Roland AX-Synth owner manual Aftertouch, Using the D Beam controller, Selecting the Bender Mode

In most cases, the ribbon allows you to change the pitch of the notes you are playing (Pitch Bend).

Selecting the Bender Mode

The [BENDER¥MODE] button at the back of the neck can be used to select one of two modes for the TOUCH CON- TROLLER ribbon:

[BENDER¥MODE]	The ribbon works like any Pitch Bend
is off	device, i.e. it immediately affects the pitch
(Normal mode)	of the notes you are playing.
[BENDER¥MODE]	If you place a finger somewhere off cen-
lights	ter on the Touch Controller (not in the
(Catch + Last	middle) and then play a note, that note
mode)	uses its normal pitch. To bend it at a later
	stage, keep holding the note and slide
	your finger past the Touch Controller’s
	center.
	If you first play a note and then slide a
	finger over the Touch Controller, the
	note’s pitch changes immediately. Subse-
	quent notes you play while still touching
	the ribbon will use their normal pitch,
	however. Combining these two tech-
	niques allows you to simulate “double
	bendings” of electric guitarists.

Aftertouch

The [AFTER¥TOUCH] knob can be used to generate chan- nel aftertouch messages for the notes you are playing. The AX-Synth’s keyboard does not transmit these mes- sages (it is velocity sensitive, however).

What happens now depends on the aftertouch assign- ment of the Tone you are using: the knob may change the Tone’s level or pitch, generate filter sweeps etc. (This needs to be specified using the “AX-Synth Editor” soft- ware.)

Note: The knob does not return to its minimum setting auto- matically. Do not forget to turn it back to zero if you no longer need the aftertouch functionality.

rAX-Synth Owner’s Manual

Using the D Beam controller

The D Beam controller can be used simply by waving your hand over it. Depending on the function you select, the D Beam controller can be used to apply various effects and to modify the sounds.

The usable range of the D Beam controller

The diagram shows the usable range of the D Beam controller. Waving your hand outside this range will produce no effect.

Note: The usable range of the D Beam controller will become extremely small when used under strong light.

(1)Select the function you want the D Beam control- ler to perform by pressing one of the following buttons:

PITCH	Moving your hand over the D Beam con-
	troller changes the pitch of the notes you
	are playing.
FILTER	Moving your hand over the D Beam con-
	troller changes the cutoff frequency
	(brightness).

ASSIGNABLE The D Beam transmits the selected Control Change message (see below).

(2)While you play the keyboard to produce sound, place your hand above the D Beam controller and move it slowly up and down.

The button you pressed in step (1) above flashes.

(3)To turn off the D Beam controller, once again press the button you pressed in step (1) so the indicator goes dark.

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