Ensoniq Corporation ASR-X Pro User's Guide

User's Guide

EADING THE WORLD IN SOUND INNOV A TION

READ THIS FIRST!

WARNING!!WARNING!!

Grounding Instructions

This product must be grounded. If it should malfunction or break down, grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This product is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

DANGER: Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in the risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with this product — if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION : TO REDUCE THE DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electronic shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

SEE IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ON BACK COVER!

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Written, designed, and illustrated by: Robby Berman Thanks to: Jim Bryan

Please record the following information:

Your Authorized ENSONIQ Dealer:___________________________ Phone:_______________

Your Dealer Sales Representative:_________________________________________________

Serial Number of Unit:___________________________ Date of Purchase:_________________

Your Authorized ENSONIQ Dealer is your primary source for service and support. The above information will be helpful in communicating with your Authorized ENSONIQ Dealer, and provide necessary information should you need to contact ENSONIQ Customer Service. If you have any questions concerning the use of this unit, please contact your Authorized ENSONIQ Dealer first. For additional technical support, or to find the name of the nearest Authorized ENSONIQ Repair Station, call ENSONIQ Customer Service at (610) 647-3930 Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM to 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Between 1:15 PM and 5:00 PM we experience our heaviest call load. During these times, there may be delays in answering your call.

This manual is copyrighted and all rights are reserved by ENSONIQ Corp. This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior written consent from ENSONIQ Corp. The ASR-X Pro software/firmware is copyrighted and all rights are reserved by ENSONIQ Corp.

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the text and illustrations in this manual, no guarantee is made or implied in this regard.

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Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: * Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. * Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. * Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. * Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications to the product not expressly approved by ENSONIQ could void the user's FCC authority to operate the equipment.

In order to fulfill warranty requirements, your ASR-X Pro should be serviced only by an Authorized ENSONIQ Repair Station. The ENSONIQ serial number label must appear on the outside of the unit, or the ENSONIQ warranty is void.

ENSONIQ, ASR-X Pro, Scratch Pad, Patch Selects and SoundFinder are trademarks of ENSONIQ Corp.

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The ASR-X Pro contains a substantial amount of computerized and electronic circuitry that can be susceptible to damage when exposed to extreme temperature changes. When the ASR-X Pro is brought inside after sitting in a cold climate (i.e., the back seat of your car), condensation builds up on the internal circuitry in much the same way a pair of glasses fogs up when you come inside on a cold day. If the unit is powered up as this condensation occurs, components can short out or be damaged. Excessively high temperatures also pose a threat to the unit, stressing both the internal circuits as well as the case. With this in mind, it is highly advisable to follow these precautions when storing and setting up your ASR-X Pro:

¥ Avoid leaving the ASR-X Pro in temperatures of less than 50 degrees

Fahrenheit or more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

¥ When bringing the ASR-X Pro indoors after travel, allow the unit at

least 20 minutes to reach room temperature before powering up. In the case of excessive outdoor temperatures (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit), allow an hour or more before power up.

¥ Avoid leaving the ASR-X Pro inside a vehicle exposed to direct

sunlight.

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The ASR-X ProÕs disk drive is used to store sounds, rhythms, and sequencer data. This quad-density disk drive will store your data on a high-density (HD) 3.5Ó micro floppy disk. You can also store data on a DOS-formatted double-density (DD) 3.5Ó micro floppy disk.

Disks have a sliding write-protection tab so that you can protect your data against accidental erasure. When the write-protection tab covers the protect window, you can store information on the disk. Sliding the tab so that the window is open will protect the disk against being accidentally reformatted or having files deleted. High density disks can be easily identified because they have an additional disk window located on the lower right corner of the disk.

Floppy disks are a magnetic storage medium, and should be treated with the same care youÕd give important audio tapes. Just as you would use high quality audio tapes for your important recording needs, we recommend using high quality floppy disks for your ASR-X Pro. Here are a few DoÕs and DonÕtÕs concerning disks and the disk drive.

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¥ Use either high-density (HD) or double-density (DD) 3.5Ó disks. Both

types are available from most computer stores.

¥ Keep your disks and the disk drive clean and free of dust, dirt, liquids,

etc.

¥ Label your disks and keep a record of what is saved on each.

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¥ DonÕt use single-sided (SD) disks. These disks have not passed testing

on both sides. While a single-sided disk might work with the ASR-X Pro, it is possible that you will eventually lose important data to a

disk error if you try using single-sided disks. ¥ DonÕt put anything other than a disk into the disk drive. ¥ DonÕt transport the unit with a disk in the drive. ¥ DonÕt expose disks to temperature extremes. Temperatures below 50û

F and above 140û F can damage the plastic outer shell. ¥ DonÕt expose your disks to moisture. ¥ DonÕt dry your disks in a microwave oven. ¥ DonÕt subject disks to strong magnetic fields. Exposure to magnetic

energy can permanently damage the information on the disk. Keep

disks away from speaker cabinets, tape decks, power cables, airline x-

ray equipment, power amplifiers, TV sets, and any other sources of magnetic energy.

