Roland SP-404SX - Manual (Page 32)

32
Pattern Sequencer
The SP-404SX contains a Pattern Sequencer function that
can record sample-playback operations . Another way to
use this capability is to combine several phrase samples
to create a simple song, or to combine rhythm samples to
create rhythm patterns .
MEMO
Here we’ll explain how to record into the pattern
sequencer, and also describe some advanced uses . For
details on playing back the pattern sequencer, refer to
“Playing Patterns” (p . 14) .
Recording a Pattern
When you play samples and record your performance as
a pattern, recording will occur repeatedly for the number
of measures you specify (i .e ., “loop recording”), allowing
you to continue layering (overdubbing) additional samples
onto the pattern .
1. Press.the.[PATTERN.SELECT].button.so.the.button.
is.lit .
The display will indicate “ P t n ” and the pads to which a
pattern is assigned will blink .
2. Press.the.[REC].button.so.the.button.is.lit .
All pads to which no pattern is assigned will blink .
3. Press.one.of.the.[BANK].buttons.to.select.the.
pattern.bank.into.which.you.want.to.record .
4. Press.the.pad.to.which.you.want.to.assign.the.
pattern.you’re.going.to.record .
The pad you pressed will light, and the remaining pads will
go out . The [REC] button will blink, and the metronome
will begin sounding
5. Press.the.[START/END/LEVEL].button.so.the.
button.is.lit .
6. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].(LEVEL).knob.to.adjust.the.
metronome.volume .
7. Press.the.[TIME/BPM].button.so.the.button.is.lit .
The display will indicate the pattern tempo (BPM) .
8. Specify.the.pattern.tempo,.either.by.turning.the.
[CTRL.2].(BPM).knob,.or.by.pressing.the.[TAP.
TEMPO].button.several.times.at.the.desired.
tempo .
9. Press.the.[LENGTH].button.so.the.button.is.lit .
The display will indicate the length (number of measures)
of the pattern that will be recorded .
10. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].knob.to.specify.the.length.of.the.
pattern .
The display will indicate the pattern length you specify .
Range: 1–99
If the pattern already contains data, you can’t make it
shorter than its current length .
You can specify the pattern length in one-measure units
for the range of 1–20 measures, and in four-measure units
for longer patterns .
11. Press.the.[QUANTIZE].button.so.the.button.is.lit .
The [LENGTH] button will go out, and the display will
indicate the quantize setting .
MEMO
What is quantization?
Quantization is a function that automatically corrects
the slight inaccuracies in timing that can sometimes
occur when you are pressing pads and playing samples
to produce a recording . Once you’ve specified a
quantize setting, your performance will be recorded
at accurate intervals of quarter notes, eighth notes, or
sixteenth notes .
12. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].knob.to.specify.the.desired.
quantize.setting .
The display will indicate the quantize setting you specify .
The indication has the following significance .
S . 8 Quantize to 8th notes using shuffle quantize .
S . 1 6 Quantize to 16th notes using shuffle quantize .
4 Quantize to quarter notes .
4 . 3 Quantize to quarter-note triplets .
8 Quantize to eighth notes .
8 . 3 Quantize to eighth-note triplets .
1 6 Quantize to sixteenth notes .
1 6 . 3 Quantize to sixteenth-note triplets .
3 2 Quantize to thirty-second notes .
o F F
Quantize will not be used . The actual timing at which you
pressed the pad will be recorded .
MEMO
If you use shuffle quantize (S.8, S.16), use the [CTRL 2]
knob to specify the amount of “shuffle” for backbeats .
A setting of “50” will produce a “straight” rhythm with
no shuffle . Settings in a range of 60–66 will usually
produce a pleasant shuffle feel .
13. Press.the.[QUANTIZE].button.to.extinguish.the.
button .
14. Press.the.[REC].button .