Contents

USING THE UNIT SAFELY

2

IMPORTANT NOTES

4

Panel Descriptions

6

Front Panel

6

Rear Panel

7

Signal Flow

8

Preparations to Make Before Performing ...

9

Items to Have On Hand

9

Installing the Divided Pickup on the Guitar or Bass

9

About MIDI

9

Connection Examples

10

Selecting the Guitar or Bass

10

Chapter 1 Try Playing Some Sounds

11

Playing Sounds from a Sound Module

11

Connections

11

Turning On the Power

11

Adjusting the Input Sensitivity (SENSITIVITY)

11

Selecting Patches

12

Setting the MIDI Channel (MIDI CHANNEL)

14

Setting the Control Channel (CTL CH)

15

Performing on the Guitar

16

Connecting to a Computer

17

Setting the MIDI Port

17

Setting the MIDI Data Path (MIDI PLAYBACK)

17

Chapter 2

 

Creating Your Own Settings (Patches)...

18

Calling Up the Input Sensitivity Settings

18

Setting the Feeling of the Performance (PLAY FEEL)

18

Setting the Pedal and Switch Functions (ASSIGN)

19

Shifting the Pitch of the Sound (TRANSPOSE)

23

Setting the Range in Which Pitches Are Changed

 

(BEND RANGE)

23

Switching Sounds on External Devices

 

(PRG CHANGE)

25

Muting Specific Strings (STRING MUTE)

26

Storing the Settings (WRITE)

26

Copying Patches

27

Chapter 3

 

Convenient Functions Featured by the GI-20....

28

Tuning (TUNER)

28

Preventing Transmission of Program Change Messages

 

(PC MASK)

29

Saving the Patches and System Parameters

 

to an External Device (BULK DUMP)

29

Receiving Saved Data Using MIDI

 

(BULK LOAD (MIDI))

30

Receive Saved Data Through USB

 

(BULK LOAD (USB))

31

Reducing the Size of a MIDI Pitch Bend Message

 

(BEND DATA THIN)

31

Reducing the Amount of Control Change Data Transmitted

 

(RECEIVE CONTROL CHANGE DATA THIN)

32

Limiting the Extent of the Bend Range

 

(BEND RANGE MAX)

32

Selecting the Type of USB Driver

33

Chapter 4 Other Functions

34

Reset to Default Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

34

Installing the Rack Mount Adaptor

34

Attaching the Rubber Feet

34

Chapter 5 Appendices

35

Troubleshooting

35

Error Messages

37

Roland Exclusive Messages

38

MIDI Implementation

40

MIDI Implementation Chart

43

Specifications

44

Installing & Setup the Driver

45

Installing & Setting Up the Driver (Windows)

46

Installing & Setting Up the Driver (Macintosh)

59

Troubleshooting

65

Index

69

Conversions Used in This Manual

Words in square brackets [ ] indicate panel buttons or knobs. (Example)

[WRITE]: WRITE button

(p. **) indicates a reference page.

5

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Roland GI-20 owner manual Contents

GI-20 specifications

The Roland GI-20 is a groundbreaking MIDI guitar converter that allows electric guitarists to explore the vast world of MIDI technology. Designed to bridge the gap between traditional guitar playing and digital music production, the GI-20 transforms standard guitar signals into MIDI data, giving players access to a wide array of synthesized sounds and virtual instruments.

One of the main features of the GI-20 is its ability to track the guitar’s pitch with high accuracy. Utilizing Roland’s advanced technology, the device boasts rapid response times and minimal latency, ensuring that every note plucked or strummed is translated into MIDI in real-time. This precision is crucial for guitarists who wish to maintain their playing style while experimenting with synthesizers and sampled instruments.

In terms of connectivity, the Roland GI-20 is equipped with a 13-pin connector, allowing it to interface seamlessly with compatible Roland synths, sound modules, and other MIDI devices. Additionally, standard MIDI outputs enable connection to MIDI controllers and computers, providing an expansive toolkit for music creation.

The user interface is designed with simplicity in mind. A large LCD display allows for easy navigation of settings, while intuitive controls help players adjust parameters on the fly. Guitarists can also customize their performance by altering the sensitivity levels, enabling them to fine-tune how the device responds to their playing style.

The GI-20 offers an array of built-in sounds that mirror the capabilities of traditional synthesizers. These sounds can be layered or split into different tones based on the player’s preferences, offering a variety of sonic textures to enhance compositions. Furthermore, the ability to save and recall user settings allows for quick access to preferred configurations during live performances.

Another significant characteristic of the GI-20 is its compatibility with a wide range of guitars, including both electric and bass guitars. As long as the instrument is equipped with the appropriate pickup system, the GI-20 can effectively convert its output into MIDI signals.

In summary, the Roland GI-20 is a versatile and innovative tool for guitarists seeking to expand their creative horizons. With its accurate tracking, extensive connectivity, user-friendly interface, and a wealth of sounds, it unlocks the potential for guitarists to dive into the realms of electronic music and MIDI composition. Whether in the studio or on stage, the GI-20 opens up a world of possibilities for musicians looking to blend traditional guitar playing with modern technology.