In addition to user pattern programming, Cherry KR-55C also includes an easy-to-use song mode. In addition to the 99 user patterns discussed in the preceding chapter, each saved patch in the browser (purple menu strip at the top) includes a user-created song. A song can be thought of a simple list of patterns to play, that might look something like this:
|
Song Step Number |
Pattern |
|---|---|
|
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
1 |
|
3 |
3 |
|
4 |
2 |
|
5 |
LP (loop) |
A song can be up to 99 steps long.
Using Song Mode
Song mode can only be used with user-programmed patterns (Play Mode set to User). It does not work with the built-in preset patterns. However, if you'd like to use one of the preset patterns in a song, the factory patterns are included in the preset browser in the Factory KR-55A and Factory KR-55B collections.
We'll assume you already have some user patterns programmed, so let's assemble them into a song:
Make sure the Pattern Mode button is set to User.
Set the Patt/Song switch to Song.
The Song Step Number display (top number display) shows the current song step number; the Pattern Select display (bottom number display) shows the selected pattern number for the step.
Select the desired pattern for step 1 number using up/down buttons beside the Pattern Select display, then click the up button beside the Song Step Num display to move to the next song step. Select the pattern number for song step 2. Continue adding pattern steps until the song is finished.
Special Song Step Types
Song mode includes the following useful special step types:
End Step- This stops song playback on the first beat of the bar. The end step can be selected by clicking the Pattern Select down arrow button a single time when the current selected pattern is 1. It appears as two dashes in the Pattern Select display.
Loop Step- Adding a loop step causes the song to jump back to the the beginning of song step number 1. Note that a loop step has no duration of its own - that is, the loop occurs immediately at the top of its song step. A loop step can be selected by clicking the Pattern Select down arrow button twice when the current selected pattern is 1. It appears as LP in the Pattern Select display.
Song Playback
Clicking the Start/Stop button begins or ends song playback. A song will always play back from the beginning - you'll see the Song Step Num display reset to step 1.
Playing Back Songs in a DAW
If the Host Sync switch is set to Off, KR-55C ignores DAW tempo, that is, it behaves as an independent entity.
When Sync is set to Ext, KR-55C will follow the DAW tempo and bar location. The only caveat to be aware of this your DAW has no way of knowing what time signatures you've used in KR-55C. If all song rhythms are in standard 4/4, this most likely won't be a problem, but if you're using odd time signatures, you'll need to manually set your DAW's master time signature track to accommodate the length of the KR-55C's song patterns, otherwise downbeats won't land on the first beat of bars in your DAW. If you're dabbling in crazy time signatures, we suspect you'll already have a solid command of odd time signatures in your DAW host as well.
(Incidentally, we don't get receive lot of support requests like this, "Hey, I'm having trouble programming 'Siberian Khatru' by Yes into your sweet analog drum machine..."
For more info on Sync, check out the Sync section in the Global Controls.