Alesis K2661 specifications Chapter Operating Modes, What the Modes Are, Selecting Modes

The Operating Modes

What the Modes Are

Chapter 4

The Operating Modes

In this chapter we’ll discuss the theory behind the mode concept, and we’ll describe the basic operating features of each mode. Complete details on the editing features of each mode are provided in the K2661 Musician’s Guide (on the CD-ROM).

What the Modes Are

The modes exist to make the K2661 logical to work with. With as many performance and programming features as the K2661 has, it’s helpful to break them into groups. These groups are called modes. There are eight primary modes (plus Sample mode and Live mode); they’re described briefly in the section called Using the Modes on page 4-3.Chapters 6 through 13 are dedicated to explaining each primary mode in turn. Chapter 14 describes Sample mode and Live mode.

Each mode is named for the kind of operations you perform while in that mode, and each mode’s editor (if any) contains all of the parameters related to editing the type of object found in that mode. In Setup mode, for example, you select setups (and only setups) for performance or editing. All of the setup-editing parameters are grouped together on the Setup-Editor page, which is accessible through Setup mode.

Selecting Modes

When the K2661 is on, it’s almost always operating in one of the eight primary modes represented by the LED-highlighted buttons beneath the display—or in one of the editors corresponding to the current operating mode. There are two exceptions: Sample mode (and the Sample Editor), and Live mode. Pressing one of the mode buttons selects the corresponding mode. This is the mode’s entry level. At the entry level, the LED of the selected mode is lit. Only one mode can be selected at a time.

From any primary mode, you can get to any other primary mode simply by pressing one of the mode buttons. If you’re in an editor, however, you must press Exit to return to the mode’s entry level before selecting another mode.

All of the modes except Disk mode and Live mode give you access to one or more editors for changing the values of the parameters within that mode. Press the Edit button to enter the editor of the currently selected mode. When you do this, the mode LED goes out.

It’s possible to enter another mode’s editor without leaving the currently selected mode. For example, if you press Edit while in Setup mode, you’ll enter the Setup Editor. The Setup-Editor page will appear, and the LocalPrg parameter will be highlighted by the cursor. If you press Edit again, you’ll enter the Program Editor, where you can edit the currently selected program. While you can edit and save programs as you normally would, you’re still in Setup mode, and you can’t select another mode at this point. When you exit the Program Editor, you’ll return to the Setup-Editor page. Press Exit again, and you’ll leave the Setup Editor, returning to the Setup-mode page.

This method of entering editors works for any parameter whose value is an editable object (program, setup, keymap, FX preset, etc.)

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