Alesis Ion iDM02 User Manual
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Quick Description
The iDM02 includes over 230 high-fidelity drum/percussion sounds and a library of preset
rhythm Patterns prepared by professional drummers.
It also has 11 external trigger inputs to which you can connect your external triggers. Inputs
1-9 will accept drum pad trigger signals. Inputs 10-11 will accept switch-type inputs (usually
from foot pedals). Please consult the Quickstart Guide for information on connecting your
kit’s triggers.
The iDM02 offers two main modes, Perform (for playback) and Compose (for recording).
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. 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 iDM02 will remember your performance.
The iDM02 stores up to 100 User-programmable Songs.
The Four Different Types of Patterns
Preset Patterns provide a variety of rock, jazz, pop, and other rhythms programmed by
User Patterns are Patterns you can program, edit, and save. The Preset/User button
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
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.
Velocity Sensitivity
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 iDM02’s external trigger inputs, it responds to all 127 MIDI volume levels.
professional drummers.
selects between these two master banks of Presets.
when either A or B is selected). The Fills primarily provide transitional Patterns between
Main Patterns, which makes for more realistic drum parts.
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Physical Layout
The iDM02 includes seven main types of controls, along with a group of connectors
(located on the back panel). The control groups (see diagram) are:
1. Display. 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.
2. Volume knob. This controls the volume of the headphone and main outputs.
3. Pads (play buttons). Tapping each button triggers an iDM02 voice.
4. Playback buttons. These control playback and stop, and work similarly to a tape
recorder.
5. Pattern select buttons. These choose between the A, B, and Fill variations for a
Pattern.
6. Mode buttons. These choose between Pattern and Song modes, Perform
(playback) and Compose (record) modes, and the Preset and User patterns.
7. Function buttons. These six buttons select various functions, some of which include
multiple "pages" of options.
8. Tempo/Page buttons. These alter the tempo and also select different "pages"
present in the Drum Set, Record Setup, MIDI Setup, and Backup functions.
9. Data entry buttons. 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.
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/
Display Layout
Name, "Dialog" box, Real
time Song/Pattern readout,
beat counter
Pattern/Song
readout (also
drum set edit)
Play
Selected Function
Record
Quantize
The LCD is divided into several "windows." Each window contains information that helps
you monitor the iDM02's status, and/or indicates what type of data should be entered.
Name, "dialog" box, real time Song/Pattern readout, beat counter. This 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
say PRESS 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.
Compose/Perform. This indicates whether the iDM02 is in Compose or Perform
mode.
Click. In Compose mode, shows the current click rhythm in standard music notation
(or OFF if click is off).
Quantize. In Compose mode, shows the current quantization rhythm in standard
music notation (or OFF 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 (or OFF if swing is off).
Play/Record. If the iDM02 is playing and in Compose mode, this will say
RECORDING. If the iDM02 is playing and in Perform mode, this will say PLAYING.
Swing
Click
Compose
Perform
Press Play
Page number
and Tempo
display
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How to Communicate With the iDM02
Numeric Keypad
If a value to be edited is a two-digit number, you must enter a two-digit
number. If the number is a three-digit number, you must enter a three-digit
number. If necessary, enter a leading 0 to fill out the required number of digits.
The INC/DEC Buttons
The two small buttons with the up arrow and down arrow symbols (next to the
number keys) are called the INC/DEC buttons respectively. Pressing the INC
button once increases the value of the entire number by one. Pressing the
DEC button once decreases the value by one.
These buttons, and the TEMPO/PAGE buttons, also have a "scroll" feature. If
you press and hold a button, after a short pause the display will either
increment or decrement at a rapid rate.
Buttons that Toggle
The Mode buttons, FILL button, and several function buttons (DRUM SET,
RECORD SETUP, MIDI SETUP, and UTIL) "toggle" between two states. Each
button press sets the switch to its alternate state. Example: Press the
PATTERN/SONG button once to change from Pattern to Song; press again to
change from Song to Pattern.
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Instant Gratification (Setup & Checkout)
1. Connect the Main outputs (either left or right for a mono monitoring system, or both
for stereo) to an amplifier or PA. The amp and iDM02 volume controls should be all
the way down (counter-clockwise).
