Roland Cakewalk A-500S Owner's Manual
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Roland Cakewalk A-500S Owner's Manual

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  • Page 2 The manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference. Copyright © 2009 ROLAND CORPORATION All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.

  • Page 3: Using The Unit Safely

    • Damp (e.g., baths, washrooms, on wet floors); or your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the separate sheet titled “Information” when: •...
  • Page 4 • Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult and all cords coming from external devices. with your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the ........................separate sheet titled “Information.” 109b •...

  • Page 5: Important Notes

    You can place a piece of felt or cloth under the rubber feet to owners. prevent this from happening. If you do so, please make sure that the unit will not slip or move accidentally. * Roland is a registered trademark of Roland Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    USB connections with your computer—Transmitting MIDI messages to your software ..... 24 Basic connections............................. 24 MIDI flow ................................24 USB connections with your computer—Using the A-500S as a MIDI interface........25 Basic connections............................. 25 MIDI flow ................................25 When using a MIDI connection—Transmitting MIDI messages to an external MIDI sound module, etc.
  • Page 7 CONTENTS Transmitting a portamento off message....................43 Transmitting a GM2 system on message....................44 Transmitting a reset message........................45 Transmitting the value of a specific parameter....................46 System Settings ......................47 Set the system settings..............................47 F8 CLOCK ON / OFF (Keyboard: 0)......................48 F8 CLOCK DEFAULT TEMPO (Keyboard: 1)....................

  • Page 8: Contents Of The Package

    Contents of the Package The A-500S includes the following items. When you open the package, first make sure that all items are included. If any are missing, contact the dealer where you purchased the A-500S. MIDI keyboard controller A-500S USB cable Use this cable to connect the A-500S to the USB connector of your computer.

  • Page 9: Quick Page Reference Table

    Quick Page Reference Table Names of Things and What They Do p. 10 Driver Installation and Settings p. 13 Before you begin Basic Connections and MIDI Flow p. 24 System Settings p. 47 Use MIDI Functionality p. 27 Play p. 29 Features useful when playing p.

  • Page 10: Names Of Things And What They Do

    Names of Things and What They Do You must install the driver before you connect the A-500S to your computer for the first time. Install the driver as described in “Driver Installation and Settings” (p. 13). Panel fig.panel1.eps_77 Display Indicates the current status and various other information.

  • Page 11: Side Panel

    Power on using a USB cable (when not using the AC adaptor) * USB (=BUS power) can be used when the A-500S is connected to your computer via a USB cable. In this case, the power will be supplied from your computer via the USB cable. To use the A-500S with bus power, set the power switch to USB.

  • Page 12: Inserting Batteries

    Make sure that the power switch is turned off. Remove the battery cover located on the rear panel of the A-500S. * When turning the unit upside-down, get a bunch of newspapers or magazines, and place them under the four corners or at both ends to prevent damage to the buttons and controls.

  • Page 13: Driver Installation And Settings

    A driver is software that transfers data between the A-500S and the application software on your computer when the A-500S is connected to your computer. * If you want to use the A-500S in Standard driver mode, refer to “About standard driver mode (Windows XP)” (p. 61).

  • Page 14: Windows 7/Windows Vista Users

    Steps to be performed on the A-500S itself are marked by a symbol. Operation of the A-500S Do not connect the A-500S to your computer until you are directed to do so. * The example screen shots included here are taken from Windows Vista. Installing the driver Start up Windows without the A-500S connected.
  • Page 15 When installation has been completed, the Driver Setup dialog box will indicate “Installation has been completed.” Click [Close] to close the Driver Setup dialog box. If the System Settings Change dialog box appears, click [Yes]. Windows will automatically restart. Next, you need to set your software so it can use the A-500S.

  • Page 16: Input/Output Device Settings

    * If you’re unable to select the A-500S as the input/output device in your software, it may be that a problem has occurred. Refer to “Problems with settings” (p. 65) in the Troubleshooting section.

  • Page 17: Windows Xp Users

    Steps to be performed on the A-500S itself are marked by a symbol. Operation of the A-500S Do not connect the A-500S to your computer until you are directed to do so. Installing the driver Start up Windows without the A-500S connected.
  • Page 18 When installation is complete, the Driver Setup dialog box will indicate “Installation has been completed.” Click [Close] to close the Driver Setup dialog box. If the System Settings Change dialog box appears, click [Yes] to restart Windows. Next, you need to set your software so it can use the A-500S.

