Alesis Performance Pad Reference Manual
] REFERENCE MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 WELCOME TO THE PERFORMANCE PAD DRUM MACHINE! 1
1.2 GROUND RULES 1
1.3 IMPORTANT: HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PERFORMANCE PAD 6
1.4 10 STEPS TO INSTANT GRATIFICATION (SETUP AND CHECKOUT) 7
CHAPTER 2: RECORD SETUP 9
2.1 PAGE 1: SELECT THE QUANTIZATION VALUE (QUANTIZE SELECT) 9
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: ADD/REMOVE BEATS FROM PATTERN END (LENGTH) 13
2.6 PAGE 6: ADD/REMOVE BEATS FROM PATTERN BEGINNING (‘START) 14
2.7 PAGE 7: OFFSET A PATTERN OR DRUM PART 14
2.8 PAGE 8: STEP MODE RECORDING (STEP MODE) 15
2.9 PAGE 9: NAME THE PATTERN (NAME) 16
CHAPTER 3: PLAYING BACK/RECORDING PATTERNS 17
3.1 PLAYBACK/RECORD BASICS 17
3.2 ERASE FUNCTIONS 22
3.3 COPY FUNCTIONS 23
CHAPTER 4: CREATING DRUM SETS 25
4.1 PAGE 1: SELECT DRUM SET (DRUMSET SELECT) 25
4.2 PAGE 2: ASSIGN SOUNDS TO PADS 26
4.3 PAGE 3: SET PAD VOLUME (VOLUME) 26
4.4 PAGE 4: SET PAD STEREO POSITION (PANNING) 27
4.5 PAGE 5: SET PAD TUNING (TUNING) 27
4.6 PAGE 6: SET TRIGGERING MODE (ASN MODE) 28
4.7 PAGE 7: SAVE DRUM SET (SAVE SET) 29
4.8 PAGE 8: MANUAL DRUM SET OVERRIDE (SET MODE) 29
CHAPTER 5: SONG MODE 30
5.1 SONG MODE BASICS 30
5.2 REAL TIME SONG CREATION 32
5.3 MANUAL SONG CREATION 33
CHAPTER 6: MIDI SETUP 36
6.1 PAGE 1: TRANSMIT PATTERN DATA VIA MIDI 36
6.2 PAGE 2: SEND CLOCK DATA TO OTHER DEVICES (CLOCKOUT) 36
6.3 PAGE 3: TRANSMIT PAD HIT DATA VIA MIDI 36
CHAPTER 7: UTILITY 37
7.1 ABOUT UTILITY 37
7.2 PAGE 1: SEND DATA AS MIDI TO A MIDI SYS EX STORAGE DEVICE (SEND OUT MIDI?) 37
7.3 PAGE 2: CHECK AVAILABLE MEMORY (FREE MEM) 37
CHAPTER 8: APPLICATIONS 38
8.1 MIDI SYNC APPLICATIONS 38
8.2 STRATEGIES FOR ASSEMBLING PATTERNS AND SONGS 39
8.3 UNDERSTANDING RHYTHMIC NOTATION 40
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART 41
SOUND LIST 42
PRESET PATTERN TEMPOS 43
KEY FEATURES 44
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 44
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 WELCOME TO THE PERFORMANCE PAD DRUM MACHINE!
1.2 GROUND RULES
The Performance Pad includes over 230 high-fidelity drum/percussion sounds, and is
easy to operate. As you strike the 8 drum pads (each of which can be assigned to any
of the available sounds), the Performance Pad's on-board computer 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 MIDI System
Exclusive storage devices.
The Performance Pad also 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.
The Performance Pad consists of two main elements:
• The drum sounds themselves, recorded using 16-bit resolution (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 Performance Pad offers two main modes, Perform (for playback) and Compose
(for recording). You can switch between these while the Performance Pad is 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 station, 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, the Performance Pad will be in
Pattern mode. The Performance Pad holds 50 Preset (i.e., can't be edited) Patterns
and 50 user-programmable Patterns, 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 Performance Pad will remember your
performance.
The Performance Pad stores up to 100 User-programmable Songs.
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
1.2B The Four Different Types of Patterns
The Performance Pad introduces exciting new Song construction techniques. The
Performance Pad excels at live performance—something usually not associated with
drum machines. The key to using these advanced features is to understand 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.
1.2C How "Looping" Simplifies Recording
To simplify recording in Compose mode, a Pattern will "loop" over and over again.
Example: Suppose you want to record an 8-beat pattern. 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. The Performance Pad will remain in
record mode, and continue to loop, until you press STOP or switch over to Perform
mode. You will hear any previously-played parts as you record new parts. You can
also erase drum hits while the pattern is looping to correct for errors.
2
1.2D What's a Voice?
Each of the 8 large pads triggers a voice. A voice is a sound-generating element 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 Performance Pad as 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 to Stop—you have to
purposely tell the machine to go into Record or Play. Stop is therefore the VCR's
power-up default status.
The Performance Pad includes a default setup that assigns particular drum sounds to
particular voices (pads), at certain level and pan settings. The default drum sound
assignments are explained. 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 the Performance Pad
was in Pattern mode and Pattern 23 was selected when you turned off the
Performance Pad, the next time the Performance Pad powers up it will be in Pattern
mode with Pattern 23 selected.
