Owner’s Manual © 2021 Roland Corporation Before using the unit, ensure that its program is at the most recent version. For information on available upgrades for the program, see the Roland website (https://www.roland.com/).
Contents Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 :: Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 :: Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turning the Power On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents Creating a Song by Arranging the Sections . . . . 35 :: Making Song-Related Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 :: Creating a Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :: Changing the Key of Sections Arranged in Songs . . . . 35 36 :: Using Templates to Create a Song (Song Templates) . . . . . 36 Recording the Vocals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Panel Descriptions Top Panel 3 1 6 2 4 7 8 9 5 1 Common Section (1) [VOLUME] knob [STYLE] button Adjusts the volume of signal from the LINE OUT jacks. Switches the pads to Style mode. This lets you play phrases with triplets, repeated notes and so on, as well as arpeggios. [PHONES] knob If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [STYLE] button, the pads switch to Chord mode. In this mode, you can play chords just by pressing the pads. Adjusts the volume of signal from the PHONES jack.
Panel Descriptions 2 Project Section 6 Common Section (2) [LOAD] button Display Displays the project settings screen. Use this for the various operations and settings when creating or loading a project. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [LOAD] button to save a project. Shows various information depending on the operation. * Projects are saved on the SD card. 3 Vocal Section [TONE] knob [VALUE] dial Turn: Selects a parameter or changes a setting value.
Panel Descriptions 9 Track Section [KICK] button [INST 2] button Selects the KICK track. Selects the INST 2 track. [SNARE] button [VOCAL] button Selects the SNARE track. Selects the VOCAL track. * The VOCAL track can only be selected when the workflow is in the “SONG” phase. [HI-HAT] button Selects the HI-HAT track. [MOTION] button Turns motions on/off (p. 29). [KIT] button Selects the KIT track. [INPUT] button Displays the settings screen for audio input.
Panel Descriptions Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment) * To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections. Cord hook A B C D E F H G AC adaptor A G DC IN jack Connect the included AC adaptor to this jack. * Use the cord hook to secure the cord of the AC adaptor as shown in the illustration. B C [POWER] switch Turns the power on/off. * A USB driver is not required when connecting to this unit.
An Overview of the VERSELAB How the SONG is configured Project VOCAL track Take 1 Take 2 Take 2 Take 2 Take 3 Take 4 SONG KICK/SNARE/HI-HAT/KIT/BASS/INST 1/INST 2 tracks Section 1 Section 3 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Vocal effects Section 5 Mastering effects Tracks and sections Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 16 KICK track Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3 Clip 16 EQ/COMP SNARE track Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3 Clip 16 EQ/COMP HI-HAT track Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3 Clip 16 EQ/COMP KIT trac
An Overview of the VERSELAB What Is a Project? What Is a Clip? The data used for creating songs is managed as a “project.” Here’s how to create and save projects for each song. Projects are saved on the SD card. When you create a song, you’ll need to load a single project from the SD card into this unit for editing. Projects contain settings for clips, sections, tracks, songs, effects and so on. A “clip” is a collection of data that is used by a track (except for the VOCAL track).
An Overview of the VERSELAB About Workflows Steps for Creating a Song A “workflow” refers to the flow of steps you use to create a song. Follow the operations below to create a new song. The workflow section on this unit has the following modes. Creating a New Project Creating a Project (p. 14) Setting the Tempo (p. 27) SEQ (Sequencer) Use this mode to create the clips for individual tracks. Clips are the smallest unit used in a song.
Listening to and Rearranging the Demo Songs This explains how to rearrange the demo songs (projects) on the SD card included with this unit and output them as a WAV file to the SD card. Flow of Operations Load the project and play back the song. Load a clip and edit the tones/phrases. Edit the structure of the song by rearranging the sections, changing their lengths and so on. Record the vocals. Mix the song down and output the song and the vocals as a WAV file.
Listening to and Rearranging the Demo Songs Changing the Structure of a Song 5. Press one of the pads [1]–[16] that are unlit (the unrecorded vocal takes) to select where to record your vocal. “[REC] RecStandby” appears on the screen. Rearranging sections This shows you to rearrange the sections of the song. In this example, we show you how to change the placement of the sixth section in the song. 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.” 2.
