Very interesting. The 4X came out later than the 8X and Roland decided to add features the 8X didn't have.Hi John, I had a look at my FR-4X reference manual p.30 and is has "Changing the Pitch of the Tone in Octave Steps with the Right-Hand Keyboard - The key range of the right hand current part can be moved one octave up or down."
The FR4X seems to have more live performance flexibility than the FR8X, but the FR8X has far more capability/grunt.
I am surprised that Roland has not made Octave -/+, turning speaker on/off etc. easier to access.
fr8x roland accordion
- Thread starter Gary A
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Hi all, I know how to use the Roland Editor and use it extensively to modify UPGs. I also know how to use the display to do backups etc.
But I am none the wiser how to change a UPG register an Octave + or an Octave - ... like all Roland manuals it was probably the technology department who wrote user guides ... I had many Roland Synthesizers (Juno, XP50, XP60 etc.) in the past and simple thing like splitting the keyboard, they made complex - at least in explaining the steps.
I am concerned that I could do something that would undo weeks of work in setting up the 8X for live performance.
Has anyone transposed a user programs by an Octave?
Regards,
Karl
But I am none the wiser how to change a UPG register an Octave + or an Octave - ... like all Roland manuals it was probably the technology department who wrote user guides ... I had many Roland Synthesizers (Juno, XP50, XP60 etc.) in the past and simple thing like splitting the keyboard, they made complex - at least in explaining the steps.
I am concerned that I could do something that would undo weeks of work in setting up the 8X for live performance.
Has anyone transposed a user programs by an Octave?
Regards,
Karl
Actually, it is the other way around. The 8X is a far more capable live performance unit than a 4X. For example, simple registration changes, there are 14 registers to choose from. Yes a 4X has 14 as well, but it takes an extra button press to get to those other 7, that can be a pita if you have a pice that uses multiple registration changes in a song and they are not in the first 7. There is no master master palm switch, the readout on the screen FAR less communicative and I could go on and on.
Because if you really think about it, all the options that a PERFORMING musician would need are on buttons available up front. How many musicians need to transpose on the fly or needing in the middle of a song to turn off the on-board speakers fast as opposed to needing access to controls that access major sound functions?
Besides, an octave jump is no further away than a registration change IF you really need it via the sound editor. There has to be a limit to the number of physical switches on the front of a unit and the choices were based on (for example), what one needs during a performance immediately and not something that is set and forgotten at the start before the performance begins.
Now, no instrument in the world is perfect and no instrument corresponds to the needs of how everyone plays, but if you really think about it, in terms of what buttons are on the front of the 8X versus options that are frequented way less, someone at Roland really did their homework (and thats not something that I say often... lol).
Very easy to do on the 8X - call up your user program then push the exit button to be in edit mode then push the up arrow button and you are in transpose / rotate your large button / selector to transpose to what you want and then save your user program
Thank you very much - appreciated
Kind Regards, Karl
Kind Regards, Karl
Thanks Pbraido, but that process only lets you change keys -/+ 5, I want to shift the UPG by an octave. Do you know how the shift octaves in a user program? Regards Karl
Page 121 of the user manual if you want to do it manually. 
Page 121 of the user manual if you want to do it manually.
Sorry to be a pain Jerry, but page 121 has the FR8X specifications, I have’t found the steps to transpose a user program by an octave in the user manual. Regards, Karl
You cannot transpose a UPG, It is done by section by section... ie: ORCH 1 Orch 2, etc...
Thanks Jerry, that is disappointing as I have songs that span multiple octaves and the verse is too low if I use the same register. I will beed to use a different UPG for the verse.
Or copy that UPG to the following register and raise the instruments that you feel need it?
There are 14 registers and 100 sets, more than enough for most.
Thank you very much John and Jerry for all of your advice and sharing quality UPGs.
I have copied my Cinema Stings to another register and shifted the sound up by an Octave. I also set-up the Chin Switches … the result was fantastic!
I have copied my Cinema Stings to another register and shifted the sound up by an Octave. I also set-up the Chin Switches … the result was fantastic!
Glad that worked out for you Karl. I really like the Chin switch function. I set all my UPG's in a Bank for Chin Switch 1 to "UPG Down" and Chin Switch 2 to "UPG Up". This way I can "walk" back and forth through all 14 registers with only the chin switches. For a large jump, I use one of the 14 register switches. For just going up/down a few UPG's the chin switches are nice.
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I’m glad it worked to your satisfaction, well done!
Rodney
Active member
Thanks @JerryPH, I measured a register key at 12-14 mm wide so I’ve ordered Italian Options, 6 mm in: red, green blue, yellow and clear after looking at your picture. The URL for anyone interested is:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010DIYJOQ/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item_image?th=1
The placing isn’t perfect but it works for me because I can be certain the register switch I press is the one I want! If anyone else plans to do this I’d say the 6mm rhinestones are small, difficult to place accurately and the adhesive is quick/strong. P.S. @JerryPH got a very good deal at under a dollar, each colour cost me £2.42 but Amazon isn’t really the place to look for bargains imho.
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Well done! I suppose dollar stores may be a little easier on the budget. Places like "Michaels" or other craft stores would have them too just not at the same price.
Hi all, has anyone tried to use a wireless Keytar with a Roland FR-8X via MIDI? Also, which brand is best to leverage the capability of FR-8X?
Regards, Karl
Regards, Karl
Karl, for wireless MIDI there really are only 2 options as far as I am concerned... if you are a professional, you pay for the best because you do not want MIDI drop outs while you are performing... or you use MIDI cables for maximum reliability.
If you want to play around with wireless MIDI as an enthusiast, CME (cme-pro.com) are the brand that you want to check out. They are pretty much experts when you want to get in to wireless MIDI at an affordable rate.
If you want to play around with wireless MIDI as an enthusiast, CME (cme-pro.com) are the brand that you want to check out. They are pretty much experts when you want to get in to wireless MIDI at an affordable rate.