  • Page 19: Input/Output Device Settings

    * If you’re unable to select the A-500S as the input/output device in your software, it may be that a problem has occurred. Refer to “Problems with settings” (p. 65) in the Troubleshooting section.

  • Page 20: Macintosh Users

    Operation of the A-500S Do not connect the A-500S to your computer until you are directed to do so. Installing the driver * If the Authenticate dialog box or the dialog that indicates “Installer requires that you type your password” appears during the installation, enter your password and click [OK].

  • Page 21: Input/Output Device Settings

    Verify that the A-500S is shown in the MIDI Studio or Audio MIDI Setup dialog box. * If the A-500S is not shown, or if it is grayed-out, the A-500S has not been recognized correctly. Try clicking Rescan MIDI. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting the A-500S’s USB cable.
  • Page 22 Device Name A-500S MIDI OUT A-500S Connect the ▼ and ▲ symbols (which signify the outputs and inputs) of the A-500S icon to those of the new external device icon by using the mouse to drag between them. fig.osx3-j Use the mouse to drag a connection Check to make sure that MIDI transmission and reception takes place normally.
  • Page 23 • Connect the A-500S to your Macintosh and turn on the power before you start up your software. • Do not switch off the power to the A-500S or disconnect the USB cable from your Macintosh while the software is running.

  • Page 24: Basic Connections And Midi Flow

    It is not necessary to connect the AC adaptor if you are using a USB connection. However, with some computers, the A-500S may not operate when powered from the USB bus. In this case, set the power switch to the DC position and connect the AC adaptor.

  • Page 25: Usb Connections With Your Computer-Using The A-500S As A Midi Interface

    — Using the A-500S as a MIDI interface * If you want to use Media Player to play a sound module connected to the A-500S’s MIDI OUT connector, make driver settings. ➝ “Driver Installation and Settings” (p. 13) Basic connections fig.connect-basic...

  • Page 26: When Using A Midi Connection-Transmitting Midi Messages To An External Midi Sound Module, Etc

    * Use only the specified expression pedal (EV-5; sold separately). By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit. MIDI flow fig.flow-midi-e A-500S MIDI OUT A-500S KEYBOARD The messages of the keyboard, Pitch Bend/Modulation lever, VALUE knob, hold pedal and expression pedal A-500S KEYBOARD will be transmitted from here.

  • Page 27: Use Midi Functionality

    When you turn on the power, the A-500S will start up in PLAY mode. fig.util To switch the A-500S to PLAY mode from UTILITY mode (p. 28), simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down or press the [CANCEL] button.

  • Page 28: Utility Mode

    What is UTILITY mode? This is the mode in which you assign the control messages you want to use, and make settings for the A-500S itself. In UTILITY mode, you use the keyboard to choose the function you want to set. In UTILITY mode, playing the keyboard will not transmit notes.

  • Page 29: Play

    Once you have finished making settings, try playing the keyboard. When you play the keyboard, MIDI messages are sent to the sound module (software). * Since the A-500S does not contain a sound generator, you cannot play MIDI data using the A-500S alone.

  • Page 30: Features Useful When Playing

    Use MIDI Functionality Features useful when playing Move the Pitch Bend/Modulation lever (left or right) to transmit pitch bend messages, Applying pitch changes to notes and apply subtle pitch changes to notes. (Pitch Bend) * The amount of pitch change (“bend range”) depends on the settings of your sound module.

  • Page 31: Setting The Midi Transmit Channel

    Use MIDI Functionality Setting the MIDI transmit channel PLAY To control your sound module, set the A-500S’s current channel to the MIDI receive channel that’s selected on your sound module. Current channel The current channel is the transmit channel for the keyboard, Pitch Bend/Modulation lever, VALUE knob, hold pedal and expression pedal.

  • Page 32: Selecting Sounds On A Sound Module

    Use MIDI Functionality Selecting sounds on a sound module —Transmitting program change / bank select massages To select a sound on your MIDI sound module, transmit a program change. To select a sound from a different bank, first transmit a bank select message that switches the bank. Then transmit a program change.

  • Page 33: Transmitting A Program Change Message

    Use MIDI Functionality Transmitting a program change message PLAY This lets you transmit a program change message on the “Current channel” (p. 31). fig.PC-1 fig.fig.Program Press the [PGM CHANGE] button. The [PGM CHANGE] button will light. The display will indicate the program change that was transmitted most recently.