Reference
Project Operations The data used for creating songs is managed as a “project.” Here’s how to create and save projects for each song. NOTE If you turn off the power without saving the data, any data you edited is lost. To keep your edited data, make sure to save the projects to an SD card. Loading a Project Saving a Project Load the project from the SD card and then edit the song. Here’s how to save the project to the SD card.
Project Operations Configuring the Project Locking a Project Here’s how to configure the project’s settings, such as the reference pitch, pad illumination colors and more. Here’s how to protect a project so that it can’t be overwritten or deleted. 1. Press the [LOAD] button. 1. Press the [LOAD] button. The PROJECT screen appears. 2. Use the [VALUE] dial to select “SETTING,” and then press the [VALUE] dial. The project settings screen appears. The PROJECT screen appears. 2.
Section Operations A project can use eight tracks. Out of these tracks, the seven tracks besides the VOCAL track are collectively known as a section. There are 16 sections, and you can line up sections to create a song (p. 35). Selecting a Section Copying a Section 1. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Here’s how to copy the performance data and tones from one section to another. Section Select mode. 2. Press pads [1]–[16] to select the sections.
Section Operations Swapping Sections Naming a Section Here’s how to swap (exchange) performance data and tones together between sections. You can name each section separately. 1. Press the [COPY] button. The menu screen appears. 2. Use the [VALUE] dial to select “SWAP: SECTION,” and then press the [VALUE] dial. The SECTION SWAP screen appears. 1. Press the [SECTION] button to set the workflow to “Section.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode. 3.
Track Operations This unit includes eight tracks used for creating performance data, including the KICK, SNARE, HI-HAT, KIT, BASS, INST 1, INST 2 and VOCAL tracks. There are four types of tracks, and the type of data that a track can contain depends on its track type. Selecting Tracks Editing the Track Type 1. Press a track button from [KICK] through [VOCAL] to select a There are four types of tracks: “tone,” “drum kit,” “looper” and “vocal” (p. 9). Change the track type to suit your needs. track.
Clip Operations A “clip” is a collection of data that is used by a track (except for the VOCAL track). Clips contain data such as tones and phrases (performance data and motions; see p. 9). You can edit the clips by changing only the tones for each, as well as by copying them. Selecting a Clip Changing Tones/Samples Select the clips used for each track. 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.
Clip Operations Copying a Clip Swapping Clips Here’s how to copy the tone and phrase from one clip to another. This shows you how to swap contents between clips. * You can’t copy clips between tracks that have different track types. * You can’t swap clips with different track types. 1. Press the [COPY] button. 1. Press the [COPY] button. The menu screen appears. The menu screen appears. 2. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the content to copy, and then press the [VALUE] dial.
Loading/Saving Clips You can load clips saved on an SD card, or import clips from a project. You can also save clips to the SD card. * You cannot load or save clips from/to the VOCAL track. Loading from the SD Card * Only clips whose track type matches the destination track’s type can be loaded. 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode. 3. Press a button from [KICK] through [INST 2] to select a track. 4.
Changing the Tones You can change the tone used for each clip, and edit its multi-effect. Tones and Track Types Changing the Tones By loading a tone or sample into a project, you can change the tone used by a clip. The contents that can be loaded depend on the track type (p. 18).
Changing the Tones Track type: Drum Kit This changes the drum kit and drum instruments. DRUM KIT Drum instrument 1. Follow the steps in “Selecting a Clip” (p. 19) to select the 1. Follow the steps in “Selecting a Clip” (p. 19) to select the 2. Press the [VALUE] dial. 2. Press the [NOTE] button to switch the pads to Note mode. 3. Press pads [1]–[16] to select the drum instrument you want clip with the tone you want to change. The BROWSER screen appears. clip with the tone you want to change.
Changing the Tones Editing a Tone Editing the Multi-Effects Here’s how to adjust the volume or reverb send level, set the sample playback range and make other settings related to tones and samples. You can use multi-effects on tones and samples to process the sound. 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode. 3. Press a button from [KICK] through [INST 2] to select a track. 4.
Pad Operations You can use the pads to play or create phrases (p. 26). You can also use the pads to select sections (p. 16). There are five operation modes for the pads: Note mode, Style mode, Velocity mode, Chord mode and Section Select mode. Switch between operation modes as needed. Note Mode (NOTE) Velocity Mode (VELOCITY) This mode lets you play the pads as if playing a keyboard, or use the pads to play the drum kits.
