Alesis Sr 16 Instruction Manual

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NEED TO DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR SR-16 DRUM MACHINE NO DETAILS - Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine question. Search Fixya. Browse Categories Answer Questions. Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine. NEED TO DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR SR-16 DRUM MACHINE. NO DETAILS Posted by janaan on Feb 02, 2009. Want Answer 0. Clicking this will make. TV and television manuals and free pdf instructions. Find the user manual you need for your TV and more at ManualsOnline. Page 4 of Alesis Projection Television SR-16 User Guide ManualsOnline.com. GETTING STARTED WITH TTIE SR.16 The SR-15 can be used on many levels, from simply playing preset Pattems to cr€atint your own complex polyrhythms in odd time signatureg' As a restrlt, thele are two rumuals. This mini-manual will acquaint you with a few of the SR-16 s most important functions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................

1

1.1

WELCOME TO THE SR-16DRUM MACHINE!................................................................

1

1.1A

If You Just Can't Wait…...................................................................................1

1.1B

SR-16Quick Description................................................................................

1

1.1C

About this Manual..........................................................................................

1

1.1D

Return Your Warranty Card Now!.....................................................................

2

1.2 GROUND RULES.........................................................................................................

2

1.2A

The Pattern/Song Recording Method.............................................................

2

1.2B

The Four Different Types of Patterns...............................................................

3

1.2C

How 'Looping' Simplifies Recording...............................................................

4

1.2D What's a Voice?..............................................................................................

4

1.2E

About Defaults...............................................................................................

4

1.2F

Physical Layout..............................................................................................

5

1.2G Display Layout...............................................................................................

6

1.2H

Text Protocols...............................................................................................

6

1.3 IMPORTANT

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SR-16.............................................................

7

1.3A

Entering Numbers..........................................................................................

7

1.3B

The Cursor....................................................................................................

7

1.3C

Leading Zeroes.............................................................................................

7

1.3D

Automatic Revert...........................................................................................

7

1.3E

The INC/DEC Buttons....................................................................................

7

1.3F

Buttons that Toggle........................................................................................

8

1.4

10 STEPS TO INSTANT GRATIFICATION (SETUP AND CHECKOUT).............................

8

CHAPTER 2: RECORD SETUP ......................................................

10

2.1

PAGE 1: SELECT THE QUANTIZATION VALUE (QUANTIZE SELECT)...........................

10

2.2

PAGE 2: SELECT THE SWING VALUE (SWING SELECT)..............................................

11

2.3

PAGE 3: ENABLE CLICK (METRONOME) AND SET RHYTHM (CLICK SELECT).............

12

2.4

PAGE 4: SET CLICK (METRONOME) VOLUME (CLICK VOL).........................................

12

2.5

PAGE 5: ADJUST VELOCITY RESPONSE (VELOCITY)................................................

13

2.6

PAGE 6: ADD/REMOVE BEATS FROM PATTERN END (LENGTH).................................

14

2.7

PAGE 7: ADD/REMOVE BEATS FROM PATTERN BEGINNING (‘START)........................

14

2.8

PAGE 8: OFFSET A PATTERN OR DRUM PART...........................................................

15

2.9

PAGE 9: STEP MODE RECORDING (STEP MODE).......................................................

15

2.9A

Add a New Drum to a Step..............................................................................

17

2.9B

Erase a Drum Sound From a Step....................................................................

17

2.9C

Change a Drum Sound's Volume in a Given Step.............................................

17

2.9D

Exit Step Mode..............................................................................................

17

2.10 PAGE 10: NAME THE PATTERN (NAME)....................................................................

17

CHAPTER 3: PLAYING BACK/RECORDING PATTERNS.................

18

3.1 PLAYBACK/RECORD BASICS.....................................................................................

18

3.1A

The Dual-PurposeFill Button..........................................................................

18

3.1B

Perform/Compose Modes..............................................................................

18

3.1C

Set Pattern Tempo.........................................................................................

19

3.1D

Select Individual Patterns...............................................................................

19

3.1E

Stop/Restart a Pattern....................................................................................

19

3.1F

Using the Start/Stop Footswitch......................................................................

20

3.1G Select New Patterns While in Perform (Playback) Mode....................................

20

3.1H

Select Fill Patterns in Perform (Playback) Mode................................................

21

3.1I

Record a Pattern..............................................................................................

22

3.1J

Select New Patterns and Fills While in Compose (Record) Mode........................

22

3.1K

Using Fill to Create Repetitive Drum Hits..........................................................

23

3.2

ERASE FUNCTIONS....................................................................................................

24

3.2A

Erase Mistakes While Recording.....................................................................

24

3.2B

Erase an Entire Pattern...................................................................................

24

3.2C Erase All Events Played by a Particular Drum Pad.........................................................

24

3.3

COPY FUNCTIONS......................................................................................................

25

3.3A

Copy, Append, and Double Patterns...............................................................

25

3.3B Copy (Merge) One Drum Pad's Part to Another Drum Pad (SoundStacking™)....

25

3.3C Copy a Single Drum Pad's Part to a Drum Pad in a Different Pattern....................

26

3.3D

Copy a Pattern to Another SR-16Via MIDI........................................................

26

3.3E Copy a Single Drum Pad's Part to a Drum Pad in Another SR-16Via MIDI............

