Roland Music Education
Creative Solutions For Inspired Learning
Workshop Materials
To help you get the most from your Roland/BOSS/Cakewalk product, we’ve created the free, downloadable Workshop booklets you see on this page. Each booklet takes you deeper than you can go using a manual alone, with specific, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and explanations.
BR-600
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BR-600 Workshop 01: Making a CD of Your Music with iTunes™
If you’ve got a Mac or PC, it’s easy to turn anything you’ve recorded on your BR-600 into an audio CD you can play most anywhere. This booklet explains how.
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BR-600 Workshop 02: Using the Built-in Rhythm
This workshop walks you through the ins and outs of the BR-600’s onboard drum machine, from selecting drum kits and playing drum sounds with the pads to creating your own custom patterns and rhythm arrangements.
CD-2i
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CD-2i Workshop: High-Quality Recording Direct To Disc
Everything you need to know to make a high-quality, direct-to-disc recoding.
Fantom-G
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Fantom-G Workshop 01: The Fantom-G Possibilities
This booklet provides a step-by-step, hands-on introduction to the Fantom-G. We’ll give you a taste of its many capabilities, and an idea of what’s in store for you with your new Fantom-G.
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Fantom-G Workshop 02: Power User Control
If the Fantom-G’s about one thing—other than its killer sounds and display—it’s power and flexibility. Its controls are built for speed, and things get even better when you add a mouse. This booklet is where it all begins.
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Fantom-G Workshop 03: Power User Control 2: The Pads
Nowhere are the Fantom-G’s efficiency and flexibility more on display than the DYNAMIC PADS area. There are so many aspects of the Fantom-G’s operation in which the pads kick things into high gear that they deserve their own booklet.
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Fantom-G Workshop 04: Saving Your Work on the Fantom-G
With all the music you can make on the Fantom-G, you’ll want to make sure you know how to store it for safekeeping, along with all the bits and pieces that went into it. This Workshop booklet explains how to save Fantom-G songs, samples, patches, and everything else.
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Fantom-G Workshop 05: Single Mode in the Fantom-G
When you want to use the Fantom-G in the most traditional, straight-ahead way—maybe with a single patch on the keyboard and a rhythm set or rhythm on the pads—Single mode’s the way to go. This booklet explains how it works.
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Fantom-G Workshop 06: Editing Fantom-G Patches and Rhythm Sets
At the heart of the Fantom-G is its killer sounds. Sure, the factory patches and rhythm sets sound great, but you can also create your own, as you’ll learn in this booklet.
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Fantom-G Workshop 07: Live Mode in the Fantom-G
The Fantom-G is designed, first and foremost, as an excellent performance keyboard, and that’s what its Live mode is all about. It’s the place where the Fantom-G really shines. This booklet explains Live mode in detail in order to help you harness the Fantom-G’s performance power.
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Fantom-G Workshop 08: Creating Layers and Splits
In Live mode, each keyboard-full of sounds is called a “live set.” A live set is where you combine sounds or assign them to different areas of the keyboard. This booklet shows you how to put sounds together as layers and splits on the Fantom-G.
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Fantom-G Workshop 09: Manipulating Sounds in Realtime
The Fantom-G has a great set of tools for controlling sounds in realtime, from its control sliders and knobs, to the D Beam, and more. This booklet explains how to set up the Fantom-G realtime controllers and the patches and effects they control.
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Fantom-G Workshop 10: Studio Mode
With its powerful 152-track sequencer/recorder, the Fantom-G naturally provides its own slick studio environment in which to get some songs down. In Studio mode, you have access to as many as 16 patches/rhythm sets/sample sets at the same time, 24 audio tracks, and up to 22 effects! This booklet explains what you need to know about Studio mode.
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Fantom-G Workshop 11: Sequencing and Recording
In this booklet, you’ll get all the details on sequencing and recording in the Fantom-G, from conceptual explanations of phrases, samples, and tracks, on up through sophisticated and flexible sequencing and recording techniques. This booklet’s a must if you’re itching to master the Fantom-G’s 152-track sequencer/recorder.
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Fantom-G Workshop 12: Perfecting Songs, MIDI Tracks, and Audio Tracks
When you’ve captured your MIDI and audio tracks, the fun’s just starting. This booklet takes you through the Fantom-G’s extensive collection of sequencer/recorder editing tools that will help you refine your music to your notion of perfection.
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Fantom-G Workshop 13: Playing Clips from the Fantom-G Pads
The Fantom-G is more than just a synth, sampler, audio interface, and sequencer/recorder, though you’d think that might be enough. The Fantom-G’s pads can serve as an absolutely killer way to launch sequenced phrases as clips onstage, DJ-style. Mix and match your beats in harmony with the mood of the mob. This booklet shows you how to bang out clips from the Fantom-G pads.
