Roland U-8CW Getting Started Manual
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Roland U-8CW Getting Started Manual

Roland U-8CW Getting Started Manual

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Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: "IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS" (p. 2), "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" (p. 3), and
"IMPORTANT NOTES" (p. 4). These sections provide important information
concerning the proper operation of the unit. Additionally, in order to feel
assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature provided by your
new unit, Getting Started should be read in its entirety. The manual should be
saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.
Copyright © 1999 ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written
permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
Getting Started
1
2

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  • Page 1 Getting Started should be read in its entirety. The manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference. Copyright © 1999 ROLAND CORPORATION All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
  • Page 2 CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION : RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS.
  • Page 3 • Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult with your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the "Information" page. or warnings.The specific meaning of the symbol is...

  • Page 4: Important Notes

    (including padding) that it came in, if possible. Otherwise, you will need to use equivalent packaging materials. • Use a cable from Roland to make the connection. If using some other make of connection cable, please note the following precautions.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents IMPORTANT NOTES...4 Introduction ...6 Checking What’s in the Package...6 What You Can Do with the U-8 ...8 Panel Descriptions ...12 Getting Ready to Use the U-8...15 Connecting the Unit...15 What Else You Need to Use the U-8...19 Turning On the Power...19 When Turning On the Power for the First Time ...19 When Turning Off the Power ...20...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    For information on how to install it, see “Preparing for Use of the Included Programs (Installing the included software) (p. 20).” Before opening the included CD-ROM, be sure to read the separate Roland License Agreement. Do not touch or scratch the lower (data) surface of the disc. Doing so may make it impossible to read data correctly.
  • Page 7 Cakewalk Home Studio U-8 Manual This describes the details of Cakewalk Home Studio U-8. You can view this manual using Acrobat Reader, supplied by Adobe Systems Incorporated. For more information on how to view this manual, see “How to View the Online Manuals (p.

  • Page 8: What You Can Do With The U-8

    U-8. Roland License Agreement fig.00-05.e.eps_10 These are contracts by which Roland allows you, the customer, to use the software. Be sure to read these before opening the package of the CD-ROM. Cakewalk Product Registration Card Please fill out and send in the registration card that comes in this package.

  • Page 9: Midi Interface

    (CD recording, video recording, broadcast, etc.) whose copyright is owned by a third party. Roland will take no responsibility for any infringement of copyright that you may commit in using the U-8.

  • Page 10: What Is Usb

    Introduction What Is USB? USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is a new interface used to connect various peripherals to a computer. USB allows a variety of peripheral devices to be connected via a single USB cable, and is far faster than the earlier serial port, allowing audio to be recorded or played while playing MIDI data.
  • Page 11 Logo The GS Format ( ) is Roland’s set of specifications for standardizing the performance of sound generating devices. In addition to including support for everything defined by the General MIDI, the highly compatible GS Format additionally offers an expanded number of sounds, provides for the editing of sounds, and spells out many details for a wide range of extra features, including effects such as reverb and chorus.

  • Page 12: Panel Descriptions

    Panel Descriptions Top Panel * The functions of the top panel controls may differ depending on the sequencer used in conjunction with your U-8. For more detailed information, refer to your sequencer’s manual. fig.03-01 31 27 28 1.TIME/VALUE Dial Moves the song position (the present time) forward and backward.
  • Page 13 15.MIC (Microphone) Button Starts recording with a microphone. A dialog box appears and guides you through the procedure. 16.MIX DOWN Button Starts mix-down. A dialog box appears and guides you through the procedure. 17.WINDOW Button Switches the top window displayed with the sequencer program.

  • Page 14: Side Panel

    Panel Descriptions Side Panel fig.03-02 1.Line Output Jacks These are for connecting equipment such as an external stereo set or speaker with built-in amplifier. 2.AUX Input Jacks These are for connecting external equipment, such as a MIDI sound module, or CD and MD players. 3.Mic Input Jack This is for connecting an XLR type (unbalanced input) microphone.