27

3.3F Copy a Drum Set to Another SR-16Via MIDI.....................................................

27

CHAPTER 4: CREATING DRUM SETS............................................

28

4.1

PAGE 1: SELECT DRUM SET (DRUMSET SELECT)......................................................

28

4.2

PAGE 2: ASSIGN SOUNDS TO PADS...........................................................................

29

4.3

PAGE 3: SET PAD VOLUME (VOLUME).......................................................................

29

4.4

PAGE 4: SET PAD STEREO POSITION (PANNING).......................................................

30

4.5

PAGE 5: SET PAD TUNING (TUNING)............................................................................

31

4.6

PAGE 6: SET TRIGGERING MODE (ASN MODE)............................................................

31

4.7

PAGE 7: CHOOSE OUTPUT JACKS (OUTPUT).............................................................

32

4.8

PAGE 8: SAVE DRUM SET (SAVE SET).......................................................................

33

4.9

PAGE 9: MANUAL DRUM SET OVERRIDE (SET MODE)................................................

34

CHAPTER 5: SONG MODE.............................................................

35

5.1

SONG MODE BASICS..................................................................................................

35

5.1A

Select Songs and Enter/Exit Song Mode........................................................

35

5.1B

Set Song Tempo...........................................................................................

35

5.1C

Continue, Re-start,or Jump to Next Song Step................................................

36

5.1D

'Loop' a Pattern Indefinitely...........................................................................

36

5.1E

Start from the Middle of a Song.......................................................................

36

5.1F Name a Song (NAME).....................................................................................

36

5.1G Change Song Tempo as the SR-16Plays........................................................

37

5.2

REAL TIME SONG CREATION......................................................................................

37

5.2A

Real Time Song Editing..................................................................................

37

5.3

MANUAL SONG CREATION.........................................................................................

38

5.3A

Enter a Pattern...............................................................................................

38

5.3B

Add a Fill........................................................................................................

38

5.3C

Remove a Fill.................................................................................................

38

5.3D

Insert a New Step Between Two Existing Song Steps......................................

38

5.3E

Delete a Step.................................................................................................

38

5.3F

Replace a Step...............................................................................................

39

5.3G

Erase an Entire Song.....................................................................................

39

5.3H

Copy a Song to Itself (Double Song Length)....................................................

39

5.4I Copy a Song to Another Song

(or to the End of Another Song If That Song is Not Empty).........................................

39

5.4J

Copy a Song to Another SR-16Via MIDI...........................................................

40

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SETUP .............................................................

41

6.1

PAGE 1: SELECT MIDI CHANNEL (MIDI CH)..................................................................

41

6.2

PAGE 2: RECEIVE MIDI DRUM NOTES (DRUM IN).........................................................

42

6.3

PAGE 3: TRANSMIT MIDI DRUM NOTES (DRUM OUT)...................................................

42

6.4

PAGE 4: ASSIGN MIDI NOTE NUMBERS TO DRUM PADS (NOTE).................................

43

6.5

PAGE 5: ACCEPT EXTERNAL CLOCK DATA (CLOCK IN)..............................................

44

6.6

PAGE 6: SEND CLOCK DATA TO OTHER DEVICES (CLOCKOUT)................................

44

6.7

PAGE 7: MERGE MIDI IN WITH MIDI OUT (MIDITHRU)......................................................

45

6.8

PAGE 8: SELECT DRUM SETS VIA MIDI PROGRAM CHANGES (PRG CHNG).................

46

6.9

PAGE 9: MAP DRUM NOTES (NOTE MAP)....................................................................

46

CHAPTER 7: BACKUP....................................................................

48

7.1

BACKUP BASICS........................................................................................................

48

7.2

TAPE INTERFACE HOOKUP........................................................................................

49

7.3 PAGE 1: SEND DATA AS MIDI TO A MIDI SYS EX STORAGE DEVICE

(SEND OUT MIDI?)..............................................................................................................

49

7.4

RECEIVE DATA DIRECTLY FROM ANOTHER MIDI DEVICE...........................................

50

7.5

PAGE 2: SAVE ALL MEMORY CONTENTS TO TAPE (STORE TO TAPE?).....................

51

7.6

PAGE 3: VERIFY DATA RECORDED ON TAPE (VERIFY TAPE?)....................................

51

7.7

PAGE 4: LOAD DATA FROM TAPE (LOAD IN TAPE?)....................................................

52

7.8

PAGE 5: LOAD ONE PATTERN FROM TAPE (LOAD IN PATT).......................................

53

7.9

PAGE 6: LOAD ONE SONG FROM TAPE (LOAD IN SONG)............................................

53

7.10 PAGE 7: CHECK AVAILABLE MEMORY (FREE MEM).................................................

54

7.11 CLEAR MEMORY/RE-INITIALIZEPARAMETERS........................................................

55

7.12 CHECK SOFTWARE VERSION..................................................................................

55

CHAPTER 8: APPLICATIONS.........................................................

56

8.1

MIDI SYNC APPLICATIONS..........................................................................................

56

8.1A

SR-16As MIDI Timing Master..........................................................................

56

8.1B

SR-16as MIDI Timing Slave.............................................................................