¥ DonÕt eject the disk while the drive is operating (i.e., when the disk

drive light is on).

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Clean the exterior of your ASR-X Pro with a soft, lint-free, dry (or slightly damp) cloth. You can use a slightly dampened cloth (with a mild neutral detergent) to remove stubborn dirt, but make sure that the ASR-X Pro is thoroughly dry before turning on the power. Never use alcohol, benzene, volatile cleaners, solvents, abrasives, polish or rubbing compounds.

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Like many modern electrical devices, your ENSONIQ product has a threeprong power cord with earth ground to ensure safe operation. Some products have power cords with only two prongs and no earth ground. To ensure safe operation, modern products with two-prong power cords have polarized plugs which can only be inserted into an outlet the proper way.

Three-prong

PolarizedNon-polarized

Some products, such as older guitar amplifiers, do not have polarized plugs and can be connected to an outlet incorrectly. This may result in dangerous high voltages on the audio connections, which could cause you physical harm or damage any properly grounded equipment to which they are connected, such as your ENSONIQ product.

To avoid shock hazards or equipment damage, we recommend the following precautions:

¥ If you own equipment with two-pronged power cords, check to see if

they are polarized or non-polarized. You might consider having an authorized repair station change any non-polarized plugs on your equipment to polarized plugs to avoid future problems.

¥ Exercise caution when using extension cords or plug adapters. Proper

polarization should always be maintained from the outlet to the plug. The use of polarized extension cords and adapters is the easiest way to maintain proper polarity.

¥ Whenever possible, connect all products with grounded power cords

to the same outlet ground. This will ensure a common ground level to prevent equipment damage and minimize hum in the audio output.

AC outlet testers are available from many electronic supply and hardware stores. These can be used to check for proper polarity of outlets and cords.

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As with any computer device, the ASR-X Pro is sensitive to sharp peaks and drops in the AC line voltage. Lightning strikes, power drops, or sudden and erratic surges in the AC line voltage can scramble the internal memory, and in some cases, damage the unitÕs hardware. Here are a few suggestions to help guard against such occurrences:

¥ A surge/spike suppressor. A surge/spike suppresser absorbs surges

and protects your gear from all but the most severe over-voltage conditions. You can get multi-outlet power strips with built-in surge/spike suppressers for little more than the cost of unprotected power strips, so using one is a good investment for all your electronic equipment.

¥ A line conditioner. This is the best, but by far the more expensive way

to protect your gear. In addition to protecting against surges and spikes, a line conditioner guards the equipment against excessively high or low line voltages. If you use the ASR-X Pro in lots of different locations with varying or unknown AC line conditions, you might consider investing in a line conditioner.

with earth ground

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ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide

Tutorial

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Welcome to the ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide, and congratulations on your purchase of the ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro. This book contains a step-by-step tour of the major features of the ASR-X Pro. For more detailed information on the topics discussedÑand moreÑsee the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual.

The first part of the UserÕs Guide is structured as a tutorial, meant to be read and followed in the order in which itÕs presented. This approach will allow you to become familiar with ASR-X Pro concepts and procedures one at a time, and will let you build up your understanding ofÑand comfort withÑthe way the ASR-X Pro works. The tutorial will only take about a half hour to complete. Along the way, youÕll get a sense of how much fun it is to create music on your new ASR-X Pro. The remainder of the UserÕs Guide contains a list of the sounds built into your ASR-X Pro, and a list of its insert effects and their parameters.

NNNNooootttteeee:::: At the end of various sections of the tutorial, youÕll see a ÒBefore proceeding...Ó section. The

instructions in each these sections help set up the tutorials that follow.

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The following items are included with every ASR-X Pro shipped from the ENSONIQ factory:

¥ ENSONIQ X-Audio Sampling CD ¥ ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide

Volume 1ÑProducersÕ Mix ¥ ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro Reference Manual

¥ hex wrench ¥ AC power cable

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The display located in the center of the ASR-X Pro front panel will always tell you what you need to know as you do different things on the ASR-X Pro. Many ASR-X Pro procedures will be presented as questions that you can answer by pressing the No or Yes button.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: When a question is being asked, the LEDs in the No and Yes buttons will flash.

Some activities involve a series of parameters and/or procedures. In such cases, youÕll begin by answering ÒYesÓ to a top-level question. From there youÕll encounter parameters and/or further questions presented on sub-displays that relate to what youÕre doing. To exit back out to the top level of the ASR-X Pro, you can press the Exit/No button.

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Parameter Value

Sound

Type

Select Track

116

MIDI Channel

Essentials

Sound

Name

Exit Enter

No Yes

567

Demo

ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide 1

Tutorial

Below the display in the center of the front panel are two knobs used during most ASR-X Pro activities. These knobs are known by two different sets of names, since they serve two general purposes.

When youÕre selecting sounds for tracks or for pads in the ASR-X Pro, the central knobs should be thought of as the ÒSound TypeÓ and ÒSound NameÓ knobs.

