Zoom RT-234 User Manual

OPERATION MANUAL

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

In this manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings and cautions for you to read so that accidents can be prevented. The meanings of these symbols are as follows:

This symbol indicates explanations aboutextremely dangerous matters. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong

Warning way, serious injury or death could result.

This symbol indicates explanations aboutdangerous matters. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong way, bodily Caution injury and damage to the equipment could

result.

cables and the AC adapter before moving the RhythmTrak

•••234.

Usage Precautions

• Electrical interference

For safety considerations, the RhythmTrak •••234 has been designed to provide maximum protection against the emission of electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and protection from external interference. However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the RhythmTrak •••234, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely.

With any type of digital control device, the RhythmTrak •••234 included, electromagnetic interference can cause malfunctioning and can corrupt or destroy data. Care should be taken to minimize the risk of damage.

Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to ensure hazard-free use of the RhythmTrak •••234.

	• Power requirements
Warning	The RhythmTrak •••234 is powered by the supplied AC
	adapter. To prevent malfunction and safety hazards, do not
	use any other kind of AC adapter.
	When using the RhythmTrak •••234 in an area with a
	different line voltage, please consult your local ZOOM
	distributor about acquiring a proper AC adapter.

• Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the RhythmTrak •••234. If necessary, slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser, wax, or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning alcohol), since these may dull the finish or damage the surface.

Please keep this manual in a convenient place for future reference.

• Environment

	Caution	Avoid using your RhythmTrak •••234 in environments
		where it will be exposed to:
		• Extreme temperature
		• High humidity or moisture
		• Excessive dust or sand
		• Excessive vibration or shock
	• Handling
	Caution	The RhythmTrak •••234 is a precision instrument. Do not
		exert undue pressure on the keys and other controls. Also
		take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to shock
		or excessive pressure.
	• Alterations
	Caution	Never open the case of the RhythmTrak •••234 or attempt to
		modify the product in any way since this can result in
		damage to the unit.

• Connecting cables and input and output

Caution jacks

PRECAUTIONS SAFETY AND USAGE

You should always turn off the power to the RhythmTrak

•••234 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	• •		1
Names of Parts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			2
Top Panel• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			2
Rear Panel• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			2
Getting Connected • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			3
Preparations• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			3
Quick Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			4
Quick Guide (1)
Listening to the Demo • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			4
Quick Guide (2)
Playing the Pads• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			6
Quick Guide (3)
Playing a Pattern • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			8
Quick Guide (4)
Using Groove Play • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			10
Playing the Pads (Manual Play)• • • • •		12
Playing by tapping the pads• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			12
Using the slider (modify function)• • • • • • • • • • •			13
Selecting a kit/program for manual play• • •			14
Playing the Patterns
(Pattern Mode) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •		15
Pattern play• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			15
Changing the kit/program of a track • • • • • • •			16
Changing the tempo of pattern playback •			17
Pattern Recording
(Real-Time Recording)• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •		18
Deleting an unnecessary pattern • • • • • • • • • • •			18
Real-time recording of a drum track • • • • • • •			19
Real-time recording of a bass track• • • • • • • •			23
Pattern Recording
(Step Recording)• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •		27
What is step recording? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •			27
Step recording of a drum track • • • • • • • • • • • • •			28
Step recording of a bass track• • • • • • • • • • • • • •			30
Pattern Copy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •		32

Creating Songs (Song Mode)• • • • • • • •	33
What is a song? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	33
Recording and playing a song • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	34
Editing a song • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	37
Deleting a song • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	38
Using Pads to Play Patterns
(Groove Play) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	39
[FUNCTION] Key Settings• • • • • • • • • • • • •	41
Basic [FUNCTION] key operation steps • • •	41
[FUNCTION] key items • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	43
RhythmTrak •••234 Application
Examples• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	48
Controlling the RhythmTrak •••234
with the FP01 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	48
Controlling the RhythmTrak •••234
with the FS01 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	49
Synchronized MIDI operation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	50
Using MIDI equipment to play
the RhythmTrak •••234• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	51
Returning the RhythmTrak •••234 to
the factory default condition(initialization) •	52
Listening to the demo • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	53
Checking the amount of remaining
memory• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	53
Troubleshooting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	54
SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	55

Reference

MIDI Implementation

MIDI Implementation Chart

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM RhythmTrak •••234. This product is an innovative drum machine with the following features and functions.

