General

 

Q: Can I use [power supply name] to power my AdrenaLinn III? What are the power requirements?

A: There are too many power supplies on the market for us to keep up with. However, you can use any power supply that meets AdrenaLinn III's requirements:

    • 9 volts DC

    • at least 500 milliamps

    • plug dimensions of 12mm long by 5.5mm outside diameter by 2.1mm inside diameter, center pin positive.

       (This is important-- if you connect a center-negative supply like those from Roland, it could damage your AdrenaLinn III).

If you have lost your AdrenaLinn power supply, you can order a replacement supply from our online store.

 

Q: I've lost one or more of my knobs. Can I get more?

A: You can buy a set of 4 replacement knobs from our online store.

 

Q: Why doesn’t the drumbeat start playing exactly when I hit the Start footswitch?

A: The Start footswitch actually starts the drumbeat when you release it. This is the only way AdrenaLinn III can know the difference between briefly tapping and holding the switch (which decrements the preset). To get around this, press the foot switch one 1/8 note before you intend to start, then release it on the downbeat. Be careful not to hold it too long, because holding it ½ second causes the preset to decrement. Another way is to disable the foot switch’s hold function; this will cause its tap function (start/stop) to actuate on the down stroke. See “Assigning foot switches (panel or MIDI)” in the System section for more information. A third way is to use the "Intro" function: press the right foot switch, then quickly press the left one. This will play four 1/4 note hihats before the beat starts.

 

Q: Can I reassign the foot switches to turn specific effects on/ off?

A:  Yes. The EFFECT foot switch can be uniquely assigned for each preset using the Effect Switch setting in the Amp/Pedals rows. It is also possible to reassign both the normal and held function of both foot switches globally. This is done with the Foot Switch Source and Foot Switch Destination parameters in the System row.

 

Q: How do I learn what software version I'm running? What's the latest version and what are the changes?

A: In the AdrenaLinn III Support page, click the "AdrenaLinn III Software Versions" button.

 

Q: How to I initialize all settings in the AdrenaLinn III to factory status?

A: While holding both foot switches, connect power. Continue to hold both until you see “ini” in the display, then release. Warning: this will erase all user data. For more information, see “Initialization” in the Appendix.

 

Q: How do I access those tiny italicized settings?

A: Press the UP and DOWN arrow buttons simultaneously to toggle between the primary settings and the tiny italicized settings. For more info, see the section “Details Settings” in the Quick Start chapter.

 

Q: The drumbeat changes whenever I select a preset. How do I stop this?

A: Hold the MAIN button for ½ second so that the lower MAIN light goes on. Then turn the second knob (Preset Sets Drumbeat) to the left so that it shows “Off”.

 

Q: Can I chain drumbeats together to make a song?

A: No, the AdrenaLinn III's drum machine is a simple one, intended mainly to provide a timing reference for the beat-synced effects.

 

 

Sound processing

 

Q: Can I use the AdrenaLinn III in the effects loop of my guitar amp? Or where should I connect it in my effects order?

A: AdrenaLinn III's audio in and outputs process audio, whether inserted between your guitar and amp, in your amp's effects loop, or inserted in your recording console's signal path. So whether you place it in your effects or what position you place it in your stomp box order is a matter of your personal taste. For example, if you are mainly using A3's filter effects, it's similar to asking where in your effects chain you wish to put a wah pedal; placing it before a distortion pedal will sound different than placing it after. Given that AdrenaLinn III contains delay, reverb and drumbeats, most people tend to place it at the end of their effects chain or in their amp's effects loop. Also, given that AdrenaLinn III provides most of the effects found in other pedals, many customers don't use any other pedals. In fact, a large number of customers like AdrenaLinn III's amp models so much that they don't use their guitar amps, choosing instead to connect A3's outputs directly into recording consoles or, in live performance, a high-fidelity powered monitor. The only technical issue to be aware of is that you should set the A3's INPUT LEVEL control so that the CLIP light only goes on when you play very hard, and set A3's VOLUME setting to the right level for whatever its output is driving.

 

Q: Is the Tuner/Bypass mode a hardware bypass?

