Roland Piano Settings Common to All Modes System Function, Sync Output Sync Output Switch

Settings Common to All Modes (System Function)

Sync Output (Sync Output Switch)

Set this parameter ON when you want synchronization related MIDI messages (MIDI Clock, Start, Continue, Stop, Song Position Pointer and Song Select) to be transmitted to an external MIDI device. If not, set it OFF.

Value: OFF, ON

Soft Through (Soft Through Switch)

Thru function re-transmits all messages received at the MIDI IN connector to the MIDI OUT connector without modifying them in any way. Normally you’ll leave this “OFF,” but when using an external sequencer, you should set it “ON.”

Value: OFF, ON

MMC Mode

When synchronizing the Fantom with a hard disk recorder, such as one from the Roland VS series, specify which synchronization signal the Fantom’s sequencer will use for operation.

Value

MASTER: The Fantom will be the master. Use this setting when you want other devices to follow the operation of the Fantom.

SLAVE: The Fantom will be the slave. Use this setting when you want the Fantom to receive MMC (MIDI Machine Control) from an external device and operate accordingly.

MMC (MIDI Machine Control) is a specification that allows MIDI messages to be used to control devices such as tape recorders, VTR’s, and digital recording systems. Thirty-seven MMC commands are available, including Stop and Play.

MMC Output (MMC Output Switch)

Turn this “ON” if you want to synchronize with a hard disk recorder, such as one from the Roland VS series. When set “ON,” MMC (MIDI Machine Control) related commands (Play, Stop and Locate) will be transmitted.

Value: OFF, ON

MTC Sync Output (MTC Sync Output Switch)

Set this parameter ON when you want MTC (MIDI Time Code) to be transmitted to an external MIDI device. If not, set it OFF.

Value: OFF, ON

MTC Frame Rate

Specify the MTC frame rate. Make sure that the same mode is set in both master and slave devices.

Value

24:24 frames per second

25:25 frames per second

29N: 29 frames per second

29D: 29 frames per second

30:30 frames per second

When synchronizing with a hard disk recorder such as the Roland VS series, any frame rate is all right—as long as the setting matches that of the Fantom. However, when synchronizing operation with video devices such as video decks, the video device’s frame rate is fixed, so the Fantom’s setting must correspond to that frame rate.

Types of MTC

The types of MTC that can be selected by the Fantom are shown below. Select the same frame rate as that set for the external device. When not using a video device, then any frame rate may be selected as long as the rates are the same on both devices being synchronized.

30:This is 30 frames per second, non-drop format. This is used by audio devices such as analog tape recorders, and for NTSC format black and white video (used in Japan and the U.S.).

29N: This is 29.97 frames per second, non-drop format. This is used for NTSC format color video (used in Japan and the U.S.). 29D: 29.97 frames per second drop format. This is used for NTSC format color video (used in Japan and the U.S.).

25:25 frame per second frame rate. This is used for SECAM or PAL format video, audio equipment, and film (used in Europe and elsewhere).

24:24 frame per second frame rate. This is used for video, audio devices, and film in the US.

Non-Drop Format and Drop Format

There are two types of format used by NTSC video cassette recorders, non-drop and drop. Non-drop format features continuous time code, whereas in drop format, which is used for NTSC color video format, the first two frames of every minute are dropped, except for those at ten-minute intervals. In most video and audio production, since formats with continuous frames are easier to deal with, non-drop is generally used. In contrast, in situations such as in broadcast, where the time code must match actual clock time, drop is used.

MTC Offset Hour (MTC Offset Time Hour)

Coordinates the playback timing of the Fantom and the external

device in an hour units.

Value: 00–23 hours

MTC Offset Minute (MTC Offset Time Minute)

Coordinates the playback timing of the Fantom and the external

device in a minute units.

Value: 00–59 minutes

MTC Offset Second (MTC Offset Time Second)

Coordinates the playback timing of the Fantom and the external

device in a second units.

Value: 00–59 seconds

Settings Common to All Modes (System Function)

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