USER MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Overview............................................................................... 3
2. Data Structure of the GrooveBox Editor..................................... 4
3. Installation............................................................................ 4
4. Configuration......................................................................... 5
5. User Interface....................................................................... 6
5.1 Using the controls..................................................... 6
5.2 Default knob position................................................. 6
5.3 Selecting controls for automation / Joystick.................. 6
5.4 Parameter value display............................................. 6
5.5 Status...................................................................... 7
5.6 LCD......................................................................... 7
5.7 Menu........................................................................ 7
5.8 Mixer........................................................................ 8
5.9 Automation Tabs........................................................ 8
5.10 Data buttons............................................................ 8
5.11 Scalable GUI............................................................ 8
5.12 System Settings Window........................................... 9
5.13 Performance Tab...................................................... 9
5.14 Part Tab.................................................................. 10
5.15 Common Tab........................................................... 10
5.16 Wave Tab................................................................ 11
5.17 Amplifier Tab............................................................11
5.18 Filter Tab................................................................ 12
5.19 Pitch Tab................................................................. 12
5.20 LFO Tab.................................................................. 13
5.21 Modulation Tab........................................................ 13
5.22 CC Controller Tab..................................................... 14
5.23 Patch & Rhythm Library Tab...................................... 14
5.24 Rhythm part Tab.......................................................15
5.25 Parameter Locking window........................................ 16
5.26 Randomize functions.................................................17
5.27 Joystick window....................................................... 17
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1. OVERVIEW
GrooveBox Editor is a tool that lets you edit and save the various parameters of your
Roland MC-505, Roland JX-305 or Roland D2 series synthesizer. These include all the
Patch, Rhythm, Part and System parameters (up to 7675 parameters!). Thanks to the
easy-to-use graphic interface, you can edit various parameters of your synthesizer right
from your computer – using the mouse to adjust virtual knobs, sliders and buttons and
entering values from the computer keyboard. Finally, all the changes you have made can
be saved to your computer or transmitted to your synthesizer.
The GrooveBox Editor VST, based on the “VST technology” by Steinberg, works as a VST
plug-in with any DAW application. Also, it works the same way as other VST instrument
software, allowing you to save the edited settings of your synthesizer, or use them for
another project.
This software provides a comprehensive and seamless music production environment –
making the use of both hardware and software both easer and much more efficient.
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2. CONSIDERATIONS
· GrooveBox Editor does not generate nor receive any audio signal, just MIDI messages.
· GrooveBox Editor does not edit the Pattern data of the synthesizer's sequencer, but it can
backup Pattern data to file (Bulk Dumps).
· Some data transfer operations (like saving a bank from the synthesizer, bulk dumps, or
sending and getting all data) can be a slow procedure. Be patient and don't disturb the data
flow with knobs movements that can result in data errors. A progress bar will indicate the
state of the data transfer.
· All data transmitted by GrooveBox Editor is stored in the temporary buffer of the
synthesizer. This means that no data will be overwritten on the User or Card memory unless
you use Patch or Pattern write operations on the synthesizer itself.
· When using the GrooveBox Editor VST, set the synthesizer in SLAVE Mode to be
synchronized with the tempo of the Host.
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2. DATA STRUCTURE OF GROVEBOX EDITOR
GrooveBox Editor let's you create the following data and save them as a single file (extension
.syx)
· Current Patch data (consisting of latest status of 7 Patches and 1 Rhythm Set).
· Current Part settings data (consisting of setup parameters of 8 Parts).
· Current Part Common settings data (consisting of effect parameters).
· Current System settings data (consisting of System Common settings and Scale Tune settings of
8 Parts).
Current settings includes the latest settings of the Common and Tone parameters for the Patch
last assigned to each of the 1- 8 parts, as well as parameter settings such as pan, volume and
effect settings for each part. The GrooveBox Editor lets you edit parameters (including Tone or
Rhythm Key parameters) of the Patch assigned to each Part and save the latest edit status as a
file or within the application. This means that you can easily recall the latest status of the
previous edit simply by opening the GrooveBox Editor.
Additionally, GrooveBox Editor lets you create the following type of files in .syx format:
· Single Patch files
· Single Rhythm files
· Up to 128 Patches Bank files
· Up to 128 Rhythms Bank files
Finally, GrooveBox Editor can backup and transfer Pattern and Patch data when a Bulk Dump is
performed on the synthesizer, and save the data to file in .syx format.
