Zoom ARQ, Aero RhythmTrak Quickstart Guide

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Aero RhythmTrak

Version 2.0 Quick Manual

The Operation Manual can be downloaded from the ZOOM website (www.zoom.co.jp)

Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.

Contents

Explanation of terms ......................................3

Overview

Names of parts ..............................................4

Using the A .........................................7

Ring Controller overview ................................8

Connecting other devices ............................10

Switching modes ......................................... 11

Instrument overview .....................................12

Preparations

Turning the power on and o ....................... 14

Loading SD cards ........................................16

INST mode

INST mode overview ....................................17

Operation summary .....................................19

STEP mode

STEP mode overview ...................................21

Operation summary .....................................23

SONG mode

SONG mode overview .................................24

Operation summary .....................................25

Capturing audio (recording)

Capture overview .........................................26

Operation summary .....................................27

LOOPER mode

LOOPER mode overview .............................28

Operation summary .....................................29

Other functions

Editing sounds .............................................30

Eects .........................................................30

Mixer ...........................................................30

Arpeggiator ..................................................30

Product specications.................................. 31

Explanation of terms

Pattern

This is a short music al part of se veral bars.

Patterns are made of sequences (performance

information) and kits (sound sets). You can also

save parameters controlled by the Ring Con-

troller, quantization and other settings for each

pattern separately.

The A has preset patterns that cover a

variety of musical genres.

Song

This is a combination of multiple patterns that

form a single musical piece.

Step

A step is the length of the shortest notes that

can be input to a sequence.

Steps are usually one 16th of a measure, so you

can set sounds to occur in 16th note intervals.

This length can be changed in the settings.

Sequence

A sequence is performance data that records

the timing when various sounds are played.

The A has a STEP mode that allows you

to record sequences one step at a time and an

INST mode that allows you to record playing the

pads in real time.

Kit

One pattern can use up to 33 instruments. This

collection of instruments is called a "kit".

A kit created in one pattern can be copied to

another pattern.

Explanation of terms

Instrument

These are the smallest elements of sounds. A

variety of sound sources, including drum sets,

percussion instruments, basses and synthesiz-

ers, are already prepared for use.

You can also use WAV les saved on an SD card

by a computer as instruments.

In addition to selecting sounds, various settings

are available in each instrument. These include

envelopes with attack and sustain times, lters

and eects.

TEMPO button

CAPTURE button

Ring Controller charging connectorLCD screen

button

Overview

Names of parts

Base Station

■

Top

KIT button

EDIT button

Headphone

Parameter

knobs 1–3

volume

STEP

INPUT volume

INST

MODE

buttons

SONG

LOOPER

Right and left buttons

OUTPUT volume

POWER button

MASTER FX

REVERB

DELAY

FILTER

MIXER button

HOLD button

MENU button

SELECT knob

EFFECT buttons

CLEAR

STOP

PLAY/PAUSE

REC

Names of parts (continued)

Overview

Names of parts

■

Left side

INPUT

jack

Headphone

jack

■

Right side

OUTPUT jack

External power jack

USB jack

SD card slot

Names of parts (continued)

Overview

Ring Controller

Names of parts

SETUP button

DELAY button FILTER button

MASTER FX button

REVERB button

Charging connector

(Bottom)

(Side) button button

GRIP button

Pads

POWER button STOP button

(Side) PLAY/PAUSE button REC button

HINT

•You can use the Ring Controller buttons for the same operations as the Base Station buttons.

•The Ring Controller U corresponds to the Base Station u.

• Press p on the Ring Controller to show the remaining battery charge on the Base Station screen.

Using the A

The A consists of a Base Station and a Ring Controller.

Ring Controller

Base Station

With the Base Station, you can edit tones, create songs and save them, for example. Use the Ring

Controller for input when creating songs.

Since the Ring Controller can be detached from the Base Station, you can hold it in your hand and

play it like an instrument. You can also connect it wirelessly to a Mac computer or iOS device and use

it as a MIDI controller.

The Ring Controller includes an LED matrix with 5 rows of 32 blocks (3 rows with pads and 2 rows for

display only). Placing a two-dimensional matrix on the surface of a three-dimensional hoop enables

conrmation and operation of all steps in a compact form.