•	The RhythmTrak •••234 plays versatile backing patterns using three different drum tracks	Introduction
	and one bass track. 99 preset patterns provide many popular rhythms at the touch of a
	key. 99 additional patterns can be programmed and stored by the user.
•	Program up to 255 patterns in a sequence to create the backing for an entire song. Up to
	99 songs can be stored.
•	Choose from a variety of 174 built-in super-realistic drum and bass sounds. Practice or
	perform on stage as if with a whole band. Great for making guitar or keyboard demo
	tapes, too.
• LINE IN jack allows connection of external instruments. Mix the sound from an
	instrument, processed by a multi-effect such as the ZOOM 503, with the backing sound
	provided by the RhythmTrak •••234.
• Simple and intuitive controls make it a snap to operate the RhythmTrak •••234, even if you
	have never used a drum machine or sequencer before.
•	Groove play mode allows changing patterns during play simply by tapping pads on the
	unit. Great for live performances and for DJ use.
• Parameters such as pitch, volume, or tone can be modified manually during a
	performance, using a handy slider control.
•	Optional foot pedal FP01 can continuously alter pitch, volume, or tone.
•	Optional foot switch FS01 can serve for example to control the bass drum by foot or to
	change between open hi-hat and closed hi-hat.
•	MIDI IN connector allows synchronization with an external MIDI sequencer or control of
	the RhythmTrak •••234 from other MIDI equipment.

Please take the time to read this manual carefully so as to get the most out of your RhythmTrak •••234 and to ensure optimum performance and reliability. Retain this manual, the warranty card and all other documentation for future reference.

1

Names of Parts

	Top Panel
								[UP/DOWN]
					[SONG/PATTERN] display
						[VALUE] display
Parts of Names		[VALUE UP/DOWN] keys
	[KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys
		KIT/TRACK SELECT
		100-123 Percussion/SFX
		90-99	Techno Beat
		80-89	Rap/HipHop
		70-79	Modern Drums
		60-69	Ballad Set
		50-59	Epic Rock
	SOUND	40-49	Funk Trap
		30-39	Standard Kits				STEP/MEASURE	SONG/PATTERN
	JAMMER
		20-29	Studio Drums
							MEASURE	BEAT
		10-19	Live Rock	Bass Programs
		00-09	Basic Drum Kits	00-49
		DRUM A	DRUM B DRUM C	BASS			VALUE
						01 1 - 01
						SOLO	+	+
						MUTE	–	–

[TEMPO] key

keys

[REC] key [SONG] key

[START] key [PATTERN] key

[STOP] key

		DRUMS/PERCUSSION/SFX/BASS
		Groove PLAY
		MODE
	SONG		PATTERN
TAP	STEP	PAUSE	STOP

TEMPO

II

EXIT

SOUND CHANGE

JAM FUNCTION

KICK 1

VOLUME

PITCH

			TOM		2
TOM		1		4
			MIX
2
			SNARE
			BASS	TUNE
			3
BASS	KEY

	TOM 3		CRASH			RIDE
			8
	6	QUANTIZE		BAR LENGTH		10
TIME SIG
CLOSED	HAT	OPEN HAT		EXTRA 1
5	PRE COUNT	7	CLICK VOL	9	CTRL ASSIGN

REPEAT/STEP

REAL-TIME REC
INSERT	DELETE
/COPY	/ERASE

		EXTRA
SWING		12	CYMBAL
			SHIFT	FUNCTION
EXTRA 2
11	PAD	SENS	EXTRA 3
			13
				MIDI

[JAM FUNCTION] key	[REPEAT/STEP] key	[FUNCTION] key
[SOUND JAMMER] slider	Pads	[DELETE/ERASE] key
		[INSERT/COPY] key

Rear Panel

[R OUT] jack

[PHONES] jack			[L/MONO OUT] jack
				[LINE IN] jack
[VOLUME] control

[CTRL1 IN/CTRL2 IN] jacks
	[DC IN] connector
[MIDI IN] connector	[POWER] switch

ZOOM CORPORATION

VOLUME PHONES		R	L/MONO LINE IN			MADE IN JAPAN		CTRL IN	CTRL IN	DC 9V POWER
			OUTPUT				MIDI IN	1	2	300mA

HINT	Names of controls and connectors on the top panel and rear panel
	are enclosed in angle brackets in this manual.

