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Owner’s Manual Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland Percussion Sound Module TD-3. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (p. 2) and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (p. 4). These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.
• When using the unit with a rack or stand recom- mended by Roland, the rack or stand must be carefully placed so it is level and sure to remain stable. If not using a rack or stand, you still need to...
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The unit and the AC adaptor should be located so their location or position does not interfere with their proper ventilation. 101c • This TD-3 for use only with Roland stand. Use with other stands is capable of resulting in instability causing possible injury. 102d (modified) •...
(including padding) that it came in, if possible. Otherwise, you will need to use equivalent packaging materials. • Use a cable from Roland to make the connection. If using some other make of connection cable, please note the following precau- tions.
Rear Panel ... 10 Side Panel ... 10 Setting Up the Kit... 11 Mounting the TD-3 on the Stand ... 11 Connecting the Pads and the Pedals ... 12 Connecting Headphones, Audio Equipment, Amps, and Other Gear ... 13 Turning On/Off the Power ... 14 Turning Off the Power...
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Contents Playing with a CD, Tape, or MD (Via MIX IN Jack) ... 34 COACH Mode ... 35 Setting Procedure ... 35 Accuracy and Timing Exercises ... 36 Warm Up (Rhythmic Notes) ... 36 Correctly Playing in Time with the Beat (Time Check) ... 36 Quiet Count—Developing Internal Timing Sense...
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Control Changes Using the Hi-Hat Control Pedal ... 63 Messages for Transmitting Choking Information ... 63 Triggering an External Sound Module from the TD-3... 64 Recording to an External Sequencer ... 64 Using the TD-3 As a Sound Module ... 64 Troubleshooting / Error Messages...
9. TEMPO Button Displays the tempo settings of the metronome. 10. COACH Button This switches the TD-3 to Coach mode (p. 35). 11. EDIT Button Use this for setting the kit parameters (p. 22), click parameters (p. 28) and pad parameters (p. 40, p. 50, p. 60).
21. MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT) IN: For a MIDI source (sequencer, keyboard, or other MIDI device) to play sounds in the TD-3, or to load data from a MIDI sequencer. OUT: When using the TD-3/pads to play sounds in an external MIDI sound module, or when saving the TD-3’s data...
Attach the TD-3 and stand holder to the drum stand (such as the optional MDS-3C). See the owner’s manual for the stand for details on assembling the drum stand and attaching the TD-3. The optional APC-33 All Purpose Clamp can be attached to a pipe of 10.5mm–30 mm radius in case you want to mount the TD-3 on a cymbal stand or other such stand.
Using the provided cables, connect the pads, cymbal pads, hi-hat control pedal, and kick trigger. Setting Example fig.P-004.e TD-3 HH CTRL FD-8 For more examples showing other ways to connect the TD-3, see “Pad Configuration Possibilities” (p. 48). TRIGGER INPUT jacks CRASH 1 CY-8 TOM 1...
Connect the supplied AC adaptor to the AC adaptor jack. Plug the AC adaptor plug into a power outlet. The TD-3’s MIX IN Jack allows you to play along with a CD or other audio sources (p. 34). Phone type Stereo miniature phone type CD/MD player, etc.
1, 5 Turn the VOLUME knob on the TD-3’s rear panel completely to the left to lower the volume to “0.” Turn down the volume control on the connected amp or audio system. Set the POWER switch to the “ON” position to turn on the power.
Turning Off the Power Completely turn down the volume of the TD-3 and any connected external devices. Turn off the power to all external devices. Set the TD-3’s POWER switch to the “OFF” position to turn off the power. Setting Up the Kit...
Choosing a Drum Kit The TD-3 comes with 32 preset drum kits. To see what types of drum kits there are, refer to “Drum Kit List” (p. 68). Each drum kit has its own settings: pad/instrument parameters etc. For details, refer to p. 22.
