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Roland GR-30 Tutorial

Creating an Arpeggio on the GR-30

The GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer is Roland's most powerful guitar synth to date. It includes 384 brand new Tones, 256 Patches, and spatial effects including reverb, chorus and delay. In addition, there are some unique features such as the world's first synth Harmonist and guitar synth Arpeggiator. The purpose of this document is to provide a "hands on" guide for programming the Arpeggiator. First, we will select the Tones (sounds) that will be used. Second, we will assign the Tones to specific strings using the Tone Mix and String Select procedures. Third, we will program the arpeggio parameters such as Arpeggio Tone, Arpeggio Rhythm, Arpeggio Value, and Arpeggio Tempo. Finally, we will create an arpeggio using Real Time and Step Write methods and store the arpeggio patterns into the GR-30ís internal memory. For the purpose of this document, we will create an arpeggio for a nylon-string guitar sound that is layered with a string pad sound on all strings. The arpeggio will not affect the string pad sound. The concepts and procedures that we will use to create this arpeggio can be applied when creating your own arpeggios.

I. Selecting Tones

Tones are the basic unit of sound in the GR-30. Tones can be combined with other parameters such as brightness and attack to create a Patch. The GR-30 allows you to combine up to two Tones per Patch. Use the following procedure to select Tones:

1. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select Patch A52. This Patch uses two Tones - "NYLON GUITAR SW" and "SLOW STRING."
2. Use the EDIT TARGET dial to select "1st TONE."
3. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[A]" (TONE #).
4. Press EDIT/PLAY. The currently assigned Tone number will be displayed.
5. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select Tone #51 (if necessary).
6. Use the EDIT TARGET dial to select "2nd TONE."
7. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select Tone #293 (if necessary).
8. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE PATCH?" and press the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously to store these settings into memory.

II. Tone Mix and String Select

Once you've selected your Tones, you can adjust the balance between the two Tones. When both Tones of a Patch are assigned to all six strings, the Patch is called a "Layered Patch." When the two Tones of a Patch are assigned to different strings, the Patch is called a "Split Patch." However, because each string can have one or both Tones assigned to it, Patches can be configured as a combination Split and Layered Patch. Use the following procedure to adjust the Tone mix and String Select for this Layered Patch:

1. Use the EDIT TARGET dial to select "TONE MIX."
2. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[A]" (LAYER).
3. Press EDIT/PLAY.
4. Use the STRING SELECT dial to select "ALL."
5. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "A-b" (if necessary). This assigns both Tones to all six strings.
6. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[D]" (1:2 BALANCE) and use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "25" (if necessary). This adjusts the BALANCE between the two Tones.
7. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE PATCH?" and press the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously to store these settings into memory.

III. Programming Arpeggio Parameters

Now that you have selected the Tones and adjusted the Tone Mix, you can select and program the Arpeggiator parameters. Each of these parameters has its own unique function and needs to be programmed before creating an arpeggio pattern.

Arpeggio Tones
The first step in setting up the arpeggio parameters is to decide which of the two Tones the arpeggio will be playing. You can assign an arpeggio to the first Tone [A-1], the second Tone [A-2], both Tones [A-b], an external sound module [A-E], an external sound module with the first Tone [A.1E], or an external sound module with the second Tone [A.2E]. Use the following procedure to assign the arpeggio:

1. Use the EDIT TARGET dial to select "ARPEGGIO/harmony."
2. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[A]" (ARPEGGIO/harmony SEL).
3. Press EDIT/PLAY.
4. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "A-1." This will assign the arpeggio pattern to the first Tone only.

   NOTE: This setup allows you to have an arpeggio pattern on the first Tone (NYLON GUITAR SW), and no arpeggio on the second Tone (SLOW STRING).

Arpeggio Rhythm
Once you've completed the assignment of the arpeggio Tones, you can select the note divisions for the arpeggio pattern. Your options are quarter notes ("04._"), eighth notes ("08._"), eighth note shuffle light ("08.L") or heavy ("08.H"), eighth note triplets ("08.t"), sixteenth notes ("16._"), sixteenth note shuffle light ("16.L") or heavy ("16.H") and sixteenth note triplets ("16t"). Use the following procedure to select a note division of eighth notes:

1. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[B]" ( A-RHYTHM/h-style).
2. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "08._." This configures the Arpeggiator for entering notes in eighth-note increments, similar to setting a sequencer "quantize" value to eighth notes.

Arpeggio Duration
This parameter defines how long the notes you enter will last. Duration is similar to a sequencer "gate time" parameter or compositional terms like legato or staccato. Your options range from 30% of the note duration ("30") to a duration that lasts until the next note is played ("Ful"). Use the following procedure to select "Ful" note duration:

1. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[C]" ( A-DURATION/h-key).
2. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "FuL."

Arpeggio Tempo
Before you begin recording an arpeggio pattern, you should select a tempo. The available arpeggio tempos range from 50 to 250 BPM. Use the following procedure to select a tempo of 80 BPM:

1. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[D]" ( A-TEMPO/h-remote).
2. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select "80."
3. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE PATCH?" and press the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously to store these settings into memory.