  • Page 15: Getting Ready To Use The U-8

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 Connecting the Unit To use the U-8, you need to connect a computer, and headphones or an amplifier. Refer to the explanation below, and make the connections that best suit your setup. Before making connections, make sure that (1) the power switch is turned off and (2) the Master Volume fader is lowered all the way.

  • Page 16: Connecting A Guitar

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 2. Making Connections for Recording To record sound through the U-8, use one of the methods below to make the connections. Connecting a Guitar fig.04-04.e OUTPUT AUX IN Multiple Effects Processor In general, when connecting a guitar directly, connect it to the Guitar Input jack, and when connecting a guitar through an multiple effects processor, or the like, connect it to the B Input Jack.
  • Page 17 Connecting a Device Such As a CD Player, MD Player, or DAT Player fig.04-06 INPUT OUTPUT AUX IN GUITAR (Hi-Z) AUX IN Connect the analog output from the CD player, MD player, DAT player, or the like to the AUX Input jack on the U-8. Be careful of loop connections fig.04-06a.e INPUT...

  • Page 18: Connecting The Power Supply

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 3. Making Connections for Using an External MIDI Sound Module This connection is made when playing MIDI data for backing using an external sound module, such as the SC-8850, SC-8820, or SC-88Pro. Connecting to the Output on a MIDI Sound Module fig.04-07 INPUT OUTPUT...

  • Page 19: What Else You Need To Use The U-8

    What Else You Need to Use the U-8 External Amp, Speakers, Headphones, Microphone, and Cables to Connect Them Are Not Included The external amp, speakers, or headphones and the cables for connecting them that you will need in order to hear the sound from the U-8 are not included.

  • Page 20: When Turning Off The Power

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 When Turning Off the Power Before turning off the U-8 unit, make sure that all the programs on the computer that are using the U-8 and that are using audio or MIDI have finished. Preparing for Use of the Included Programs (Installing the included software) Installing U-8 Controller, U-8 Tuner, Cakewalk Home...
  • Page 21 fig.05-08a.e.eps_35 If the “Welcome” Dialog Box Is Not Displayed In certain computing environments, you may find that the “Welcome” dialog box does not appear in the display. In Step 5, a dialog box with a message telling you to restart your computer may appear instead of the Welcome dialog box.
  • Page 22 Getting Ready to Use the U-8 In the Select Components dialog box, confirm that the required software has been checked, then click Next. fig.05-08c.e.eps_50 If you select Cakewalk Home Studio U-8 to be installed, a dialog appears which asks you whether and to where you want to install the demo songs. Check the song names that you want to install and specify the destination.
  • Page 23 After installing Cakewalk components, you will be asked whether you want to restart your computer. To make the settings effective, be sure to choose Yes, I want to restart my computer now in the Setup Complete dialog box, then click Finish. Windows will restart. Since the setup will continue after Windows has restarted, DO NOT take the CD out of the CD-ROM drive.

  • Page 24: Getting Ready To Use The U-8 With A Computer

    If you will be connecting your computer to both the U-8 and another Roland USB-compatible device such as the UM-4 (Super MPU64) and using them at the same time, you must disconnect the other device (UM-4 etc.) from the USB connector before installing the U-8 Driver.
  • Page 25 If using a computer upgraded from Windows95 to Windows98, be sure to note the following points. In the Control Panel of your computer, the Preferred device list for Playback or Recording in Multimedia-Audio may contain a voice modem device such as Voice Modem Wave #00 Line or Voice Modem Wave #00 Handset.