Hearing What the Kits Sound Like (Preview) You can preview the sound of the currently selected drum kit. fig.01-003 With a drum kit selected, hold down [DRUM KIT] and press [INST]. The kit preview pattern is played repeatedly. (loop mode) Trigger or rim indicators light up for the pad whose sound is being played.
Playing the Drum Kit fig.Play-00 INST TEMPO • Pressing [INST] allows you to change the instrument (p. 24). • Pressing [AMBIENCE] switch the Ambience on and off (p. 26). • Pressing [CLICK] (metronome) starts the metronome (p. 28). • Press [TEMPO] to adjust the tempo (p. 28). Trigger Inputs and Triggering Possibilities TOM 3 TOM 2...
Playing the Pads Head and Rim Shots When Playing the Snare Head Shot Head Be sure the Snare pad is connected to the SNARE trigger input jack. Certain instrument names, for example: “S1” as the snare head instrument and “S1r” as the rim instrument are actually “matched”...
Playing the Drum Kit Cross Stick on the Snare Pad Be sure the Snare pad is connected to the SNARE trigger input jack. To play a cross stick sound, assign “S1r,” “S2r,” “S3r,” “S4r,” “S10,” or “S11” to the rim. By selecting either “S1r,”...
FD-8 The volume of The Foot Closed sound can be adjusted separately. (p. 42). • Connect the hi-hat control pedal to the TD-3 before turning on the power. • Do NOT press the pedal when turning on the power. fig.P-018...
Choosing a Drum Kit [DRUM KIT] When you change a drum kit, settings for each pad, ambience, etc. are also changed. The original “Drum Kit List” can be found on p. 68. fig.P-019 Press [DRUM KIT]. [DRUM KIT] is lit and the drum kit number appears. Press [+] or [-] to select a kit.
Creating Your Own Drum Kit Selecting Sounds [INST] How to assign instruments (sounds) to individual pads or pedals. When using rim/edge-capable pads, select the sounds separately by hitting either the head (bow if a Cymbal pad) or rim (edge if a Cymbal pad). To see the available instruments, refer to “Drum Instrument List”...
Instrument Volume & Pan [LEVEL/PAN] Every sound in the kit assigned to a pad or pedal has individual level (volume) and pan (position) controls. When using rim- and edge-capable pads, you can adjust the level for the head (or bow) and rim (or edge) individually.
If you want the Ambience on or off each time the power is turned on, press [DRUM KIT] while the Ambience is on or when off. Selecting the Ambience Type The TD-3 provides 15 different pre-programmed Ambience settings. They are applied equally to all sounds in the kit. Ambience is also applied to the click (metronome) sound.
Copying a Drum Kit [KIT COPY] All elements of a Kit can be copied: instrument, level, pan, ambience, etc. This operation will delete all settings in the currently selected drum kit. Double check before executing this function. fig.01-006a Select a drum kit. This kit becomes the copy “destination.”...
Playing with the Metronome (Click) Starting and Stopping the Metronome On/Off [CLICK] fig.01-010 Press [CLICK] to turn ON and OFF. [CLICK] lights, and the click sound begins to play. Tempo Adjustment [TEMPO] fig.01-010a Press [TEMPO]. Press [+] or [-] to raise or lower the tempo by one BPM (Beats Per Minute). When holding down [+] and pressing [-] values increase a step from the current tempo setting.
Setting the Time Signature [BEAT] fig.01-013 Press [EDIT]. [EDIT] flashes. Press [EDIT] a few times until the BEAT indicator is lit. Hold down [EDIT] and press [-] to have the indicators light in the reverse order of that when only [EDIT] is pressed. Press [+] or [-] to change the time signature of the metronome.
Playing with the Metronome (Click) Selecting a Rhythm Type [RHYTHM TYPE] Press [EDIT]. [EDIT] flashes. Press [EDIT] a few times until the RHYTHM TYPE indicator is lit. fig.01-014 Hold down [EDIT] and press [-] to have the indicators light in the reverse order of that when only [EDIT] is pressed.