A: No. If we had used a hardware bypass circuit, then the drumbeats would be silenced every time you switched on Tuner/Bypass. Instead, turning on Tuner/Bypass acts the same as setting all five of AdrenaLinn III effects processors to off (Mod On, Amp On, Comp On, Delay On and Reverb On): the guitar signal is digitally mixed with the drumbeats and passed directly to the outputs. Note that the noise gate is active while Tuner/Bypass is on.

 

Q: Can I separate the drum sound from the guitar sound?

A: Yes. Press and hold the main button to access the secondary Main functions. Turn the fourth knob ("Mix /SEP") all the way to the right to select "SEP" This will route the drumbeat to the right output and the instrument (preset) to the left.

 

Q: Can I globally turn off the drums?

A: Yes. Press and hold the main button for 1/2 second to change the VOLUME knob to its Mix / Separate Outs function, which is a balance control between the instrument and the drumbeat signals. Turn it all the way to the left so it says i50, meaning all instrument and no drums.

 

Q: I can hear the drums but no guitar sound? Why?

A: Check the following:

1) Press and hold the main button for 1/2 second to change the VOLUME knob to its Mix / Separate Outs function, which is a balance control between instrument and drum machine signals. Set it to "EqU" (equal) at the middle of its range.

2) Do you hear sound on other presets? If so, check the Amp Volume for that preset.

3) If you turn the little Input Level knob up all the way and play, does the CLIP light go on? If not, check your guitar cable and guitar output.

 

Q: I can hear the guitar sound but no drums? Why?

A: Check the following:

1) Press and hold the main button for 1/2 second to change the VOLUME knob to its Mix / Separate Outs function, which is a balance control between instrument and the drum machine signals. Set it to "EqU" (equal) at the middle of its range.

2) The selected drumbeat may be blank. Select a different one..

3) If only one drumbeat is silent, check the Drums Volume control.

 

Q: I just got the AdrenaLinn III and plugged it into my guitar amp and when I play through it, it has too much treble. What's wrong?

A: Because most AdrenaLinn III customers use the product in the recording process or with a flat-response sound system, the presets are  optimized for this setup and therefore include amp modeling. If you use AdrenaLinn III before your guitar amp, the treble will tend to sound harsher because the amp modeling and your guitar amp both tend to boost treble. If using AdrenaLinn III with a guitar amp, you may wish to turn amp modeling off for the presets you intend to use. The next FAQ describes how to do this. 

 

Q: Can I turn off amp modeling globally (for all presets)?

A: Sorry, no. You must turn it off individually for each preset. To do so, select a preset, change AMP ON to Off, then save the preset.

 

Q: What amplification do you recommend I play my AdrenaLinn through when I play live?

A: If you’re only using AdrenaLinn’s filter modulation effects and not the amp models, then use the guitar amp you like best because it’s really an issue of personal taste. Filter effects are similar to wah pedal effects, so if you like a certain amp with wah pedal, chances are you’ll like the same amp with AdrenaLinn’s filter effects.

However, if you’re using AdrenaLinn’s amp models, then you might consider a full-range powered monitor because it faithfully reproduces the intended sound of the amp modeling product, just like recording direct. This is true for any amp modeler—running an amp modeler through a real guitar amp is akin to running a Fender amp through a Marshall; you might like how it sounds but it won’t sound like a Fender. The point is that guitar amps always color the sound and never faithfully reproduce the guitar’s sound, which is a good thing and the reason you bought the amp. And every great-sounding guitar amp colors the sound in a different and uniquely good way. AdrenaLinn and other modelers have an “amp” mode which attempts to compensate for this coloring, but it’s really impossible to compensate for the unique coloration of each guitar amp you might be running your modeler into.

I (Roger) prefer to run my AdrenaLinn III through a Mackie SRM450, which is a high-quality powered 12" stage monitor. The JBL EON powered monitors are also good for this. These are the closest stage monitors I've found to a studio monitor.

The bottom line is this: If running your guitar through any amp modeler before your guitar amp sounds good to you, don’t change a thing. However, if you want to hear an amp modeler’s sound as it was intended to be heard, use a flat-response powered monitor.

 

Q: How can I get the sound John Mayer used on his song "Heartbreak Warfare"?