  • Page 26: Installing The U-8 Driver

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 Installing the U-8 Driver Connect the U-8 to the computer. fig.04-11 USB connector With the CD-ROM inserted into your CD-ROM drive, turn on your computer and start up Windows, and then turn on the U-8. The first time you turn on the U-8 connected to the computer, Windows will automatically starts searching for the U-8 software.
  • Page 27 fig.05-03.e.eps_50 Alternatively, you can click Browse, select the root directory of your CD- ROM drive, and click OK. This completes the installation of the driver. If Installation Doesn’t Proceed As It Should, Check the Following Points Is the included CD-ROM in the computer’s CD-ROM drive? Make sure the CD-ROM is in the CD-ROM drive.

  • Page 28: Starting Up Cakewalk Home Studio U-8

    Getting Ready to Use the U-8 Starting up Cakewalk Home Studio U-8 To start Cakewalk Home Studio U-8, click on the Home Studio icon on your desktop, or click on the Windows Start button, and choose Cakewalk - Cakewalk Home Studio 9 - Cakewalk Home Studio 9 from Programs menu.

  • Page 29: Making Settings For Cakewalk Home Studio U-8

    Migrating Your Old Cakewalk Settings to the New One If you choose to migrate the old Cakewalk settings to the new one when you run Cakewalk for the first time, you need to run the setup file below to use Cakewalk with the U-8.
  • Page 30 In the Input Ports column, select U-8 MIDI IN and U-8 CONTROL IN. In the Output Ports column, select U-8 MIDI OUT (or Roland VSC 3.0 if you are using VSC 3.0) and press the Move Selected Devices to Top button so that it appears at the top of the list.
  • Page 31 Select U-8 WAVE IN in the Input Drivers column, and U-8 WAVE OUT 1 [MASTER] and U-8 WAVE OUT 2 [EFFECTS] in the Output Drivers column. Or, if you are using the U-8 with VSC 3.0, select Roland VSC 3.0, and do not select other drivers.

  • Page 32: Making Audio And Midi Settings In Windows

    MIDI POWER INPUT SENS EFFECTS / MIXER CONTROL EZ RECORDING PEAK PEAK GUITAR MIXER EFFECTS START / INST DOWN OUTPUT USB DIGITAL STUDIO INPUT 50dBm 50dBm TRACK STATUS MONITOR VALUE CURSOR AUDIO MIDI AUDIO+MIDI RHYTHM BASS ACC 1 ACC 2...
  • Page 33 Making the Settings for the Input and Output Destinations for the Audio Data That Windows Handles In Windows, click the Start button, and from the list of Settings choose Control Panel. Then, in Control Panel, double-click Multimedia. The Multimedia Properties dialog box appears. Click the Audio tab.

  • Page 34: Installing Virtual Sound Canvas 3.0 (Vsc 3.0)

    Roland sound modules. Additionally, VSC 3.0 sounds are compatible with sounds from other models in Roland’s line of GS sound modules, including the ) on the Windows taskbar, and You can use the U-8 only...

  • Page 35: Installing Vsc 3.0

    SC-55(mkII), SC-88, and SC-88Pro (not compatible with the SC-8850), allowing you to play music files exclusive to these devices. (In certain situations, VSC 3.0 may play back the music files differently due to the difference in the specifications.) • VSC 3.0 is a multitimbral sound module featuring 16 parts, for a maximum of 128voices.
  • Page 36 Getting Ready to Use the U-8 The following dialog comes up automatically. Click the Virtual Sound Canvas 3.0 button. * If the MENU dialog does not come up automatically, you can also install the programs by choosing Start - Run and running the application named Setup.exe from the CD-ROM.

  • Page 37: Installing Adobe Acrobat Reader

    The Choose Destination Location dialog box will be displayed. To install to the specified destination, click Next. If you want to install to a different folder, click Browse... and select another folder. The Question dialog box will appear. If the displayed settings are correct, click Next.

  • Page 38: Confirming That Sound Is Produced

    (1) Click the demo song from the list. (Here, you select Special_U.bun.) (2) Click the Open button. Follow the instructions below after connecting the U-8, your computer, and other external devices. Usually, the demo songs are located in C:\Program Files\Roland\U-8\Demo Songs.