2. Plug the iDM02's AC adapter into the wall. The smaller plug inserts in the 9V AC
Power jack on the back.
3. Turn on the rear panel On/Off switch, then turn on the amplifier.
4. The upper right of the display should say PATTERN and not SONG; if it shows
SONG, press the PATTERN/SONG button.
5. Start tapping the pads. Adjust the
volume control for a comfortable
listening level, and check out the
sounds.
6. To hear the built-in demo, hold down
the PATTERN/SONG button and press
PLAY. To stop the demo, press STOP.
If you want to play along with the demo,
feel free to bash away on the pads.
7. Press PLAY, and you'll hear a Preset Pattern. (In case the iDM02 has already been
played with, make sure that the display shows PERFORM and does not show
USER before continuing. To choose Perform mode, press the
PERFORM/COMPOSE button until the Perform/Compose section of the display
shows PERFORM). To choose Preset rather than User Patterns, press the
PRESET/USER button until the display does not show USER. If USER is not
showing, then Preset Patterns are selected.
8. Try the following:
Enter a two-digit number between
00-49 using the number keys, then
press PLAY.
Press the INC (up arrow) button to
select the next higher-numbered
Preset Pattern. It will play at the
end of the current Pattern.
Press the DEC (down arrow) button to select the next lower-numbered Preset
Pattern.
Press the B button to select the B variation of the selected Pattern.
Press the A button to select the A variation of the selected Pattern.
Press FILL briefly while a Main (A or B) Pattern is playing. Note how the Main
Pattern switches from either A to B or B to A after the Fill has played.
Press FILL and hold it down until after the Fill has played. If the FILL button is
held down past the next downbeat, the Fill's associated Main Pattern (A or B)
continues to play rather than switch from A to B or B to A.
Press the TEMPO/PAGE buttons to change the tempo.
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CHAPTER 2: RECORD SETUP
Several parameters are often adjusted prior to recording a Pattern, such as metronome,
Pattern length, etc. General instructions are:
1. Press the RECORD SETUP button.
2. Use the PAGE (up and down) buttons to select different "pages" of functions.
These pages are described below.
3. Adjust values on pages, if necessary, as described for each page.
4. After making all needed changes, press RECORD SETUP again to exit, or choose
another page.
Page 1: Select The Quantization Value (Quantize Select)
The display shows QUANTIZE SELECT and
a note icon in the lower left Quantize
window.
The note icon displays the quantization value
in standard rhythmic notation. Enter the
desired quantization value with the INC/DEC
or number buttons:
KEYPAD
Quantization shifts your playing to the specified beat while you play, so choose the
desired value before tapping out your rhythms. Remember that you can also change
quantization while recording if, for example, you want to record snare with eighth note
quantization but high-hats with 16th note quantization.
Note: The quantize value also sets the step length in Step Edit mode.
Background As you record a Pattern, quantization shifts all drum events to the nearest
selected rhythmic value to eliminate small timing errors. Example: With a quantize value
of 1/16, all drum events you play will be shifted to the nearest 16th note.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9, 0
NOTE VALUE
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1/4
1/6
1/8
1/12
1/16
1/24
1/32
1/48
1/384
DISPLAY
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
3
3
3
3
off
NOTE NAME
QUARTER NOTE
=
QUARTER NOTE TRIPLET
=
EIGHTH NOTE
=
EIGHTH NOTE TRIPLET
=
16th NOTE
=
16th NOTE TRIPLET
=
32nd NOTE
=
32nd NOTE TRIPLET
=
=
384th NOTE
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Page 2: Select The Swing Value (Swing Select)
The display shows SWING SELECT; the
Swing window shows the swing value.
Enter the desired swing percentage with the
INC/DEC or number buttons (1 = 54%, 2 =
58%, 3 = 62%, 4-0 = Swing Off).
Swing shifts notes as specified while you
record, so choose the desired value before
tapping out your rhythms.
Background Swing affects the timing of pairs of equal-value notes. Each note normally
defaults to taking up 50% of the total duration of both notes; adding swing lengthens the
first note of the pair, and to keep the total duration of both notes the same, shortens the
second note of the pair. This imparts the kind of feel found in shuffles and some jazz
tunes. Example: With Swing set to 62%, the first note of the pair takes up 62% of the
total duration of the pair of notes, while the second note takes up 38% of the total
duration.