  • Page 34: Transmitting A Bank Select Lsb Message

    Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. Press [BANK LSB] key. fig.BANK-3 Use the VALUE knob or the [0]–[9] keys of the keyboard to specify the bank select LSB that you want to transmit.

  • Page 35: Transmitting A Bank Select Msb Message

    Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. Press [BANK MSB] key. fig.BANK-2 Use the VALUE knob or the [0]–[9] keys of the keyboard to specify the bank select MSB that you want to transmit.

  • Page 36: Starting/Stopping Playback-Transmitting Start/Stop Messages

    If you again press the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button simultaneously, the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button will go dark, and the A-500S will be in Normal PLAY mode. * CONTROLLER mode works only in PLAY mode. It is not available in UTILITY mode.

  • Page 37: Starting Playback-Transmitting A Start Message

    A start message (FAh) will be transmitted, and playback or recording will begin. fig.start1 fig.utl If you simultaneously press the [MIDI CH] button and the [PGM CHANGE] button, the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button will light, and the A-500S will be in CONTROLLER mode. fig.fig.MIDIch Press the [MIDI CH] button.

  • Page 38: Stopping Playback-Transmitting A Stop Message

    A stop message (FCh) will be transmitted, and playback or recording will stop. fig.start1 fig.ut If you simultaneously press the [MIDI CH] button and the [PGM CHANGE] button, the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button will light, and the A-500S will be in CONTROLLER mode. fig.fig.Program Press the [PGM CHANGE] button.

  • Page 39: Continuing Playback From The Current Location-Transmitting A Continue Message

    This transmits a continue message (FBh); playback that had been paused will continue from the current location. fig.cont-1 fig.util*figutl Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.fig.cont Press the [CONT] key. The display will indicate “CNT” and blink. fig.MIDIch Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 40: Transmitting Messages To An External Midi Sound Module

    Use MIDI Functionality Transmitting messages to an external MIDI sound module You can transmit messages from the A-500S to an external MIDI sound module in order to control it. Messages Description POLY MODE ON p. 40 MONO MODE ON p. 41 PORTAMENTO ON p.

  • Page 41: Transmitting A Mono Mode On Message

    Mono mode allows you to play only single notes at a time. fig.panic-1 fig.fig.utl Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.mno Press the [MONO] key. The display will indicate “MNO” and blink. fig.fig.enter Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 42: Transmitting A Portamento On Message

    Turns on the portamento function that creates a smooth pitch change from one note to the next (Portamento On). fig.portaon-1 fig.utl Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.pon Press the [PORTA ON] key. The display will indicate “PON” and blink. fig.fig.enter Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 43: Transmitting A Portamento Off Message

    Turns the portamento function off. fig.panic-1 fig.utl Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.pon Press the [PORTA OFF] key. The display will indicate “POF” and blink. fig.fig.enter Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 44: Transmitting A Gm2 System On Message

    This lets you transmit a GM2 system on message. fig.panic-1 fig.utl Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.gm2 Press the [GM2 SYS ON] key. The display will indicate “GM2” and blink. fig.fig.enter Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 45: Transmitting A Reset Message

    Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode. fig.pnc Press the [PANIC] key. The display will indicate “PNC” and blink. fig.fig.enter Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 46: Transmitting The Value Of A Specific Parameter

    PLAY CONTROLLER Specified parameters The A-500S lets you assign a specific parameter to the VALUE knob so that the value of that parameter will be transmitted when you operate the VALUE knob. To assign a parameter In UTILITY mode System settings, specify the parameter you want to assign to the VALUE knob.

  • Page 47: System Settings

    System Settings Set the system settings Use UTILITY mode to make various SYSTEM settings for the A-500S. fig.util* Simultaneously hold the [MIDI CH] button and [PGM CHANGE] button down. The display will indicate “UTL,” and the A-500S enters UTILITY mode.

  • Page 48: F8 Clock On / Off (Keyboard: 0)

    System Settings F8 CLOCK ON / OFF (Keyboard: 0) Perform steps 1–3 (p. 47). fig.hyo Use the VALUE knob or the [0] or [1] keys to switch F8 CLOCK ON / OFF. Keyboard Setting The display will indicate either “ON” or “OFF.” Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 49: Velocity Curve (Keyboard: 2)

    System Settings Perform steps 1–3 (p. 47). VELOCITY CURVE (Keyboard: 2) Perform steps 1–3 (p. 47). Use the VALUE knob or the keyboard to specify the keyboard sensitivity and curve. Keyboard Display Setting Curve Keyboard’s sensitivity High velocity values will be 1-LIGHT produced even if you play the keyboard softly.