A: John Mayer is pretty much our hero here at Roger Linn Design, having prominently used AdrenaLinn on "Bigger Than My Body", AdrenaLinn II on "I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You" and now AdrenaLinn III on "Heartbreak Warfare". Here are two YouTube videos (1 and 2) of him playing Heartbreak Warfare, with convenient guitar close-ups. As you can see, the part he's playing is very simple, letting AdrenaLinn III's 1/8 Note Sawtooth Filter Modulation and Dotted 1/8 Note Delay do the heavy lifting. Here's how to set up your AdrenaLinn III to get the same sound:

 

* Select AdrenaLinn III's preset 82.

* Select AdrenaLinn III's drumbeat 28.

* Set the tempo to 97.

* Turn your guitar's tone control down to minimum or nearly minimum.

 

Here's how he plays the guitar part on the intro and verses:

 

* On the 2nd 1/8 note of each bar, softly play the G string on the 14th fret.

* On the 3rd 1/8 note of each bar, softly play the B string on the 17th fret.

 

Let both strings ring out for the duration of the bar. This same part works over both the A and D chords played by the other musicians. For the F# minor section ("If you want more love, why don't you say so?"), the part is:

 

* 1st bar: Fm chord, played as 4th fret of D string + 2nd fret of G string + 2nd fret of B string.

* 2nd bar: Asus chord, played as open A string + 2nd fret of D string + 2nd fret of G string + open B string.

* 3rd & 4th bar: D Ma7 chord, played as open D string + 2nd fret of G string + 2nd fret of B string.

 

For all three of these chords, play the lowest string of the chord on the start of each bar, and the other notes of the chord on the 2nd 1/4 note of each bar. Let the notes sustain for the duration of each bar, then repeat these 4 bars once before going back to the verse section. There's a third part, but we'll leave it up to you figure that one out.

 

We can't lay claim to the Jeff-Beck-like tone he achieved for the solo, but preset 50 isn't too far off if you reduce your guitar volume for a clearer tone.

 

Q: How can I get the sounds John Mayer used on his song "I Don't Trust Myself (with Loving You)"?

A: To get the pulsing filter sound used on the opening chord riff, set PRESET to 73.

To get the auto-wah sound used on the melody line that follows the opening chord riff, set Preset to 160.

To get the drumbeat, Set Drumbeat to 1 and Tempo to 84.

 

Q: Sometimes my unit stops outputting all sound, and the only way to restore sound is to turn power off and on. How can I fix this?

A: This seems to be due to the fact that AdrenaLinn's hardware is more sensitive to high static electricity shocks than we'd prefer. At this time the only solution we have is to avoid touching the two foot switches with bare fingers--or perhaps shield them with tape--while high levels of static electricity are in the air. Sorry we don't yet have a better answer.

 

 

 

MIDI and Sync

 

Q: How can I make AdrenaLinn III play in sync to my human drummer?

 

A: Many AdrenaLinn III owners assume that by merely setting A3's tempo (by tapping in the tempo or setting it manually) to match the drummer's tempo then starting the A3 on the downbeat, the A3 should play in sync to the drummer. While this may work for setting the delay time on audio delay pedals or setting the speed of tremolo pedals, the fast transitions in A3's filter sequences or random filter effects require far greater timing accuracy. As a result, using this method will result in the drummer slipping out of sync with the A3 within a few bars because humans just can't maintain perfect tempo accuracy like the computer in the A3 can, and the A3 isn't able to listen to the human drummer and adjust to his tempo variations. There are only 2 ways to use AdrenaLinn III live in sync to your human drummer without the audience hearing the A3's drumbeat. Here they are:

 

Method #1-- Drummer plays in sync to A3's drumbeat, which only goes to the drummer's headpones. This is the best method to insure perfect sync between the drummer and A3:

1) Set "Mix / Sep Outs" parameter setting to "SEP", which sends guitar signal to left output and drumbeat signal to right output.

2) Send A3's right output (containing only drumbeats) to drummer's phones but not to audience sound system.

3) Drummer plays in time to A3's drumbeat. Because A3's drumbeat and beat-synced effects are always in sync, A3's beat-synced effects will be in perfect sync to the drummer. If desired, the drummer can use A3's Count In feature (pressing right foot switch quickly followed by left foot switch) to hear a 1-bar count in before it's drumbeat and filter sequences start playing.

4) Optional: Drummer uses his own drum machine to generate the drumbeats, and sends MIDI Clock from his drum machine to A3 so that A3 is in sync with it.

