Hello there,

Now that Roland proudly released the new E-80 I would like to invite you to the first workshop with this fantastic instrument.

Naturally we would like to have a look at what is new in the E-80. So let me tell you: quite a lot!
New sounds, new styles, new effects, single track equalizing, even single drum instrument equalizing … quite unique!
Off course we cannot concentrate on all the new things in one workshop, so we start with something beautiful and easy!
Do you remember the song Sailing by Christopher Cross?
In this workshop I would like to create the perfect sound for playing the beautiful Guitar introduction of that song.

So please switch the instrument off and then on, like this we can be sure that we all will start from the same situation.

As a next step we will simply select the guitar sound by pressing E.Guitar/Bass in the tone selection field and then clean solid on the touchscreen.

Press Exit.

In the E-80, the engineers and the musical team took a great effort in having the right effects in place, so you can already use the guitar as it is. It sounds great!
Every sound can recall the suitable multi effects setting and the suitable Equalizer (EQ) setting. To find these two pages you should press the Effect button on the left side, next to the display. Then you will see the MFX Edit switch and the EQ Part Edit switch on the touchscreen.

Press Exit

Anyhow, we will now spice up the guitar sound with some more and some longer Reverb.
In order to do this we will do the following steps.
Press the Effect button on the left side next to the display.

Press the Edit button of the Keyboard Reverb section and adjust the parameters in accordance to the next picture.

We especially increased the Reverb Time parameter, which will affect the length of the Reverb, but also the Pre Delay parameter. This parameter affects the moment when the Reverb will start after playing the note. The higher the Value, the later the Reverb will start. This will produce an image of a larger space or room.
Off course this all is a matter of personal taste, so please feel free to experiment with all the parameters so that you will get a feeling for them.

Press Back.

Now we want to adjust the Reverb and Chorus Send parameters.
As the Guitar sound is routed through the MFX.

We will have to go to the MFX page to adjust the Reverb and Chorus Send.
Therefore please press the Edit button of the MFX field on the touchscreen and adjust the parameters in analogy to the screenshot.

Now you should hear a spacey Reverb when you play the sound.

Press Back.

You should use a Damper pedal such as the DP-8 or DP-10 for playing a guitar sound.

As a next step we will add a Delay to the sound. Using a Delay would be very typical for this type of guitar sound in this musical genre.
Press the Edit button in the Chorus field on the touchscreen and adjust the parameters in accordance to the screenshot.

Now you will hear a Delay added to the sound. This makes the feeling of the sound even more spacious. Very beautiful!

Press Exit!

This would be the moment when you want to save what you have done so far.

Press List in the User Program field on the panel of the E-80.

Press the Write button on the touchscreen and use the numbers pad on the screen for typing in the name. (This works similar to typing an SMS in your mobile phone).

Press Execute on the touchscreen.

Press Exit!

Now we will add a layered Synth Pad sound for adding some warmth to the guitar.

Press the Green UP2 button in the Keyboard Part field on the panel of the E-80 and switch on the Red UP2 button.
Then press the Pad/Ethnic button in the Tone field on the panel of the E-80 and select LA Warm Pad on the touchscreen.

Press Exit!

If you play on the keyboard you should hear the Guitar and a Synth sound.
However, the Synth sound should be 1 Octave Lower. To do this press the Octave down button on the touchscreen. Now you should hear the 2 sounds in perfect harmony.

Please save this setting by overwriting the version of Chris X Sail that you have created before. Just follow the procedure of saving as described above. The only difference is that the E-80 will ask you if you want to overwrite the User Program that has the same name.

In the next step we will add a nice effect on the D Beam controller.
Switch on the SFX button in the D Beam field on the panel of the E-80. (Left side next to the display) When you hold your hand above the D Beam you will hear a Bar Chimes sound. However, I think the sound is a little too loud.
For adjusting please press the Red Part button in the Mode field, underneath the Drawbars and adjust the Volume of the D Beam and the Chorus/Delay Send in accordance to the next screenshot. (To add some delay will put more space and room to the Chimes sound).

Press Exit!

Save the User Program again.

Now let’s talk about the use of a Volume pedal for a moment.
Personally I always use and I strongly recommend the usage of a Volume pedal, such as the EV-5. This will help you in many ways to make your performance livelier and more vivid.

In the following example I would like to use the Volume pedal for adjusting the level of the Synth sound in balance with the guitar. Off course without Volume pedal you could do this in the Keyboard Parts, Upper 2 by adjusting the Volume parameter. But the advantage of the Volume pedal is that you will be able to balance in Real Time while playing. And that is making the difference in your performance!

So, let’s assume you already use a Volume pedal.
Now we are going to adjust the usage of the pedal.

Press Menu.

Press Foot Controllers on the touchscreen, then Foot pedal and switch OFF the usage of UP 1.

Like this the Guitar sound will be played independently from the position of the Foot pedal. You should do the same thing for the D Beam.

Press Exit!

Save the User Program again.

Congratulations! You have now created the perfect sound combination for playing this wonderful song by Christopher Cross!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
For your reference you can download the User Program here:

Chris X Sail User Program

UPG

(In the end of Tips 1 for the G-70 you will find how to load the User Program into your E-80)

Thank you very much for doing this workshop with me,
Yours sincerely

Ralf Schink, July 2006