3
1.2F Physical Layout
The Performance Pad includes seven main types of controls, along with a group of
connectors (located on the back panel). The control groups (see diagram) are:
• Pads. Striking each pad triggers a voice.
• 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 Util 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.
• Volume knob (on back of Performance Pad). This knob regulates the volume of the
entire unit.
4
1.2G Display Layout
The LCD is divided into several "windows." Each window contains information that
helps you monitor the Performance Pad's status, 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
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
Util), this portion of the display shows the currently selected page number.
• Compose/Perform. This indicates whether the Performance Pad 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, Util, 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 Performance Pad is playing and in Compose mode, this will say
RECORDING. If the Performance Pad is playing and in Perform mode, this will say
PLAYING.
Name, "Dialog" box, Real
time Song/Pattern readout,
beat counter
Selected Function
Play/
Record
Quantize
Swing
Click
Compose
Perform
Pattern/Song
readout (also
drum set edit)
Press Play
Page number
and Tempo
display
5
1.2H 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 number will be in parenthesis—for example, step (4)—to prevent
confusion with Song steps or step edit mode.
1.3 IMPORTANT: HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PERFORMANCE PAD
1.3A 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 indicated by
the cursor (not just a single digit) by one. Pressing the DEC button once decreases the
value of the entire number indicated by the cursor (not just a single digit) by one.
Example: If the display shows 00 and you want to enter 01, tap the INC button once.
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.
1.3B 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. Example:
Press RECORD SETUP to call up the Record Setup menu; press RECORD SETUP
again to get out of the Record Setup menu.
6
1.4 10 STEPS TO INSTANT GRATIFICATION (SETUP AND CHECKOUT)
1. Connect the Main outputs (either left or right for a mono monitoring system, or both
for stereo) to a high-quality musical instrument amplifier, PA, or plug the included
headphones into the headphone output on the back of the Performance Pad. The amp
and Performance Pad volume control (on back) should be all the way down (counterclockwise).
2. Leave the MIDI OUT jack (rear panel) disconnected for now.
3. Plug the Performance Pad's AC adapter into the wall. The smaller plug inserts in
the 9V AC Power jack on the back.
4. Turn on the rear panel On/Off switch, then turn on the amplifier.
5. The LCD will show a sign-on message. The upper right of the display should say
PATTERN and not SONG; if it shows SONG, press the PATTERN/SONG button and
the display will show PATTERN.
PATTERN
EMPTY
PATT
PRESS PLAY
TEMPO
A
USER
PERFORM
6. Start striking the pads with the drumsticks. Adjust the volume control for a
comfortable listening level, and check out the sounds.
7. 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.
8. Press PLAY, and you'll hear a Preset Pattern. (In case the Performance Pad 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.
7
PATTERN
BEAT 001
A
USER
PLAYING
PERFORM
PRESS PLAY
TEMPO
9. 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.
8
CHAPTER 2: RECORD SETUP
2.1 PAGE 1: SELECT THE QUANTIZATION VALUE (QUANTIZE SELECT)
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; the
display's lower right window shows the page number. 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.
One of the pages, Step Mode, contains several sub-pages.
The display shows QUANTIZE SELECT and a note icon in the lower left Quantize
window.
QUANTIZE
SELECT
SETUP
RECORD
QUANTIZE
The note icon displays the quantization value in standard rhythmic notation. Enter the
desired quantization 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, 7 = 32nd note, 8 = 32nd note triplet, 9 and 0 = Off, equivalent to 1/384th note
resolution).
9
PAGE
KEYPAD
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
Quantization shifts your playing to the specified beat while you play, so choose the
desired value before playing 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 (section 2.9).
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.
Quantization is most effective when used sparingly. If you're recording a drum part,
quantize the kick and snare, but try recording the hi-hat in real time (or quantize the hihat, and record the snare in real time). Another trick is to combine both quantized and
non-quantized parts. Example: hand claps often sound too mechanical when
quantized—when humans clap hands, you end up with a bunch of different sounds
happening within a few milliseconds of each other. A good way to simulate this effect
(yet still have a rock-solid rhythm) is to record a quantized hand claps part, then turn
off quantization and try to double the part. Sometimes what you overdub will be right
on the beat, but sometimes it will be off by just enough to add that human touch.
NOTE NAME
=
QUARTER NOTE
=
QUARTER NOTE TRIPLET
=
EIGHTH NOTE
=
EIGHTH NOTE TRIPLET
=
16th NOTE
=
16th NOTE TRIPLET
=
32nd NOTE
=
32nd NOTE TRIPLET
=
384th NOTE
10
2.2 PAGE 2: SELECT THE SWING VALUE (SWING SELECT)
The display shows SWING SELECT; the Swing window shows the swing value.
SWING
SELECT
SETUP
RECORD
SWINGOFF
PAGE
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
playing 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.
11
2.3 PAGE 3: ENABLE CLICK (METRONOME) AND SET RHYTHM (CLICK SELECT)
The display shows CLICK SELECT; the Click window shows the click's rhythmic
value.
CLICK
SELECT
SETUP
RECORD
CLICK
PAGE
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, 7-0 = Click Off).
The click is audible only in Compose mode.
2.4 PAGE 4: SET CLICK (METRONOME) VOLUME (CLICK VOL)
The display shows CLICK VOL and a two-digit number representing click volume (00
= inaudible, 99 = maximum volume). Enter the desired click level with the INC/DEC or
number buttons.
12
Loading...