2313

…

303132

…

Overview

Using the A

…

Top inner ring

pads for input

Step

Instrument

Ring parameters

Ring Controller overview

Overview

The A Controller surface has 5 ring-shaped areas. The top, side and bottom rings each have 32

pressure-sensitive pads.

Using these pads, you can input and edit songs and perform in real-time, for example.

LED indicators

(no input)

Bottom inner ring

Ring Controller overview

LED indicators

(no input)

Bottom ring

Pressure-sensitive

Top ring

Pressure-sensitive pads for input

Side ring

Pressure-sensitive pads for input

Assignment of functions

Various functions are assigned to the Ring Controller rings and pads according to the operation status

and mode.

Pad locations

Example: In STEP mode PAD layout, the rings display 5 dierent instrument sequences (3 when set to

Guideline display), and each pad and indicator corresponds to a step between 1 and 32.

Example: In INST mode PAD layout, each pad controls 1 of 32 instruments with each ring assigned to

a dierent parameter setting.

HINT

Since input procedures differ for each mode, see the explanation pages for each operation for

details.

Ring Controller overview (continued)

Playback position

During playback of a pattern or song, for exam-

ple, the LEDs of the top and bottom inner rings

light green at the step currently playing.

In addition, in INST mode and during other real-

time input, the LEDs light red.

Guideline

In STEP mode, the LEDs of the top and bottom

inner rings can be set to light for each beat to

assist in step recording.

S e e t h e O p e r a t i o n M a n u a l f o r s e t t i n g

instructions.

Lights

beat

For 16 beats

Grip area

You can set a grip area that does not respond

to touch in order to prevent pads from being

pressed unintentionally whe n using the Ring

Controller separately from the Base Station. The

grip area can be set automatically by holding the Ring Controller after pressing g .

Turning the Ring Controller over

If you turn the ring controller over and place it

so that the side with the power key and the side

with the eect keys are reversed, the functions

assigned to the rings and the display of LEDs

will be reversed top to bottom. Moreover, the

direction of movement will also be switched. As

a result, when the Ring Controller is viewed from

above, movement will always be clockwise and

the top ring will always be on top when you use

it.

TOP

Overview

Ring Controller overview

BOTTOM

Use the same way even when turned over

NOTE

If the grip area has been set, turning the ring

controller over will not reverse assignments or

the direction.

Overview

Connecting other devices

Audio source for

capturing recordings

Headphones

INPUT

Mixer, audio system or

other playback equipment

OUTPUT

AC adapter

Computer

(USB connection)

Switching modes

With the A, you can create patterns and

combine multiple patterns to create songs.

Editing with the A mainly uses the follow-

ing four modes. By switching between these

modes, you can alternate between creating pat-

terns and creating songs.

The two modes for creating patterns are STEP

and INST.

· In STEP mode, you can record instrument

sounds one step at a time to create patterns.

· In INST mod e , a n d y o u c a n r e c o r d a

Pattern creation

Create and save patterns

performance as a pattern by playing the pads

in real-time.

Us e SONG and L OO PER m od es to c re ate

songs.

· In SONG mode, create songs by playing and

changing patterns in real-time and recording

the results.

· In LOOPER mode, use audio data captured

from the input of devices connected to the

INPUT jacks, patterns and songs, as well as

WAV les loaded from SD cards, for example,

as materia ls to buil d loo p sequences and

create songs.

Overview

Switching modes

STEP mode

Create patterns by inputting one step at a time

SONG mode

Combine patterns that have already been made to create songs

Song creation

Combine patterns and other sources to create songs

INST mode

Record patterns by playing in real time

LOOPER mode

Create songs using loops from other songs, captured external input and PCM audio ﬁles

Instrument overview

Overview

The A can use up to 33 sound sources in a single kit. Each of these is called an instrument and

produces sound from waveform data, such as a drum hit, from a WAV le loaded from an SD card, or

from the built-in synthesizer. In addition to its sound (oscillator), each instrument has various settings.

These include envelopes with attack and sustain times, lters, eects and pad colors.

