About Midi - Roland V-Drums TD-8 Owner's Manual

About MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) is a standard
specification that allows musical data to be exchanged
between electronic musical instruments and computers.
MIDI With a MIDI cable connecting MIDI devices that are
equipped with MIDI connectors, you can play multiple
instruments with a single keyboard, have multiple MIDI
instruments perform in ensemble, program the settings to
change automatically to match the performance as the song
progresses, and more.
While using only pads with the TD-8, there is no need to
have any detailed knowledge of MIDI. For those who wish to
use MIDI keyboards to record patterns on the TD-8, use it as
a sound module with external sequencers, or learn the TD-8
at a more advanced level, the following explains such
matters related to MIDI.
About MIDI Connectors
The TD-8 is equipped with the two types of MIDI connectors,
each which works differently.
fig.M-01
MIDI IN Connector
This connector receives messages from external MIDI devices
(keyboards, sequencers controllers etc.) to play the TD-8's
instruments or change its settings.
MIDI OUT/THRU Connector
The TD-8 uses both the MIDI OUT and MIDI THRU
connector are combined. The "SOFT THRU" setting (p. 153)
determines which function is used. As shipped from the
factory, this is set to MIDI OUT.
OUT
This connector transmits MIDI messages to external
MIDI devices. The TD-8's MIDI OUT connector is used
for sending pad and sequencer performance data as well
as data used for saving various settings and patterns
(Bulk Dump, p. 149).
THRU
MIDI messages received at MIDI IN are re-transmitted
without change from this connector.
176
MIDI Channels and Multi-timbral
Sound Sources
MIDI transmits many types of data over a single MIDI cable.
This is made possible by the concept of MIDI channels which
allow a device to distinguish the data that is or is not
intended for it. In some ways, MIDI channels are similar to
television channels. By changing the channel on a television
set, you can view the programs that are being broadcast by
different stations. In the same way, MIDI also allows a device
to select the information intended for that device out of the
variety of information that is being transmitted to it.
fig.M-02.j
The cable from the antenna carries the TV
signals from many broadcast stations.
Station A
Station B
Station C
The TV is set to the channel of the station
you wish to watch.
MIDI uses sixteen channels; 1 through 16. Set the receiving
device so that it will receive only the channel that it needs to
receive.
Example:
Set the TD-8 to send Channel 1 and Channel 2, then set
sound module A to receive only Channel 1 and sound
module B only Channel 2. With this setup, you can get an
ensemble performance, with, for example, a guitar sound
from sound module A and bass from sound module B.
fig.M-03.e
MIDI OUT
Transmit channel: 1, 2
MIDI keyboard
When used as a sound module, the TD-8 can receive on up to
six of the sixteen MIDI channels (16 channels in GM mode).
Sound modules like the TD-8 which can receive multiple
MIDI channels simultaneously to play different sounds on
each channel are called "multi-timbral sound modules."
MIDI IN MIDI THRU
Receive channel: 1
Sound
Module
A
Receive channel: 2 MIDI IN
Sound
Module
B