3. INSTALATION
The zip file contains three files, it is recommended that you keep this file in a safe place on your
hard drive. In the zip file are the following elements:
· APPLICATION: GrooveBox Editor.exe
· PLUGIN: GrooveBox Editor.dll
· MANUAL: GrooveBox Editor User Manual.pdf
APPLICATION: Drag the application to any folder on your hard drive.
PLUGIN: Drag the plugin into your common VST plug-ins folder
(For example C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins).
USER MANUAL: Drag the file to any folder on your hard drive (preferably one where you
installed the application).
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4. CONFIGURATION
In order to establish communication between the GrooveBox Editor and the synthesizer, be sure to
configure the following settings:
SYNTHESIZER
· SYSTEM → MIDI → SYS-EXC → Rx. Sys-Ex = on
· SYSTEM → MIDI → Edit TxRx = MODE2
· SYSTEM → MIDI → SYS-EXC → Device # = The same value as in GrooveBox Editor (page 9).
· SYSTEM → MIDI → Rx. PG = on
· SYSTEM → MIDI → Rx. Bank Sel = on
GROOVEBOX EDITOR
Once you have opened the application, press
MIDI button to open the MIDI setup window.
Then, apply the following settings:
· Input Device: Port of your MIDI interface that is connected to the MIDI output of your synthesizer.
· Input Device Channel: 1.
· Output Device: Port of your MIDI interface that is connected to the MIDI input of your synthesizer.
· Output Device Channel: 1
PLUGIN
If you are using the VST plug-in of GrooveBox Editor, in addition to the MIDI settings mentioned
above, select the following settings:
Enable input from plugin host.
HOST → OUT Device.
IMPORTANT
If the drivers of your MIDI interface are not multi client (ie, can not be used by more than one
application simultaneously) you should close within the DAW the MIDI ports of your interface
where you have connected the synthesizer, as they will be used exclusively by the GrooveBox
Editor.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.1 USING THE CONTROLS
Click and drag in the arrow's direction to change the value. If you need a higher accuracy, you
can use the mouse wheel.
5.2 DEFAULT KNOB POSITION
All knobs and sliders have a default setting, like the pan knob or the octave and note values on
the oscillators for example. Double-clicking these controls will make them jump to their default
value.
5.3 SELECTING CONTROLS FOR AUTOMATION / JOYSTICK
When using the GrooveBox Editor VST, you may want to select some controls to be automated in
the DAW. To do so, right-click on the desired control (double right-click with drop down menu
parameters) and select “Automate” from the context menu. The control will be added to the
Automation list. Any control from the Automation list is now ready to be automated in the DAW.
The label of the automated control will change color to indicate that the parameter is in the
Automation list.
To remove a parameter from the Automation list, right-click on the parameter (double right-click
with drop down menu parameters) from the Automation list or the original control, and select
“De-Automate”.
If you want to add a parameter to the Joystick control, right-click on the parameter (double right-
click with drop down menu parameters) , select “To Joystick” and then choose the zone you wish
to use.
5.4 PARAMETER VALUE DISPLAY
Whenever you change the value of a parameter, the new value of this parameter will be displayed
on the LCD.
If you want to know the exact value of a parameter without change it, simply place the mouse
over the parameter. This will display the value on the LCD.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.5 STATUS
STATUS OFFLINE: Indicates that the MIDI Ports are not set
properly and there is no communication between the
synthesizer and the GrooveBox Editor.
STATUS ONLINE: Indicates that your synthesizer is
correctly connected to the GrooveBox Editor.
5.6 LCD: This display just shows general information.
1 2
1: Name of the Performance loaded.
2: Currently selected Part.
3: Name of the Patch loaded in the selected Part.
4: Information about the parameter under the
3 4 5 mouse cursor or the last edited parameter.
5: Progress bar of a dump operation being
performed.
5.7 MENU: In this section you have access to different general settings.
1 4
3 5 6 7
1: Open the MIDI Settings window .
2: Open the System Settings window.
3: Open the Parameter Lock window.
4: Initialize the Patch of the current Part.
5: Initialize all Patches and Parts.