Instruments are assigned numbers from 1 to 33. In EDIT and STEP modes, you can edit the sound

and sequence for the instrument selected by number.

Instrument number 33 is the one used in KEY layout in A Version 1.00. It can only be edited in

Instrument overview

STEP mode.

The A Ring Controller has the two following layouts. In STEP or INST mode, press E to switch

between them. Up to 16 sounds can be generated simultaneously in either layout.

PAD layout

SCALE layout This performance mode allows you to use a musical

In this performance mode, you can assign dierent instru-

ments to each of the 32 pads. Instruments 1–32 are

assigned individually to pads 1–32.

The selected instrument is shown on the display and the

corresponding pad lights white.

scale to play the instrument selected in PAD layout. The

pads become like a keyboard in a musical scale order.

The Ring Controller LEDs light with a pale color for white

keyboard keys and a dark color for black keyboard keys.

The scale can also be set to major or minor, for example.

Unlike in A Version 1.00, any of the 1–32 instruments can be switched to

SCALE layout.

The note (pitch) that sounds when a pad is played in PAD layout is C4.

Instrument overview (continued)

Assignments of instruments to the Ring Controller are dierent for STEP and INST modes as well as

for PAD and SCALE layouts.

INST modeSTEP mode

Instrument No.

Note

PAD layoutSCALE layout

Instrument

… …

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Note

… …

D# E F

No.

(Using chromatic scale)

(Same notes assigned to side and bottom rings)

Overview

Instrument overview

Preparations

Turning the power on and o

Turning the power on and o

Base Station power

Connect the included AC adapter

to the Base Station.

Press and hold p on the Base

Station.

Ring Controller power

■

Charging the Ring Controller

Place the Ring Controller on the

Base Station.

Press and hold p to turn the

power OFF.

HINT

When the Ring Controller is asleep and con-

nected to the Base Station, turning the Base

Station power ON/OFF will also turn the Ring

Controller ON/OFF.

NOTE

Use the AC ada pter to p ower th e A

even when it is connected to a computer or

other device by USB.

Align their charging connectors before

placement.

Charging will start and the Ring Controller p LED will light.

Charging

(Power o or asleep)

Charging during use Orange

Using battery (Remaining battery charge at least 12%)

Using battery (Remaining battery charge less than 12%)

HINT

Even when the Base Station is OFF, if it is con-

nected to a power supply, it can recharge the

Ring Controller.

Red

Green

Blinking

green

Turning the power on and o (continued)

■

Putting the Ring Controller to sleep

When the Ring Controller is charging, the power

will not turn OFF. Instead, it will go to sleep.

■

Turn the Ring Controller OFF

To turn the Ring Controller OFF, follow these

steps when it is not charging.

Preparations

HINT

Wh en a sleep, the Ri ng Controller p

LED will light red (charging) or blink red (not

charging).

CONTROLLER

to wake it from sleep.

Press and hold

NOTE

•W hen the power is OFF, the p LED

•Even if the power is OFF, the Ring Controller

CONTROLLER

when not charging.

CONTROLLER

becomes unlit.

will automatically enter sleep mode when

charging starts.

Press and hold

for at least 7 seconds

Press and hold

to turn the power on.

Turning the power on and o

Preparations

■

Loading SD cards

Loading and removing SD cards

Turnthepowero.

Open the SD card slot cover on the

Base Station.

Insert the SD card into the slot.

To eject an SD card:

Push the card further into the slot and

then pull it out.

NOTE

•If no SD card is loaded in the A, cap-

tured data cannot be saved and patterns and

songs that are created cannot be backed up.

•When inserting an SD card, be sure to insert

the correct end with the top side up as

shown.

•Before using SD cards that have just been

purchased or that have been formatted on

a computer, they must be formatted by the

A. See the Operation Manual for for-

matting procedures.

INST (instrument) mode

INST mode overview

You can tap pads to perform as you like. You can also record performances in real-time to create

patterns.

In this mode, each pad around the Ring Controller corresponds to a single instrument (PAD layout) or

note (SCALE layout).

PAD layout

Selected

instrument

Change

Instrument Numbers

layout

HINT

In PAD layout, the note (pitch) C4 is output when a pad is played.

