BR-1200CD, BR-1200: Creating a Drum Pattern

The BR-1200CD has a built in drum machine that is programmed in the same manner as most drum machines. There are two ways of creating drum patterns: REAL TIME (Recording a performance) and STEP TIME (Programming a Grid). Once you have created and stored patterns, you will use RHYTHM ARRANGE to program in the order in which you want the patterns to playback.

Note: Patterns are usually no more than a few measures long. In most cases, each section of the song will be a separate pattern. For example, U001 (User Pattern 001) for the Intro, U002 for Verse 1, U003 for the Chorus, U004 for Verse 2…and so on.

PREPARING FOR RECORDING:

1. Press the [TRACK TYPE SELECT] button next to Track 11/12 fader.
2. Press the down CURSOR button and then use the TIME/VALUE dial to set TRACK 9/10 to “DRUMS&LP”.
3. Press ENTER/YES.
4. Press the [ARRANGEMENT/PATTTERN] button so PATTERN is lit.
   
   
   
   
5. Press the [EDIT] button above the Tracks 9/10 (DRUM/LOOP PH.) track fader.
6. Move the cursor to “DRUM” and press [F3] (PTN EDIT).
   
   
   
   
7. Cursor to the P or U listed under the DRUMS section and dial to select “U001”--or any USER preset out of 999 possible. This is how you select an EMPTY pattern and then store it as a USER pattern for use in an arrangement.
   
   
   
   
8. Use the CURSOR buttons and the TIME/VALUE dial to set the number of beats and measures in the drum pattern.
   BEAT = Time Signature
   Measure = Number of measures you want for this pattern.
   Swing = allows you to adjusting the groove of your pattern.

I. CREATING DRUM PATTERNS IN REAL-TIME

Real-Time allows you to tap on the track buttons in order to create a pattern.

You can also continue overdubbing to add drum sounds in order to create a full drum pattern.

1. After carrying out the steps described in “Preparing for Recording” above, press [F2] (REC).
2. Press [F2] (REALTIME). The Real-Time Recording standby screen will appear and the metronome will start.
3. Move the cursor to “BPM” and select a suitable tempo for recording using the TIME/VALUE dial.
   Note: This only sets the tempo for real-time recording right now—the drum pattern is not recorded at this tempo—as it is not needed. The tempo is set, and determined by, the Arrangement that the Pattern is assigned to.
4. Move the cursor to “METRO” and set the metronome volume using the TIME/VALUE dial.
5. Press [PLAY].
6. Use the track buttons to play the desired drum pattern and use the track faders to set the velocity (dynamics) of the sounds.
   The relationship between track buttons and drum sounds can be found beneath each track button.
7. You can ERASE a mistake by simply pressing F3 (ERASE). When switched to ERASE ON, you just hold down the button associated with the drum sound you wish to erase throughout the performance and you will hear that it is being erased.
8. Press [STOP] at the point where you want to stop recording.
9. Press [EXIT/NO].
10. Press [F3] (WR•CPY•DEL).
11. Move the cursor to “To:” Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the drum pattern to which the data is to be saved.
12. Press [F3] (GO) to store the pattern in the specified USER location.
13. You may now follow the link below to place this USER Pattern into an Arrangement:
    Creating a Rhythm Arrangement

II. CREATING DRUM PATTERNS USING STEP TIME

Creating a drum pattern in STEP TIME uses a grid type method of assigning drum sounds to form a groove using musical timing and structure.

1. After carrying out the steps described in “Preparing for Recording” above, press [F2] (REC).
2. Press [F1] (STEP) to enter the grid.
3. a. Each row of the grid represents various drum sounds. For example: K1=Kick 1, S1=Snare1, CB=Cow Bell, OH=Open Hi-Hat, etc.
   
   
   
   b. Each block in the grid represents a beat in a measure.
   
4. Press [F2] (>>RES<<) or [F3] (<<RES>>) as many times as necessary to change the step recording resolution.
5. Press [F1] (SETUP) and then use the cursor buttons and TIME/VALUE dial to select a desired Tempo and Drum Kit.
   Note: This only sets the tempo for playing back while creating a pattern right now. The drum pattern is not recorded at this tempo—as it is not needed. The tempo is set, and determined by, the Arrangement that the Pattern is assigned to.
6. Cursor to the row (instrument) and the beat you want to make that drum sound and turn the time/value dial. There are 6 volume/velocity levels and it increases with each click of the dial turning clock-wise.
7. Press PLAY to hear the pattern. You can make adjustments or continue to build your pattern.
8. Press STOP and then EXIT/NO twice.
9. Press [F3] (WR•CPY•DEL).
10. Move the cursor to “To:” Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the drum pattern to which the data is to be saved.
11. Press [F3] (GO) to store the pattern in the specified USER location.
12. You may now follow the link below to place this USER Pattern into an Arrangement:
    Creating a Rhythm Arrangement