  • Page 39: Listening To The Demo Song

    fig.1-30 The dialog closes, and the demo song you selected is loaded into the application. Listening to the Demo Song After the demo song has loaded, follow the steps below to play it back. * The MIDI parts of the demo song use sounds from the 88Pro Map. To play back the data correctly, use the included VSC 3.0 software, or a sound module that supports the 88Pro Map, such as the SC-88Pro, SC-8850, or SC-8820.
  • Page 40 Getting Ready to Use the U-8 fig.05-12a MONITOR MASTER Press the Stop Button to stop play. To quit Cakewalk Home Studio U-8, choose Exit from the File menu. Is the demo song played back correctly? If the song is played back correctly, the connection and the software installation have been made successfully.

  • Page 41: Creating Songs With The U-8 And Cakewalk Home Studio U-8

    A software MIDI synthesizer lets you play MIDI data MIDI data (Performance messages) MIDI POWER EFFECTS / MIXER CONTROL EZ RECORDING GUITAR START / INST DOWN USB DIGITAL STUDIO TRACK STATUS MONITOR VALUE CURSOR MIDI RHYTHM BASS ACC 1 ACC 2 MASTER...

  • Page 42: Getting Ready To Record

    • If you want to create a new project, choose Create a New Project, and press the NEXT button or click NEXT. In the New Project File dialog box, choose the Roland U-8 template for the project, and click OK to create the project. You can choose the template using the CURSOR buttons.
  • Page 43 (CD recording, video recording, broadcast, etc.) whose copyright is owned by a third party. Roland will take no responsibility for any infringement of copyright that you may commit in using the U-8.

  • Page 44: Recording The Guitar, Vocals And Chorus

    Creating Songs with the U-8 and Cakewalk • “Connecting CD, MD, DAT, or Other Audio Equipment” in “U-8 and External Equipment” in the U-8 Technical Guide. Recording the Guitar, Vocals and Chorus Now here is an overview of how to record the guitar and vocals, and then add effects to these recorded sounds.
  • Page 45 At the EZ RECORDING - Track Selection, select the audio track you wish to record. fig.10-30f.e.eps_50 At the EZ RECORDING Wizard - Input Volume Setting, use the Input B Sensitivity Volume knob to adjust the input level. After adjusting the level, press the NEXT button or click Next.
  • Page 46 Creating Songs with the U-8 and Cakewalk fig.10-30d.e At the EZ RECORDING Wizard - Setting the Recording Level, adjust the recording level with audio track 1’s volume fader. fig.10-30e.e.eps_50 The settings you’ve made so far complete the preparations. At the EZ RECORDING Wizard - Finish and Get Ready to Record, press the NEXT button or click Finish to close the dialog box.

  • Page 47: Using Effects To Create Sounds

    Using Effects to Create Sounds In “Step 3: Press the GUITAR/INST Button or the MIC Button to Get Ready to Record,” a patch containing the effect of a guitar distortion sound was selected. Now, we will see how to use the Effects Edit screen. Applying Delay Effect to Vocals The U-8 provides Vocal Multi allowing you to apply a rich range of effects.

  • Page 48: Finishing Up The Song

    Creating Songs with the U-8 and Cakewalk To record the effect-applied sounds without using the EZ RECORDING function, specify the Input source to MIC/A and put on the INSERT button on the INPUT INST track. Press the INST button in the RECORD section, then record the sounds.
  • Page 49 At the EZ RECORDING Mixdown Wizard - Effect Selection , use the CURSOR buttons to select whether to apply effects. After making the selection, press the NEXT button or click Next. fig.10-60a.e.eps_50 In this example, select Apply System Effect. What are Insertion Effects and System Effects? Insertion effects, which are used when recording guitars and mic sources, are applied to a single input, whereas the System effects are used for adding effects to the overall mix.
  • Page 50 Creating Songs with the U-8 and Cakewalk If you choose to apply effects, the EZ RECORDING Mixdown Wizard - Effect Selection appears. Use the CURSOR buttons or the VALUE dial to move the cursor, then press the the effect patch. After making the selection, press the click Next.
  • Page 51 Adjust the Effect Send Level using the slider. fig.53-2b Select U-8 WAVE OUT 2 [EFFECTS] for the Aux bus 1, and adjust the Send and Return level. fig.53-3 Send Return After settling the final mix level, select the record track and press the Record Button to record the song.

