Roland Complete Guide to XP-30 Manual and Features

Chapter 5. Using the XP-30 as the GM Sound Module

The XP-30 features a GM mode—a convenient way to play back or create GM score data (music files for GM sound module). You’re able to play back commercial GM score data releases and even modify various parameter settings for enhanced musical expression.

Entering GM Mode

Use GM mode to place the XP-30’s sound source in GM System compatible mode. Basically GM mode is similar to a special kind of Performance in which a GM System Rhythm Set is assigned to Part 10, and GM System Patches are assigned to other Parts. But however, you can’t store GM mode settings in user memory.

fig.5-01.e

GM Patch/Rhythm Set (number, group) Part number

The GM PLAY display shows a Patch or Rhythm Set assigned to each Part. Each time you enter GM mode, the GM Drum Set is assigned to Part 10, and Piano 1 is assigned to other Parts. You can also select other GM Patches and GM Drum Sets for each Part to match the performance.

1.Hold down [SHIFT] and press [PERFORM] to call up the GM PLAY display.

When you switch the XP-30 into GM mode, the sound source initializes itself for basic GM System settings.

2.To change the current Part, press [] or [].

3.To change the GM Patch or GM Rhythm Set assigned to the Part, perform the same procedure as you do when you select a Patch or Rhythm Set.

■Initializing the Sound Source

for GM System Basic Settings

To play back a GM score correctly, the sound source must first be initialized to basic GM system settings. The XP-30’s sound source is initialized in the following situations:

-When the XP-30 is switched to GM mode

-When it receives a GM System On message from an external MIDI device

-When a GM System On message is encountered in the song data being played back

At power on

- When you execute the GM Initialize function (p. 128).

*Because effects settings are not defined in the GM System, they will not initialize to factory settings unless the GM Initialize (DEFAULT) or Factory Reset is executed.

GM System On Message

The GM System On message puts the unit in a state that conforms to the GM System and initializes a GM- compatible sound module.

*If the Rx GM parameter (SYSTEM/MIDI/SYS-EXC MIDI) is set OFF, GM System On messages cannot be received.

■Playing Back a GM Score

When the XP-30 is in GM mode, it plays back GM scores correctly. But beyond this, the XP-30 provides many extended features not defined in GM System specifications, and if you create music files using these extended features, your song may not play back correctly on other GM- compatible sound modules.

*The XP-30 is not compatible with the GS format (standard format for multitimbral sound sources advocated by Roland). Music files bearing the GS logo (GS music data) may therefore not play back correctly on the XP-30.

*The beginning of a GM score normally contains a GM System On message. So if you play back a GM score starting in the top of a song, XP-30 will switch itself to GM mode. But if you play back a GM score starting in the middle of a song, XP-30 may not switch itself to GM mode, and the GM score may not play back correctly. So to be safe, it’s recommended to manually set the XP-30 to GM mode before playing back a GM score.

Muting a Specific Part

When you switch over to GM mode, all Parts will be set to receive MIDI messages. To turn off a specific Part so that it will not sound, set the Recieve Switch to OFF for the Part.

1.Make sure that [EDIT] indicator is dark. If it is lit, press

[EDIT] to turn it off.

At this time, the function button indicators will indicate the on/off status of each Part. When [1-8/9-16] indicator is dark, the function button indicators will indicate the status of Parts 1-8. When [1-8/9-16] indicator is lit, the function button indicators will indicate the status of Parts 9-16. Lit is on, and dark is off.

2.Press the function button to switch Parts on/off.

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