Page 3: Enable Click (Metronome) And Set Rhythm (Click Select)
The display shows CLICK SELECT; the
Click window shows the click's rhythmic
value.
Enter the click value with the INC/DEC or
number buttons (1 = quarter note, 2 =
quarter note triplet, 3 = 8th note, 4 = 8th note
triplet, 5 = 16th note, 6 = 16th note triplet, 70 = Click Off).
The click is audible only in Compose mode.
Page 4: Set Click (Metronome) Volume (Click Vol)
The display shows CLICK VOL and a twodigit number representing click volume (00 =
inaudible, 99 = maximum volume). Enter the
desired click level with the INC/DEC or
number buttons.
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Page 5: Adjust Velocity Response (Velocity)
There are 11 ways in which a pad's output
level can respond to the force with which you
tap it: soft, medium, loud, and eight fixed
responses.
The display says VELOCITY. To select the
desired dynamic response, use the INC/DEC
or number buttons (1 = Fixed 1, 2 = Fixed 2,
3 = Fixed 3, 4 = Fixed 4, 5 = Fixed 5, 6 =
Fixed 6, 7 = Fixed 7, 8 = Fixed 8, 9 = Soft,
and 0 = Loud). Medium can be selected
only with the INC/DEC buttons.
Background This feature accommodates
players with a heavier or lighter touch.
Referring to the diagram, soft response
weights the response toward softer sounds;
with medium response, the level is directly
proportional to how hard you tap the pad;
loud response weights the response toward
louder sounds.
Fixed volume plays back the associated drum sound at one of eight possible volume
levels. With Fixed Volume 1, all drums assume the level of the softest possible tap,
regardless of how hard you tap the pads. With Fixed Volume 8, all drums assume the
level of the loudest possible tap, regardless of how hard you tap the pads. Fixed
Volumes 2-7 provide the levels between the softest and loudest extremes, with lower
numbers giving softer levels.
louder
VOLUME
softer
softer TAP FORCE harder
Page 6: Add/Remove Beats From Pattern End (Length)
This option either adds beats to, or subtracts beats from, the end of the Pattern.
Changing a Pattern's length also changes the length of the associated Fill Pattern.
The display says ### BEAT and LENGTH.
This indicates a Pattern's length in beats
(quarter notes). Enter the desired length with
the INC/DEC or number buttons (this must be
a three digit number; enter leading zeroes if
necessary). To prevent accidental length
alteration, you must press PLAY before the
iDM02 will store the new Pattern length.
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Page 7: Add/Remove Beats From Pattern Beginning (Start)
This option either adds beats to, or subtracts beats from, the beginning of the Pattern.
Shortening a Pattern's start point erases any drum events that fall outside the remaining
part of the Pattern; lengthening a Pattern's start point adds silence at the beginning of a
Pattern.
The display says ### BEAT and START.
This indicates a Pattern's length in beats
(quarter notes). Enter the desired length with
the INC/DEC or number buttons (this must
be a three digit number; enter leading zeroes
if necessary).
Page 8: Offset A Pattern Or Drum Part
Offset shifts a Pattern or individual drum parts ahead of or behind the beat in 1/384th
note increments to allow for altering the "feel" of a piece. This only affects alreadyrecorded parts.
1. The iDM02 should be in Pattern mode
and stopped. The display says
OFFSET, which will be 00/384 (no
offset).
2. Press the pad to be offset (as
confirmed by the display). If you don't
select a pad, offset affects the entire
Pattern.
3. Enter the two-digit offset value with the INC/DEC or number buttons. Positive
numbers shift events ahead of the beat (lead), negative numbers shift events
behind the beat (lag). The default is positive numbers; to enter a negative number
with the number buttons, press DEC first. Example: To offset a part 1/16th note
later, enter -24 as the offset value since 24 sub-beats equals a 1/16th note.
4. Press PLAY to enter this number into the iDM02. To apply the same amount of
offset to additional pads, press the next pad then press PLAY.
Notes: The display counter resets after you exit the function. Therefore, it does not keep
track of the total amount of offset, but only changes in offset.
Drums offset to before the first beat "wrap around" to the end of the Pattern; drums offset
past the end of the last beat "wrap around" to the beginning of the Pattern.
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