57

8.1C

Synching to Synthesizer Sequencers.............................................................

57

8.2

STRATEGIES FOR ASSEMBLING PATTERNS AND SONGS.........................................

58

8.2A

Create Fills Quickly with the Copy Function......................................................

58

8.2B

Assemble Short Patterns into Longer Patterns with the Copy Function.............

58

8.2C Save Memory Through Song Steps................................................................

58

8.2D

Odd Time Signatures.....................................................................................

58

8.3

SOUND STACKING......................................................................................................

59

8.3A

Basics...........................................................................................................

59

8.3B

Sound Stacking via MIDI.................................................................................

59

8.3C

Sound Stacking when Using the SR-16as a Drum Machine..............................

59

8.3D

Editing Stacked Combinations........................................................................

59

8.4

UNDERSTANDING RHYTHMIC NOTATION....................................................................

60

CHAPTER 9: MIDI SUPPLEMENT...................................................

61

9.1

MIDI BASICS................................................................................................................

61

9.1A

MIDI Hardware................................................................................................

61

9.1B

About Sequencing........................................................................................

62

9.2

MIDI CHANNEL MESSAGES.........................................................................................

62

9.2A

Voice Messages............................................................................................

62

9.2B

Mode Messages............................................................................................

63

9.3

SYSTEM COMMON MESSAGES..................................................................................

63

9.4

BOOKS ON MIDI..........................................................................................................

63

9.5

VIDEOS ON MIDI..........................................................................................................

64

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART.........................................................

66

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 WELCOME TO THESR-16DRUM MACHINE!

1.1A If You Just Can't Wait…

Turn to section 1.4, 10 Steps to Instant Gratification, and start making sounds. Some of the terms in that section may not make sense, but just follow the instructions, and get ready to hear some great grooves and have a good time. When you're ready to learn more, return to the beginning to learnSR-16basics.

The goal of the SR-16'sdesign team has been to create a musical instrument, not a computer that happens to make sounds. They thank you for your confidence in this product, and hope that you find theSR-16a rewarding tool forself-expressionthat stimulates your creativity (and tickles your fancy).

1.1B SR-16Quick Description

The SR-16includes over 230high-fidelitydrum/percussion sounds, and is easy to operate. As you tap the 12 drum pads (each of which can be assigned to any of the available sounds), theSR-16'son-boardcomputer records exactly when you triggered the drum sound and the dynamics of your playing. You can play back the part, and edit it in various ways.

Data is retained in memory even if the power is turned off. If the memory fills up with drum Patterns and Songs, this data can be saved permanently to standard cassettes, or to MIDI System Exclusive storage devices.

The SR-16also includes a library of preset rhythm Patterns prepared by professional drummers for those who want to start creating Songs in the fastest and easiest way possible.

1 . 1C About this Manual

The manual takes you through every function of the SR-16in the following order:

1.Introduction: Gives the basic ground rules and also covers how to play back drum parts.

2.Record Setup: Tells how to set up theSR-16to record and edit drum parts.

3.Playing Back and Recording Drum Patterns: Put theory into practice and come up with some drum parts. Includes material on copying and erasing.

4.Creating and Modifying Drum Sets: TheSR-16includes 50 Preset 'drum sets' with particular choices of sounds, tuning, panning, level, etc. However, you can also create and modify your own. Each Pattern can have its own associated Drum Set .

5. Song mode: Now that you have a bunch of Patterns, string them together into Songs.

6. MIDI Setup: Here's how to use theSR-16as part of a MIDI system.

7.Backup: Now that you've come up with some great Songs and rhythm Patterns, it's time to save them to a cassette recorder or MIDI system exclusive storage device.

8. Applications: This additional information will help you get the most out of theSR-16.

9. MIDI Supplement: This brief,entry-levelexplanation of MIDI explains the basic theory behind the MIDI protocol.

Feel free to cover topics in a different order. For example, if creating a whacked-outDrum Set is important to you, read the Drum Set section before you start recording. If you come up with a great tune, skip ahead to the Backup section so that you don't accidentally erase the tune or otherwise lose it. If you only want to use theSR-16as a MIDI expander module, then the MIDI Setup section might be a priority.

Experts as well as beginners should read the following 'ground rules' (definitions, concepts, and how to communicate with the SR-16)very carefully. TheSR-16is easy to use, but only if you read and understand these basic principles.

Certain subjects, such as quantization and output assignments, will be familiar to experienced drum machine users but new concepts to others. As a result, some sections contain background material tailored specifically for beginners. These sections are identified as 'background' and set in a smaller type size.

1 . 1 D Return Your Warranty Card Now!

Your warranty will be in effect and you will receive product update information only if you send in your warranty card. See the back page of the manual for full warranty information.

1.2 GROUND RULES

The SR-16drum machine consists of two main elements:

The drum sounds themselves, recorded using16-bitresolution (the same resolution as CDs). For additional realism, many sounds use advanced 'dynamic articulation' techniques so that these sounds, when hit loudly, have a different timbre than when they're hit softly.

An internal computer to control and trigger the sounds. This computer simulates an advanced, easily editable tape recorder.

The SR-16offers two main modes,Perform (for playback) andCompose (for recording). You can switch between these while theSR-16is playing, making it easy to test out different sounds without recording them and then drop back into record mode.