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What are Claves? The standard clave pattern, which is the base of most Latin rhythms features a basic beat that is played over two measures in 2/2 time. There are four types of Cuban clave rhythms: 3-2 son clave, 2-3 son clave, 3-2 rumba clave, and 2-3 rumba clave.
Playing with the Metronome (Click) Selecting the Click Sound [CLICK INST] Press [EDIT]. [EDIT] flashes. Press [EDIT] a few times until the CLICK INST indicator is lit. fig.01-012 Hold down [EDIT] and press [-] to have the indicators light in the reverse order of that when only [EDIT] is pressed.
Volume Adjustment [CLICK LEVEL] Press [EDIT]. [EDIT] flashes. Press [EDIT] a few times until the CLICK LEVEL indicator is lit. fig.01-011 Hold down [EDIT] and press [-] to have the indicators light in the reverse order of that when only [EDIT] is pressed. Press [+] or [-] to adjust the volume of the click sound.
Playing with a CD, Tape, or MD (Via MIX IN Jack) The TD-3’s MIX IN jack allows you to play along with a variety of external audio sources. Make connections as shown in the following figure. fig.mix.e Headphones, audio equipment, amp, etc.
COACH Mode The TD-3’s Coach mode is a unique set of exercises specifically designed to help build speed, accuracy and stamina, as well as develop better timing skills. Throughout the Coach modes, you will discover that some of them have programmable parameters, allowing you to adapt the functions to your specific needs.
COACH Mode Accuracy and Timing Exercises Warm Up (Rhythmic Notes) Rhythmic Notes is an excellent warm up exercise as well as a good method for learning rhythmic note values. After a two measure count-in, the metronome plays through a series of note intervals or beat divisions.
When you play correctly, the display will flash the next tempo (+5 BPM). If you don’t, then the display flashes the current tempo twice. * The maximum tempo of the TD-3’s metronome is 260. To stop the exercise, press [CLICK] again.
COACH Mode Endurance and Stamina Exercises Gradual Up/Down—Tempo Increase/Decrease Exercise Gradual Up/Down mode is designed to increase playing stamina by slowly increasing and then decreasing the speed of the click. In this mode, the click’s tempo will increase by one beat per minute (1 BPM) after every two beats (or one beat) until it reaches the click’s maximum tempo.
The Coach mode features a “voice count-in” function that can be very useful for practicing or even in a live situation. There is also a visual measure counter in the display of the TD-3 (1–999 measures). The options are explained below.
Pad Adjustments Adjusting Pad Sensitivity [PAD SENS] You can adjust the sensitivity of the pads to accommodate your personal playing style. This allows you to have more dynamic control over the sound volume, based on how hard you play. Sensitivity settings are automatically set to the most efficient values for each pad when you select the trigger type (p.
Eliminate Crosstalk Between Pads [XTALK CANCEL] When two pads are mounted on the same stand, hitting one pad may trigger the sound from another pad unintentionally (This is called crosstalk.) Eliminate this by adjusting Crosstalk Cancel on the pad that is sounding inadvertently.
Hi-Hat Control Pedal Adjustment Adjusting the Hi-Hat’s Foot Closed Level The volume of the sound played when pressing the hi-hat control pedal can be adjusted. fig.Pedal-01 Be sure the POWER is OFF, then hold down [LEVEL/PAN] and turn on the power. “Pedal Modify”...
This restores the TD-3 to the original factory settings. Power must be OFF before starting this process. This will erase all changes made to the TD-3’s settings. To save this data, use the “Bulk Dump” operation to save to an external MIDI device. (→ p. 62) fig.Reset-01...
About Polarity Switch fig.P-003 POLARITY If you are using a PD-7, PD-9, or KD-7, the pad’s polarity switch should be in the “- (Roland)” position. For more detailed information, refer to your PD-7, PD-9, or KD-7 owner’s manual. TOM 1...