Creating Phrases This shows you how to create phrases (performance data). There are two ways to create a phrase: inputting note by note (note data) using “step recording,” or recording what you play in real time using “real-time recording.” Step Recording (TR-REC) Recording in Real Time This lets you input the notes (note data) using the pads. You can also input notes while playing back a clip.
Creating Phrases Editing the Steps Making Measure-Related Settings You can edit the length, velocity and other aspects of the notes you inputted for each step. Use these settings to set the clip length, the length of a note in a single step and so on. 1. Follow the steps in “Selecting a Clip” (p. 19) to select the 1. Follow the steps in “Selecting a Clip” (p. 19) to select the clip you want to edit.
Correcting the Timing of Your Performance (Quantize) On tracks whose track type (p. 18) is “tone” or “drum kit,” you can use the quantize feature to correct the timing of your playing. You can apply quantization during both playback and recording. * You can’t quantize tracks whose track type is “looper” or “vocal.” Quantizing During Playback Enabling Quantization During Recording This corrects (quantizes) the timing of your performance during playback.
Recording CTRL Knob Movement in Steps (Motions) You can make changes to the sound by recording your operations of the [CTRL 1]–[CTRL 3] knobs as “motions.” * Motions can’t be recorded on the VOCAL track. * Motions can be recorded for each clip. Assigning Parameters to the CTRL Knobs Deleting a Motion You’ll need to assign the parameters you want to record to the [CTRL 1]–[CTRL 3] knobs. & For detailed information, refer to “Assigning Parameters to the CTRL Knobs” (p. 43). 1.
Recording CTRL Knob Movement in Steps (Motions) Creating a Linear Motion (Motion Designer) Use the Motion Designer to automatically create and record linear motions that change over time. This function is convenient for creating effects such as ducking (side chain). * Motions previously recorded are overwritten. 1. Follow the steps in “Selecting a Clip” (p. 19) to select the clip to which you want to record the motion. 2. Press the [EDIT] button, and then press the [MOTION] button.
Using Sampled Audio This shows you how to sample the sound from a built-in mic, an external mic, the audio input from the LINE IN jacks or clips playing back to create a sample (audio file). You can use the samples you create as tones or drum instruments. You can also export the samples to an SD card. Getting Ready to Sample Configuring the External Input Sampling Settings 1. Press the [INPUT] button. 1. Press the [EDIT] button, and then the [REC] button. The INPUT SETTING screen appears. 2.
Using Sampled Audio Sampling 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. To use the built-in mic or an external mic, press the MIC [ON] button to make it light. 3. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [REC] button. The sampling screen appears. * The sampling screen display differs depending on the Rec Trig settings (p. 31). 8. Load the sample into the tone or drum instrument. Track type: Tone Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode.
Loop Playback of Samples (Audio Looper) The INST 1 and INST 2 tracks can be used as audio loopers. This feature plays back recorded or imported audio phrases (called “samples”) in a loop. Use time stretch to change the playback speed of a sample, making it match the tempo of the song without altering its pitch. Changing the Track Type to “Looper” Loading Samples To use the INST 1 and INST 2 tracks as loopers, you need to change their track type to “looper.
Loop Playback of Samples (Audio Looper) Making Settings that Apply During Playback Editing the Multi-Effects This shows how to make settings that apply when playing back a sample, such as volume and time stretch. 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Press the [SECTION SELECT] button to switch the pads to Section Select mode. 3.
Creating a Song by Arranging the Sections This shows you how to create a “song” by arranging sections. With this feature, you can use the songs you create as backing tracks for recording vocals, to make a full song with vocals (p. 37). Creating a Song Making Song-Related Settings Here’s how to arrange the sections to match the structure of your song. This shows how to make song settings such as volume, SONG template function settings and so on. 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.
Creating a Song by Arranging the Sections Changing the Key of Sections Arranged in Songs You can change the key of each section arranged in a song. Use this feature to record vocals in a key that’s easy to sing in (p. 37), or transpose the key in the middle of the song to bring the excitement up a notch. MEMO 55To reflect your key changes, you need to set the TRANSPOS parameters in the SONG screen. &“Making Song-Related Settings” (p.
Recording the Vocals With the VOCAL track, you can overdub the audio from vocals, backing vocals and so on in the song (p. 35). Aside from recording vocals and backing vocals while listening to a song, you can also load samples (WAV files) for use. You can create up to 16 “vocal takes” containing your vocal and backing vocals in a project. These vocal takes can be played back at the timing that you want in the song.
