Roland VK-8 Changing the function of the Midi in connectors SUB, About Midi Channel, Keyboard

KEYBOARD IN Connector

PEDAL IN Connector

Connecting the VK-8 to External Devices

About MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide standard for exchanging music data among electronic musical instruments and computers. MIDI does not send audio signals, but instead converts performance data and commands into digital data for transmission. The digital data handled by MIDI is collectively referred to as MIDI messages. Any device with a MIDI connector can be connected via a MIDI cable to another MIDI device, to allow data to be exchanged regardless of the manufacturer or model of the device.

MIDI IN connector: Receives MIDI messages from an external MIDI device.

MIDI OUT connector: Transmits MIDI messages from the VK-8.

About MIDI Channel

MIDI is able to transmit or receive a large number of messages over a single cable. In order to do so, it uses a concept called “channels” (analogous to the channels used in TV broadcasting), so that MIDI messages are received only when the channel of the receiving device matches the channel of the transmitting device.

Playing the VK-8 from an External MIDI Device

The VK-8 has four parts: the “upper part,” “lower part,” and “pedal part” of the organ voice, and “other tones.”

When you play a preset sound on the VK-8, you will hear the sound of the Upper Part. If you connect an external keyboard or pedal keyboard, you will be able to play the Lower Part or Pedal Part together with the Upper Part.

The VK-8 has three MIDI connectors.

The function of these MIDI connectors will change depending on the “Sub-Keyboard Function” (p. 58) setting.

• When SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is on

KEYBOARD IN	Plays the sound of the Lower
connector	Part.
PEDAL IN connector	Plays the sound of the Pedal Part.

→If the Sub Keyboard function is on, you can play the sound of the Lower part from a device connected to the KEYBOARD IN connector, and the sound of the Pedal part from a device connected to the PEDAL IN connector, without having to set the MIDI transmit channel of the external device to match the VK-8.

• When the SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is off

KEYBOARD IN	Plays the Part specified for the
	MIDI channel being used for
Connector
	transmission.
PEDAL IN Connector	Plays the Part specified for the
	MIDI channel being used for
	transmission.

■Changing the function of the MIDI IN connectors (SUB

KEYBOARD FUNCTION)

1.Hold down the HARMONIC BAR PART [UPPER] [LOWER] [PEDAL] buttons, and press the [REVERB] button.

The indicators of buttons [1]–[8] will blink.

2.Press the [3] button.

3.Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to change the setting.

Turn the knob clockwise to switch the Sub-Keyboard Function on, or turn the knob counterclockwise to switch it off.

• When SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is on

KEYBOARD IN	Plays the sound of the Lower
connector	Part.
PEDAL IN connector	Plays the sound of the Pedal Part.

→If the Sub Keyboard function is on, you can play the sound of the Lower part from a device connected to the KEYBOARD IN connector, and the sound of the Pedal part from a device connected to the PEDAL IN connector, without having to set the MIDI transmit channel of the external device to match the VK-8.

• When the SUB KEYBOARD FUNCTION is off

Plays the Part specified for the MIDI channel being used for transmission.

Plays the Part specified for the MIDI channel being used for transmission.

If you decide not to change the setting, press the HARMONIC BAR PART [UPPER] button.

4.Press the [WRITE] button to finalize the Sub-Keyboard Function setting.

The sub keyboard function setting will be saved.

While the keyboard function setting are being saved, the [1]–[8] buttons will blink.

NOTE

Never turn off the power while parameters are being saved.

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