Sound

Type

For every other activity, the knobs will be referred to as the ÒParameter knobÓ and the ÒValue knob.Ó

Parameter Value

Both sets of names are printed on the front panel, as you can see.

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ItÕs important that you understand the meaning of these terms as you use the ASR-X Pro:

¥ parameterÑThis is any characteristic of the ASR-X Pro software that can be changed. ¥ valueÑThis is the setting of a parameter. ¥ selectÑThis is the act of choosing a sound for playing or recording, or choosing a parameter to be

edited.

¥ standard soundÑA sound is a program that plays one or more digital audio recordings arranged in

layers. The recordings, or waves, can be data permanently stored in the ASR-X ProÕs ROM (for Òreadonly memoryÓ), or something youÕve sampled or loaded into the ASR-X Pro. Standard sounds based on ROM waves can have up to 16 layers; sounds that play sampled waves use one layer for mono waves, or two layers for stereo waves.

¥ kit soundÑA kit is a sound in which each of its 64 notes can play a different standard sound. Since

the ASR-X Pro is designed for beats and loops, kit sounds are its most potent sounds.

Sound Name

TTTTiiiipppp:::: See Chapter 3 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual to learn more about standard and kit

sounds.

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There are a few types of connections youÕll want to make as you set up the ASR-X Pro Ñall of the jacks necessary for these connections are located on the rear panel of the ASR-X Pro. YouÕll want to set up:

¥ a way of listening to the ASR-X ProÑYou can connect the ASR-X

ProÕs Left and Right Main Out jacks to a mixer, amplifier or stereo system. If youÕd like to use the ASR-X Pro in mono, connect only the Left or Right Main Out jack to your mixer or amplifier, and make sure nothing is plugged into the other Main Out jack. If youÕd rather listen to the ASR-X Pro through headphones, you can plug yours in to the ASR-X ProÕs Phones jackÑyour headphones will need to have a 1/4Ó stereo plug or adapter to work correctly with the Phones jack.

2 ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide

Main Out

Right

Mono Mono

Left

Phones

Tutorial

WWWWaaaarrrrnnnniiiinnnngggg:::: If you connect the Main Outs to a stereo system, set your ASR-X Pro Volume level

carefully, or you risk damaging components of your stereo. See ÒSetting LevelsÓ below.

¥ If you plan to use any external MIDI devices with the ASR-X ProÑsuch as a keyboard, sequencer or

computerÑyouÕll need to connect: ¥ the MIDI In of the ASR-X Pro to the MIDI Out of the

external device.

¥ the MIDI OUT of the ASR-X Pro to the MIDI In of the

external device.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: YouÕll be able to verify that your external MIDI device is properly connect to the ASR-X Pro

by transmitting some MIDI data to the ASR-X Pro Ñwhen the ASR-X Pro receives the data, its front-panel MIDI LED will light.

¥ AC power for the ASR-X ProÑby connecting one end of the supplied power cord to the AC Line

jack on the back of the ASR-X Pro, and the other end to a grounded AC outlet.

MIDI

InOutThru

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WWWWaaaarrrrnnnniiiinnnngggg:::: Before powering up your ASR-X Pro for the first time, turn its front-panel Volume knob

all the way down (counter-clockwise) before turning it on. This will help make sure that youÕve set safe levels for all of your equipment before you make any sound on the ASR-X Pro.

To power up the ASR-X Pro, press in the top of its rear-panel power switch. When you do so, the ASR-X Pro will start up and display:

ENSONIQ ASR-X PRO Resampler w/ Effects

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The ASR-X Pro will produce its best sound when its volume knob is turned all the way up, so the best way to set up your ASR-X Pro levels is to:

1. Turn the volume of the channels to which youÕve connected the ASR-X Pro all the way down. If youÕre connected to a mixer, turn down the channel preamps as well.

2. Turn the ASR-X Pro Volume knob all the way up.

3. Play the ASR-X Pro pads with a good amount of force.

4. Set the levels on your mixer or amplifier to a workable setting.

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Since the dynamic range produced by the ASR-X Pro is greater than that of a CD, record or cassette, set your levels carefully:

1. Set the stereo to your normal listening level.

2. Play the ASR-X Pro pads with a good amount of force.

3. While playing, slowly bring up the setting of the ASR-X Pro volume knob to an acceptable level that doesnÕt cause your stereo to distort.

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1. Play the ASR-X Pro pads with a good amount of force.

2. Slowly bring up the setting of the ASR-X Pro volume knob to a comfortable listening level.

ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide 3

Tutorial

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The ASR-X Pro contains demos to give you an idea of what it sounds like. To play the main demo:

1. Locate the Essentials buttons on the ASR-X Pro front panel.

567

2. Hold down the Essentials button with Ò5Ó printed beneath it.

567

3. While still holding the button down, press the Essentials button with Ò9Ó printed beneath it.

567

4. Release both buttons. The display shows:

Essentials

Demo

5. Press the Enter/Yes button to hear the demo.

6. To stop the demo, press the Track Sound button in the center of the ASR-X Pro front panel.

NNNNooootttteeee:::: You can actually press any button to stop the demoÑthe Track Sound button was specified

for the purposes of this tutorial.