1.2A The Pattern/Song Recording Method

When recording with a drum machine, it's often easier to divide a song into shorter individual Patterns and work on these rather than record an entire song. A typical Pattern might be 8,16, or 32 beats long, and correspond to a verse, chorus, bridge, instrumental, intro, etc. While recording these Patterns, theSR-16will be inPattern mode. TheSR-16holds 50 Preset(i.e., can't be edited) Patterns and 50user-programmablePatterns, each of which can be from 1 to 128 beats long.

After perfecting these Patterns, Song mode offers two ways to create a song:

Program a list of Patterns, in the order in which they are to be played.

Select Patterns in real time, and the SR-16will remember your performance.

The SR-16stores up to 100User-programmableSongs.

Breaking a song into Patterns saves time since elements of a song often repeat. Example: The second verse might have the same drum pattern as the first verse. Rather than record the same Pattern twice, simply record one Pattern, then list it twice when assembling a Song. This also saves memory (thus leaving room for more Patterns and Songs) since listing a Song step takes up much less memory than recording a Pattern.

1.2B The Four Different Types of Patterns

The SR-16introduces exciting new Song construction techniques. TheSR-16excels at liveperformance—somethingusually not associated with drum machines. The key to using these advanced features is understanding the different types of available Patterns.

Preset Patterns provide a variety of rock, jazz, pop, and other rhythms programmed by professional drummers.

User Patterns are Patterns you can program, edit, and save. The Preset/User button selects between these two master banks of Presets. The only way to modify a Preset Pattern is to copy it to a User Pattern, where it can be edited.

There are 50 of each type of Pattern, numbered 00-49.However, each numbered Pattern actually contains four different'sub-Patterns':

A pair of independent Main Patterns (A and B, selected by their respective buttons).

A pair of associated Fill Patterns (A Fill and B Fill, selected by pressing the FILL button when either A or B is selected). The Fills primarily provide transitional Patterns between Main Patterns, which makes for more realistic drum parts. The associated Fill Patterns share the same length, Drum Set, and name as their Main Patterns(e.g., if A is 16 beats, A Fill is 16 beats). Otherwise, they are independent.

The reason for pairing the two different A and B Patterns together is simply so that you can switch back and forth between them rapidly in live performance or while improvising. However, A and B Patterns can be treated as completely independent Patterns if desired and can have different lengths, Drum Sets, etc.

Always think of the Main Pattern and its associated Fill as a unit. For example, if you copy a Main Pattern to another Main Pattern, its Fill will travel along with it.

Note that even though there are 'only' 50 Patterns, the A and B variations double that to 100 Patterns, and the Fills double that again to 200 Patterns. Added to the Preset Patterns, 400 total Patterns are available.

1 . 2 C How 'Looping' Simplifies Recording

To simplify recording in Compose mode, a Pattern will 'loop' over and over again. Example: Suppose you want to record an8-beatpattern. While recording, the pattern will record through all 8 beats, then immediately jump back to the beginning and continue recording through all 8 beats again. TheSR-16will remain in record mode, and continue to loop, until you press STOP or switch over to Perform mode. You will hear anypreviously-playedparts as you record new parts.

You can also erase drum hits while the pattern is looping to correct for errors.

1 . 2 D What's a Voice?

Each of the 12 large pads triggers a voice. A voice is asound-generatingelement with several variable parameters: Drum sound, tuning, volume, output assignment (the voice's audio output can go to either one of two sets of stereo outputs, and furthermore, to anywhere within the stereo field of the chosen set of outputs), and MIDI note number.

Each pad is velocity-sensitive:the harder you hit the pad, the louder the drum sound assigned to the pad will play. Thanks to the dynamic articulation techniques mentioned earlier, the timbre will often change as well, just like 'real' drums.

There are eight levels of pad volume resolution, from soft to loud. However, when using the SR-16as a drum sound expander and triggering sounds via MIDI, they respond to all 127 MIDI volume levels.

1.2E About Defaults

A default is a setting that is automatically assumed until you purposely change it. Example: When you turn on a VCR, it automatically defaults toStop—youhave to purposely tell the machine to go into Record or Play. Stop is therefore the VCR'spower-updefault status.

The SR-16includes a default setup that assigns particular drum sounds to particular voices

(pads), at certain level and pan settings. The default drum sound assignments are printed in white on the pads. However, you can change these defaults and come up with any type of 'drum set' you'd like.

Defaults save time by giving you a setup that's instantly ready to go; sometimes you'll need to change only a few parameters to customize the default setup to your liking.

Often the default is 'whatever was selected last.' Example: If theSR-16was in Pattern mode and Pattern 23 was selected when you turned off theSR-16,the next time theSR-16powers up it will be in Pattern mode with Pattern 23 selected.

1.2F Physical Layout

The SR-16includes seven main types of controls, along with a group of connectors (located on the back panel). The control groups (see diagram) are:

Pads (play buttons). Tapping each button triggers anSR-16voice.

Function buttons. These six buttons select various functions, some of which include multiple 'pages' of options.

Tempo/Page buttons. These alter the tempo and also select different 'pages' present in the Drum Set, Record Setup, MIDI Setup, and Backup functions.

Pattern select buttons. These choose between the A, B, and Fill variations for a Pattern.