 

Method #2-- A3 plays in sync to the drummer, requiring the guitarist to occasionally press a foot switch to resync the A3's bar start to the drummer. Note that this method is cumbersome because you must step on the foot switch to resync every few bars during a performance, and also hope that your timing is very accurate in stepping on the foot switch. Here's how to do it:

1) Set "Mix / Sep Outs" parameter setting to "P50", which reduces the drumbeat volume to silence.

2) Using the Foot Switch Source and Foot Switch Destination parameters (manual page 66), reassign the left foot switch to "Restart":

 

A) Set "Foot Switch Source" to "LF", then set "Foot Switch Destination" to "rES" (restart).

B) Disable the HOLD function of the left foot switch by setting "Foot Switch Source" to "LFh", then setting "Foot Switch Destination" to "---" (no assignment). Here's why: In order to have both normal (pressed brielfly) and HOLD functions, the foot switches triggered when released. However, the Restart function must trigger on the down press of the switch for perfect timing. To trigger on the down stroke, you must remove the same foot switch's HOLD assignment. This is explained on page 69 of the manual.

C) Disable the HOLD function of the right foot switch by setting "Foot Switch Source" to "rFh", then setting "Foot Switch Destination" to "---" (no assignment). As with step B above, this makes the right foot switch trigger on the down stroke.

3) Before starting to play, set A3's tempo to the drummer's tempo by tapping four 1/4 notes on the right foot switch (Tap Tempo).

4) Press the left foot switch (Restart) exactly at the start of the bar in sync to the drummer. This will resync the A3's bar start to the drummer's bar start. You can start playing at the same time.

5) Every few bars, the A3 will gradually slip out of sync with the drummer. This is because the A3 cannot hear the drummer and because the drummer doesn't have perfect timing like the A3's computer. When they do, resync them by repeating step 4. The LED at the left foot switch will blink the tempo.

 

Q: What MIDI pedal board do you recommend?

A: On the main AdrenaLinn III product page, there's a link near the bottom about a pedalboard solution.

 

Q: Do you know of a single MIDI expression pedal?

A: We're not aware of any single MIDI expression pedal on the market. However, the MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller accepts a 1/4" jack from most analog expression pedals and converts the pedal movements into MIDI controller data. It comes with programming software to assign it to different CC numbers and more, but by default it converts pedal movements into MIDI CC 7 on MIDI channel 1. The other problem is that it must receive power over MIDI from another device connected to its MIDI input, which the AdrenaLinn III does not provide.

 

Q: My MIDI Program Change pedal is only able to select presets 0-99. How do I get it to select presets 100-199?

A: The PROGRAM CHANGE parameter allows you to select whether incoming MIDI Program Change messages will be used to select presets 0-99, presets 100-199, drumbeats 0-99, or drumbeats 100-199. See this section of the manual for details.

 

Q: I don't think my MIDI IN (or MIDI OUT) is working? How can I test it?

A: Yes. Set the SYNC setting (in the SYSTEM row) to "i-o" (send and receive MIDI clock). Now connect a MIDI cable from the AdrenaLinn III's MIDI OUT to it's MIDI IN. Then press START. The drumbeat should start playing at a wildly fast tempo because the MIDI clock is feeding back. You've now proven that the AdrenaLinn III is correctly responding to incoming MIDI clock.

 

Q: Can I trigger the drum sounds from MIDI?

A: Yes, using the MIDI Drums setting in the System row.

 

Q: Where can I download the AdrenaLinn III MIDI Specification?

A: Go to our web site (www.rogerlinndesign.com), select the Support menu then the Downloads option.

 

Q: Is there any MIDI editing software available for AdrenaLinn III?

A: On the main AdrenaLinn III product page, there's a link near the bottom about a MIDI editor solution.

 

Q: The tempo changes whenever I select a drumbeat. How do I stop this?

A: Hold the MAIN button for ½ second so that the lower MAIN light goes on. Then turn the third knob (Tempo Source) to the left so that it shows “SYS”. This is explained further in the “The 4 Secondary Main Settings” in the “Quick Start” Chapter of the manual.

 

Q: I don't understand MIDI. Can you recommend a "Midi for dummies" web site?

A: Here is a nice site that gives a simplified explanation of midi.