Roland VG-88 Owner's Manual

Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland VG-88 V-GUITAR SYSTEM.Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “IMPOR

10How to use this manualThis manual is broadly divided into eight chapters that explain operations and functions you will use during normal playing, a

11IMPORTANT NOTES291bIn addition to the items listed under “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” and “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” on pages 2 and 3, please read a

12Front and Rear PanelsFront Panelfig.0-011. LED Display2. LCD Display3. VALUE Dial4. OUTPUT LEVEL Knob5. OUTPUT SELECT Button6. Function Buttons7. PA

13Front and Rear PanelsRear Panelfig.0-0223.GK IN Jack24.GUITAR Jacks25.OUTPUT Jacks26.PHONES Jack27.SUB EXP PEDAL/SUB CTL 1,2 (sub expression pedal/s

14Chapter 1. Preparations for playingAttaching the GK-2A/GK-3 to your guitarFirst, you will need to attach the GK-2A/GK-3 divided pickup to your guita

15Chapter 1. Preparations for playingChapter 1To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn

16Chapter 1. Preparations for playingAbout the screen display (Basic operation)Depending on the screen, the parameters may occupy two or more screen p

17Chapter 1. Preparations for playingChapter 1Turning on the power and tuning your guitar Turning on the power of the VG-88Once the connections have b

18Chapter 1. Preparations for playing3.Play a single unfretted note on the string you wish to tune.The note name closest to the string you played will

19Chapter 1. Preparations for playingChapter 1fig.1-10aGK-2A:Make this setting if you are using a GK-2A/GK-3 divided pickup.GK-2:Make this setting if

This product complies with the requirements of European Directives EMC 89/336/EEC and LVD 73/23/EEC.For EU CountriesFor EU CountriesApparatus containi

20Chapter 1. Preparations for playing9. If you will be using two or more guitars to play the VG-88, repeat Steps 4–7 to enter the driver settings for

21Chapter 1. Preparations for playingChapter 1they will be saved even when the power is turned off. You do not need to redo these settings each time y

22Chapter 1. Preparations for playing Playing the VG-88Now let’s actually play the VG-88.1. Make sure that you are in Play page.If you are not in Pla

23Chapter 1. Preparations for playingChapter 1 Using the VALUE dial to change patchesHere’s how you can change from one patch to the next one.If the

24Chapter 2. Overview of the VG-88 — basic knowledge How the VG-88 produces soundThe most basic setup for playing sounds on the VG-88 consists of the

25Chapter 3Chapter 3. Creating sounds — basic sectionSaving a sound (patch) you created (the Write operation)The sound settings you modify are initial

26Chapter 3. Creating sounds — basic section6. Press [F4] (PATCH B).fig.3-057. Turn [VALUE] to select the other patch that you wish to exchange.8. Pre

27Chapter 4Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionCOSM GUITAR settingsHere’s how to make COSM Guitar settings. You can adjust any of these setti

28Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionCOSM AMP settingsHere’s how to make COSM Amp settings. Adjust these settings until you get the sound yo

29Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionChapter 4Setting the tempo and key of the song you will performYou can specify the tempo and key of the

3 USING THE UNIT SAFELY 001 • Before using this unit, make sure to read the instructions below, and the Owner’s Manual...

30Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced section Setting the function of the VG-88’s built-in CTL pedal1. Press [PEDAL/ASSIGN].fig.4-12fig.4-102. Pres

31Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionChapter 4 Setting the GK SW function1. Press [PEDAL/ASSIGN].fig.4-18fig.4-102. Press [PAGE ] to move t

32Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced section7. Press [F5] (MAX), and turn [VALUE] to specify the maximum value.8. Press [F3] (SOURCE), and turn [VA

33Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionChapter 4Combining the normal input and GK input to create a soundThe COSM GUITAR lets you create sound

34Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionAssigning a name to the patchYou can assign a name to a patch you create.1. Press [NAME/CHAIN].fig.4-31

35Chapter 4. Creating sounds — advanced sectionChapter 4Adjust the volume level of the patchIf the currently selected patch is louder or softer than o