6: Open the Joystick window.
7: Select the user interface skin.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.8 MIXER
1 2 3 4
1: Part currently selected. Click to select another one. Right
-click to copy/paste the selected Part (Patch and Part data)
or load/save a Patch.
2: Name of the Patch loaded in this Part.
3: Part's Level.
4: Part's Panorama.
5: Part Mute.
6: Part Solo.
7: Click to request a Part from the synthesizer.
8: Click to send a Part to the synthesizer.
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5.9 AUTOMATION TABS
1: Four tabs with 32 assignable parameters each for
automation in the DAW.
2: List of automated parameters. Right-click on any
parameter to remove it from the list.
5.10 DATA BUTTONS: Here you can manage the data used by the GrooveBox Editor.
1 2 5 1: Load a data file from your computer and send it to the
synthesizer.
2: Save a data file on your computer.
3: Send current data to the synthesizer.
4: Get current data from the synthesizer.
5: Load a Bulk Dump data file from your computer and send
3 4 6
it to the synthesizer.
6: Get a Bulk Dump Data from the synthesizer and save it to
file.
5.10 SCALABLE GUI:
The GUI of GrooveBox Editor is scalable. Press Ctrl + + or Ctrl + - to scale the interface. You can
9 also scale the GUI by clicking Ctrl and scrolling with the mouse wheel.
5. USER INTERFACE
Following there is a short description of several features of the GrooveBox Editor. To get a detailed
description of each parameter function, please refer to the manual of your synthesizer.
5.12 SYSTEM SETTINGS
1 1: Click this button to open the System Settings window.
·Receive Program Change and Receive Bank Select parameters must be set to On for the Library
work.
·Device ID parameter must match the synthesizer's Device ID value
SYSTEM → MIDI → SYS-EXC → Device #
5.13 PERFORMANCE SETTINGS
1: This graph shows the path signal or useful information of the EFX selected.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.14 PERFORMANCE PART SETTINGS
1: This graph shows the signal path of the Part selected.
2: Scale Tune settings for the Part selected.
3: This button give access to a list of predefined Scale Tune settings.
5.15 PATCH COMMON SETTINGS
1: Patch name of the Part selected. Double-click to enter a new name.
2: This graph shows the signal path of Tones 1 & 2.
3: This graph shows the signal path of Tones 3 & 4.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.16 WAVE SETTINGS
1: List of waves of the selected Wave Group for the Tone selected.
2: Quick access to Tone Switch parameter of each Tone.
3: Tone that is currently displayed on the Editor. Right-click to copy/paste the selected Tone.
4: Select the number of Tones being edited simultaneously.
5.17 AMPLIFIER SETTINGS
1: This graph shows the amplitude envelope of the selected Tone. It can also show the
12 envelope contour of the other Tones.
5. USER INTERFACE
5.18 FILTER SETTINGS
1: This graph shows the filter envelope of the selected Tone. It can also show the envelope
contour of the other Tones.
2: This graph shows the shape of the filter response of the selected Tone.
5.19 PITCH SETTINGS
1: This graph shows the pitch envelope of the selected Tone. It can also show the envelope
contour of the other Tones.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.20 LFO SETTINGS
1: Those graphs shows the LFO shapes of the selected Tone.
5.21 CONTROL SOURCE SETTINGS
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.22 CC CONTROLLER SETTINGS
5.23 PATCH & RHYTHM LIBRARY
1 2
1: Open a bank file from your computer.
2: Create a new bank file. The bank will be filled with 128 Initial Patches.
3: Browse trough the banks of Patches and Rhythms available in your synthesizer or the
computer.
4: Two windows to operate with two simultaneous banks.
5: Drag & Drop between banks. The source can be any type of bank, while the destination
must be an external bank.
Right-click on any bank window to display a context menu that allows to copy, paste and
store patches, as well as creating new banks and saving banks from the synthesizer.
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5. USER INTERFACE
Request single patch from the synthesizer
· Each Part has a “GET” button. Click on it to request from the synthesizer the Patch loaded in
this Part.
Send single patch to the Synthesizer
· Each Part has a “SEND” button. Click on it to send to the synthesizer the Patch loaded in this
Part.
Load single Patch or Rhythm Set file
· To load a Patch or Rhythm Set from your computer, right-click on a Part button and select
“Load Patch” to select a file. The patch loaded is sent to the synthesizer automatically.