SCALE layout

Notes

The same notes are assigned to the side and bottom rings

Selected instrument

INST mode overview

Dierent parameter settings are assigned to the side and bottom rings, so they can be used for dier-

ent tones.

Same instrument

Different parameters

Real-time input (loop playback)

INST (instrument) mode

INST mode overview (continued)

Pattern creation in PAD layout

After starting real-time input, tap pads for an instrument to input it.

The pattern will start loop playback, and you can overdub as many times as you like.

INST mode overview

Instrument 1

Instrument 2

Instrument 3

Instrument 32

Pattern creation in SCALE layout

After starting real-time input, tap pads for notes to input them.

Scales can be used to input every instrument numbered 1–32.

Bar 1 Bar 2

…

Bar 1 Bar 2

Real-time input (loop playback)

Instrument

…

Notes

…

Operation summary

Press X to enter INST mode.

INST (instrument) mode

Enter INST mode

Select a pattern

Use u to select a pattern number.

Check the instruments

Play the pads to hear the sounds of the input instruments.

When a pad is tapped, it becomes “selected” and lights white. The name and parameters of the instrument are shown on the display.

To select an instrument without making a sound press and hold X while tapping the pad.

To use SCALE layout to input the selected instru-

ment, press E to change the layout.

You can also use e to check the

instruments.

Start input

Press R to enter standby, and press P to start real-time

input.

Operation summary

INST (instrument) mode

Operation summary (continued)

In PAD layout

Tap instrument pads to input them in time with the looping pattern that is playing back.

Operation summary

Instrument 1 Instrument 2 Instrument 3

Instrument 32

In SCALE layout

Tap the pads of notes to input them in time with the looping pattern that is playing back.

Start real-time input

Instrument

Input in real time

Bar 1 Bar 2

…

Bar 1Bar 2

Realtime input (loop playback)

Press S to end real-time input.

End input

…

Notes

…

STEP mode

STEP mode overview

STEP mode

In STEP mode, you can create patterns by inputting them one step at a time.

In this mode, each pad around the Ring Controller corresponds to a single sequential step.

Step

…

Bar 1 Bar 2

Instrument

……

1 2 3 …

……3030313132

Since the Ring Controller rings are divided into 32 steps, you can input up to two musical bars (1) at a

time (when the smallest step is a 16th note).

1 Input ﬁrst instrument

Bar 2

…

Instrument

…

Bar 1

Bar 2

Bar 1

If the pattern is longer than two bars, the Ring Controller display will switch every two bars (in cases

when the smallest step is a 16th note).

STEP mode overview

Bar 1 Bar 2

…

Instrument

…

Ring Controller appearance

while playing bars 1 and 2

Bar 3 Bar 4

Ring Controller appearance

while playing bars 3 and 4

STEP mode overview (continued)

STEP mode

In PAD layout

The 5 rings (3 when set to Guideline display) on the Ring Controller each show a dierent instrument.

You can use e to change which instruments are shown by which rings.

Since multiple instruments can be shown by the Ring Controller, you can check instruments that have

already been input as you input the next instrument.

STEP mode overview

Select the instrument shown

on the top ring

When instrument 2 is selected:

Top ring shows the sequence for instrument 2 Side ring shows the sequence for instrument 3

In SCALE layout

You can use e to select the note input.

Select the note shown on

the top ring

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

When C#2 is selected:

Top ring shows C#2 sequence Side ring shows D2 sequence

Operation summary

Select a pattern

Use u to select a pattern number.

Enter STEP mode

Press W to enter STEP mode.

Select the instrument to input

Use e to select the instrument to use for input from the 32 instruments. That instrument

moves to the top ring of the Ring Controller.

STEP mode

Operation summary

1 Use e to select the input

2 The instrument color shown on the ring moves

To use SCALE layout for input, press e to change the mode.

Step input

Tap pads to input the sound at those points.

Bar 1

Instrument

Bar 2

instrument

After nishing, switch to a dierent instrument

Bar 2

Bar 1

Playback order →

Song

SONG mode

SONG mode overview

In SONG mode, you can combine multiple patterns that you have created into one complete song.

