Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Owner’s Manual
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland VGA-3 V-Guitar Amplifier.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS”
(page 2), “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (page 3–4), and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (page 5–6).
These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.
Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature provided by
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
IMPORTANT SAFTY INSTRUCTIONS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an CAUTION equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, The exclamation point within an equilateral
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
USING THE UNIT SAFELY The symbol alerts the user to important instructions Used for instructions intended to alert or warnings.The specific meaning of the symbol is the user to the risk of death or severe determined by the design contained within the injury should the unit be used triangle. In the case of the symbol at left, it is used for improperly. general cautions, warnings, or alerts to danger. Used for instructions intended to alert The symbol aler
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
012a: 101a • Immediately turn the power off, remove the • The unit should be located so that its location or power cord from the outlet, and request servicing position does not interfere with its proper venti- by your retailer, the nearest Roland Service lation. Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as .......................................................................................................... 102a listed on the “Information” sheet when: • Always
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
IMPORTANT NOTES 291b In addition to the items listed under “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” and “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” on pages 2 and 3–4, please read and observe the following: This unit is equipped with a protection circuit. The protection circuit helps ensure safety by operating when excessive input continues for a long time while the device is at a location with a high ambient temperature. Sound drop-out may occur when the protection circuit is actuated du
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
IMPORTANT NOTES Additional Precautions 551 • Please be aware that the contents of memory can be irretrievably lost as a result of a malfunction, or the improper operation of the unit. To protect yourself against the risk of loosing important data, we recommend that you periodically save a backup copy of important data you have writed on the paper. 552 • Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the contents of data that was stored in the unit’s memory once it has bee
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Contents IMPORTANT SAFTY INSTRUCTIONS .......... 2 MEMORY ...................................................... 21 Calling Up Memory..............................................................21 USING THE UNIT SAFELY ............................ 3 Changing the Memory Settings (Edit) ...............................21 IMPORTANT NOTES...................................... 5 Storing Knob and Button Settings to Memory (Write)....21 Confirming the Settings
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
Basic Operation Front Panel TUNER MANUAL Button Memory Buttons [1]–[10] This is a built-in chromatic tuner. Press [MANUAL], lighting the Used for calling up memories and storing indicator, when you want to operate settings. When you press the button, the the VGA-3 as you would a regular indicator lights, and the tuner is Calling up Memory analog amplifier, whereby you make activated. When the [A/B] button is not lighted, the new settings with the knobs, and memories numbered
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Basic Operation WRITE Button COSM (Compsite Object Sound Modeling) Press this button to store knob and button Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) is Roland’s innovative and settings to memory. powerful sound modeling technology. COSM analyzes the many factors that make up the original sound, such as the electrical and physical Procedure characteristics of the original, and then produces a digital model that can 1. Press [WRITE]. reproduce the same sound. 2. Press a Memory button
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Basic Operation Rear Panel fig.0020 FOOT SW Jack EXP PEDAL Jack This allows you to turn effects on and This allows you to control volume and wah off and to switch memories, etc. (p. 25). (EFX) and control the SYNTH LEAD or SYNTH PAD filters. EXT IN Jack This lets you input sounds from an external device. MIDI IN Connector Connecting a foot controller here * Although this jack is compatible with stereo allows you to use your foot to devices, sounds are output from the spea