7. To listen to any of the other built-in demos, turn the Parameter knob to select a demo category, the Value knob to pick an individual demo from the selected category, and press the Yes button.

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The ASR-X Pro is organized into a framework of 16 tracks that play an important role in the ASR-X Pro:

¥ When youÕre playing sounds or sampling/resampling in the ASR-X Pro, you can think of each track

as being a container for the sound with which youÕre working.

¥ When youÕre recordingÑor sequencingÑeach track contains a recorded performance, as well as the

sound that plays it.

¥ The ASR-X Pro is a multi-timbral MIDI receiverÑthe 16 tracks correspond to MIDI channels 1-16.

Each track receives MIDI data on its like-numbered channel. You can play a trackÕs sound or record on a track via MIDI at any time.

¥ Each track transmits MIDI data on its like-numbered channel when it uses a MIDI-OUT sound.

Start demo playback? MAINDEMO: Internal

Whenever you do anything in the ASR-X Pro, youÕre always on one or another of these tracks, which is referred to as Òthe currently selected track.Ó The ASR-X Pro display tells you which track is currently selectedÑthat is, which track youÕre on.

4 ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide

Since youÕve just powered up and played the demo, youÕre on Track 1:

This shows youÕre on Track 1

¦01 ROM10:000 DEMO-SND: Gizmo Kit

The sound on Track 1

TTTTiiiipppp:::: The currently selected track is shown on the display during many ASR-X Pro activities.

Tutorial

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1. Locate the Select Track buttons.

2. Press the right-hand Select Track button once. The display shows that youÕve just selected the next track, Track 2.

This shows youÕre now on Track 2

Higher-numbered tracks are selected by pressing the right-hand Select Track button, while lower numbered tracks are selected by pressing the left Select Track button.

3. Press the left Select Track button to go back to Track 1.

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Each track can play any of the sounds in the ASR-X Pro. Finding just the right sound is simple, thanks to the ASR-X ProÕs SoundFinderª feature. With SoundFinder, you select the type of sound you want, and then choose a specific sound of that type.

Select Track

116

MIDI Channel

¦02 ROM09:011 BASS-SYN:Snot-T-Bass

The sound on Track 2

TTTTiiiipppp:::: For a list of SoundFinder categories, see Chapter 9 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual. For a

list of all of the ASR-X ProÕs built-in sounds, see ÒList of ROM SoundsÓ later in the UserÕs Guide.

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1. Check the displayÕs upper left-hand corner to make sure that youÕve got the desired track selectedÑfor this tutorial, youÕll use Track 1.

2. Press the Track Sound button.

(Later in this section you'll learn why "DEMO-SND" just changed to "DRUM-KIT" on the display.)

ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide 5

Sound Edit Mute

Track

Mix / FX Bus

Solo

Tutorial

3. Turn the Sound Type knob to view the SoundFinder categories that are currently available. SoundFinder categories are shown in the lower-left corner of the display. (When there are no sounds in memory of a particular type, its SoundFinder category isnÕt shown. )

¦01 ROM08:000 PERCSOLO: Thump Kick

The currently selected SoundFinder type

4. Select the DRUM-KIT SoundFinder type.

5. Turn the Sound Name knob to view the various drum kits in the DRUM-KIT SoundFinder category.

¦01 ROM10:005 DRUM-KIT:OlÕSkoolKit

As you turn the Sound Name knob, the sounds in the selected SoundFinder category are displayed

You can also select sounds using the Essentials buttons. Each button can be pressed to instantly place a favorite sound onto the current track. To learn more about the Essentials buttons, see Chapter 2 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual

6. Press some of the Essentials buttons to see how they work, and to check out the sounds that ENSONIQ assigned to the buttons at the factory. You can also press any upper Essentials button and the button just beneath itÑan additional five sounds can be accessed in this manner.

7. Press the Essentials button with the Ò2Ó beneath it to select the sound HeavyDrmKit. The display provides information about the sound youÕve selected:

The track youÕre on The soundÕs bank number The soundÕs program number

The selected SoundFinder type The selected sound

Sounds are stored in groups called banks. Each bank can contain up to 127 sounds, each of which is numbered. This system allows you to select sounds via MIDI, since each bankÕs number is also its MIDI Bank Select number, and each soundÕs program number is also its MIDI Program Change number. By sending the correct MIDI Bank select and Program Change values on a trackÕs MIDI channel, you can select its sound from an external MIDI device.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: Each sound can be found in the bank in which it's stored and in an instrument category. You

can press the Track Sound button to toggle between these. In Step 1, "DEMO-SND" changed to "DRUM-KIT" on the display when we pressed Track Sound for the second time in this tutorial.