  • Page 50: Key Velocity (Keyboard: 3)

    “VELOCITY CURVE” (p. 49), or will always be transmitted at a fixed value. The A-500S detects the strength with which you play a key, and transmits the velocity value accordingly. However, if you set Key Velocity mode to a fixed value, the velocity will be transmitted at this fixed value regardless of how strongly you play the keys.

  • Page 51: Value Knob (Keyboard: 5)

    You can assign a specific parameter to the VALUE knob. Specified parameters The A-500S lets you assign a specific parameter to the VALUE knob so that the value of that parameter will be transmitted when you operate the VALUE knob.
  • Page 52 Assigns the KEY VELOCITY parameter to the VALUE knob. In KEY VELOCITY MODE, the velocity value is fixed. The A-500S transmits velocity values that correspond to the force with which you play the keyboard, but if KEY VELOCITY is assigned to the VALUE knob, the fixed velocity value you specify using the VALUE knob will be transmitted regardless of how you actually play the keyboard.

  • Page 53: Factory Reset (Keyboard: 6)

    System Settings If you’ve selected “Control Change” as the parameter Use the VALUE knob or the keyboard to specify the control change number. Press the [ENTER] button. FACTORY RESET (Keyboard: 6) Perform steps 1–3 (p. 47). fig.rst The display will indicate “RST.” fig.yes Press the [ENTER] button.

  • Page 54: Appendices

    If a problem occurred while installing the driver, use the following procedure to reinstall it. Uninstall the A-500S driver as described in “Removing the driver” (p. 55). Install the driver once again as described in “Driver Installation and Settings” (p. 13).

  • Page 55: Removing The Driver

    Removing the driver Your computer may fail to correctly recognize the A-500S if the driver could not be installed according to the specified procedure. If so, you’ll need to delete the driver that was detected by mistake. Use the following procedure to remove the driver, and then install the driver once again according to the procedure given in “Driver Installation...
  • Page 56 Mac OS X 10.5 or earlier [A500S_Uninstaller.pkg] (/Driver/10.4_10.5) The screen will indicate “This uninstalls A-500S driver from this Macintosh”. Click [Uninstall]. * If any other message appears, proceed as directed by the message. The screen will indicate “Are you sure to uninstall the driver?” Click [OK].

  • Page 57: Power Management Settings

    Appendices Power management settings If you experience problems such as interrupted notes or dropouts in the sound, you may be able to solve the problem by changing your computer’s power management settings. Windows 7 users Open the Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click Power Options. * If you’re using an icon display, double-click the Power Options icon.

  • Page 58: Windows Xp Users

    Appendices Click [OK] to close the Power Options window. Close the Edit Plan Settings screen. Windows XP users Open the Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and click Power Options. * If you’re using the Classic view, double-click the Power Options icon. Click the Power Schemes tab, and in the Power Schemes field, select Always On.

  • Page 59: System "Performance" Settings (Windows)

    Appendices System “Performance” settings (Windows) You may be able to solve the problem by changing the “Performance” setting of the system as described below. Windows 7 users Open the Control Panel, click System and Security and click System. If you’re using an icon display, double-click the System icon. At the left, click Advanced system settings.

  • Page 60: Windows Xp Users

    Appendices Windows XP users Open the Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and double-click System. * If you’re using the Classic view, double-click the System icon. Click the Advanced tab, and click Performance [Settings]. Click the Advanced tab. Choose Background services, and click [OK]. Click [OK] to close System Properties.

  • Page 61: About Standard Driver Mode (Windows Xp)

    The driver will be installed automatically. Input/output device settings In order to use the A-500S with your software, you’ll need to choose the A-500S as the MIDI input/output device. For details on how to make this setting, refer to the documentation of your software.

  • Page 62: Troubleshooting

    A warning or error appears during the installation (Windows) Could you have connected the A-500S to your computer before installing the driver? If you connect the A-500S to your computer before installing the driver, an error message may appear when you begin the installation.
  • Page 63 Could you be using a bus-powered USB hub (a hub that does not require a power supply)? The A-500S cannot be used with a bus-powered USB hub (a hub that does not need a separate power supply). Use it with a self-powered USB hub (a hub that has an internal power supply or AC adaptor).

