Index

Editing Controller Assignments

Controller Assignment Overview

Controller assignment is a powerful features of the GT-100.  If it seems confusing at first, that's not your fault because it is a bit complex. However, that complexity is by design and is intended to provide you with tools to make extremely unique sounds with your GT-100. It's a lot of functionality, so let's try to break it down into simple explanations of each part. The good news here is that there are really only two main parts, the GLOBAL and PATCH Modes. In just a few minutes, you should know how this controller stuff works. In the next decade or so, you will squeeze many unique sounds from your GT-100 by leveraging the power of the controller assignments. Or...maybe you just want a very simple setup where the controllers always do the same thing, every time, on every patch. That's easy too. However, by default, Roland ship the GT-100 in PATCH Mode and here's how they describe it in the owner's manual:

"When the GT-100 is shipped, each patch assigns the pedals to the functions that are most useful for that particular patch."

The GT-100 controllers include the CTL footswitch, EXP pedal and switch, GK knob, and GK S1/2 switches, whereby each can be independently configured to operate exclusively in one of two modes, either GLOBAL or PATCH. There are important differences in how these two controller modes operate and you need to understand how Controller Assignment Mode is set for each controller in order your use the controllers effectively. You can set the controller mode using the GT-100 FloorBoard Editor's System/Global > System Pedal and GK panel.

Important concepts to understand when setting the controller mode:
In short, I like to think of the controller assigns like this...
Not so hard, really. But, YOU have to decide which mode works best for you, for how and what you play, and for how you want the GT-100 to sound.

More information in the Owner's Manual: To set the control modes from the GT-100 itself, the Roland Owner's Manual includes a section titled "Making a Pedal Have the Same Operation for All Patches" that describes the GLOBAL level control assignments and another section titled "Changing the Pedal Assignments for Each Patch" that describes the PATCH level control assignments. Both sections tell you how to set these parameters using the GT-100's internal menus, provide examples, and provide lists of all of the available parameters and their ranges. The GT-100 FloorBoard Editor offers all of the same parameters as options that you select from the System/Global > System Pedal and GK and the ASSIGNS 1-8 panels.

GLOBAL Mode Configuration

To configure the controller assignment modes, open the editor's System/Global panel by clicking the SYSTEM button at the top of the editor's main panel:
 
System and Midi Global Buttons

The System/Global panel opens. To open the System Pedal and GK panel, click on the Select field (at the top) and pick the System Pedal and GK panel, which opens and looks like the following screenshot.

The System/Global > System Internal Pedal Panel

There are seven CONTROLLER sub-panels shown, each with a FUNCTION field from which you can select the function to assign to that control. The controls include:
IMPORTANT: The GLOBAL Mode settings override all conflicting PATCH controller assignment settings. To enable GLOBAL Mode, select the global FUNCTION for that control in the System/Global > System Pedal and GK panel to any setting except "Patch setting", which delegates PATCH level control to the specified controller as set in ASSIGNS 1-8.

In the screenshot above, the CTL Pedal FUNCTION is set to "Patch setting", which delegates control of the CTL Pedal to ASSIGNS 1-8, which you can enable or disable (set ON/OFF) using the ASSIGNS settings for each GT-100 patch. It's the combination of settings that determine the operation of the controllers. Remember, if the FUNCTION is set to "Patch setting" on this panel delegates, control delegates to patch via the ASSIGNS 1-8.

Example: GK Volume (and EXP Pedal) System/Global Control Functions

Note: Although this example uses the GK Volume control, the same "knob or potentiometer" FUNCTIONS can be controlled using the EXP Pedal (in while ON and OFF state). The CTL Pedal, EXP Pedal Switch, and GK 1 & 2 switches control other functions, and are explained separately in the next example.