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Fantom-G Workshop 14: Adding Live Audio to the Fantom-G
The Fantom-G boasts a full-featured mini-mixer that allows you to add live sounds to your playing and songs. Connect a mic, a guitar, or any other instrument to the Fantom-G’s audio inputs, add effects, and it’s show time. The input mixer offers phantom power, its own dedicated effects, and access to the rest of the Fantom-G’s stunning effects. You’ll learn how to incorporate live audio into the Fantom-G with in this booklet.
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Fantom-G Workshop 15: Using the Fantom-G with a Computer
The Fantom-G’s potent USB capabilities make it an outstanding companion to a computer and a computer-based DAW (“Digital Audio Workstation”). Of course, you can exchange files. Of course, you can use its keyboard with a DAW and use the Fantom-G as an awesome multitimbral module with effects for your DAW. But did you know the Fantom-G may also be all the audio interface you need to get audio into and out of your DAW? And did you know how easy it is to sample your computer’s audio—and that’s any of its audio—on the Fantom-G? Check out this booklet to learn more.
JUNO-Di
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JUNO-Di Workshop 01: Getting to Know the JUNO-Di
The JUNO-Di is packed with Roland’s latest, greatest sounds and a surprising array of performance tools. Its light weight and the fact that it can run on batteries make it an awesome portable synth and MIDI controller. This booklet provides a quick tour of its main features.
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JUNO-Di Workshop 02: Using the JUNO-Di with a Computer
The JUNO-Di’s USB-MIDI capability makes it an excellent choice for any computer-based music system. It’s easy to use as a MIDI controller—light weight and battery power make it especially suited for use with a laptop DAW—and it rocks as a multitimbral sound source. On top of that, included JUNO-Di software allows you to create and edit JUNO-Di sounds from your computer. This booklet explains how to get this beautiful MIDI relationship going.
JUNO-Gi
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JUNO-Gi Workshop 01: Meet the JUNO-Gi
Bringing together tons of Roland's latest synth sounds with a BOSS BR-style recorder and GT-class effects, the JUNO-Gi is a new kind of instrument. This booklet introduces you to this computer-friendly, next-generation synth.
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JUNO-Gi Workshop 02: Splits, Layers, Favorites, and More
One of the great performance features of the JUNO-Gi is that you can split its keyboard into as many as four separate zones. You can also layer up to four tones in a live set. This booklet gets into the JUNO-G's splitting and layering capabilities, as well as the Favorites feature that lets you quickly get to your splits and layers.
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JUNO-Gi Workshop 03: Using the JUNO-Gi's Live Audio Inputs and BOSS Effects
With its built-in BOSS effects, the JUNO-Gi can act as a portable, lightweight onstage mixer for singing keyboardists or duos. Bring a mic, a second instrument, and the JUNO-Gi, and you're good to go.
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JUNO-Gi Workshop 04: Realtime Control in the JUNO-Gi
The JUNO-Gi offers realtime controls that can make your music even more exciting. Using them to shape your sounds as you play, you'll be performing with a level of expressiveness that makes every note uniquely your own. This book explains how to use and customize the JUNO-Gi's realtime controls.
MV-8800
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MV-8800 Workshop 01: Creating a New Project
An MV-8800 project holds for everything you need when you’re working on a song. This booklet will help you understand how to get the most from your projects, and how to set up them up for the way you like to work.
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MV-8800 Workshop 02: Loading Patches
This booklet explains how to load patches into the MV-8800 when you’re trying to find the sounds for a project, or when you just want to have some fun playing the MV-8800.
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MV-8800 Workshop 03: Sampling
This booklet gets you started with MV-8800 sampling. It’s also intended as a companion for the Auto Chop, Importing a Sample from CD, Direct Recording, and Spreading a Sample Across the Pads MV-8800 Workshop booklets, which discuss some of the more advanced ways you can sample.
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MV-8800 Workshop 04: Auto Chop
It’s easy to slice up a sample into separate sounds you can play on the MV-8800 pads. This booklet explains how to do this using the MV-8800’s Auto Chop feature.
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MV-8800 Workshop 05: Importing a Sample from CD
Learn how to make samples from audio CD and data CD-ROMs.
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MV-8800 Workshop 06: Direct Recording
Did you know you can use the MV-8800’s sampler to simply record along with your sequenced tracks? This booklet explains how.
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MV-8800 Workshop 07: Spreading a Sample Across the Pads
This booklet explains how to lay out a single sample across a set of pads so you can play it at different pitches.
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MV-8800 Workshop 08: Getting the Most from Sample RAM
The MV-8800 makes it easy to trim away samples you’ve decided not to use so that you have more room for stuff you do want. This booklet explains how to “optimize” a project.
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MV-8800 Workshop 09: MPC-to-MV Translator
This booklet is for people migrating to the MV-8800 from AKAI MPC™ products. If you know how to do something on an MPC, this booklet will tell you how to do it on the MV-8800.
*The trademark listed above is the trademark of its respective owner, which is a separate company from Roland. This company is not affiliated with Roland.
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MV-8800 Workshop 10: Getting Around the MV-8800’s Hard Drive
If you own an MV-8800, and aren’t familiar with computers, this booklet explains how to navigate the MV-8800’s hard drive.