Mode buttons. These choose between Pattern and Song modes, Perform (playback) and Compose (record) modes, and the Preset and User patterns.

'Tape recorder' buttons. These control playback and stop, and work similarly to a tape recorder.

Display and data entry buttons. The display informs you of the instrument's status, and also prompts you for data from time to time. A detailed description of the display follows shortly. The data entry buttons include number entry buttons(0-9)and up arrow (increment, or INC) and down arrow (decrement, or DEC). The latter increase or decrease parameter values on step at a time.

Huge volume knob. If you're used to scratching a turntable, you'll love the feel of this knob. It regulates the volume of the entire unit.

Mode buttons

Display

VOLUM

Data entry buttons

'Tape

recorder'buttons

Pattern select buttons

Alesis Sa 16 Manual

Alesis Sr 16 Instruction Manual

1

2

3

4

5

PATTERN /

PRESET /

PERFORM /

SONG

USER

COMPOSE

TEMPO /

6

7

8

9

0

PAGE

DRUM

RECOR

MIDI

SET

SETUP

SETUP

TEMPO /

PAGE

PLAY

S T O P

A

B

FILL

COPY

ERASE

BACKUP

Pads (play buttons

1.2G Display Layout

The LCD is divided into several 'windows.' Each window contains information that helps you monitor the SR-16'sstatus, and/or indicates what type of data should be entered.

Name, 'dialog' box, real time Song/Pattern readout, beat counter. This is the most commonly-used area of the display. It shows Pattern and Song names, the beat counter if a Pattern or Song is playing, and the Pattern (including A/B/Fill/Preset or User designators) that is currently playing in Song mode. When acting as a 'dialog box,' it lists parameters and the value to be edited (e.g.,MIDI channel and the channel number).

Pattern/Song readout (also Drum Set edit and drum pad readout). This shows the selected Song or Pattern number; with Patterns, the A/B/Fill/Preset or User designators are also shown. If you have edited a Drum Set to which a particular Pattern was assigned, the display also shows DRUMSET EDITED. In operations that require selecting a drum pad, this window displays the drum pad number.

Press PLAY. For some operations, it is necessary to press the PLAY button to confirm a particular operation, such as copy or erase. This portion of the display will sayPRESS PLAY if it is necessary to press PLAY to complete an operation.

Page number and tempo display. When stopped or running, this shows the current tempo and includes a visual metronome block that flashes on the beat. For functions that have multiple 'pages' of parameters (Drum Set, Record Setup, MIDI Setup, and Backup), this portion of the display shows the currently selected page number.

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Compose/Perform. This indicates whether theSR-16is in Compose or Perform mode.

Click. In Compose mode, shows the current click rhythm in standard music notation (orOFF if click is off).

Alesis Sr 16 Instruction Manual

Quantize. In Compose mode, shows the current quantization rhythm in standard music notation (orOFF if quantization is off).

Selected function. This shows which function is currently selected: Drum Set, Record Setup, MIDI Setup, Backup, or Step Edit.

Swing. In Compose mode, shows the current swing rhythm, expressed as a percentage (orOFF if swing is off).

Play/Record. If theSR-16is playing and in Compose mode, this will sayRECORDING. If theSR-16is playing and in Perform mode, this will sayPLAYING.

Name, 'Dialog' box, Real

Pattern/Song

time Song/Pattern readou

readout (also

beat counter

drum set edit)

Press Play

Selected Function

Play/

Recor

Page number

Swing

Quantize

and Tempo

Compose

Click

display

Perform

1 . 2 H Text Protocols

Throughout the text, button names are shown in UPPER CASE and words that appear on the display are shown in BOLD. When referring to a numbered step in a set of steps, the step

Next >= Page 1 =12345678
Size:Download

The following page summarizes the step edit options.

2.9A Add a New Drum to a Step

Use the PAGE buttons to select the step where the drum is to be added. Press the pad that corresponds to the sound you want to add. That drum, along with its volume (how hard the pad was hit), will be recorded into the displayed step.

If you play a pad and there is already a drum event played by that pad on the displayed step, you will edit the volume rather than add another event. This is true even if there are several events on the displayed beat, and an event other than the one to be edited is showing.

2.9B Erase a Drum Sound From a Step

Use the PAGE buttons to locate the step containing the drum to be erased. While holding down the ERASE button, press PLAY. The drum that was being displayed will be erased.

2 . 9 C Change a Drum Sound's Volume in a Given Step

Use the PAGE buttons to select the step containing the drum whose volume needs to be changed. Either press a number button from 1-8(1=softest, 8=loudest), use the INC/DEC buttons, or tap the displayed drum pad at the desired level. If you play a pad to change the level and there are several events on the same step, the display need not show the specific drum whose volume you want to edit.

2.9D Exit Step Mode

To exit step mode, press STOP, RECORD SETUP, or PLAY (the latter will begin playing the Pattern from the beginning).

2 . 10 PAGE 10: NAME THE PATTERN (NAME)

PATTER

NO NAME A

NAME

SETUP

RECOR

PAG

PERFORM

The display shows NAME and the current name (orNO NAME if the Pattern has not yet been named). To name, use the PAGE UP/DOWN buttons to select the character to be changed; select the desired character with the INC/DEC buttons. Lower case and upper case letters, numbers, punctuation, and variousspecial-purposecharacters are available. You can also enter numbers with the number buttons.