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Now that youÕve selected HeavyDrmKit for Track 1, why not play it? The pads on the ASR-X Pro are a keyboard of sorts that plays the sound youÕve chosenÑitÕs a percussion-oriented keyboard perfect for a groovestation like the ASR-X Pro. Bang out a few notes to hear some of the bass drum and snare sounds in HeavyDrmKit. Since itÕs a kit sound, each pad can play a different standard sound.

lmn

¦01 ROM10:002 DRUM-KIT:HeavyDrmKit

ASR-X Pro sounds cover the entire pitch range typical of any modern MIDI instrument. The 13 ASR-X Pro pads play a section of a sound at a timeÑan octave-plus-one-noteÕs worthÑin this case, the bass drum and snare range of HeavyDrmKit. To the left of the pads are the Octave Buttons. These are used for re-aiming the pads at different octaves within the currently selected sound.

6 ENSONIQ ASR-X Pro UserÕs Guide

Tutorial

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1. Locate the Octave Transpose buttons.

Octave Transpose

2. Press the right-hand Octave Transpose button once. The display briefly shows:

¦01 ROM10:002 Pad Xpose=0oct C2-C3

The number of the octave being played by the pads The note range being played

The Octave Transpose display shows the octave the pads are currently playing. The pads can play five different octaves, each of which has been assigned a number as shown below (Middle C is C4):

¥ Octave 0 plays C2-C3 ¥ Octave 2 plays C4-C5 ¥ Octave 4 plays C6-C7 ¥ Octave 1 plays C3-C4 ¥ Octave 3 plays C5-C6

3. Tap the right-hand Octave Transpose button twice to set the pads to play Octave 1. The first tap takes you to the Octave Transpose display, and the second tap raises the octave setting by one.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: You can also select an octave by pressing either of the Octave Transpose buttons and turning

the Value knob.

4. Play the padsÑnow youÕre playing the sounds contained in the second octave of HeavyDrmKit.

5. Use the Octave buttons to find the other sounds in HeavyDrmKit.

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1. Press the left Octave Transpose button to bring the pads down to Octave 0.

NNNNooootttteeee:::: If you see ÒKit MapperÓ on the display, press the right-hand Octave Transpose button once.

The Kit Mapper is described in Chapter 3 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual.

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The Patch Select buttons call up variations of the currently selected sound. Each sound is made up of layers of waves, and the Patch Select buttons are programmed to turn layers or groups of layers on and off (see Chapter 3 in the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual for more on layers). Depending on the nature of the sound, this can lead to subtle or radical changes in the sound.

Patch Select buttons are able to operate in a couple of different ways. The default setting is for them to act as switches that only work as long as theyÕre physically being held down. There are four possible positions for the Patch Select buttons:

¥ left Patch Select button pressed ¥ both Patch Select buttons pressed ¥ right Patch Select button pressed ¥ neither Patch select button pressed

The Patch Select buttons can also be set to Òstick,Ó as described in Chapter 7 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual.

Patch Selects™

As part of the demonstration of the Patch Select buttons, letÕs select a synthesizer bass sound for Track 2ÑweÕll need it later on anyway.

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1. Press the right-hand Select Track button once to select Track 2.

2. Using the Sound Name knobs, select the sound BuzzSawBassÑsince the BASS-SYN category was already selected, you didnÕt have to turn the Sound Type knob to select a SoundFinder category.

3. Play a few notes of BuzzSawBass to get an idea of its sound with no Patch Select buttons pressed.

4. Play the padsÑwith a standard sound such as BuzzSawBass, all the pads play the same basic sound at different pitches.

BuzzSawBass is one of the sounds built into the ASR-X ProÕs permanent ROM. Since ROM sounds can contain up to 16 layers of waves, the Patch Select buttons are most useful when used with these sounds.

5. Hold down either of the Patch Select buttons and play some notes on the padsÑhear how that sound has changed? You can release the button to return BuzzSawBass to its original sound.

6. Try the other Patch Select positions with BuzzSawBass.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: Patch Select button-presses will be recorded if they occur during the recording of a sequence

track. TheyÕre also transmitted via MIDI so that they can be used for controlling other ENSONIQ products that use Patch Select buttons, and so that they can be recorded in an external sequencer.

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1. Press the left Select Track button to return to Track 1.

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The ASR-X Pro contains a recording device called a sequencer that is both powerful and easy to use. A sequencer records the music you play on each of its 16 tracks. The music is recorded on each track as MIDI data, and is therefore highly editable. Each segment of music you record is called a sequence. There is always a sequence selected in the ASR-X ProÑeven when you havenÕt yet recorded anythingÑand the track that youÕre on is in that sequence.

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TTTTiiiipppp:::: Read through Steps 1 through 4 once before actually doing them so that recording doesnÕt

sneak up on you before youÕre ready.

1. Press and hold down the Transport Record button.

2. While still holding the Record button, press the Play button, and then release both buttons. The Record and Play button LEDs light to show youÕre recording.

The sequencer begins counting off four beats before recording begins. The display shows the countoff in negative numbers in the upper-right corner of the displayÑwhen

the numbers get to 0, recording actually starts.

