Touch the C2 ribbon controller to adjust the portamento amount. NOTE - Portamento is a global setting for the JX-03. The settings made for any particular patch will also be set for all of the other patches.

  • Page 21: Octave Switch

    The default setting of +/- 0 is the 8 key Chain Mode Although the JX-03 is four-note polyphonic, you can increase the polyphony by using a MIDI cable to connect two of more JX-03 modules together and turning chain mode on.

  • Page 22: Layering And Split

    While this is not exclusively a JX-03 or even a Roland Boutique technique, it is an often overlooked result of using MIDI enabled synthesizers creatively to produce pads and drones, or leads and performance combinations which go far beyond what a mono timbral synthesizer can do.

  • Page 23: Step Sequencer

    Step Sequencer The Step Sequencer allows you to input notes in patterns of up to 16 steps and play them back as selectable loops. You can change the length of each pattern, and address the way steps are taken. 16 patterns can be stored and recalled.
  • Page 24 Sequencer Mode Functions: PLAY / STOP [MANUAL + PLAY/STOP] This starts and stops the sequencer TEMPO [CHORUS + C1 RIBBON CONTROLLER] If you aren’t receiving sync externally, this button combination will allow you to set the internal tempo of the sequencer.
  • Page 25 Further, When programming sequences there is not way to ask the sequencer to not play when a midi clock is received at the JX-03’s MIDI IN port. Thus if you program a sequence and save it into pattern [1] then this pattern will begin to play every time you send a midi clock to the module (from a DAW, or a hardware sequencer.)

  • Page 26: Effects

    Chorus The chorus effect of the JX-03 is intended as an accurate replica of the classic chorus effect found on the Roland JX-3P. Because of the ACB replica of the Roland R3109 chip the actual components of these effects and circuits are remarkably well reproduced here.

  • Page 27: Delay

    Delay The delay effect for the JX-03 is adjustable, and the settings are saved with each patch. There are no global delay settings for the module. Each patch must be set to your preferences and these settings are then saved with your patches respectively.

  • Page 28: System Settings

    V. System Settings Settings Overview Numeric Buttons [1] - [16] in settings mode, the 16 buttons of the common section are called the [1] - [16] buttons. SOLO/UNISON/POLY/OCTAVE SHIFT/PORTAMENTO While holding down the CHORUS button, specify the value by using the numeric buttons or the C1/C2 ribbon controller to make adjustments.

  • Page 29: Main Specifications

    PATCH SETTINGS While holding down the MANUAL button, press one of the numeric buttons to select the parameter BEND RANGE [13] 1-12,13,16 Specifies the pitch bend range in semitones - Default is [2] OFF is [16] DELAY LEVEL [14] 1-16 Adjusts the volume of delay (OFF = 1) DELAY TIME [15]...

  • Page 30: Midi

    Starting with firmware 1.10 the boutique line of modules from Roland are capable of sending CC data. This means that all the slider and knob movements performed on the front panel of the JX-03 are cable of transmitting via MID for recording into a DAW or MIDI sequencer.

  • Page 31: Midi Implementation Chart

    MIDI Implementation Chart JX-03 Firmware Version 1.01...

  • Page 32: Midi Cc Numbers

    MIDI CC List The following is list of MIDI Control Change Data which can and can not be transmitted for reception remotely The From Software Version 1.20 Supplementary Manual FUNCTION MIDI CC# MODULATION LFO RATE LFO DELAY TIME DCO RANGE [12] DCO LFO MOD [13]...

  • Page 33: Sound Synthesis Memo

    Sound Synthesis Memo...

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