CHAPTER 3: PLAYING BACK/RECORDING PATTERNS

3.1 PLAYBACK/RECORD BASICS

Please make sure you've read section 1.2B, which explains the different types of SR-16Patterns. It is important to understand the differences between these Pattern types.

The PATTERN/SONG button chooses between Pattern and Song modes. For all of the following Pattern operations, Pattern mode must be selected, as confirmed by the display.

ROCK 1

PATTER

A

PRESS PLA

TEMPO

PERFORM

3.1A TheDual-PurposeFill Button

In addition to calling up Fill Patterns as described in the Introduction, the FILL button can also be used while recording to create a series of notes at the desired quantization rate, as described in section 3.1K.

3.1B Perform/Compose Modes

The SR-16doesn't have a record button. Instead, press PLAY to start the Pattern, then select eitherPerform orCompose mode (as selected by the PERFORM/COMPOSE button).

To record, choose Compose mode (as shown in the display). This also activates the click.

PATTER

BEAT 001 A

USER

RECORDIN TEMPO

QUANTIZE SWINGOFF

COMPOS

CLICK

To listen, choose Perform (this de-activatesthe click). You can drop in and out of these two modes as you record. While theSR-16is in either mode, you can change Pattern quantization, swing, click rhythm and volume, pad velocity response, name, drumset, drumset parameters, and MIDI parameters. You can therefore keep the groove going at all times, even while you make adjustments prior to recording another part.

NOTE: Compose mode cannot be selected when using Preset Patterns, since they cannot be altered. If you wish to alter one of the Preset Patterns, copy it to an empty User Pattern first. (see section 3.3A)

3 . 1 C Set Pattern Tempo

The tempo range extends from 20 to 255 beats per minute. Tempo can be changed while the SR-16is stopped or running. There are two ways to set tempo.

Before initiating Pattern play, tap the STOP button several times at the desired tempo. The SR-16will average the time between taps and derive a tempo; the display will update the tempo with each tap. If a footswitch is plugged into the Count/A/B/Fill jack, tapping the footswitch at the desired rate is equivalent to tapping the STOP button. These techniques work only if theSR-16is stopped.

Use the TEMPO/PAGE up and down buttons. Press once to increment/decrement 1 BPM at a time, or press and hold to scroll through the tempo values.

Background While in Pattern mode, the tempo remains as is until changed because the tempo is a globalsetting—itis not stored with individual Patterns. If you switch over to Song mode (Chapter 5) and the programmed Song tempo is different, theSR-16will assume the Song'stempo—evenif you switch back into Pattern mode— until the tempo is changed again (either manually, or by selecting a different Song).

3 . 1 D Select Individual Patterns

1. Make sure theSR-16is in Pattern mode.

2. Enter atwo-digitPattern number (remember to enter a leading 0 if necessary).

3. Press the A button to select the A Main Pattern, or B to select the B Main Pattern. To select a Fill Pattern, first select the desired Main Pattern (A or B) then press the Fill Button.

4. Press PRESET/USER to select either a Preset or User Pattern.

When a Main Pattern reaches its end, it will loop back to the beginning and continue playing from that point unless you select a new Pattern, selected a Fill Pattern initially, or stop the Pattern (section 3.1E).

If you select a User Pattern that contains no data, the display says EMPTY PATTERN. If you select a User Pattern that contains data but has not yet been named, the display saysNO NAME.

3.1E Stop/Restart a Pattern

1. To stop the Pattern, press STOP.

2. To restart the Pattern from the beginning, press PLAY. Pressing PLAY will always restart a Pattern from the beginning, regardless of whether the Pattern is stopped or already playing.

3.1F Using the Start/Stop Footswitch

When the SR-16is stopped, pressing a footswitch plugged into the Start/Stop footswitch jack is equivalent to pressing PLAY. When theSR-16is running, pressing the footswitch is equivalent to pressing STOP.

Background The rear panel Start/Stop footswitch jack accepts a momentary, normally open or normally closed footswitch (available at most music stores) for remote or foot control of the stop and start functions. TheSR-16checks the footswitch onpower-upto determine whether it is normally open or normally closed, so make sure the footswitch is plugged in (and you're not pressing it down) when you turn on power.

3.1G Select New Patterns While in Perform (Playback) Mode

In Perform mode, you can select a new Pattern number (with the desired A or B designator) or switch from A to B Patterns within a Pattern number at any time. The newly-selectedPattern will play back as soon as the current Pattern plays through its entire length. The display shows the Pattern to be played next.

003 NEXT

PATTER

A

PATT24USERB

PRESS PLA

PLAYING

TEMPO

PERFORM

To select a new Pattern in Perform mode, enter the two-digitPattern number. If an A Pattern is currently playing, the new Pattern number will play the A variation. If a B Pattern is currently playing, the new Pattern number will play the B variation.

You can also enter a two-digitPattern number followed by A or B or PRESET/USER to call up an A or B or Preset or User Pattern, regardless of the Pattern that is currently playing. Fills are a special case that will be discussed next.

Notes

If you change your mind or select the wrong Pattern, you can select a new Pattern number at any time before the next Pattern begins.