Transport

Record Stop Play

Scoop Locate Top

Rew

F Fwd

The numbers count up to the first beat of actual recording

¦01 -1 .01 DRUM-KIT:HeavyDrmKit

TTTTiiiipppp:::: This countoff can be customized or turned off. See Chapter 6 in the ASR-X Pro Reference

Manual.

YouÕll be recording two measures. On the first and third beats, play the lowest pad, a bass drum sound. On the second and fourth beats, play the highest pad, a snare drum sound.

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3. At the first beat after the countoff, play the pads as described above. The display will show you where you are in each measure, in bars and beats.

This shows the bar youÕre in This show which beat youÕre on

¦01 1 .04 DRUM-KIT:HeavyDrmKit

4. At the end of the second measure, press the Stop button.

Transport

Record Stop Play

Scoop Locate Top

Rew

YouÕve just recorded your first track in your first sequence.

F Fwd

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1. Hold down the Record button, press the Stop button, and then release both buttons to rewind to the top of the sequence.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: The Transport buttons perform many tasksÑsee Chapter 6 in the ASR-X Pro Reference

Manual to learn more.

2. Press the Play button. The track youÕve just recorded plays backÑthe sequence loops, playing your recording over and

over (this default sequence setting can be changed; see Chapter 6 in the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual).

3. Press the Stop button to end playback.

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For situations in which youÕve recorded something youÕd like to get rid of, or when youÕve done something to a track that you wish you hadnÕt done, the ASR-X Pro provides a handy Undo feature. As long as you havenÕt yet recorded other tracks or performed other procedures, you can undo whatever youÕve just done to a track.

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1. Double-click the Sequence Process button.

Sequence

Select Edit Process

New Tap / Tempo Undo

The display shows:

The default name of the sequence youÕve been recording The location at which you stopped playback

SEQ00001 1.04 Undo track 1?

The No/Yes LEDs flash to indicate that youÕre being asked a question.

2. If youÕd like to undo your recording and try again, press the Yes button and repeat the steps in ÒTo Record a Sequence TrackÓ above. Press the No button if you're satisfied with your performance.

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A sequencer such as the one in the ASR-X Pro can correct timing inconsistencies in a recorded performanceÑthis process is called quantizing. The ASR-X Pro offers a sophisticated set of quantizing tools, as well as quantizing templates, in which common types of quantization are already preprogrammed, and that can hold your own favorite quantization settings.

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1. WeÕll be quantizing the just-recorded Track 1, which is therefore already selected. Normally, however, you'll want to make sure that the track you want to quantize is selected before proceeding.

2. Press the Sequence Process button. The display shows:

SEQ00001 1.01 Undo track 1?

In this case, you donÕt want to undo the track, so donÕt press the Yes button. The Undo function is only one of the track and sequence operations accessed by pressing the Sequence Process button.

3. Turn the Parameter knob clockwise until the display shows:

SEQ00001 1.01 Quantize track 1?

4. Press the Yes button. The display now shows:

Quantize track 1? Template=Strict 1/16

This display is presenting you one of the pre-programmed quantizing templates. However, the track youÕve recorded contains 1/4 notes, not 1/16th notes.

5. Turn the Value knob counter-clockwise to select the Strict 1/4 template.

6. Press the Yes button.

7. Play back your trackÑthe timing of the quarter notes in your track is now perfect.

8. Press the Stop button to end playback.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: To learn more about quantizing, see Chapter 6 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual.

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The ASR-X Pro sequencer provides a variety of recording modes, described fully in Chapter 6 of the ASRX Pro Reference Manual. These modes change the way in which the sequencer records what you play. In:

¥ Replace mode, what you record replaces anything already on the track. ¥ Add mode, what you record is added to whatÕs already on the track. In this way, you can build up

complex recordings, an element at a time.

¥ Step mode, you can enter notes or chords one at a time with the sequencer at rest. ¥ Track Mix allows you to record volume, panning and other track setting changes on a track. ¥ Final Mix lets you to record whole-sequence volume changesÑsuch as fade-outsÑ and tempo

changes.

Since youÕre in Add mode (itÕs the default setting), you can now add hihat 1/8th notes to your track.

1. Pressing the right-hand Octave Transpose button twice to aim the pads at HeavyDrmKitÕs second octave. Play the pads to locate a hihat sound you like.

2. Press the Record and Stop buttons to return to the beginning of the sequence.

3. Hold down the Record button, press Play and release both buttons when the countoff begins.

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4. Record 1/8th notes on the hihat to accompany the two measures of bass drum and snare.

5. Press the Stop button at the end of the second barÑin Add mode, recording continues until you press the Stop button.

6. Play back your track to hear the bass drum, snare and hihat playing together.

7. If youÕd like to redo the hihat, double-click the Sequence Process button, undo the track, and then record it again.

8. Correct the hihatÕs timing by repeating the steps in "Correcting the Timing of a Performance." YouÕll want to select the Strict 1/8th template this time, since you donÕt want your hihat 1/8th notes turned into 1/4 notes.

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1. Press the left Octave Transpose button twice to re-direct the pads back to the lowest octave.

