Roland System-8

Owner’s Manual (this document)
Read this rst. It explains the basic things you need to know in order
to use the SYSTEM-8.
PDF Manual (download from the Web)
5 Reference Manual
This explains all functions of the SYSTEM-8.
To obtain the PDF manual
1. Enter the following URL in your computer.
http://www.roland.com/manuals/
I
2. Choose “SYSTEM-8” as the product name.
Contents
Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Placing the SYSTEM-8 on a Stand (KS-18Z) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
An Overview of the SYSTEM-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Turning On/O the Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Selecting Sounds (Patches/Performances) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Editing the Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Editing a Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Editing a Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Saving a Sound (WRITE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Playing Arpeggios or Chords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Playing Arpeggios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Using Chord Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Entering a Chord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Step Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Playing the Step Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Recording on the Step Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Saving Step Sequencer Data (PATTERN WRITE) . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Other Functions of the Step Sequencer (MENU) . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting External Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using the SYSTEM-8 as a MIDI Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting an Analog Synthesizer via the CV/GATE
Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Inputting an External Audio Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting a Computer via USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Overall Settings for the SYSTEM-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Accessing the MENU Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Making System Settings (SYSTEM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Convenient Functions (UTILITY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Making the Power Automatically Turn O After a Time
(Auto O) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Main Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
USING THE UNIT SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
IMPORTANT NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and
“IMPORTANT NOTES” (leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and Owner’s
Manual p. 23–p. 24). After reading, keep the document(s)
including those sections where it will be available for immediate
reference.
Copyright © 2016 ROLAND CORPORATION
Owner’s Manual

Roland System-8 Specifications

General

Product type	Digital synthesizer
Product color	Black
Keyboard number of keys	49
Maximum polyphony (notes)	8
Display type	LCD
Built-in display	Yes
Display number of characters	16
USB ports quantity	1
Compatible memory cards	SD, SDHC
Power source type	DC

Weight and Dimensions

Depth	364 mm
Width	881 mm
Height	109 mm
Weight	5900 g

Summary

Panel Descriptions

Top Panel

Describes physical controls and indicators on the top surface of the synthesizer.

Common Section

Explains general controls like volume, mode selection, and common buttons.

EFFECTS, DELAYCHORUS, REVERB

Step Sequencer

Introduces the step sequencer for recording and playback of patterns.

Rear Panel

USB Port

Introduction

Turning OnOff the Power

Selecting Sounds (PatchesPerformances)

Guides on how to select, load, and navigate through patches and performances.

Playing Sounds with Knob and Slider Settings (Manual Mode)

Editing the Sounds

Editing a Patch

Details the process of modifying individual sound patches using panel controls and menu settings.

Editing a Performance

Guides on how to edit performance settings, including layering and splitting parts.

Making Settings for the Entire Performance

Explains how to adjust global performance parameters affecting all parts.

Making Settings for Each Part

Details how to configure individual upper and lower parts within a performance.

Saving a Sound (WRITE)

Describes the essential procedure for saving edited patches and performances to memory.

Playing Arpeggios or Chords

Playing Arpeggios

Explains how to use the arpeggiator function to create rhythmic note patterns from chords.

Using Chord Memory

Entering a Chord

Step Sequencer

Playing the Step Sequencer

Introduces how to play back and control recorded step sequencer patterns.

Recording on the Step Sequencer

Introduces various methods for recording performances into the step sequencer.

Step Recording (STEP REC)

Realtime Recording (REAL TIME REC)

Saving Step Sequencer Data (PATTERN WRITE)

Explains the essential procedure for saving step sequencer patterns separately.

Connecting External Devices

Using SYSTEM-8 as MIDI Controller

Connecting Computer via USB

Explains USB connection for audio/MIDI with computers and necessary driver installation.

Overall Settings for the SYSTEM-8

Accessing the MENU Screens

Making System Settings (SYSTEM)

Details how to configure global system parameters like master tune and LCD contrast.

Saving the System Settings

Explains the process of saving system configurations to preserve settings.

Convenient Functions (UTILITY)

Formatting an SD Card (SD CARD FORMAT)

Guides on preparing an SD card for use with the unit, including formatting.

Backing Up Data to SD Card (BACKUP)

Explains how to save unit data, including settings and patches, onto an SD card.

Restoring Data That Was Backed Up to SD Card (RESTORE)

Guides on loading previously saved data from an SD card back to the unit.

Returning to Factory Settings (FACTORY RESET)

Details how to reset the unit to its original factory state, clearing all custom settings.

Removing a PLUG-OUT (PLUG-OUT REMOVE)

Explains how to uninstall a software synthesizer (plug-out) from the unit's memory.

Making Power Automatically Turn Off (Auto Off)

Error Messages

Using the Unit Safely

General Safety Warnings

Covers critical warnings and precautions for safe operation, placement, and handling of the unit.