36Chapter 5. Parameter GuideCOSM GUITARBy making settings for the various elements that make up the tone of a guitar, you can create a wide variety of

37COSM GUITAR Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5FILTER-BASSThis Instrument is like a bass whose sound is passed through a filter.(PAGE2)FILTER (p. 43

38Chapter 5. Parameter Guide COSM GUITARVARI (variable):This allows you to use up to two pickups of your choice, selecting from double-coil, single-co

39COSM GUITAR Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5Specifies the pitch shifted sound.ON/OFFSwitches the pitch shift on/off.* Turning [VALUE] will select

4 016 • Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult with your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributo

40Chapter 5. Parameter Guide COSM GUITARMETAL:A metal body with a single round cone resonator. This is suitable for bottle-neck (slide) playing, etc.B

41COSM GUITAR Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5A slightly pitch-shifted sound is added to the original sound of each string, producing a spacious fe

42Chapter 5. Parameter Guide COSM GUITARThe compressor is an effect that attenuates loud input levels and boosts soft input levels, thus evening out t

43COSM GUITAR Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5The sound can be passed through a filter to adjust the brightness or character.* Cannot be turned on/

44Chapter 5. Parameter Guide COSM GUITARThis changes the pulse width of the PWM waveform.* Cannot be turned on/off.PRESETSelect one of the pre-program

45COSM GUITAR Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5A four-band equalizer with high and low ranges is provided. The sound processed by the effect can be

46Chapter 5. Parameter Guide COSM AMPCOSM AMPThis simulates the head and speaker sections of a guitar amp.ON/OFFSwitches the COSM amp on/off.TYPEThis

47EFFECTS Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5EFFECTSThe compressor is an effect that attenuates loud input levels and boosts soft input levels, thus e

48Chapter 5. Parameter Guide EFFECTSSENS (sensitivity) [0–100]This adjusts the sensitivity at which the filter will change in the direction determined

49EFFECTS Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5This effect creates a sense of spaciousness and adds depth to the sound. It allows you to produce the imp

5 Contents USING THE UNIT SAFELY...3Concepts Behind Development of the V-Guitar Sy

50Chapter 5. Parameter Guide EFFECTS● When “P.SHIFTER” is selected as the typeON/OFF [OFF, ON]Turns the two each pitch shifter sounds on/off.MODESelec

51EFFECTS Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5● When “PHASER” is selected as the typeRATE [0–100, BPM  –BPM ]This sets the rate of the phaser effect.

52Chapter 5. Parameter Guide EFFECTS● When “2x2 CHORUS” is selected as the typeX OVER F (crossover frequency) [100 Hz–4.00 kHz]This parameter sets the

53EFFECTS Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5This effect adds delayed sound to the direct sound, giving more body to the sound or creating special eff

54Chapter 5. Parameter Guide EFFECTSThis simulates the sound that reaches the listener after being reflected from many surfaces (late reverberation).O

55Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5LEVEL/BPM/KEYLEVEL [0–200]This adjusts the output volume of the VG-88.BPM [40BPM–250BPM, MIDI]Adjusts the BPM val

56Chapter 5. Parameter GuideSOURCESpecify the MIDI data or device that will be the source of the change.* When using GK VOL, GK S1/S2, SUB CTL1, or SU

57Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5GK FUNC (GK function)Here you can specify the function of the GK pickup.DOWN/S1UP/S2Specifies the function assign

58Chapter 5. Parameter GuideGLOBALThese settings allow you to make temporary adjustments that affect all Patches. This is a convenient way to make qui

59Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5SYSTEMThis is where settings for the VG-88’s operating environment are made.This is where settings for the divide

6 Assigning a name to the patch ... 34Adj

60Chapter 5. Parameter GuideSpecifies the operations of the VG-88’s built-in pedal and an external pedal.BANK SW MODE (bank switch mode)Determines how

61Chapter 5. Parameter GuideChapter 5These are the settings for MIDI-related functions.CHANNEL [1–16]Selects the MIDI channel used for receiving MIDI

62Chapter 6. Changing the system settingsGK pickup settings Select the save destination of GK pickup settings1. Make sure you’re in Play page.If you’

63Chapter 6. Changing the system settingsChapter 6[F4] (SPACE): A space will be inserted at the cursor location, and the cursor will move one space to

64Chapter 6. Changing the system settings Exchanging the location of S1/S2On guitars that have a built-in divided pickup, the S1/S2 switches may be l

65Chapter 6. Changing the system settingsChapter 6 Setting the function of an external foot switch (FS-5U)Here’s how you can specify the function of

66Chapter 6. Changing the system settingsVALUE dial settings Preventing accidental operation of the VALUE dial1. Make sure you’re in Play page.If you

67Chapter 6. Changing the system settingsChapter 6 Selecting the function of the SYNTH VOL knob1. Make sure you’re in Play page.If you’re not in Play

68Chapter 7. Using MIDIAbout MIDI* The “Bank Select” described in this chapter is different than the “Banks” explained in Chapter 1. Bank Select is a

69Chapter 7. Using MIDIChapter 71. Make sure you’re in Play page.If you’re not in Play page, press [EXIT] several times.2. Press [F6] (SYSTEM).3. Pres

7 Chapter 6. Changing the system settings ...62 GK pickup settings...

70Chapter 7. Using MIDISwitching the patches of an external deviceYou can select whether or not Program Changes will be transmitted when you change pa

71Chapter 7. Using MIDIChapter 7 Setting the Program Change reception map1. Make sure you’re in Play page.If you’re not in Play page, press [EXIT] se

72Chapter 7. Using MIDITransmitting/receiving all sound dataThe VG-88’s system parameter and patch parameter settings can be transferred as a whole to

73Chapter 8 Chapter 8. AppendicesTroubleshootingThis section explains some things that might go wrong when using the VG-88, and what needs to be done

74Chapter 8. AppendicesCan’t transmit/receive data via bulk dump❍ Are you performing the operation in the bulk dump transmit/receive screens?Move to t

75Chapter 8. AppendicesChapter 8MIDI Implementation Chartfig.8-01Function...BasicChannelModeNoteNumber :VelocityAfterTouchPitch BendControlChangeProgC

76Chapter 8. AppendicesSpecificationsVG-88: V-Guitar SystemAD ConversionA/D24 bit AF Method (NORMAL INPUT)20 bit (GK INPUT)D/A Conversion20 bit 128 ti

77IndexNumerics12STRINGS ... 362x2 CHORUS ...

78IndexPWM ... 37PWM MOD ...

79VG-88 PATCH LISTNo. NameUSER 1-1 V-GUITARUSER 1-2 AcGt12stUSER 1-3 TEXS STUSER 1-4 OCT DRVUSER 2-1 SMOKE STUSER 2-2 NYLONUSER 2-3 STD JAZZUSER 2-4 E

8Concepts Behind Development of the V-Guitar System The Process That Led to the Birth of the V-Guitar SystemThe acoustic piano has enjoyed a history

80No. NamePRESET 26-1 V-GUITARPRESET 26-2 AcGt12stPRESET 26-3 TEXS STPRESET 26-4 OCT DRVPRESET 27-1 SMOKE STPRESET 27-2 NYLONPRESET 27-3 STD JAZZPRESE

81PEDAL/ASSIGN Parameter ListCOSM GUITARCOSM GT (COSM GUITAR) ON/OFFF-BASS COLORBODY ATTACKBODY LOW CUTLEVELCOSM EQ (EQ) ON/OFFLEVELL-MID GLO

821:F.BACK1:PAN1:LEVELDIR LEVEL2:ON/OFF2:SHIFT2:FINE2:PAN2:LEVELFX:FL (FLANGER) RATEDEPTHMANUALRESONANCELEVELFX:PH (PHASER) RATEDEPTHMANUALRESONANCELE

This product complies with the requirements of European Directives EMC 89/336/EEC and LVD 73/23/EEC.For EU CountriesFor EU CountriesApparatus containi

Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland VG-88 V-GUITAR SYSTEM.Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “IMPOR

9Main features A new dimension of sound-creation made possible by three core sections: COSM Guitar, COSM Amp, and multi-effectsThe COSM GUITAR sectio