There are multiple global FUNCTIONS that can be assigned to the GK Volume knob, including:
For example, in the screenshot above, the GK Volume is set to "Patch Volume", which means that the GK Volume knob controls the output level for ALL GT-100 patches, with the range set in the patch's TONE settings. You might think of this as a "global master volume" configuration. However, you may use a separate volume pedal or like to use the EXP Pedal for this function, in which case you would probably select another function for the GK Volume control, either globally or per patch. Some functions include parameter controls for that function, such as min/max knobs and value fields that determine the operating range for the control knob when configured.

CTL Pedal, EXP Pedal Switch, and GK 1 & 2 Switches System/Global Control Functions

For the CTL Pedal, EXP Pedal Switch, and GK 1 & 2 Switches, you can configure the following functions:
NOTE: In the list above, SW = switch, inc = increment, dec = decrement.

PATCH Mode Configuration

To configure the controller assignments in patch mode, you must first set the controller FUNCTION to "Patch setting", as described in the previous section on global mode settings and in the screenshot above, delegating that control to ASSIGNS 1-8, which you can enable or disable (set ON/OFF) using the ASSIGNS settings for each GT-100 patch. It's the combination of settings that determine the operation of the controllers. Remember, if the FUNCTION is set to "Patch setting" on the System/Global > System Pedal and GK panel, that control delegates to patch via the ASSIGNS 1-8. If the patch settings are complete, you can proceed to set the control ASSIGNS.

In PATCH Mode, controllers can have completely different functions for each GT-100 patch. For example, in PATCH Mode, you can set the CTL pedal so that in one patch the CTL Pedal can enable/disable a chorus effect and in another patch it can enable/disable a distortion effect. There are eight (8) separate PATCH Mode Controller ASSIGNS that can each be individually configured, and each patch can use any combination of the eight controller ASSIGNS. Use the ASSIGN ON/OFF switch to enable or disable an assign on a patch.

IMPORTANT: It is possible to configure PATCH Mode settings in ASSIGNS 1-8 that may contain parameters that conflict with other numbered ASSIGNS  1-8 settings or Global Control Mode settings, in which case if used together, you may experience unusual or even undesirable behavior.

Control ASSIGNS 1-8 Configuration

To open the ASSIGNS 1-8, click on one of the ASSIGN buttons at the top of the GT-100 FloorBoard Editor:

The ASSIGN Buttons

The ASSIGN buttons are also status indicators that are lit in patches where they are enabled (ON) and dark in patches where they are disabled (OFF). 

The following screenshot is of the Assign 1 panel. The Assign 2-8 panels look and work the same way, only they are numbered accordingly.

The Controller ASSIGNS Editor Panel

There are eight basic parameters per control assign, as follows:

NOTE: Although you can enable as many as all eight ASSIGNS to a patch, you should use caution configuring the ASSIGNS and enabling multiple ASSIGNS to avoid controller conflicts. Nothing prevents you from using several in combination, but you should be aware of the results for full user satisfaction. 

More information in the Owner's Manual: To set the control modes from the GT-100 itself, the Roland Owner's Manual includes a section titled "Making a Pedal Have the Same Operation for All Patches" that describes the GLOBAL level control assignments and another section titled "Changing the Pedal Assignments for Each Patch" that describes the PATCH level control assignments. Both sections tell you how to set these parameters using the GT-100's internal menus, provide examples, and provide lists of all of the available parameters and their ranges. The GT-100 FloorBoard Editor offers all of the same parameters as options that you select from the System/Global > System Pedal and GK and the ASSIGNS 1-8 panels.

ADVANCED: External MIDI CC Message Control of GT-100 Parameters

You can also use MIDI CC messages from DAW or MIDI control software or from external MIDI equipment to control parameters in GT-100 patches. External MIDI control of these parameters can be configured in the ASSIGNS panels, thus requiring patch level control assignments. To program the MIDI CC sending software or equipment, refer to its documentation. On the Assign 1-8 panels, select the corresponding "CC# Midi Controller"  SOURCE in the Assign n Source sub-panel. As always, watch for potential conflicts with your other assigns though!