SONG mode overview

…

Pattern A Pattern B Pattern C …

The pads on the Ring Controller are assigned 32 patterns.

The same patterns are assigned to the top, side and bottom rings.

You can change the patterns assigned to each pad.

SONG mode also has A–L pad banks.

By changing banks, you can assign 32 dierent patterns to the Ring Controller.

Pattern 32

Pattern 31

Pattern 30

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

Pattern 3

Pattern 64

Pattern 63

Pattern 62

Pattern 33

Pattern 100

Pattern 101

Switch pad bank

(A, B, C…L)

After completing preparation, start real-time input and tap pads to play their patterns.

Song

Pattern 1

Real-time input

The patterns assigned to each pad can be changed

Patterns

…

Operation summary

Press Y to enter SONG mode.

SONG mode

Enter SONG mode

Select a song

Press M and use e to open the Song Sequence List. Then, use e and E to select a song sequence.

Select a pattern to play

Use u to change the pad bank as necessary.

Start input

Press R to start real-time input.

Create a song

Tap pads for patterns to play them and add them to the song in real time.

Operation summary

Realtime recording

Song

Press S to end song input.

End input

Capturing audio (recording)

Capture overview

The A can capture (record) audio it is playing back and audio input through its INPUT jacks in

every mode.

You can use captured audio as instruments and in LOOPER mode.

WAV les saved on SD cards can also be used in the same way as captured audio.

Capture external input

Capture output audio

Add audio ﬁles

Patterns, songs, looper sequences

HINT

•In LOOPER mode, up to 96 captured recordings can be assigned to pads and used to perform.

•The total time of captured audio that can be used for instruments is 6 minutes (or 12 minutes if

mono).

NOTE

Captured audio data is saved on the SD card. Be aware that you will not be able to use the captured

recordings if you remove the SD card or replace it with a dierent SD card.

Operation summary

Play the material to capture

•Playapatternorsong,forexample,thatyouwanttouseasacapturedrecording.

•InputfromthesoundsourceconnectedtotheINPUTjacks.

External input

Capturing audio (recording)

Play patterns, songs, etc.

Start capturing

Press c to start capturing.

Stop capturing

Press c again to stop capturing.

On the setting screen that appears after captur-

ing stops, you can assign it to pads and set the

rangethatissounded,forexample.

Save

You can select and save captured audio to use

as an instrument or in LOOPER mode.

Captured audio can also be saved to an SD

card without changing its name or using it as an

instrument or in LOOPER mode.

Operation summary

LOOPER mode

Capture 1

Capture 32

Capture 30

Capture 33

Real time input

LOOPER mode

LOOPER mode overview

In LOOPER mode, you can combine patterns and songs that have already been created, input from

LOOPER mode overview

the INPUT jacks, WAV les and other captured audio into a single song as a looper sequence.

Playback order →Looper sequence

16 sounds

maximum

simultaneous

playback

(mono)

32 captured recordings are assigned to the Ring Controller pads.

The captured recordings assigned to the pads can be changed. The same captured recordings are

assigned to the top, side and bottom rings.

LOOPER mode has A, B and C pad banks. By changing banks, you can assign 32 dierent captured

recordings to the Ring Controller.

Capture 1 Capture 1 Capture 1 Capture 1 Capture 1 Capture 1

Capture 2 Capture 2 Capture 2 Capture 2

…

Capture 3

…

Capture 31

Capture 2

Capture 3

Capture 50

Capture 51

The captured recordings assigned to each pad can be changed

Switch pad bank

(A, B, C)

After completing preparation, start real-time input and tap pads to play their captured recordings. Up

to 16 captured mono recordings can be played back at the same time.

Looper sequence

Capture 1 Capture 1

Capture 2 Capture 2

Capture 1 Capture 1

Capture 3

…

Captures

…

HINT

See "Captured recordings" (→ P. 26) for how to create captured recordings.

Operation summary

Press Z to enter LOOPER mode.

Select the looper sequence

LOOPER mode

Enter LOOPER mode

Press M and use e to open the Looper Sequence List.

Use e and E to select a loop sequence from the list.

Select captured audio for playback

Tap a pad or use u to change the pad bank as necessary.