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LetÕs record synth bass quarter notes on Track 2 to accompany the drums on Track 1. This time, however, donÕt record any notes during the first measureÑwait until Bar 2 to begin playing. You can use any of the pads to play your quarter notes.

1. Press the right-hand Select Track button to select Track 2.

2. Hold down Record, press Stop and let go of both buttons to make sure youÕre at the beginning of the sequence.

3. Record your bass part using the same technique you used on Track 1.

4. Once youÕre satisfied with your performance, quantize the track using the Strict 1/4 quantization template.

5. Play back your bass-and-drums sequence, and press the Stop button when youÕre done listening.

BBBBeeeeffffoooorrrreeee PPPPrrrroooocccceeeeeeeeddddiiiinnnngggg..........

1. Locate and press the Sequence Edit button.

This button accesses various settings relating to the behavior of the sequence.

2. Turn the Parameter knob until the display shows:

Sequence

Select Edit Process

New Tap / Tempo Undo

The name of the sequence The current location in the sequence

SEQ00001 1.01 Loop Playback= On

3. Turn the Value knob counter-clockwise to turn the playback looping off.

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The Sequence Select, Edit and Process buttons provide access to a wealth of tools used in sequencing, from the creation and selection of sequences, to all of the settings that establish your recording environment, to the various ways that recorded tracks and sequences can be manipulated and processed after recording. You can also chain sequences together to try out arrangements, and create songs as well. Sequencing is described in detail in Chapter 6 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual.

The Track buttonsÑSound, Edit and MuteÑprovide the means of setting up tracks and changing the way they play their sounds, changes you can make even as sequences play back. You can also mute and solo tracks using a highly musical Mute/Solo system. Chapter 2 in the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual is the place to go for information relating to tracks.

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The ASR-X Pro contains a powerful ENSONIQ ESP2 effect chip, capable of providing a variety of exceptional effects. Each sequence contains its own:

¥ insert effectÑAn insert effect is one of a collection of 40 high-quality effects. Insert effects handle a

wide range of processing jobs.

¥ global reverbÑThe global reverb in each sequence is intended as the all-purpose reverb youÕll use

for the sequenceÕs tracks. Each sequence can use any one of the eight global reverbs available.

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Tracks and their sounds are heard through one of their sequenceÕs effects when theyÕve been assigned to an effect bus, which routes the track to the effect you want. Each track has a parameter for this purpose. LetÕs change the effect through which weÕre hearing our bass.

1. Locate the Track Edit button.

2. Press the Track Edit button until the display shows:

Sound Edit Mute

¦02 BuzzSawBass FX Bus= LightReverb

Track

Mix / FX Bus

Solo

The currently selected effect bus

The FX Bus parameter assigns the selected track to an effect bus, and therefore, an effect. The values available for this parameter vary slightly, depending on what kind of sound is on the selected track, and whether or not youÕve added an X-8 output expander to your ASR-X Pro. You can select:

¥ ProgÑto retain each noteÕs individual effect bus in a kit sound. When a standard sound is on

the selected track, this setting causes the sound to use its Alt Bus setting, described in Chapter 4

of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual. ¥ InsertÑto route the selected track and its sound to the sequenceÕs insert effect. ¥ LightReverbÑto apply a small amount of reverb to the trackÕs sound. ¥ MediumReverbÑto apply an average amount of reverb to the trackÕs sound. ¥ WetReverbÑto apply a large amount of reverb to the trackÕs sound. ¥ DryÑto leave the trackÕs sound un-effected. ¥ AuxOut1-4Ñto send the trackÕs sound out of one of the auxiliary output jacks provided by an

X-8 output expander. These values are only available when an output expander is installed.

3. Turn the Value knob to set the FX Bus parameter to each of the available settings, playing a few notes on the pads with each setting to hear how the bass sound changes.

4. Set the FX Bus parameter to ÒInsert.Ó

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Now that the bass is being sent to the sequenceÕs insert effect, letÕs find out what that effect is, and then change it.

1. Locate the Effects Select button.

2. Press the Effects Select button once. The display shows the sequenceÕs insert effect:

Effects

Select Edit

Bypass

Insert Effect= 20 DDLªChorus

3. Turn the Value knob to select different insert effects and play some notes on the pads to hear what they sound like.

NNNNooootttteeee:::: Insert effects sometimes take a few moment to be installed, or Òdownloaded.Ó

4. When youÕre done experimenting, select insert effect 25 Dist→Chorus.

Play a few notesÑthe bass has now become something rough and wide.

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A sequenceÕs global reverb can be selected in the same way as its insert effect (press the Effects Select button a second time to view the global reverb selection page). The ASR-X Pro effects provide a wide selection of parameters that let you get each effect sounding just the way you want it toÑthese parameters can be accessed by pressing the Effects Edit button, selecting the appropriate question and pressing the Yes button.

Effect selection and editing is described in Chapter 4 of the ASR-X Pro Reference Manual. For a listing of the insert effects and their parameters, see ÒInsert Effect ParametersÓ later in the UserÕs Guide.

