KENTON CR-78 Midi Interface Roland Drum Machine Instructions

KENTON CR-78 Midi Interface Roland Drum Machine

Product Information

Specifications:

• Model: Roland CR-78 Drum Machine MIDI Interface
• Features: Send and receive MIDI note & velocity information, MIDI clock information
• Default Settings: Receive channel 10, Transmit channel 10, Stop/start receive enabled

Product Usage Instructions

MIDI Settings Programming:
To program MIDI settings on the CR-78 drum machine:

1. Ensure the drum machine is not playing.
2. Use the red push button to access programming mode.
3. Receive notes on all MIDI channels when in setup and mapping modes.
4. Set the receive channel and transmit channel independently.
5. Use the ENTER key to confirm settings.

MIDI Functionality:
The CR-78 can send and receive MIDI note & velocity information, as well as MIDI clock information. It can interpret Song Position Pointer zero followed by Continue message as MIDI start. Continue messages received at other times are ignored unless configured otherwise.

Disabling MIDI Commands:
To disable start, stop, continue, or clock commands on the CR-78:

1. Select disable mode in programming to use the CR-78 as a sound module in systems driven by MIDI clock.
2. You can set the CR-78 to MIDI receive OFF to run in time with MIDI clock but ignore incoming notes.

Mapping Mode:
I n mapping mode, program numbers correspond to specific sounds on the CR-78:

• * Bass Drum – Program 1

  • Snare Drum – Program 2
  • RimShot – Program 3

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: How do I reset the CR-78 to factory default settings?
A: To reset the CR-78 to factory default settings, refer to the user manual for specific instructions as different instructions apply to earlier CR-78 MIDI retrofit kits.

Q: Can the CR-78 be used without MIDI functionality?
A: Yes, you can use the CR-78 without MIDI functionality by setting MIDI receive OFF to ignore incoming notes while running in time with MIDI clock.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MIDI INTERFACE

ROLAND CR-78 DRUM MACHINE
These instructions are for CR-78 MIDI retrofit kits produced after 29thAugust 2013 – Firmware CR782105 or later.
Different instructions apply to earlier CR-78 MIDI retrofit kits.
Your CR-78 drum machine is now equipped to send and receive MIDI information. When turned on the will function normally but will also send and receive MIDI note & velocity information on the channels set in memory. It will also send and receive MIDI clock information. The velocity data conveys accented or unaccented note data only.

The factory default settings are:
Receive channel 10 omni off / Transmit channel 10 / Stop/start receive enabled

You can return to the factory default settings at any time by turning the CR-78 on while holding the red push button pressed. Hold for a couple of seconds – then release.
If the CR-78 is already playing from its internal clock, then all MIDI clock commands are ignored. If the CR-78 is stopped, then when a MIDI Start command is received, the CR-78 will take its timing information from the MIDI clock source. If the start button on the CR-78 is then pressed, it will be ignored until a MIDI stop command has been received. (or SPP = zero + continue – see below) Many sequencers do not send a MIDI start command and instead send a Song Position Pointer zero followed by Continue message. This is recognised by the CR-78 as a MIDI start. Continue messages received at any other time will be ignored. If however you want Continue messages to be always treated as Start, this can be selected.

You can make the CR-78 ignore start/stop/continue/clock commands by selecting it from the programming mode described in the next paragraph, when set to disable the CR-78 will not respond to start, stop, continue or clock commands, this is to enable the CR-78 to function as a sound module in systems where MIDI clock is being used to drive other devices.
You can set the CR-78 to MIDI receive OFF, this will enable the CR-78 to run in time with MIDI clock, but ignore any incoming notes.

Using the red push button to program the MIDI settings
Two modes are available by pushing the red push button. Before you do press the red button however, make sure the CR-78 drum is not playing, otherwise the results may be unpredictable.