2

Getting Connected

Parts of Names

Preparations

DC 9V POWER

300mA

STEP3 Turn power to the playback system on.

While tapping a pad to produce sound, adjust the [VOLUME] control of the RhythmTrak •••234 and the volume control on the playback system to a suitable position.

3

Guide Quick

Quick Guide

This Quick Guide shows how to operate your RhythmTrak •••234, using a few representative examples. Some of terms and concepts used in this manual are also explained here.

Quick Guide (1) Listening to the Demo

The RhythmTrak •••234 comes with a demo song already built in. Hear for yourself what the RhythmTrak •••234 can do.

qConnect the RhythmTrak

•••234 to the

playback system and turn the power on.

wPress the [FUNCTION] key.

Verify that the LED to the left of the [FUNCTION] key flashes.

KIT/TRACK SELECT

100-123 Percussion/SFX

90-99

Techno Beat

80-89

Rap/HipHop

70-79

Modern Drums

60-69

Ballad Set

50-59

Epic Rock

40-49

Funk Trap

30-39

Standard Kits

STEP/MEASURE

SO

20-29

Studio Drums

MEASURE

BEAT

10-19

Live Rock

Bass Programs

01 1 - 0

00-09

Basic Drum Kits

00-49

DRUM A

DRUM B DRUM C

BASS

VALUE

e Press the

[SONG] key.

The demo song starts.

Sounds just like the backup of a live band, doesn't it? Note how effectively various drum, percussion, and bass sounds are combined. The RhythmTrak •••234 can produce such a great variety of sounds with ease.

Drum kits and bass programs

The backup sound provided by the RhythmTrak •••234 consists of up to three drum kits and one bass program. A drum kit is a collection of drum sounds including bass drum, snares, tom-tom, percussion sounds such as congas and bongos, and various other effect sounds. These are combined to create backing tracks for a

4

	stop
	To	demo
	the
		Press the [PATTERN]
		key or [SONG] key.
		• [PATTERN] key: RhythmTrak •••234 switches
		to pattern mode (for playing and recording
NG/PATTERN		patterns).

1

SONG

/ERASE

wide range of music genres. The RhythmTrak •••234 comes with 124 preprogrammed drum kits of which up to three can be used simultaneously. In addition, 50 types of bass programs are available, of which one can be selected for playback.

•[SONG] key: RhythmTrak •••234 switches to song mode (for creating backing songs which are sequences of patterns).

Drum kit B

Drum kit A

SOUND

JAMMER

JAM FUNCTION

KICK 1

KIT/TRACK SELECT

100-123 Percussion/SFX
90-99	Techno Beat
80-89	Rap/HipHop
70-79	Modern Drums
60-69	Ballad Set
50-59	Epic Rock
40-49	Funk Trap
30-39	Standard Kits						STEP/MEASURE			SONG/PATTERN
20-29	Studio Drums					01 1 - 01
10-19	Live Rock			Bass Programs
00-09	Basic Drum Kits			00-49
DRUM A	DRUM B	DRUM C			BASS
								VALUE
						SOLO		+		+
						MUTE		–		–
SOUND CHANGE
VOLUME
PITCH									CRASH
					2		TOM 3				RIDE
		TOM					6	QUANTIZE	8	BAR LENGTH
TOM 1			4		TIME SIG						10
	MIX
2
					CLOSED HAT			OPEN HAT		EXTRA 1
	SNARE				5	PRE COUNT		7	CLICK VOL	9	CTRL ASSIGN
			TUNE
		BASS
	3
BASSKEY