   NOTE: This parameter can also be set to "Syn" for using an external MIDI Clock to control the tempo of the arpeggio.

IV. Creating An Arpeggio -- Real Time

There are two methods for creating arpeggio patterns -- Real Time or Step Write. The Real Time method involves playing the arpeggio "live" into the GR-30. Use the following procedure to record an arpeggio in Real Time:

1. Select Patch A52 (if necessary).
2. Use the EDIT/TARGET DIAL to select "ARPEGGIO/harmony."
3. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[D]" ( A-TEMPO/h-remote).
4. Press EDIT/PLAY.
5. Press PEDAL 1 and the metronome will start. Each beep represents an eighth-note location where events may be entered.
6. Use the [+] / [-] buttons to select the number of event locations (up to 32) for the arpeggio pattern. For this example, select "G.08." This will give you eight eighth-note locations for events to be entered (the equivalent of one bar of 4/4 time). If "G.16" had been selected, there would be 16 eighth-note locations (two bars of 4/4 time).
7. Press PEDAL 2 and a one measure count-in will begin. The display will indicate the count-in with negative numbers (-4, -3, -2, -1).
8. After the count-in, begin playing the strings in time to the metronome (one or more strings per beep).
9. When you've finished playing, press PEDAL 1 to stop the recording. Strum the guitar to check your arpeggio. You should now have a nylon-string guitar arpeggio, with a string pad beneath it.
10. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE PATCH?" and press the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously to store the arpeggio pattern into memory.

    NOTE: Unlike a traditional sequencer, the GR-30ís Arpeggiator will not record notes played between the beeps.

    NOTE: The Arpeggiator records the order in which the strings are played. Therefore, the order in which the strings are played is important but the actual note(s) played is not. The note(s) will be determined by the fretting of the guitar during playback. If the strings played (or not played) during the triggering of the arpeggio differ from those contained in the arpeggio pattern, the GR-30 will logically substitute strings based on its built-in internal algorithms.

V. Creating An Arpeggio -- Step Time

Step Time recording involves recording an arpeggio one event at a time. When recording in Step Time, the strings can be entered individually for the entire pattern. Use the following procedure to create an arpeggio using the Step Time method:

1. Select Patch H83.
2. Use the EDIT TARGET dial to select "ARPEGGIO/harmony."
3. Press EDIT/PLAY.
4. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[D]" and use the [+] / [-] buttons to select a tempo of "140."
5. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "[C]" and use the [+] / [-] buttons to select a duration of "30."
6. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select [A] or [B].
7. Press PEDAL 1 so that "toP" is displayed.
8. Pluck string 4 and stop immediately. "G.01" will be displayed indicating that the fourth string has been input as the first event.

TIP:	In Step Time mode, each of the pedals has a different function that can be extremely useful for entering arpeggio patterns. The pedals can be used as follows:
	Pedal 1 [BEGIN/END]	Used to start and stop the pattern.
	Pedal 2 [TIE(ENTER)]	Used to create a tie.
	Pedal 3 [REST]	Used to create a rest.
	Pedal 4 [TO TOP]	Used to return to the beginning of the pattern.
	Patch Minus Button [-]	Used to erase the latest operation and back up by one.

Creating An Arpeggio - Step Time (Cont.)

9. Press PEDAL 2 once to advance to the next event (G.02).
10. Pluck string 4 twice and stop it immediately. The display should advance two events (G.04) indicating that we have tied the previous two events.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 three more times to advance to "G.16."
12. Press PEDAL 4 to return to the beginning of the pattern and repeat steps 8-11 for strings 5 and 6.
13. Press PEDAL 3 twice so that "G.02" is displayed.
14. Play strings 2 and 3 at the same time and stop them together so that "G.03" is displayed.
15. Press PEDAL 3 twice so that "G.05" is displayed.
16. Play strings 2 and 3 at the same time and then press PEDAL 2 so that "G.07" is displayed.
17. Play strings 2 and 3 at the same time again so that "G.08" is displayed.
18. Play string 1 once and press PEDAL 2 two times so that "G.11" is displayed.
19. Play string 3 once and press PEDAL 2 two times so that "G.14" is displayed.
20. Play string 2 once and press PEDAL 2 once to advance to "G.16" and end the input for strings 1, 2 and 3.
21. Press PEDAL 1 to stop the recording and strum the guitar to check your arpeggio. You should now have a dance-type synth arpeggio.
22. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE TOÖ" and use the [+] / [-] buttons to select a Patch location.
23. Use the PARAMETER SELECT dial to select "WRITE PATCH?" and press the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously to store the arpeggio pattern into memory.

VI. Summary

You should now be able to select Tones, assign Tones, and create an arpeggio using either the Real Time or Step Time methods. Keep in mind that both methods can be used to create incredible arpeggios. The method you use is simply a matter of personal preference. Once you've learned the basics, you can move on to creating more advanced patterns. We hope this document has helped you learn how to effectively create your own arpeggios with the GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer.