Behringer RD-9 Manual - Page 18

18 RHYTHM DESIGNER RD-9 User Manual 11.6 FILTER The filter CUTOFF knob setting can be recorded as automation and programmed into a pattern to create sweeping textures and effects as described in section 10. 11.7 POLY (Polymetric) Polymeter (poly) is the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms. In this unit, it is possible to change the number of steps played back per voice to create interesting overlapping rhythms. For example, 16 steps of Bass Drum can be played while 15 steps of Snare which will make the pattern evolve over time. It really must be experimented with to hear its full potential. Each of the 12 voices can be set to a different Polymeter which will work across all 64 steps of a pattern. This lets you create large evolving percussive patterns that can evolve over time. To enter Poly Mode: 1. Press SETTINGS. 2. Press POLY (STEP BUTTON 7). 3. Use the DATA control to activate Poly Mode. 4. Select the voice you wish to reduce the number of steps (this is none destructive). 5. All the step LED's will illuminate to show the current status of the selected voices Polymeter settings. 6. Select the step key you wish to use to reduce the pattern playback. If a pattern is 32, 48, or 64 steps long use the keys to navigate to the step you wish to use. 7. Flashing LEDs indicate any steps that will not be triggered. 8. Press SETTINGS twice to exit. To return to normal pattern playback turn poly mode off or press the step key which is the end of the chosen pattern length i.e. 16, 32, 48 or 64 steps. If you are using Poly mode with a pattern containing more than 16 steps then all voices which are playing every step, including accent, must have all the used steps selected with poly mode on in order that the pattern plays correctly. For example, if you have a pattern programmed of 32 steps. Setting poly mode "On" a voice, then setting the range to 48 steps, then setting all the other voices to "poly mode on" and to the length of the pattern (in this case 32) will result in the last 16 steps of the voice set to 48 steps being silent if nothing has been programmed there (you could also fill the last 16 steps for more sonic interest). If you don't set your non-Poly voices to the nominal pattern length the pattern will only loop the first 16 steps. 11.8 RAND (Random) This function allows randomly played sounds to trigger on a pre-selected group of voices on any pre-programmed step that you wish to have the ability to hear random voices triggering. This can be used to create indiscriminate variations into patterns, for example, random tom fills. To add to a pattern: 1. Press SETTINGS. 2. Press RAND (STEP BUTTON 8). 3. Pick the voices you want with the SELECT buttons. 4. Use the step keys (1-64 via length navigation) to apply the random action on the steps you require. 5. Press SETTINGS twice to exit. NOTE: Random step settings are stored on a per pattern basis. 11.9 PROB (Probability) The PROB setting allows you to adjust the probability of predefined steps playing as programmed. This Probability function is great for adding a human feel to patterns by settings how likely a programmed note will play. This simulates how a drummer could miss playing a drum. The range can be set from 0% to 100%. As a guide 0% means a programmed voice won't trigger, 50% allows voices to be played around half of the time, while 100% will trigger the voice as programmed. By default, all steps in a pattern are not enabled to be controlled by the PROB setting. Probability can be turned on and off per step as described below: 1. Press SETTINGS. 2. Press PROB (STEP BUTTON 9). 3. Select the voice you wish to give probability to. 4. Use the step keys and length navigation arrows to enable probability on the steps (up to 64 steps) you require. 5. Adjust the probability range with the DATA control to taste (0% causes the voice to not trigger where as 100% signifies the voice will trigger as programmed). 6. Press SETTINGS twice to exit. Note: Individual voices can have Poly lengths that are longer than the nominal pattern length, for extra rhythmic variation. POLY mode defaults to be stored per pattern. Note: With poly mode on Step Repeat does not function. Probability step settings are stored per pattern, but the amount (0%-100%) is controlled globally. PROB programmed steps are shown in white and adding PROB on a step turns it red.