REPEAT/STEP

Drum kit C

DRUMS/PERCUSSION/SFX/BASS

Groove PLAY

MODE

	SONG			PATTERN
TAP	STEP		PAUSE	STOP
TEMPO			II	EXIT
		REAL-TIME REC
			INSERT	DELETE
			/COPY	/ERASE
SWING	EXTRA		CYMBAL
	12
			SHIFT	FUNCTION
EXTRA 2
11	PAD SENS		EXTRA 3
			13
				MIDI

Bass program

Guide Quick

5

Guide Quick

Quick Guide (2) Playing the Pads

The top panel of the RhythmTrak •••234 has 13 pads which serve to play drum kits and bass programs.

qTurn the power on.

w Press the

[PATTERN] key.

The [PATTERN] key LED lights up and the RhythmTrak •••234 is in pattern mode.

ePress the [DRUM A] key.

The [DRUM A] LED lights up. Now you can use the pads to play the drum kit.

You can also select the [DRUM HINT B] key or [DRUM C] key to play

a different drum kit.

r Tap the pads.

You will notice that the pads produce various drum sounds. The 13 pads are assigned different sounds, depending on the drum kit or bass program that has been selected. The illustration below shows an example for the drum sounds of the 13 pads with a drum kit.

			Low Tom		Crash Cymbal		Ride Cymbal
		Mid Tom
Hi Tom			TOM 3		CRASH		RIDE	Extra Cymbal
		TOM	2		8			EXTRA
			6	QUANTIZE		BAR LENGTH	10		CYMBAL
TOM	1	4	TIME SIG
							SWING	12
	MIX								SHIFT
2

By tapping for example pad 1 (KICK) and pad 3 (SNARE) as in the illustration below, you can play bass drum and snare drum in the rhythm as shown.

[SNARE]

[SNARE]

SNARE

KICK

CLOSED

HAT

OPEN HAT

EXTRA 1

EXTRA 2

[KICK]

[KICK]

[KICK]

7 CLICK VOL

9

SNARE

5

PRE COUNT

CTRL ASSIGN

11

EXTRA 3

3

SENS

BASSTUNE

Open Hihat

PAD

KICK

KEY

Closed Hihat

13

BASS

Rim Shot

MIDI

1

Snare

Kick

Cowbell

Tambourine

thump slap

thump thump slap

6

play
To	program
bass	pads
a	the
with

yPress the [BASS] key.

The [BASS] key LED lights up and the current bass program can be played with the pads. Give it a try ! You will notice that different pads produce sound of a different pitch.

Unlike with the drum kit, the bass program does not consist of different instrument sounds. Rather, one type of bass sound is varied in pitch. You can use the 13 pads like the keys of a keyboard.

The illustration below shows an example for the notes produced by the 13 pads with a bass program.

change
To	kit
	drum
the

To change the bass program, hold the [BASS] HINT key down and use the [VALUE UP/DOWN] keys

to change the program number (0 - 49).

TOM 2

TOM 3

CRASH

RIDE

8

EXTRA

6

QUANTIZE

BAR LENGTH

TOM 1

TIME SIG

10

CYMBAL

4

SWING

12

MIX

SHIFT

2

CLOSED

HAT

OPEN HAT

EXTRA 1

EXTRA 2

SNARE

5

PRE COUNT

7

CLICK VOL

9

CTRL ASSIGN

BASSTUNE

11

EXTRA 3

3

PAD

SENS

KICK

BASS

KEY

13

1

MIDI

NOTE Which sound is assigned to the pads depends on the pattern.

t Press and hold the	Press the [VALUE UP
[DRUM A] key...	or DOWN] key.

While the [DRUM A] key is being pressed, the [VALUE] display shows the currently selected kit number (0 - 123).

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

0 01

VALUE

Kit number

•[+] key: Selects the next higher kit number.

•[-] key: Selects the next lower kit

number.

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

1 01

VALUE

Kit number

7

Guide Quick

Guide Quick

Quick Guide (3) Playing a Pattern

The RhythmTrak •••234 already contains many preprogrammed patterns (backing sequence of several bars). Each pattern combines up to three drum kits and a bass program. Here's how you can play a pattern.

q Turn the power on.

w Press the

[PATTERN] key.

The [PATTERN] key LED lights up and the RhythmTrak •••234 is in pattern mode.

The [SONG/PATTERN] display shows the currently selected pattern number.

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

0 1 1 - 01

VALUE

Patternnumber

The RhythmTrak •••234 has memory capacity for 198 patterns.

• 01 - 99: User patterns (can be modified)

•P01 - P99: Preset patterns (cannot be modified)

In the factory default condition, the user patterns have the same content as the preset patterns.

e Press the [ II ] (START) key.

Playback of the currently selected pattern starts.

The patterns of the RhythmTrak •••234 can be thought of as recordings of up to 3 drum kits and 1 bass program. These are recorded on tracks that are combined to form the pattern. A pattern of the RhythmTrak •••234 therefore consists of drum track A, drum track B, drum track C, and the bass track. Drum tracks A - C contain drum kit recordings and the bass track contains a bass program recording.

Pattern

Drum track A

Drum track B

Drum track C

Bass track

8

change
To	pattern
the	r Press one of the

[UP/DOWN] keys

•[+] key: Selects next higher pattern number.

•[-] key: Selects next lower pattern number.

To	change
		tempo
the

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

0 1 1 - 02

VALUE

Pattern number

t Hold the [TEMPO] key...

While the [TEMPO] key is held down, the [VALUE] display shows the currently active

tempo.			STEP/MEASURE			SONG/PATTERN
		MEASURE		BEAT

1 2 0 01

VALUE

Tempo value

Press the [VALUE UP or DOWN] key.

•[+] key: Increases the tempo value.

•[-] key: Decreases the tempo value.

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

1 2 5 01

VALUE

	To	stop
		play
	pattern

y Press the

[ EXIT ] (STOP) key.

Guide Quick

9

Guide Quick

Quick Guide (4) Using Groove Play

Groove play is a special feature of the RhythmTrak •••234 which lets you switch among various patterns simply by tapping the pads. This makes it easy to play with patterns like a DJ spinning records.

q Turn the power on.

w Press the [SONG] key and [PATTERN] key together.

The [SONG] key LED and [PATTERN] key LED light up, and the RhythmTrak •••234 is in groove play mode.

[SONG] [PATTERN]

[SONG] [PATTERN]

e Push a pad.

While the pad is held down, the pattern assigned to that pad is played. Give it a try and check out which patterns are assigned to the various pads.

HINT The pattern assigned to a pad can be changed ( → p. 39).

[PAD]

[PAD]

Hold down

Pattern assigned to pad

10

To play	multiple	patterns
simultaneously

t Push several pads together.

In groove play mode, up to 4 patterns can be played simultaneously. For example, while playing a basic drum pattern, you can hit another pad to overlay a bass pattern and then add a

			snare fill-in. By using the
		stop	right timing when
	To		pushing the pads, you
		play	can create complex
			rhythms.
	groove

y Press the [SONG] key or [PATTERN] key.

•[PATTERN] key was pressed: RhythmTrak

•••234 switches to pattern mode.

•[SONG] key was pressed: RhythmTrak •••234

switches to

rHold the [REPEAT/STEP] key down while pushing the pad.

To
keep
the
patternplaying
pressing	without
	the
	pad

[REPEAT/STEP]	The pattern will continue
	released.
	This is useful for example to keep on playing a basic
	drum pattern.	[PAD]
[PAD]	To stop the pattern, push
	the same pad once more.

Pattern assigned to pad

11

Guide Quick

Playing the Pads (Manual Play)

The RhythmTrak •••234 lets you not only play back existing patterns and songs, it also allows you to manually play the unit by tapping the pads and using the [SOUND JAMMER] slider. This section describes how to manually play the unit

Playing by tapping the pads

The RhythmTrak •••234 assigns various sounds to the pads, depending on the currently selected drum kit. Play the pads to discover the realistic sounds offered by the RhythmTrak 234.

Play) (Manual Pads the Playing

1 Press the [PATTERN] key.

STEP2 Press the [DRUM A] key of the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys.

During manual play, you use the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys to select the desired drum kit or bass program. (The LED of the selected key lights up.) Pressing the [DRUM A], [DRUM B], or [DRUM C] key selects drum kit A - C. Pressing the [BASS] key selects the bass program. In this example, let's use drum kit A.

STEP3 Tap one of the pads.

The LED of the pad lights up briefly and the sound assigned in the drum kit to that pad is heard. The volume changes according to how strongly you tap the pad.

When the [BASS] key is pressed in step 1, a bass program can be HINT played, but there is a difference in how the pads operate. With a

drum kit, the sound plays through even if the pad is released immediately. With a bass program, the sound continues only as long as the pad is pressed.

STEP4 Tap a pad while holding the [REPEAT/STEP] key down.

The sound will be produced continuously for as long as the pad is pressed. The repetition speed depends on the tempo.

HINT You can adjust the interval for repeated play. See the "Quantize" section on page 44.

[PATTERN]

[DRUM A]

PAD

[REPEAT]

PAD

12

Using the slider (modify function)

Use the [JAM FUNCTION] key to select the sound parameter that you want to STEP1 change with the slider.

	STEP2 Tap the pad while moving the [SOUND JAMMER] slider.
	• When PITCH is selected: The slider center position is the	[SOUND JAMMER]
	reference pitch, and moving the slider shifts the pitch up or
										PAD
	down. The adjustment range depends on the sound type.
	• When VOLUME is selected: Moving the slider changes the
	volume. The pad tapping intensity has no effect in this case.
	• When SOUND CHANGE is selected: In the center position of the
	slider, there is no change in the sound. Moving the slider up or
	down selects variation 1, variation 2 etc. The available variations
	depend on the sound type.

• Only one sound parameter (pitch, volume, or tone) can be

NOTE changed at a time. When the parameter is switched, the previous parameter returns to its original setting.

•When the sound parameter is switched, the slider becomes active only after passing the position corresponding to the current value. For example, if the VOLUME parameter is selected with the slider set to 0, the volume will not become zero right away. The volume starts to change only after the slider is moved and has passed the current volume position ([SOUND JAMMER] slider LED flashes at this point).

•If you have assigned PITCH to the [SOUND JAMMER] slider on the bass track, moving the slider while tapping the pad will produce sound with different pitches. Moving the slider from the bottom to the top will shift the pitch in the same order as the pitches assigned to pads 1 to 13.

13

Play) (Manual Pads the Playing

Selecting a kit/program for manual play

Play) (Manual Pads the Playing

Press one of the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys to select the track, and hold the key STEP1 down.

HINT Available drum kit types are printed on the panel.

While holding the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] key down, use the [VALUE UP/DOWN] keys STEP2 to select a kit.

The [VALUE UP/DOWN] keys switch the kit number shown on the [VALUE] display by 1 up or down, and the selected kit changes accordingly.

HINT	• Keeping a [VALUE UP/DOWN] key depressed changes
	numbers continuously.

•You can also select a kit by holding the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] key down and moving the [SOUND JAMMER] slider. The slider changes numbers continuously.

STEP3 Tap the pads to check the new sound.

[DRUM A]	[VALUE UP/DOWN]
		+
STEP/MEASURE		SONG/PATTERN
MEASURE		BEAT
	VALUE	1 01

14

Playing the Patterns (Pattern Mode)

This section describes how to play patterns that are built into the RhythmTrak •••234 or that have been recorded by the user.

Pattern play

The RhythmTrak •••234 incorporates 99 preset patterns (P01 - P99) which cannot be changed by the user, as well as 99 user-definable patterns (01 - 99). The unit is shipped with the user patterns programmed with the same contents as the preset patterns, but these contents can be changed freely. The section below describes how to play back a pattern.

STEP1 Press the [PATTERN] key so that the [PATTERN] key LED lights up.

STEP/MEASURE

SONG/PATTERN

MEASURE

BEAT

0

1 1

-

0

1

User

pattern

VALUE

Measure Beat Pattern number

STEP/MEASURE

SONG/PATTERN

MEASURE

BEAT

0 1VALUE1 P

01

Preset

pattern

STEP2 Use the [UP/DOWN] keys to select the desired pattern number.

[ UP/DOWN]

STEP/MEASURE

SONG/PATTERN

+

MEASURE BEAT

0 1VALUE1 -

02

STEP3 Press the [START] key.

[START]

STEP/MEASURE

SONG/PATTERN

MEASURE

BEAT

II

0 2VALUE1 - 02

Measure

Beat

STEP4 Press the [STOP] key when you want to stop the pattern.

Pressing the [START] key instead of the [STOP] key sets the unit to pause mode. The [START] key LED flashes. Pressing the [START]

[STOP]

key again in this condition resumes playback.

EXIT

Also while playing a pattern, you can use the pads for manual

HINT play. However, the [SOUND JAMMER] slider has no modifying effect on the playback sound of the pattern.

Mode) (Pattern Patterns the Playing

15

Mode) (Pattern Patterns the Playing

Changing the kit/program of a track

The patterns of the RhythmTrak •••234 are made up of drum track A - C and the bass track. The drum tracks contain a drum kit each, and the bass track contains a bass program. The steps below can be used

Use the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys to select the track whose drum kit/bass STEP1 program you want to change, and hold the key down.

In pattern mode, the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] keys serve to select a
track. While one of the keys is pressed, the number of the	[DRUM A]
kit/program allocated to the corresponding track is shown on the

[VALUE] display.

STEP/MEASURE

SONG/PATTERN

MEASURE

BEAT

VALUE

1

01

Kit

number

STEP2

While holding the [KIT/TRACK SELECT] key down, use the [VALUE UP/DOWN] keys

or the [SOUND JAMMER] slider to change the kit.

STEP3 By repeating steps 1 and 2, you can change the kits assigned to the other tracks.

HINT Changing the kit/program is also possible while playing a pattern.

• When the kit/program is changed in a user pattern, the new

NOTE

kit/program setting will be stored when the pattern is stored.

• The kit/program of a preset pattern cannot be changed.

16

Changing the tempo of pattern playback

STEP1 Press the [TEMPO] key.

[TEMPO]

TEMPO

			STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
		MEASURE		BEAT
			1VALUE1 3							01
STEP3 When the tempo has been set to the desired value, release the [TEMPO] key.

	While a pattern is paused or playing, the [TEMPO] key can be		[TEMPO]
	tapped twice to input a quarter note interval. When creating a
			TEMPO
	pattern, this makes it easy to set the desired tempo.
	NOTE	The tempo set in pattern mode applies to all patterns. It cannot be
		changed for an individual pattern.

Mode) (Pattern Patterns the Playing

17

Recording) Time-(Real Recording Pattern

Pattern Recording (Real-Time Recording)

The RhythmTrak •••234 has 99 user pattern slots which can be filled with your own patterns. Creating and recording a pattern is possible in two ways: by actually playing the pattern on the pads (real-time recording), or by entering each sound individually (step recording). The procedure for real-time recording of a drum track and bass track is described below.

STEP1 In pattern mode, select the user pattern (01 - 99) you want to erase.

After erasing a pattern, the unit remembers the drum kit and bass

program type and other values, until the pattern is changed.			STEP/MEASURE			SONG/PATTERN
		MEASURE		BEAT

Therefore we recommend that you choose a pattern whose image	0 1VALUE1 -			01
resembles the new one you want to create.
		Pattern					number
NOTE The preset patterns (P01 - P99) cannot be erased.

STEP2 Press the [DELETE/ERASE] key.

When wishing to go ahead with the delete process, press the [DELETE/ERASE] key STEP3 once more. Otherwise press the [STOP] key.

When the delete process is completed, the unit returns to the pattern mode with the empty user pattern selected. At this time, the [VALUE] display shows "----".

If the delete process was canceled, the unit returns to the pattern mode with the original user pattern selected.

If you erase a user pattern that you have created yourself, you will not NOTE be able to restore it. Make sure that you really want to erase the pattern before carrying out step 2. When wishing to return all user

patterns to the factory default condition, please refer to page 52.

		STEP/MEASURE							SONG/PATTERN
	MEASURE		BEAT

- - - - 01

VALUE

18