Start input

Press R to start real-time input.

Create a looper sequence

Tap pads for captured recordings to play them and add them to the sequence in real time.

Operation summary

Real-time recording

Looper sequence

Capture 1 Capture 1

Capture 2 Capture 2

Capture 1 Capture 1

Capture 3

Press S to end looper sequence input.

End input

Other functions

Editing sounds

Editing sounds/Eects/Mixer/Arpeggiator

Press D to edit sounds by changing settings related to oscillator

and noise types, insert eects, level, pan, send eects, LFOs and

envelopes, for example.

You can also set Ring Controller display settings in SONG mode and

capture settings in LOOPER mode.

Eects

Press w, x, y or z to apply the fi lter, delay,

reverb or master eect to a pattern, song or looper sequence.

Mixer

Press m when creating or playing a pattern, song or loop to adjust

the mix of the instruments, as well as to mute, solo and use other

settings.

Arpeggiator

This function can be used to make an instru-ment play automatically

when triggered by a pad. Pressing multiple pads will trigger multiple

instruments in order.

By pressing chord tones in SCALE layout, the notes in the chord can

be played back one at a time.

HINT

See the Operation Manual for detailed information about all the functions.

Product specications

Base Station

Inputs INPUT L/R

OUTPUT L/R

Outputs

Dynamic range

Recording media

MIDI IN/OUT USB MIDI or MIDI over Bluetooth LE

Power 5V 1A AC adapter

Power consumption

External dimensions 260.0 mm (D) × 260.0 mm (W) × 64.0 mm (H)

Weight (main unit only) 990 g

Display LCD 2.0" full-color LCD (320×240)

Interface

PHONES

USB 2.0 (standard USB MIDI)

MIDI over Bluetooth LE

Connector type Standard mono phone jacks (unbalanced)

Input gain +10 to −65 dB

Input impedance 50 kΩ

Connector type Standard mono phone jacks (unbalanced)

Output impedance 200 Ω

Connector type

Output impedance 10 Ω

Supported operating systems

Minimum specications

Transmission speed 31.25 kbps (±1%) maximum

Latency (with Ring Controller)

Standard stereo phone jacks

20mW × 2 (into 32Ω load)

ANALOG IN (AD): 92 dB typ (IHF-A) PHONE OUT (DA): 102 dB typ (IHF-A) MAIN OUT (DA): 106 dB typ (IHF-A)

16MB–2GB SD cards, 4GB–32GB SDHC cards, 64GB–128GB SDXC cards

Base Station: 1.25 W maximum When powering Ring Controller: 4.5 W maximum (including charging current)

Windows 7 (SP1 or later), Windows 8 (including 8.1) or later, Windows 10 Mac OS X 10.8 or later

Chipset that includes USB 2.0 as standard, Intel Core i3 or faster CPU

5–12.5 ms

Product specications

Ring Controller

MIDI IN/OUT MIDI over Bluetooth LE

Sensors PAD pressure sensors, 3-axis accelerometer

Power

Power consumption When using battery: 2 W maximum

Recharging time About 2.5 hours

Battery operation time

External dimensions 280.5 mm (D) × 280.5 mm (W) × 33.5 mm (H)

Weight (main unit only) 540 g

Trigger pads

Interface

MIDI over Bluetooth LE

Number of pads 96

Velocity curves 4 types

Supported iOS devices iPad devices running iOS 8.0 or later

Supported Macs

Transmission speed 31.25 kbps (±1%) maximum

Latency (with Base Station)

Latency (iOS and Mac OS) 16.25–20 ms

Lithium polymer rechargeable battery (DC4.2V maximum voltage,

3.7V nominal voltage, 450mAh 3.7V capacity), direct supply from Base Station

About 4.5 hours when LED brightness is Low About 2.5 hours when LED brightness is High

(diers according to use conditions)

Mac OS X 10.10.5 Yosemite or later MacBook, iMac and Mac pro series computers that support BLE transmission

5–12.5 ms

ZOOM CORPORATION

4-4-3 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan

http://www.zoom.co.jp

Z2I-2711-04

Zoom ARQ, Aero RhythmTrak Quickstart Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual