CHD Elektroservis   Roland TR-808 MIDI Interface (Model 8-448, v. 3.2) - Help


System Parameters    Programs    Instruments    SysEx Message
 

System Parameters ^^^^^
These parameters affect basic functions of the interface. They are valid for every instrument and for every program Nr.

MIDI Channel
Number of MIDI channel used for communication with host MIDI system can be selected with this parameter.

MIDI Msg Indicator Mode
Indication of received MIDI commands can be disabled or enabled by this parameter.

Default Program Nr.
The parameter selects default number of program (patch) which will be set after the interface reset (after TR-808 is turned on).

DAC Calibration
Setting of calibration constant (see installatin manual).
 

Programs ^^^^^
These parameters define TR-808 setting for every of MIDI Program Change commands.

Program Change Nr.
Selection of requested MIDI Program for definition.

Accept Program
Selected Pgm Nr. can be accepted or ignoreg when that number is received from MIDI. If the Pgm Nr. is ignored, no changes will occur after that program number is received. In this case, all other parameters have no signification.

Clock Source
The parameter selects source of clock for internal sequencer of TR-808. If "MIDI Clk" is selected, tempo of TR-808's sequencer is derived from MIDI clock. For "Internal Clk", the sequencer is driven by internal tempo generator of TR-808. If "None" is selected, internal sequencer of TR-808 is turned off - it can't be started anyway. *).

Instrument Source
The parameter selects which method is used for triggering of TR-808's sound generators. They can be triggered by acceptable Note On MIDI commands only (parameter = "MIDI") or by internal sequencer of TR-808 only (parameter = "Sequencer") or by both ways simultaneously (parameter = "MIDI + Seq."). If "None" is selected, TR-808's sound generators can't be started anyway. *).

Transport Control
The parameter selects control source for START / STOP functions of TR-808's sequencer. For "MIDI" value of the parameter, START / STOP functions are controlled by Start / Continue / Stop MIDI commands only. For "Str/Stp Button" value, START / STOP functions of TR-808's sequencer are controlled by START/STOP button on TR-808's panel only. For "MIDI + Button" value, START / STOP functions are controlled by MIDI commands and START/STOP button simultaneously. *).

Note *) :
There is only 14 valid combinations of three previous parameters setting:

  Clock Source Instrument Source Transport Control Remarks
1 Internal Clk MIDI + Seq. MIDI + Button  
2 MIDI Clk MIDI + Seq. MIDI + Button  
3 Internal Clk MIDI + Seq. Str/Stp Button  
4 MIDI Clk MIDI + Seq. Str/Stp Button  
5 Internal Clk MIDI + Seq. MIDI  
6 MIDI Clk MIDI + Seq. MIDI  
7 Internal Clk Sequencer MIDI + Button  
8 MIDI Clk Sequencer MIDI + Button  
9 Internal Clk Sequencer Str/Stp Button All MIDI controls off
10 MIDI Clk Sequencer Str/Stp Button  
11 Internal Clk Sequencer MIDI  
12 MIDI Clk Sequencer MIDI  
13 None MIDI or MIDI + Seq. Any value - not significant TR-808 works as MIDI sound expander only
14 None Sequencer Any value - not significant TR-808 is silent (all functions off)

 

Instruments ^^^^^
These parameters define properties of TR-808's sound for every of accepted MIDI notes.

MIDI Note Nr.
Selection of requested MIDI Note for definition. Only notes from 0 to 120 are available. Notes from 121 to 127 are always ignored.

Assigned Instrument
Any instrument (sound generator) of TR-808 can be assigned to selected MIDI note. However, "None" instrument can be selected too. It means no sound generator is activated by that MIDI note - MIDI note is ignored. Symbols of assigned instruments are:

  • "None" - none instrument, MIDI Note is ignored
  • "BD" - Bass Drum
  • "SD" - Snare Drum
  • "LT / LC" - Low Tom / Low Conga (in dependence on setting of switch on TR-808's panel)
  • "MT / MC" - Mid Tom / Mid Conga (in dependence on setting of switch on TR-808's panel)
  • "HT / HC" - High Tom / High Conga (in dependence on setting of switch on TR-808's panel)
  • "RS / CL" - Rim Shot / Claves (in dependence on setting of switch on TR-808's panel)
  • "CP / MA" - Hand Clap / Maracas (in dependence on setting of switch on TR-808's panel)
  • "CB" - Cow Bell
  • "CY" - Cymbal
  • "OH" - Open Hi-Hat
  • "CH" - Closed Hi-Hat

Dynamic Range From
Output level of sound generator for MIDI Note velocity equal to 1 *).

Dynamic Range To
Output level of sound generator for MIDI Note velocity equal to 127 *).

Note *) :
Two previous parameters set dynamic response to velocity of MIDI Note. They define margins of dynamic range. For other value of velocity (2 to 126), output level of sound generator is linearly interpolated between minimal ("From") and maximal ("To") levels:

Value of "Dynamic Range To" parameter must be greater than or equal to value of "Dynamic Range From" parameter. In other case, values of parameters inserted by user are corrected automatically.
 

SysEx Message ^^^^^
Text form of generated SysEx Message can be set with help of two select-boxes:

Select Hex Byte Form
Text form of generated hexadecimal bytes can be chosen by this select-box. Requested form must be selected before any "Generate" button is pressed.

Select Delimiter
Delimiter between generated hexadecimal bytes can be chosen by this select-box. Requested delimiter must be selected before any "Generate" button is pressed.

"Reset" button
"Reset" button clears the text field and sets all select-boxes to default values.