ALESIS SR-16 - Manual (Page 27)

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3.1I Record a Pattern
An empty Pattern defaults to an 8 beat length, with 16th note quantization and swing off
(50%). If you need to change the length, it's best (though not essential) to do so before
recording. Other parameters can be changed while you're recording.
To record, select the desired User Pattern. Select Compose mode and press PLAY.
Remember that you can switch between Compose and Perform while recording.
As you record, the display will show the current beat number and the tempo indicator will
flash at the current tempo. You will hear any drum sounds already recorded in the currently
selected Pattern.
To record drum parts into the Pattern, tap the drum pads, or send MIDI data to the SR-16
(sections 6.1 and 6.2) that triggers corresponding drum notes. The Pattern will "loop" during
the record process so that you can overdub different drums on different passes.
To exit Record mode, press STOP. Pressing PLAY while in Compose mode will re-start the
Pattern from the beginning; the SR-16 remains in record mode.
Note: When sending MIDI data into the drums when the SR-16 is not recording (i.e., the SR-
16 serves as a drum sound expander module), the drum sounds respond to 127 different
levels of dynamics. However, if MIDI is used as a trigger during the recording process, the
Pattern will "quantize" the incoming level to the nearest of eight levels—the same eight levels
produced by tapping the pads at various levels.
3.1J Select New Patterns and Fills While in Compose (Record) Mode
In Compose mode, Main Pattern selection works in the same manner as Perform mode—
select a Pattern number (with the desired A or B designator), and the newly-selected Pattern
will play back as soon as the current Pattern plays through its entire length. The display will
show the Pattern to be played next.
In Perform mode, Fills are transitional Patterns. If you press FILL in Compose mode, a Fill will
continue playing—not transition to a different Pattern when it's finished playing—so you can
record into it, like a standard Pattern. Remember, as mentioned earlier, that the Fill also plays
the downbeat of the next Pattern.
If a footswitch is plugged into the Count/A/B/Fill jack when recording Patterns in Compose
mode, pressing the footswitch will switch a Main Pattern over to its associated Fill. The Fill will
continue playing until you press the footswitch again, at which point the SR-16 will revert to
the associated Main Pattern.