  • Page 52: Step 5: Recording A Song On An Md Or Dat Recorder

    Creating Songs with the U-8 and Cakewalk Step 5: Recording a Song on an MD or DAT Recorder You can record a mastered song on an MD or DAT recorder connected to the U-8’s Line Output jacks or Digital Output connector. Connect the recording device you’re using (MD recorder, DAT recorder, or the like).

  • Page 53: How To View The Online Manuals

    If there’s a problem, such as no sound, viewing Troubleshooting will give you some possible solutions. Follow the steps below to display “Troubleshooting.” After clicking the Windows Start button, go to Programs and select Roland U-8 Digital Studio, then Online Manuals, and then click Troubleshooting. The browser window appears. fig.10-20.e.eps_50 Usually, Home Studio 9 book.pdf is located in...
  • Page 54 How to View the Online Manuals The web browser screen opens. After the screen title and table of contents is displayed, you can then click to jump to a desired item. fig.11-50a.e Clicking the item jumps to the contents.

  • Page 55: Viewing The Other Online Manuals

    This describes how to use U-8 Tuner. After clicking the Windows Start button, go to Programs and select Roland U-8 Digital Studio, then Online Manuals, and then click the manual you want to read. The web browser screen opens. After the screen title and table of contents is displayed, you can then click to jump to a desired item.

  • Page 56: Information That You May Find Useful

    Information That You May Find Useful How to Match the Input Levels If guitar, mic, or auxiliary input levels are set too low, then the data actually recorded may need to amplified, which may result in noise. At the same time, recording with the input levels set too high may cause the sound to be distorted.

  • Page 57: Reinstalling The Applications And The Driver

    Confirm that CHECK and REC MONITOR are not lit, and output the highest sound level of the MIDI sound module or other connected device. Adjust the output volume of the connected device so that the Peak Indicator occasionally lights in red. Reinstalling the Applications and the Driver If there is any trouble on the Cakewalk U-8 applications and the driver, you can delete all the related applications and driver altogether and reinstall...

  • Page 58: Deleting Unneeded Drivers Installed With The U-8 Connection

    Double-click Sound, video and game controllers to display the list of devices. From the list, choose Roland U-8 USB Driver, then click Remove. At the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, click OK. In Sound, video and game controllers, make sure that Roland U-8 USB Driver is not listed, then click Close to close the dialog box.
  • Page 59 Disconnect all USB devices connected to the computer except the U-8, USB mouse, and USB keyboard. * The following procedure may delete drivers for USB devices that were not disconnected. Be sure to disconnect such devices. Click the Windows Start button, and from Settings, choose the Control panel.
  • Page 60 E:\ for example, (if the CD-ROM drive is drive E) in the Copy manufacturer’s files from: and click the OK button. 8. Verify that Roland U-8 USB Driver is displayed as the model, and click Next >. 9. When the display indicates Windows driver file search for the device.

  • Page 61: Removing (Uninstalling) A Program

    For Example; • To uninstall Cakewalk Home Studio 9, select Cakewalk Home Studio 9. • To uninstall the U-8 Controller and U-8 Tuner, select Roland U-8 USB Digital Studio. In this case, you cannot uninstall one of the two programs. If you installed both of the programs, they are all uninstalled at the same time.