If you press STOP before the next Pattern begins playing, the SR-16will stop and remain on the currently selected Pattern.

Shortcut: To choose the next higher-numberedPattern than the one in the display, press the INC button (if 49 is the current Pattern, pressing INC calls up Pattern 00). To choose the nextlower-numberedPattern than the one in the display, press the DEC button (if 00 is the current Pattern, pressing DEC calls up Pattern 49).

If you select a new Pattern and press PLAY, it will immediately start playing the next Pattern.

3 . 1 H Select Fill Patterns in Perform (Playback) Mode

User

Fill Patterns are the key to creating expressive drum parts. However, Fill is a sophisticated feature that requires some explanation.

Remember that Fills are always the same length, and use the same Drum Set, as the associated Main Pattern. This lets you 'drop in' a Fill at any time. As soon as you press the FILL button, the Fill takes over from the Main Pattern and starts playing until the end of the Fill.

Generally, Fills are transitional Patterns. Example: Suppose an8-beatA Main Pattern is playing and you press the FILL button on beat 4. The A Fill Pattern will play the last 4 beats and then automatically transition into the B Main Pattern. Conversely, if B Main is playing and you press Fill, after B Fill has played, theSR-16will transition to the A Main Pattern. You can select the Fill at any time the Main Pattern is playing.

However, Fills do not have to be transitional Patterns. If you press the FILL button (or footswitch) before the Fill has finished playing and hold it down until after the Fill has played(i.e., past the downbeat of the next Pattern), theSR-16will return to the original Main Pattern.Example: Suppose an8-beatA Main Pattern is playing and you press the FILL button on beat 4 but hold it down past beat 8. The A Fill Pattern will play the last 4 beats, then theSR-16will return to the A Main Pattern.

Fills cannot start on the downbeat since a Fill, by definition, starts at some point into the Main Pattern. However, anything you record on the Fill downbeat will play on the first downbeat following the Fill (i.e., the downbeat of the next Pattern). To show why this is a useful feature, consider that when coming out of a fill, you'll often want to hit something like a cymbal crash on the downbeat of the next Pattern yet not have that crash repeat every time the Pattern plays. This way of handling Fills lets the downbeat cymbal crash be part of the Fill instead of the Pattern.

A footswitch plugged into the Count/A/B/Fill jack duplicates the FILL button function when playing Patterns in Perform mode.

Background This way of handling Patterns explains the logic behind having A, B, and Fill Patterns. In typical pop tunes, A would be the verse and B the chorus. A Fill provides the Fill that transitions from verse to chorus, and B Fill provides the Fill that transitions from chorus to verse. Thus, one of the numbered Patterns may be all you need to put together a tune.

This structure makes it possible to put together songs in minutes using the Preset Patterns. It also makes it easy to play drum parts live. For example, if there's a solo happening over the A Main Pattern, you can keep the Pattern repeating until the solo is about to end, at which point you select the Fill that leads out of the A Main Pattern.

3.1I Record a Pattern

An empty Pattern defaults to an 8 beat length, with 16th note quantization and swing off (50%). If you need to change the length, it's best (though not essential) to do so before recording. Other parameters can be changed while you're recording.

To record, select the desired User Pattern. Select Compose mode and press PLAY. Remember that you can switch between Compose and Perform while recording.

As you record, the display will show the current beat number and the tempo indicator will flash at the current tempo. You will hear any drum sounds already recorded in the currently selected Pattern.

To record drum parts into the Pattern, tap the drum pads, or send MIDI data to the SR-16(sections 6.1 and 6.2) that triggers corresponding drum notes. The Pattern will 'loop' during the record process so that you can overdub different drums on different passes.

To exit Record mode, press STOP. Pressing PLAY while in Compose mode will re-startthe Pattern from the beginning; theSR-16remains in record mode.

Note: When sending MIDI data into the drums when theSR-16is not recording(i.e., the SR16 serves as a drum sound expander module), the drum sounds respond to 127 different levels of dynamics. However, if MIDI is used as a trigger during the recording process, the Pattern will 'quantize' the incoming level to the nearest of eightlevels—thesame eight levels produced by tapping the pads at various levels.

3.1J Select New Patterns and Fills While in Compose (Record) Mode

In Compose mode, Main Pattern selection works in the same manner as Perform mode— select a Pattern number (with the desired A or B designator), and the newly-selectedPattern will play back as soon as the current Pattern plays through its entire length. The display will show the Pattern to be played next.

In Perform mode, Fills are transitional Patterns. If you press FILL in Compose mode, a Fill will continue playing—nottransition to a different Pattern when it's finishedplaying—soyou can record into it, like a standard Pattern. Remember, as mentioned earlier, that the Fill also plays the downbeat of the next Pattern.

If a footswitch is plugged into the Count/A/B/Fill jack when recording Patterns in Compose mode, pressing the footswitch will switch a Main Pattern over to its associated Fill. The Fill will continue playing until you press the footswitch again, at which point the SR-16will revert to the associated Main Pattern.

