Behringer RHYTHM DESIGNER RD-9 Manual - Page 5

5 RHYTHM DESIGNER RD-9 User Manual 1. Introduction 2. Features An ultra-affordable leap into the warm world of analog drum beats, the Behringer RD-9 gives you the power to create fascinating rhythms with incredible power and ease. The RD-9's pure analog signal uses legendary analog circuits with some additional pots for more parameters. The RD-9 is ideal for the studio and/or the road. Owning an RD-9 gives you all the power of a classic drum machine in a flexible package with the ability to create bewildering beats. 1.1 Before you get started The RD-9 was carefully packed in the factory to guarantee safe transport. Nevertheless, we recommend that you carefully examine the packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage that may have occurred during transit. If the unit is damaged, please do NOT return it to us, but notify your dealer and the shipping company immediately, otherwise claims for damage or replacement may not be granted. A Past Masterpiece Rejuvenated Great care has been taken in designing the RD-9 to achieve new possibilities in beat creation by reviving a timeless analog design from one of the best classic drum machines of yesteryear. By creating a fresh modern take on a characteristic drum machine, the RD-9 gives you the power to harness the phenomenal sound of the original. Colossal bass drums through to sizzling hi-hats can be manipulated to take your rhythm conception to the next level. This is no digital clone, it's an analog beat making monster. Powerful and Feature Rich Sequencer The RD-9 features what we believe to be one of the most powerful step sequencers ever created. Improved workflows increase productivity making complex song creation simple. The 64-step sequencer with storage of up to 256 patterns and 16 songs allows complicated song arrangements. 1.1.1 Initial operation Be sure that there is enough space around the unit for cooling purposes and, to avoid over-heating, please do not place the RD-9 on high temperature devices such as radiators or power amps. WARNING: The RD-9 is supplied with a DC power adapter that meets the required safety standards. Do not use any other power adapter. A Design for Life Designed for life and live performance, including all new features for live use in each of the sequencer modes: Step Repeat, Note Repeat, Real-Time Triggering and live Step-Overdubbing. Enable recording in Pattern Launch Mode to build up song structures on the fly, switch back to Manual Mode at the touch of a button, and then use Autofill to introduce more variations. Cue up another song from memory, without interrupting playback, so you can literally perform entire sets straight from the one machine. WARNING: Please make sure that all units have a proper ground connection. For your own safety, never remove or disable the ground conductor from any units. 1.2 The product manual This product manual is designed to give you both an overview of the RD-9, as well as detailed information on each of the controls and parameters. The manual is based on the initial software release. Further features and updates will be added later so please regularly check for software updates. You will find an overview of the physical control elements in the next chapter. The Synthtool, found on the Behringer website can be used to control many of the functions of the RD-9. 1.3 Preparation Advanced Dual-Mode Filter To add new possibilities to the RD-9 it has a highly flexible 12 dB filter, which lets you freely experiment with the cutoff frequency and resonance to create out-ofthis-world beats. RD-9's HPF button toggles between LPF (lo-pass filter) and HPF (hi-pass filter). Fluid sweeps of the filter's CUTOFF knob can be recorded straight into the sequencer and can be further tweaked in the Step Editor. Wave Shaping Goodness The integrated Wave Designer has individual ATTACK and SUSTAIN controls for adding another dimension to drumbeats. Sounds can be controlled in new ways to provide exciting new tones. CAUTION: Remember to turn your monitors/loudspeakers on last when powering up your system. Turn your monitors/loudspeakers off first when powering down your system. Polymeter Mode RD-9 gives you the power to control loops in new ways with the Loop Overlay function, which generates continual variations and polyrhythms to add spice to your beats. With the Loop Overlay function, you can set different sequence lengths for each of the drum tracks independently to create complex overlapping rhythms and make your song structures really evolve. Parameter Chaining Set separate chain preferences for each of your parameters, allowing them to persist globally or to switch on song or pattern changes. Parameters include Tempo, Swing, Flam, Probability, independent track mutes/solos, FX bus assignments, Filter Modes and sweeps for enhanced real-time control. Patterns can be changed on the fly for further creative control when using the RD-9 as the heart of your live setup.