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The ASR-X Pro captures audio using a process called sampling, which is another term for digital recording. When you sample in the ASR-X Pro, you create a wave, or if youÕve sampled in stereo, a pair of waves. The ASR-X Pro creates a sound based on each wave (or pair of waves) you create, and when you play that sound, you play the wave.

The ASR-X Pro can sample audio that you feed it through its rear-panel Audio Input jacks, or it can resample sounds and sequences from the ASR-X Pro itselfÑor both sources at once. In addition, you can set up the ASR-X Pro to automatically begin sampling when it ÒhearsÓ audioÑa feature weÕll try out in the following tutorial.

NNNNooootttteeee:::: The techniques for sampling and resampling are the sameÑthe only difference is the source

of the audio being sampled.

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Remember that youÕre always on a track in the ASR-X Pro. This is even true when you sample or resample. So that we donÕt get in the way of the tracks weÕve recorded, letÕs select an unused track to begin.

1. Press the right-hand Select Track button to select Track 3.

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YouÕre going to be putting the samples you create into one of the kit sounds, so letÕs select one that weÕre not already using in our sequence.

2. Turn the Sound Type knob to select the DRUM-KIT SoundFinder category, and turn the Sound Name knob to select Dance Kit.

3. Hold down the Record button, press the Stop button, and then release both buttons to make sure that weÕre at the beginning of our sequence.

4. Locate and press the Resampling Setup button.

Resampling

Setup

Send

To Pad(s)

Start

Stop

Scratch Pad™

5. Turn the Parameter knob until the display shows:

Meter: Trig= ¼

This is where you can set a level that determines how loud audio has to be to cause the ASR-X Pro to begin sampling. This is referred to as the trigger threshold.

6. Turn the Value knob counter-clockwise to move the level indicator as far leftward as it will go. The farther to the left the indicator is set, the quieter the audio that will cause sampling to begin.

7. Turn the knob the other way to move the indicator to the right by one position.

8. Locate the Resampling Start/Stop button.

Resampling

Setup

Send

To Pad(s)

Start

Stop

Scratch Pad™

9. Press the Resampling Start/Stop button once. The display shows ÒWaiting for triggerÓ on its top line, since the ASR-X Pro is waiting to hear some

audio before it starts sampling.

10. Press the Transport Play button to play the sequence. On the display, youÕll see ÒSampling In ProgressÓ to show that youÕre now sampling.

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11. When the sequence ends, press the Sample Start/Stop button again to stop sampling. YouÕve just created a stereo sample thatÕs capturedÑas a pair of wavesÑthe sequence you recorded

earlier. Whereas a sequence is just MIDI data, sampling records the sound that MIDI data produces. The waves are in the Scratch Pad, which you can now play to hear what youÕve resampled.

12. The display is showing:

C2...0oct..C3 SendTo Pads?

At this point, you must send the waves to one or more pads in a drum kit in order to fully use and edit what youÕve sampled.

13. Strike the lowest pad. The ASR-X Pro takes this to mean that you want to play your waves from that pad. The display shows the pad youÕve hit.

C2...0oct..C3 SendTo ¼ Pads?

This pad symbol represents the pad you hit

14. Strike the middle pad and the highest padÑthe waves will be assigned to three pads, as shown on the display.

C2...0oct..C3 SendTo ¼ » ¼ Pads?

iii

All three pads you hit are now shown on the display

TTTTiiiipppp:::: You can un-select a pad by hitting it a second time, but for the purposes of the tutorial, you

do want the waves sent to all three of the pads youÕve hit.

TTTTiiiipppp:::: Though you shouldnÕt do this for the tutorial, you can use the Octave Select buttons to send

your waves to a pad in any octave.

15. Press the Yes button to send the waves to the three pads.

16. Play the pads, youÕll hear what youÕve sampled on the three pads you selected, and other elements of Dance Kit on the other pads.

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When you send waves to pads, those pads have to be in a sound that can accept them. Since all of the sounds built into your ASR-X Pro are permanently stored in ROM, none of them qualifyÑtheyÕre unchangeable. As a result, when you try to send waves into a ROM soundÑif thatÕs whatÕs on the currently selected trackÑthe ASR-X Pro makes an editable copy of the sound, into which you can send your waves. Such a sound is called a RAM (for Òrandom access memoryÓ) sound, since thatÕs where all editable items are stored in the ASR-X ProÕs memory.

Kit sounds are ideal for sending waves into, since in kit sounds, each pad can have its own sound. If you try to send waves into a sound thatÕs not a kit, the ASR-X Pro turns it into oneÑin such a kit, each pad will play a different pitch of the original sound.

Therefore, when you send waves into a sound, it has to be a RAM kit soundÑif itÕs not, the ASR-X Pro automatically makes a RAM kit copy of the sound on the currently selected track. In our tutorial, thatÕs just what happened. Dance Kit was a ROM sound, so the ASR-X Pro created a RAM kit copy of it that could accept your waves.

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Ensoniq Corporation ASR-X Pro User's Guide

Table of Contents

Tutorial