Recording the Vocals Editing a Vocal Sequence You can edit vocal sequences to adjust where the singing should start or to add repeating backing vocals. Adjusting the Vocal Start Timing Deleting a Vocal Sequence 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.” 2. Press the [VOCAL] button to select the VOCAL track. 3. Press the [EDIT] button, and then press pads [1]–[16] to select 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.” 2. Press the [VOCAL] button to select the VOCAL track. 3.
Recording the Vocals Editing the Vocal Takes You can adjust the volume and playback range of the vocal takes, or delete the vocal takes you don’t need. Making Settings that Apply During Playback Muting the Vocal Takes Here are the settings for the vocal take playback range, volume and how the effects are applied. You can mute vocal takes when a song plays back. 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.” 2. Press the [VOCAL] button to select the VOCAL track. 3.
Recording the Vocals Using the Vocal Processor The vocal processor features sonic effects that are particularly useful for vocals, including pitch shift and tonal character adjustment, adding harmonies and more. You can use the vocal processor to add effects to the playback sound of the vocal takes or the audio coming from the mics. The following effects are available.
Recording the Vocals Making Vocal Track Settings This shows you how to configure the mixer and effects for the VOCAL track. Adjusting the Volume and Pan Adjust the volume, stereo position (pan), equalizer settings and so on for the vocal takes overall. &“Making Track Settings” (p. 18) Adjusting the Effects For the VOCAL track, you can use the multi-effect and six compressors. 1. Press the [SONG] button to set the workflow to “SONG.” 2. Press the [VOCAL] button to select the VOCAL track. 3.
Finishing Up the Song as an Audio File (Mixdown) This feature lets you apply effects for mastering and adjust the sound of the songs you create, and generate an audio file of the entire song (SONG + vocal takes). Applying Effects to an Entire Song (Mastering) Creating an Audio File (Mixdown) The process of “mastering” involves finalizing a song by applying effects to make final adjustments to its loudness and tonal character.
Other Operations Assigning Parameters to the CTRL Knobs You can assign clip-related parameters to the [CTRL 1]–[CTRL 3] knobs to control these parameters. For details on the parameters you can assign, refer to the “Parameter Guide” (PDF). * You can make CTRL knob assignments for each clip. 1. Press the [SEQ] button to set the workflow to “Sequencer.” 2. Turn the [CTRL 1]–[CTRL 3] knobs while holding down the [EDIT] button.
Other Operations Checking the Internal Memory Usage Deleting Samples Loaded into a Project Audio data takes up memory on this unit. This data includes samples that you load, samples that you record via sampling, samples you create with the vocal/looper recording operations and so on. The memory is divided into two areas, one for user samples and one for loopers. You can check the usage status using the steps below.
Appendices
List of Shortcut Keys Switching Screens and Modes Action Operation To access the quantize edit screen press the [SECTION SELECT] button. To access the UTILITY screen press the [SYSTEM] button. To display the MASTERING menu screen press the [MIXDOWN] button. To display the mixer effects screen press the [MIXER] button. To display the SONG template screen press the [SONG] button. To access the tempo settings screen To access the project save screen Hold down the [SHIFT] button and...
List of Shortcut Keys Pad Operations Action Operation To access the DRUM INST EDIT menu screen * Track type: Drum Kit only While the pads are in Note mode... hold down the [EDIT] button and press pads [1]–[16]. When the workflow is in the “Sequencer” phase Action Operation To access the clip settings screen hold down the [SHIFT] button and press pads [1]–[16]. To access the CLIP EDIT menu screen To copy a clip hold down the [EDIT] button and press pads [1]–[16].
Main Specifications Sound Generator ZEN-Core (Tone, Drum Kit) Track Type Tone, Drum Kit, Looper (Audio Loop) ZEN-Core: 128 voices (varies according to the sound generator load) Maximum Polyphony Looper: 8 (varies according to the available number of Looper track) Vocal Take: 16 (varies according to the vocal take size) Tracks 7 tracks and 1 vocal track Sections 16 sections Vocal Take 16 takes Preset Tone: 3,000 or greater Preset Drum Kit: 80 or greater User Sample (as a Tone or Drum Kit): availab
