14
Background
This way of handling Patterns explains the logic behind having
A, B, and Fill Patterns. In typical pop tunes, A would be the verse and B the
chorus. A Fill provides the Fill that transitions from verse to chorus, and B Fill
provides the Fill that transitions from chorus to verse. Thus, one of the
numbered Patterns may be all you need to put together a tune.
This structure makes it possible to put together songs in minutes using the
Preset Patterns. It also makes it easy to play drum parts live. For example, if
there's a solo happening over the A Main Pattern, you can keep the Pattern
repeating until the solo is about to end, at which point you select the Fill that
leads out of the A Main Pattern.
Record a Pattern
To record, select the desired User Pattern. Select Compose mode and press
PLAY. Remember that you can switch between Compose and Perform while
recording.
To record drum parts into the Pattern, tap the onboard drum pads, or play the
external drum pads connected to the iDM02’s trigger inputs. The Pattern will
"loop" during the record process so that you can overdub different drums on
different passes.
To exit Record mode, press STOP.
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.
Using Fill to Create Repetitive Drum Hits
The FILL button performs two different functions. We've already covered how
to use the FILL button for Pattern selection, however, it can also trigger a drum
sound at the current quantization rate
(e.g.,
eighth notes, 16th notes, etc.; if
quantization is off, though, this function is inactive) and swing value. This
allows playing a series of drum hits without having to repeatedly press the
pads, and is typically used to create steady 16th note hi-hat parts, quarter note
kick drum parts, snare rolls, etc.
1.
The iDM02 should be in Compose mode and recording.
2.
Press a pad on the first beat of what will be a series of hits and hold it
down.
3.
Immediately after pressing the pad, press and hold the FILL button. The
drum will be re-triggered at the current quantization rate for as long as
the pad and FILL buttons are held down. All hits will be at the same
volume as the first pad hit.
Caution:
If you don't hit the drum first, pressing the FILL button will select a Fill
Pattern.