Combinations of Pad and Trigger Input To enjoy the maximum potential of the TD-3 and your pads, be sure to review the following chart, selecting pads best suited for your needs. fig.P-012.e KD-7 KD-8 KD-80 KD-85 KD-120 PD-6 PD-7 PD-9...
About the Pads Playing the Pads Head Shots and Rim Shots To play a head shot, hit only the head. To play a rim shot, hit both the head and the rim of the pad simultaneously. With the following pads head and rim shots are available. PD-7, PD-8, PD-9, PD-80R, PD-85, PD-105, PD-120, PD-125: With the following pads only head shots are available.
Cymbal Bow Shots/Edge Shots/Bell Shots Bow shots produce the sound assigned to the head and edge shots produce the sound assigned to the rim. The following pads can produce bow shots and edge shots. CY-6, CY-8, CY-12H, CY-14C: The following pads can produce bow shots and edge or bell shots. CY-12R/C, CY-15R: Bell shots are played by striking the bell somewhat strongly with the shoulder of the stick.
Pad Configuration Possibilities Three Toms and Three Cymbals TD-3Kit with a PD-85, CY-8 (+ 1 MDY-10U) fig.Expand-1.e TD-3 HH CTRL FD-8 This setup shows a TD-3Kit with a PD-85, CY-8 (+ MDY-10U) added. The PD-85 is for the snare, and PD-8 that had been used as the snare is now a tom.
Two Toms and Four Cymbals TD-3Kit with two CY-8s (+ 2 MDY-10Us) fig.Expand-2.e TD-3 HH CTRL FD-8 This setup shows a TD-3Kit with two CY-8s (+ 2 MDY-10Us) for a total of four cymbals. Connecting the cymbal pads to the TOM 1–3 trigger input jacks allows four or more cymbals to be used.
Rim Sensitivity Rim Gain Selecting the Pad Type (Trigger Type) To be sure the TD-3 accurately receives signals sent from the pads, select the trigger type (the type of pads being used). Set each trigger input as described below. Settings optimized for the TD-3Kit are provided in factory settings on the TD-3.
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RT-7K RT-5S RT-3T * The RT-7K, RT-5S, and RT-3T are Roland acoustic drum triggers. Repeat Steps 2–3 to set the trigger type for each pad. This setting applies to both the head and rim. Strike the pads and press the pedals to check the following.
Pad and Trigger Settings Adjusting Pad Sensitivity You can adjust the sensitivity of the pads to accommodate your personal playing style. This allows you to have more dynamic control over the sound volume, based on how hard you play. Hold down [LEVEL/PAN] and press [TEMPO]. [EDIT] flashes.
Setting the Minimum Levels for the Pads (Threshold) This setting allows a trigger signal to be received only when the pad is above a determined force level (velocity). This can be used to prevent a pad from sounding because of vibrations from other pads. In the following example, B will sound but A and C will not sound.
Pad and Trigger Settings How Playing Dynamics Changes the Volume (Velocity Curve) This setting allows you to control the relation between playing velocity (striking force) and changes in volume. Adjust this curve until the response feels as natural as possible. Hold down [LEVEL/PAN] and press [TEMPO].
Adjusting the Trigger Signal Detection Time (Scan Time) Since the rise time of the trigger signal waveform may differ slightly depending on the characteristics of each pad or acoustic drum trigger (drum pickup), you may notice that identical hits (velocity) may produce sound at different volumes.
Pad and Trigger Settings Detecting Trigger Signal Attenuation and Cancelling Incorrect Triggering (Retrigger Cancel) Important if you are using acoustic drum triggers. Such triggers can produce altered waveforms, which may also cause inadvertent sounding at Point A in the following figure. fig.retrigger.e This occurs in particular at the decaying edge of the waveform.
Eliminate Crosstalk Between Pads (Crosstalk Cancel) When two pads are mounted on the same stand, hitting one pad may trigger the sound from another pad unintentionally (This is called crosstalk.) Eliminate this by adjusting Crosstalk Cancel on the pad that is sounding inadvertently.