  • Page 62: Effect Algorithm List

    Information That You Will Find Useful Effect Algorithm List Space Multi fig.66-01 Guitar Multi fig.66-02 Vocal Multi fig.66-04 2ch RSS fig.66-05 Mastering fig.66-10...

  • Page 63: Effect Parameter List

    Effect Parameter List Auto Wah The wah effect creates a unique tone by changing the frequency response characteristics of a filter. Auto wah creates an automatic wah by cyclically changing the filter, or by changing the filter in response to the volume of the input.

  • Page 64: Compressor Limiter

    Information That You Will Find Useful Compressor Limiter Depending on the setting of the parameters, this effect can be used as a compressor or as a limiter. A compressor holds down high-level signals and boosts low-level signals, evening out the volume. A limiter is used when you wish to hold down excessive input levels.
  • Page 65 Flanger The flanging effect gives a twisting, jet-airplane-like character to the sound. Select the type of filter. FL Pre Filter Off: a filter will not be used LPF: cut the frequency range above the Cutoff parameter HPF: cut the frequency range below the Cutoff parameter FL Cutoff Adjusts the frequency where the harmonics contents of the sound (cutoff frequency)

  • Page 66: Pitch Shifter

    PS Level Adjusts the volume. RSS (2ch) RSS (Roland Sound Space) is an effector that creates a three-dimensional sonic field. RSS can let you orient the sonic image at a position above, below, before, behind, or to one side or the other of the listener.

  • Page 67: Stereo Delay

    Stereo Delay The delay effect adds delayed sound to the direct sound, giving more body to the sound or creating special effects. This is a delay with stereo input and output that lets you set parameters separately for channels L and R. DL Sw (switch) Turns the stereo delay effect on/off.

  • Page 68: The Included Song Data

    Information That You Will Find Useful The Included Song Data The CD-ROM that comes with the U-8 contains demo songs in the “Demo Songs” folder that you can enjoy with Cakewalk Home Studio U-8. For a list of song and details about each one, see “Songlist.htm” with the web browser in the same folder.

  • Page 69: System Requirements

    U-8, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the U-8 based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements.

  • Page 70: System Requirements For Vsc 3.0

    Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the software based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements.

  • Page 71: Specifications

    Specifications U-8: USB Digital Studio USB Audio Port Record: 1 ch, Stereo Playback: 2 ch, Stereo Full Duplex Data format:16 bit/44.1 kHz DSP Effects Effect Modules: Effect Algorithms: Guitar Multi, Vocal Multi, Space Multi, 2ch RSS, Mastering Effects Patches: 136 (preset)
  • Page 72 Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland/EDIROL Service Center or authorized Roland/EDIROL distributor in your country as shown below. SINGAPORE AFRICA AFRICA CRISTOFORI MUSIC PTE EGYPT Blk 3014, Bedok Industrial Park E, #02-2148, SINGAPORE 489980 Al Fanny Trading Office TEL: 243 9555 P.O.

  • Page 73: Index

    Index AC inlet ...18 Acrobat Reader ...53 Audio ...41 CD Player ...17 Connecting ...15 DAT Player ...17, 52 Deleting Unneeded Drivers ...58 Effects ...45, 49 Effects Edit screen ...47 EZ RECORDING ...44, 48 Guitar ...16, 44 GUITAR/INST ...44 Headphones ...15 Included Song Data ...68 Insertion Effects ...49 Install...
  • Page 74 Track Group Select Button ...13 Track Status Buttons ...13 Track Volume Faders ...13 WINDOW Button ...13 Troubleshooting ...53 U-8 Controller ...7 U-8 Driver ...6, 57 U-8 Tuner ...7 USB ...10 Virtual Sound Canvas ...34 Vocal Multi ...47...

  • Page 75: Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement

    This product complies with the requirements of European Directives EMC 89/336/EEC and LVD 73/23/EEC. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 76 02233567 00-8-H2-21N...

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