1. SETUP MODE – Setting MIDI channels and assignments (start-stop etc)
   Give the red push button a short press (half a second) – then release. Follow this with a note or sequence of notes (on the remote keyboard) as detailed on page 2. After selecting a MIDI channel (receive or transmit) you will be automatically returned to playing mode, but after making any other assignments you will need to press the ENTER key (Top C on a 61 note keyboard) to return to playing mode. (N.B. set-ups are stored in non volatile memory).

2. MAPPING MODE – assigning MIDI notes to sounds
   Press the red button hold for about four seconds – then release. Follow this (on the remote keyboard) with a program change number, then any MIDI note. The drum sound specified by that program change number will be mapped to the key you pressed. You may keep assigning drum sounds to keys in the same fashion (program then key). When you have assigned all the sounds that you want to, press any invalid program change number (12 and above), you will then be automatically returned to normal play mode. On page 3 is a list of which program numbers correspond to what drum sounds.

Note: When in setup and mapping modes the CR-78 will receive on ALL MIDI channels.

1. Above is a list of how program numbers are used in MAPPING MODE. No matter how the sounds are assigned, these program numbers always belong to the same sound. (N.B. this assumes programs start at 1 rather than 0)

2. Any program number above 16 will terminate Mapping mode and return you to normal play mode.

3. You can assign more than one sound to the same MIDI note, all of them if you want, however MIDI out uses the same map, so all sounds would then generate the same note!

4. Assignments are stored in non volatile memory.

5. The CR-78 will always transmit the assigned drum notes as follows:- Normal notes – velocity 64.
   Accented notes – velocity 127. Note however that the CR-78 does not distinguish between individual sounds when responding to accent, rather it is the time-slot it happens in. So all sounds produced at that time will be accented or not accented.

6. Metallic Beat is receive only – it is not sent because it only sounds in conjunction with either HiHat, Cymbal or Tambourine. You can use the sliders to determine what you hear or use the “Cancel Voice” for Cymbal/HiHat. Depressed removes MB from CY/HH and puts it on Tamb instead.

7. Tambourine Hi and Lo are very similar and are included because the CR-78 generates them

8. Guiro-P doesn’t make a sound on its own, it only affects the sound of Guiro-T (it makes it higher pitched). Guiro-T can be used on its own, or with Guiro-P. Again done this way because this is how the CR-78 generates it.

9. “MIDI CONTINUE” is treated as a “START” command if Song Position Pointer is zero. (default)
   If seleceted, Continue messages can always be treated as Start.

10. Turn the “FADE” switches to OFF when using with incoming MIDI clock. If you leave them on you will find that the tempo changes to the CR-78 clock tempo when the MIDI stop is received.

MIDI CONNECTORS

MIDI IN should be connected to a MIDI OUT or a MIDI THRU similarly MIDI OUT should be connected only to a MIDI IN and a MIDI THRU should also be connected only to a MIDI IN.
MIDI OUT is the signal from the synthesizer (or drum machine etc.) that is to be sent to another instrument. MIDI IN is a received signal that contains MIDI information from another synth, and MIDI THRU is an exact copy of information arriving at the MIDI IN socket. This allows several instruments to be connected together.
If you want to wire your own MIDI cables the following information may be useful.

1. Although a 5 pin connector is used, only two connections plus an earth connection are required.
2. If you look at the din plug from the wiring side you will see that the pins are numbered. From left to right (or clockwise) these are 1 – 4 – 2 – 5 – 3.
3. The pins numbered 1 & 3 are not used.
4. The screen (earth) is connected to pin 2 (centre pin)
5. Pin 4 of one plug should be connected to pin 4 of the other
6. Pin 5 of one plug should be connected to pin 5 of the other
7. You should now have a working MIDI lead
8. It is preferable to label one end of the cable MIDI IN & the other end MIDI OUT, to avoid confusion.

WARRANTY

All Kenton MIDI Kits come with a 12 month (from purchase date) back to base warranty, (i.e. customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics).

Kenton Electronics Ltd.
Unit 3, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, KT20 5LR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8544 9200 Fax: +44 (0)20 8544 9300
www.kenton.co.uk
Copyright (c) KENTON Electronics & John Price 1986-2023

References

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