5
MR/ZR GETTING STARTED GUIDE
Quantizing
Another very useful tool that will allow you to create professional sequences is the use of
Quantizing.
What quantizing does is to shift the notes you have played to get them to be “in time” with
specific predetermined times of the sequence. This feature is very useful for polishing up a
drum or percussion track. It may be a good idea to quantize drums, percussion and bass
tracks as they are the primary rhythm keepers of a sequence or song.
Quantize
Press the Quantize button
Turn the Parameter knob to select QUANTIZE TO=
Turn the Value knob to select a quantize resolution
Press Enter
Groove tips
*Use 1/16 for a Dance music feel. It is very “straight”.
*If you want it to “swing” like in Jazz or Hip Hop/R&B use 1/16T (Triplet).
*Remember that Michael Jackson tune, “The way you make me feel”? Remember Sting's
"Brand New Day"? They were both quantized at a rate of 1/8T!
*Another thing about grooves and feel to keep in mind is this. Lately, a popular groove or
feel has been to use very fast tempos. It is impossible to play at the tempo of some of
today's Hip-Hop, or Techno songs. But, it is possible to get that style by playing at half
that speed and then raising the tempo to the desired speed. Simply record your beats at
HALF the tempo you intend on using. If you really want the song to be at 140bpm, record
all the data at 70bpm. Speed up the tempo to see if it sounds the way you want. If you
need to make changes, slow it down and make the changes.
*Assuming you quantized something (or made any other type of sequencer edit), you can
undo your last change. Simply press the EDIT UNDO button and the very last change you
made will be undone.