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MV-8800 Workshop 11: Working with External MIDI Instruments
This booklet explains how to play MIDI instruments—including computer-based soft synths—from the MV-8800’s pads, as well as how to use MIDI sounds in your MV-8800 sequences.
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MV-8800 Workshop 12: Using the MV-8800 with an External Sequencer
The MV-8800 can act as a powerful sample player when it’s used with a computer sequencing program, or with a standalone hardware sequencer. This booklet explains how.
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MV-8800 Workshop 13: Automation
With automation, the MV-8800 memorizes and plays back mix settings for you, helping you create the perfect mix for a song or pattern. This booklet explains how to use the MV-8800’s automation features.
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MV-8800 Workshop 14: Using EQ
The MV-8800’s built-in EQ lets you adjust the tone of your audio tracks and MIDI track instruments so they sound just the way you want them to. This booklet explains how to use the MV-8800 EQ, and includes a bunch of tips if you’re new to EQ.
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MV-8800 Workshop 15: Making a Beat
The MV-8800 is all about beats, and this booklet tells you how to make them. Step-by-step instructions show you how easy it is to create everything from the simplest beat to a full-on monster arrangement without ever hitting STOP.
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MV-8800 Workshop 16: Using Patterns in a Song
This booklet explains how to add new beats—also called “patterns”—to your songs, and how to build brand-new songs by stringing patterns together.
RC-50
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RC-50 Workshop 01: Using Single Mode
The RC-50’s Single mode is used for recording and playing loops in sequential order, making it great for creating separate song sections on-the-fly during a live performance. In this booklet, we cover Single mode essentials, including pedal operations and important patch settings.
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RC-50 Workshop 02: Using Multi Mode
When the RC-50’s in Multi mode, it becomes a looping multitracker with the ability to play up to three phrases at once. This booklet covers Multi mode in detail.
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RC-50 Workshop 03: Patches
In this booklet, you’ll learn how to edit and store patches, so that you can configure the RC-50 just the way you like for any looping adventure.
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RC-50 Workshop 04: Audio Inputs and Outputs
With three different types of audio inputs, the RC-50 provides the right connections for your guitar, bass, keyboard, microphone, or MP3/CD player. Once you’re connected, multiple outputs give you plenty of options for monitoring and processing your sound after it leaves the RC-50. This booklet gives you the lowdown on using the inputs and outputs.
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RC-50 Workshop 05: The Guide and Loop Quantize
The RC-50’s built-in guide provides a rhythmic backing you can play along with when recording phrases, while the Loop Quantize feature helps you keep your phrases in perfect sync with the guide and each other. This booklet covers both of these features in detail.
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RC-50 Workshop 06: Tempos and Tempo Sync
In this booklet, you’ll learn all about the tempo settings that are at the heart of many RC-50 functions. You’ll also learn how to use the Tempo Sync feature, which synchronizes phrases to the patch tempo without changing their pitch.
SonicCell
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SonicCell Workshop 01: Using SonicCell with a DAW
SonicCell’s not just a powerful synthesizer. It also acts as an audio-interface front end for a computer-based DAW (digital audio workstation) recording studio. This booklet gets you started, with explanations of SonicCell DAW concepts. It takes you through the downloading and installation of the necessary SonicCell drivers and Editor software, and also helps you get your computer set up for use with SonicCell.
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SonicCell Workshop 02: Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface
This booklet lays out the nuts and bolts—and some of the many flexible options—for using SonicCell as a way to get audio into a DAW for recording. It includes both conceptual explanations and specific application instructions.
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SonicCell Workshop 03: Using SonicCell with SONAR LE™
If you’re a SONAR LE user (SONAR LE ships with SonicCell), read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up SONAR LE for use with SonicCell.
*SONAR LE™ is a trademark of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.
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SonicCell Workshop 04: Using SonicCell with SONAR™
If you’re a SONAR user, read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up SONAR for use with SonicCell.
*SONAR™ is a trademark of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.
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SonicCell Workshop 05: Using SonicCell with Logic Pro™
If you’re a Logic Pro user, read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up Logic Pro for use with SonicCell.
*Apple™ and Logic Pro™ are trademarks of Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.
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SonicCell Workshop 06: Using SonicCell with GarageBand™
If you’re a GarageBand user, read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up GarageBand for use with SonicCell.
*Apple™ and GarageBand™ are trademarks of Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.
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SonicCell Workshop 07: Using SonicCell with Ableton Live™
If you’re a Live user, read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up Live for use with SonicCell.
*Ableton Live™ is a trademark of Ableton. Ableton is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.
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SonicCell Workshop 08: Using SonicCell with Digital Peformer™
If you’re a Performer user, read the Using SonicCell with a DAW Workshop and Using SonicCell as an Audio Interface booklets, and then read this one. It provides specific instructions for setting up Performer for use with SonicCell.
*Digital Performer™ is a trademark of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Roland in any manner.