3.1K Using Fill to Create Repetitive Drum Hits

As mentioned earlier, the FILL button performs two different functions. We've already covered how to use the FILL button for Pattern selection, however, it can also trigger a drum sound at the current quantization rate (e.g., eighth notes, 16th notes, etc.; if quantization is off, though, this function is inactive) and swing value. This allows playing a series of drum hits without having to repeatedly press the pads, and is typically used to create steady 16th notehi-hatparts, quarter note kick drum parts, snare rolls, etc.

1. TheSR-16should be in Compose mode and recording.

2. Press a pad on the first beat of what will be a series of hits and hold it down.

3. Immediately after pressing the pad, press and hold the FILL button. The drum will be retriggered at the current quantization rate for as long as the pad and FILL buttons are held down. All hits will be at the same volume as the first pad hit.

Caution: If you don't hit the drum first, pressing the FILL button will select a Fill Pattern.

3.2 ERASE FUNCTIONS

3.2A Erase Mistakes While Recording

While the SR-16is recording, you can erase any individual drum event or series of events in real time to fix up errors. Erasure occurs only on those beats that coincide with the current quantization and swing values; turn quantizationoff to erase a drum wherever it occurs.

1. TheSR-16should be in Compose mode and recording.2. Press and hold ERASE.

3. While holding down ERASE, press the pad corresponding to the sound to be erased just before the first event to be erased, and release just after the last event to be erased. To erase a single event, tap the pad on that single event.

3.2B Erase an Entire Pattern

If you erase both Main and Fill Patterns associated with a numbered Pattern, or you erase a Main or Fill Pattern and the other is empty, the Drum Set assignment (but not its Drum Set parameters), name, and length will revert to the default settings(i.e., the Drum Set with the same number as the Pattern,EMPTY PATTERN as the name, and a length of 8 beats). However, as long as either a Main or Fill Pattern containspreviously-programmeddata, the numbered Pattern will remember the Drum Set assignment, name, and length.

1. TheSR-16must be in Pattern mode and stopped to allow erasing a Pattern.

2. Enter thetwo-digitPattern number to be erased with the number or INC/DEC buttons.3. Press and hold the ERASE button. The display saysPATTERN ERASE?

4. While continuing to hold the ERASE button, press PLAY. The display saysPATTERN ERASED, followed byFILL ERASE? .

5. While continuing to hold the ERASE button, press PLAY again. The display will readFILL

ERASED.

6. Release both buttons.

Note: To retain the Drum Set assignment, length, and name when you erase a Pattern, hold ERASE and tap each drum pad. This erases the drum events, but retains all other Pattern parameters.

3 . 2 C Erase All Events Played by a Particular Drum Pad

This erases all events in a Pattern played by a specific pad. The Drum Set's parameters are not altered.

1. TheSR-16should be in Pattern mode and stopped, in either Perform or Compose mode. To erase while recording, see section 3.2A.

2. Press and hold ERASE.

3. While holding down ERASE, tap a pad to erase all events played by that pad. The display shows the drum pad number whose events were erased. You can continue to erase more drum sounds while ERASE is held down.

3.3 COPY FUNCTIONS

The following Copy functions assume that you are copying a Main Pattern to a Main Pattern (remember, copying a Main Pattern to another Main Pattern copies the Fill along with it). Other combinations take the following rules into account.

Copying a Main Pattern to a non-emptyPattern or to itself appends the Fill to the existing Fill, as well as appends the Main Pattern to the existing Main Pattern.

If you copy from Main to Fill (or vice-versa)within a particular numbered Pattern, the destination will be erased and replaced with the source Pattern since Main and Fill Patterns must have the same length. This is useful if you want the Fill to contain variations on the MainPattern—justcopy the Main to Fill and make your additions/changes.

Copying a Fill to a Fill follows the same rules as copying a Main Pattern to a Fill.

The only copy technique that appends a Pattern to another Pattern is copying a Main Pattern to another Main Pattern.

3.3A Copy, Append, and Double Patterns

1. TheSR-16should be in Pattern mode and stopped.2. Select the Pattern to be copied.

3. Press and hold the COPY button, and keep holding it down until step (6). The display says

COPY TO PATT.

4. Enter the destination Pattern number into which the current Pattern will be copied with the INC/DEC or number buttons.

Alesis Sr 16 Pedal

Copying a Pattern to a blank destination Pattern replaces the blank Pattern with the original Pattern data.

Copying to a Pattern that already contains data appends the original data to the end of the data in the destination Pattern. If this would result in a Pattern with more than 128 beats, the display will say TOO MANY BEATS.

Copying a Pattern to itself doubles the length.

Alesis Sr 16 Sounds

The Drum Set assignment and Pattern name are copied along with the drum data only if the destination Pattern is empty.

5. Press PLAY. The display saysCOPY DONE.

6. Release the COPY and PLAY buttons.

3.3B Copy One Drum Pad's Part to Another Drum Pad

Merge: When the destination drum padalready has a pattern, the source pattern will be merged with the destination pattern. Note that if the two parts contain events for the same pad on the same beat, only one event will prevail and it will take the level of the source Pattern event.

Sound Stacking™: When the destination drum pad isempty (no recorded pattern), the source pattern will be copied and any drum sound assigned to the destination drum pad will play the exact same pattern as the source drum pad. This technique lets you stack multiple drum sounds together to create monster composite sounds. See section 8.3: Sound Stacking.

Alesis Sr16 Pdf

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