Pad and Trigger Settings Double Triggering Prevention (Mask Time) When playing a kick pad the beater can bounce back and hit the pad a second time immediately after the intended note—with acoustic drums sometimes the beater stays against the head—this causes a single hit to “double trigger”...
Rim Shots Response (Rim Sensitivity) When a PD-80R, PD-85, PD-105, PD-120, PD-125 pad, or RT-5S (trigger) is connected to the SNARE TRIGGER INPUT, you can adjust the sensitivity of the rim response. Hold down [LEVEL/PAN] and press [TEMPO]. [EDIT] flashes. Press [EDIT] a few times until “...
To use the TD-3 pads as a MIDI controller, or for recording from the pads to an external sequencer is easy. Using the TD-3 as a sound module with an external sequencer is also simple.
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Pads Connected to the TD-3 Set the MIDI note numbers (same as key numbers on a keyboard) that will be transmitted by the TD-3 pads. Match this to the note number of the sound that you wish to play on the external sound module or sampler.
[INST] being pressed. Saving Data to an External MIDI Device (Bulk Dump) You can save all of the TD-3’s drum kits, general settings, and more to an external MIDI sequencer. Use the external sequencer as you would when recording musical data, following steps on the TD-3 as shown below.
Device ID number. The Device ID number on the TD-3 is fixed at “17.” Loading Data to the TD-3 This loads back the data that was saved to a sequencer or other external MIDI device to the TD-3.
7. Play the MIDI sequencer, and you’ll hear what you just recorded. Using the TD-3 As a Sound Module Here, the TD-3 is used as a sound module. You can connect a MIDI-compatible keyboard or pads for performance. TD-3 1. Connect the TD-3’s MIDI IN connector with a MIDI cable to the MIDI OUT connector of the external MIDI device.
Using the procedure of p. 14, turn the power on once again. DO NOT touch any pads or pedals during the TD-3’s power up. When the TD-3 is turned on, it carries out a check of the pads. If you strike a pad or press the pedal anytime during this process, the pads cannot be checked properly, resulting in incorrect functioning of the pads.
Is the MIDI connection/cable correct? (p. 62) If you wish to save a bulk dump on an external device, connect the TD-3’s MIDI OUT connector to the external sequencer’s MIDI IN connector. Is the external MIDI device set to NOT receive MIDI Exclusive messages? Refer to the owner’s manual for the external MIDI device, then...
Double check your MIDI connections (p. 62, p. 64). If this does not solve the problem, reduce the amount of MIDI messages being transmitted to the TD-3. Verify your MIDI connections. Correct the checksum value. Transmit the MIDI message to the TD-3 once again.
Drum Kit List Name Acoustic Groove Oldies 2 Step Ballad Electronic Techno House Hip-Hop Jazz Disco Beat Open Rock Standard Acid House TR-808 Dirty Jungle Funk Latin House Abstract Club Mix Jazz Fusion Garage House Light Tuning Brushes R&B Techno Cumbia Classic R&B Pop-Rock Timbales Kit...
Drum Instrument List No. Display Name KICK Wood Kick Rock Kick Tight Kick Ambient Kick Muffle Kick Jazz Kick Hard Attack Kick Latin Kick Club Kick 1 Club Kick 2 Club Kick 3 Club Kick 4 808 Kick 909 Kick SNARE Bright Snare Bright Snare Rim...
MIDI Implementation Chart PERCUSSION SOUND MODULE Model TD-3 Function... Basic Default Channel Changed Default Mode Messages Altered Note Number : True Voice Note On Velocity Note Off After Key's Touch Channel's Pitch Bend Control Change Program : True Number Change...
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Note Number ... 60–61, 63 NOTE# ... 60 OUTPUT Jack ... 10, 13 Pad ... 19, 44 PAD SENS ... 40 Pad Sensitivity ... 40, 52 Pan ... 25 PHONES Jack ... 10, 13 Polarity Switch ... 44 Power Off ... 15 On ...
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For EU Countries This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
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