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Settings for the GK Pickup (GK Setup) The tonal character of the VGA-3 (COSM Guitar) is greatly affected by how the divided pickup is installed. You need to enter the appropriate GK pickup settings (GK Setup) so as to minimize any tonal inconsistency that might arise from differences in how the divided pickup is installed. Be sure to redo the settings when you switch to a different guitar. Preparations for using the Basic Setting Procedure GK Pickup Follow this basic process to set
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Settings for the GK Pickup (GK Setup) The Type of Settings GK SETTING Settings GK DIRECTION Setting You can store three sets of settings in the VGA-3. This sets the direction of the GK pickup's installation. This conveniently allows you to prepare separate settings for 1. Rotate [GUITAR TYPE] to select a multiple number of guitars equipped with a GK pickup. “LP” (GK DIRECTION). fig.0022 2. Press the MEMORY button [1] or [2] to select the Set C direction in which the pickup is attached. GK DIR
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Settings for the GK Pickup (GK Setup) GK PHASE Setting GK SENS 6–1 Settings This matches the phase of the GK pickup's sound with the This sets the GK pickup sensitivity for each string and sound from the guitar's pickup. adjusts the volume balance between the strings. * If the phases are not matched, the sound from each source will 1. Set the GK pickup’s select switch to “SYNTH.” interfere with each other when mixed, altering the tonal 2. Rotate [GUITAR TYPE] to select qualities and volume l
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Settings for the GK Pickup (GK Setup) Finishing the GK SETUP GK LEVEL Setting This sets the level for the GK pickup sound and adjusts the 1. Press [TUNER]. volume balance with the sound from the guitar pickup. * The VGA-3 automatically stores the new value of a setting at the time the change is made. No separate action is needed to 1. Set the GK pickup’s select switch to “SYNTH.” save the settings. 2. Rotate [GUITAR TYPE] to select “SITAR” (GK LEVEL). 3. Press a MEMORY button [1]–[10] to set
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
COSM GUITAR This section provides an introduction to the characteristics of each of the guitars modeled. List of Guitar Types ELECTRIC SPECIAL ST SYNTH LEAD This is a solid body guitar with single coil pickups set in This is an analog synth sound that is suitable for lead and three positions. The characteristically clear and delicate solos. This features a fat tone with a boosted midrange. sound is used in many musical genres. “SYNTH FILTER” (p. 16) LP This is a solid body guitar with two separ
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
COSM GUITAR More Advanced Operation SYNTH FILTER With SYNTH LEAD or SYNTH PAD selected, you can use an optional expression pedal (EV-5; optional) to shift the synth filter. When using an expression pedal (EV-5; optional) to shift the synth filter, set EXP PEDAL MODE in the System Setup to [1] VOLUME/GK/WAH or [2] GK/WAH. “EXP PEDAL MODE Setting” (p. 25) POLY OCTAVE STRING SELECT When POLY OCTAVE is selected, you can then select the strings to which the octave sound is added. * As set at the
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
COSM AMPLIFIER This section provides an introduction to the characteristics of each modeled amp. The trademarks listed in this document are trademarks of their respective owners, which are separate companies from Roland. Those companies are not affiliated with Roland and have not licensed or authorized Roland‘s VGA-3. Their marks are used solely to identify the equipment whose sound is simulated by Roland’s VGA-3. List of Amp Types ACOUSTIC STACK This original amp that gives a flat response fr
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Effects This section provides an introduction to the characteristics of each effect. EFX Use the knob to switch to any of five different effects, CHORUS, FLANGER, PHASER, TREMOLO, or WAH. You can adjust the amount of effect applied according to the knob position. * The panel markings for CHORUS, FLANGER, PHASER, and TREMOLO are approximate. Check the sound of the effects as you make adjustments. The indicator is lit when EFX is on, and goes off when EFX is turned off. You can also use an optio
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Effects DELAY Use the knob to switch to any of three different Delay, CLEAR, WARM, or DOUBLING. You can adjust the amount of effect applied according to the knob position. * The panel markings for CLEAR, WARM, and DOUBLING are approximate. Check the sound of the effects as you make adjustments. The indicator is lit when Delay is on, and goes off when Delay is turned off. You can also use an optional foot switch (BOSS FS- 5U) to switch Delay on and off. “FOOT SW (FS1/FS2) Setting” (p. 25) CLEAR
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Effects REVERB Use the knob to switch to any of two different Reverb, PLATE, or SPRING. You can adjust the amount of effect applied according to the knob position. * The panel markings for PLATE, and SPRING are approximate. Check the sound of the effects as you make adjustments. PLATE This simulates a plate reverb (reverb unit that uses the vibrations of a metal plate). Provides a bright reverberation with an extended high end. fig.0150 SPRING Simulates a spring reverb (a reverb unit that