  • Page 64: Windows Xp

    If you connect the A-500S to a different USB port, some operating systems may automatically add a number to the beginning of the device name, but this should not be a problem when using the A-500S. If you want to return to the device name that does not have this number, you can either connect the A-500S to the same USB port as when you installed it, or install the driver once again.

  • Page 65: Problems With Settings

    Can’t select/use the A-500S within software or in system settings Could the A-500S be in use by other software? Close all software you currently have running. Next, switch off the A-500S’s power, then turn it back on again. If this does not solve the problem, reinstall the driver.

  • Page 66: Problems When Playing

    Could you have updated the Mac OS X software while A-500S was connected? It has been found that clicks or pops can occur if you performed a Mac OS X software update while the A-500S was connected. If so, install the driver once again.
  • Page 67 ➝ “Reinstalling the driver” (p. 54) Did you make input/output device settings for your software? Refer to the owner’s manual of your software and to the following pages, and select the A-500S as the input/output device. ➝ “Input/output device settings” (p. 16) •...

  • Page 68: Midi Implementation

    MIDI Implementation Model: A-500S Version 1.00 2009.08.1 ● Program change 1. Transmit data Status 2nd byte ■Channel voice messages ● Note off n = MIDI channel number: 0H – FH (Ch.1 – 16) pp = Program number: 00H – 7FH (prog. 1 – prog. 128)

  • Page 69: Channel Mode Messages

    ■Channel mode messages ■System realtime message In addition to the channel mode messages that can be transmitted in Panic, the A-500S In addition to the Active Sensing messages that are transmitted constantly, the A-500S lets you assign any channel voice message to the VALUE knob and transmit it.

  • Page 70: Supplementary Material

    MIDI Implementation 2. Supplementary material <Example1> ● Decimal and Hexadecimal table What is the decimal expression of 5AH? From the preceding table, 5AH = 90. (An “H” is appended to the end of numbers in hexadecimal notation.) <Example2> In MIDI documentation, data values and addresses/sizes of Exclusive messages, etc. are expressed as hexadecimal values for each 7 bits.

  • Page 71: Midi Implementation Chart

    MIDI Implementation fig.midi-chart.e.eps MIDI KEYBOARD CONTROLLER Date : Aug. 01, 2009 MIDI Implementation Chart Version : 1.00 Model: A-500S Transmitted Recognized Function... Remarks Basic Default Channel Changed 1–16 Default Mode 3 Mode Messages OMNI ON, MONO, POLY Altered ************** Note 0–127...

  • Page 72: Main Specifications

    Cakewalk Production Plus Pack installation guide License agreement ●Options AC Adaptor: (Please contact the retailer from whom you purchased the product, or the nearest Roland Service Center.) Pedal Switch: DP series Expression Pedal: EV-5 * In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

  • Page 73: Index

    Starting Playback ................27, 37 Stopping Playback ............... 27, 38 Key Velocity ..................47, 50, 52 To switch the A-500S to CONTROLLER mode......36 Keyboard Sensitivity ................... 49 Transmitting the value of a specific parameter ....27, 46 What is CONTROLLER mode? ............36 Current Channel ...................
  • Page 74 Use MIDI Functionality ..............27 Stopping Playback ............... 27, 38 MIDI I/F MODE OFF ..................50 To switch the A-500S to PLAY mode ..........27 MIDI I/F MODE ON ..................50 Transmitting a Program Change Message ......27, 33 MNO ........................41 Transmitting the value of a specific parameter ....
  • Page 75 Continue playback from the current location ....28, 39 Functions in UTILITY mode .............. 28 Make system settings ................. 28 To switch the A-500S to UTILITY mode ........28 Transmitting a Bank Select LSB message ......28, 34 Transmitting a Bank Select MSB message ......28, 35 Transmitting a GM2 System On message ......
  • Page 76 MEMO...
  • Page 77 MEMO...
  • Page 78 For EU Countries For China...

  • Page 79: Declaration Of Conformity

    This product contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm, including lead. For the USA DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Compliance Information Statement Model Name : A-500S Type of Equipment : MIDI Keyboard Cakewalk, Inc. Responsible Party :...

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