Save single Patch or Rhythm Set file
· To save a Patch or Rhythm Set to your computer, right-click on a Part button and select “Save
Patch As”.
Store single Patch or Rhythm Set in an External bank
· To store the Patch or Rhythm Set of the part selected bank, right-click on the desired cell of
the patch list of a loaded external bank and select “Store patch from current Part”.
Load Patch or Rhythm bank from the synthesizer
· Select the bank from one of the two Bank Select drop-down menus. If the bank selected is a
User or Card bank, wait until the patch list request is completed.
Load Patch or Rhythm bank file
· Select “External Bank” from one of the two Bank Select drop-down menus or click on
“OPEN” button to select a bank file.
Save Patch or Rhythm bank to file
· Right-click on the patch list of any loaded bank and select “Save Bank As” to store it on your
computer. The data transfer will take over 1 minute.
Save currently selected Pattern or Patch Data to file (Bulk Dump Send)
· Press “GET” button once. The button's label will change to “WAITING”
· Perform the Bulk Dump Send operation on the synthesizer.
· Once the dump has finished, press “WAITING” button to save the file.
Transmit Pattern and Patch Data from file (Bulk Dump Receive)
· Prepare the synthesizer to receive the bulk dump (OPTIONAL).
· Press “LOAD” button and select the file to transmit to the synthesizer. The data will be
transmitted to the currently selected Pattern.
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5. USER INTERFACE
As the GrooveBox Editor can work with Patch banks and Rhythm banks, any time you open a
bank, the Part selected will change according to the type of bank chosen.
Likewise, when you create a new bank, the Part selected will determine the type of bank that
is created.
Switching between the Rhythm Part and any Patch Part, and vice versa, will reset any bank
selected.
5.24 RHYTHM PART
To get access to the Rhythm Part, select part R.
1: Name of the Rhythm set loaded. Double-click to change it.
2: Quick access to each Rhythm Key's Switch parameter.
3: Click on any key of this keyboard to select the Rhythm Key to edit.
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.25 PARAMETER LOCKING
With Parameter Locking, you can choose groups of parameters that will not change when a
Patch is loaded or received in the GrooveBox Editor. This way you could, for instance, test a
predefined filter settings with multiple Patches just by locking the groups of filter parameters
and then loading different Patches. Or just the opposite, lock everything except the filter
groups and test a Patch with the filter settings of any Patch loaded or received afterwards.
These settings will affect any Part (except the Rhythm Part), not just the selected Part.
Remember to Unlock all sections once you have finished using this function.
1: Click this button to open the Parameter Lock window.
2: Click on any button to lock/unlock a group of parameters.
3: Click on the left buttons to lock/unlock a row of parameters.
4: Right-click to display a menu that allows to Lock/Unlock all sections and reverse the
current selection).
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5. USER INTERFACE
5.26 PATCH RANDOMIZER
GrooveBox Editor provides a Patch Randomizer with several functions to control the process.
It can be used in conjunction with Parameter Locking section to select which groups of
parameters will be randomized (from the whole Patch to just the Filter Envelope of Tone 2,
for instance).
You can also select the amount of randomization applied. Bigger values result in a greater
amount in the variation of the values for each randomized parameter.
The randomization process is always performed over the same “seed” or source Patch, to
ensure that no matter how many times the Patch is randomized, the result is consistent with
the seed and amount of randomization selected. By default, the seed is the INIT Patch. If you
want to use another seed, just click the “SEED” button at any moment to set the current
Patch of the selected Part as the new seed.
2
3
1
1: Amount of randomization.
2: Click to set the Patch of the current Part selected as the source of randomization.
3: Randomize the Patch of the current Part (except the Rhythm Part).
5.27 JOYSTICK
1 1: Click this button to open the Joystick Window.
With the Joystick, you can choose up to four parameters
from any part and modulate them in a vectorial style.
To add a parameter to the Joystick control, right-click on
the parameter (double right-click with drop down menu
parameters), select To Joystick and then choose the
zone you wish to use.
To remove a parameter from a zone of the Joystick,
right-click on the Joystick and select the zone to empty.
The joystick parameters can be automated when using
the GrooveBox Editor VST.
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