Getting Started with Roland Visual MT

Kimberly C. Walls, May 5, 2001

  1. What you need to know first
  2. Installing on a Windows computer
  3. Checking your MIDI setup
  4. The Panel View
  5. Opening and playing sequences
  6. Things you can do with MIDI


What you need to know first

The Visual MT Music Tutor program was developed by Roland and is designed for practicing pre-recorded piano compositions.

The software includes the Virtual Sound Canvas which enables GS sounds on a computer. The computer audio output can be sent to a Roland digital piano audio input.  The platforms supported are Windows 9x on a Pentium or better.

A special cable is included to connect the computer to a Digital Piano with Computer Connector. A MIDI interface can be used to connect the computer to a Digital Piano and a GS Sound Generator.

Installing on a Windows computer
Make sure that your MIDI drivers are installed and that the MIDI settings in Windows Multimedia Control Panel are correct. Also, make sure that any keyboard you may use for input or playback is turned on, connected, and has the correct settings. (General MIDI mode on.)
Insert the installer CD-ROM. Follow the instructions as they appear. If you are using external devices, read the manual first.
Checking your MIDI setup
Start Visual MT
Use the Options -> Connection Setup menu to open the Connection Setup Dialog. If you are NOT using any external instruments, only your computer to play back,  your dialog settings should look like this:
 

If you are using external MIDI keyboards, etc., then your dialog settings should look like this

Click on the More button to choose your input and output devices. The setup shown below will allow you to play the virtual piano and hear the virutal Sound Canvas.


 

Make sure the volume is up on your sound care and that speakers or headphones are attached and turned on and up.
 

The Panel View
The Panel View represents a Roland MT hardware sequencer.

The transport buttons at the bottom are obvious.
The Song button operates the file commands such as open, save, delete, etc.
Click the measure button to move to a given measure.
Tempo buttons change the tempo.
The Metronome sets up the tempo and metronome settings.
Transpose button changes sound and notation.
Marker buttons set or jump to marked sections or loops between two markers.
Repeat loops playback.
Markers sets, moves, and clears markers.
R, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are used to mute tracks.
Count In and Metronome play count off and metronome.
If a marked section is set to be repeated, the Reset button goes to the loop beginning, otherwise the song beginning.

Use these buttons to select the Panel View, Staff Display View, Exercise View, Sound View, or Practice Metronome.

Opening and playing sequences
Visual MT can play Standard MIDI files and files saved from Roland Digital Pianos and MT, HP-G, and KR hardward sequencers. The format of computer floppy disks differs from the Roland format, so Roland disks should be write-protected  before being inserted into a computer.

Use the File menu -> Select Song and navigate to the desired file. Highlight it and click OK.
The Transport buttons may be used to play the files (sequences).

Things you can do with MIDI