32
Pattern Sequencer
The SP-404SX contains a Pattern Sequencer function that
can record sample-playback operations. Another way to
use this capability is to combine several phrase samples
to create a simple song, or to combine rhythm samples to
create rhythm patterns.
MEMO
Here we’ll explain how to record into the pattern
sequencer, and also describe some advanced uses. For
details on playing back the pattern sequencer, refer to
“Playing Patterns” (p. 14).

Recording a Pattern

When you play samples and record your performance as
a pattern, recording will occur repeatedly for the number
of measures you specify (i.e., “loop recording”), allowing
you to continue layering (overdubbing) additional samples
onto the pattern.
1. Press.the.[PATTERN.SELECT].button.so.the.button.
is.lit.
The display will indicate “Ptn” and the pads to which a
pattern is assigned will blink.
2. Press.the.[REC].button.so.the.button.is.lit.
All pads to which no pattern is assigned will blink.
3. Press.one.of.the.[BANK].buttons.to.select.the.
pattern.bank.into.which.you.want.to.record.
4. Press.the.pad.to.which.you.want.to.assign.the.
pattern.you’re.going.to.record.
The pad you pressed will light, and the remaining pads will
go out. The [REC] button will blink, and the metronome
will begin sounding
5. Press.the.[START/END/LEVEL].button.so.the.
button.is.lit.
6. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].(LEVEL).knob.to.adjust.the.
metronome.volume.
7. Press.the.[TIME/BPM].button.so.the.button.is.lit.
The display will indicate the pattern tempo (BPM).
8. Specify.the.pattern.tempo,.either.by.turning.the.
[CTRL.2].(BPM).knob,.or.by.pressing.the.[TAP.
TEMPO].button.several.times.at.the.desired.
tempo.
9. Press.the.[LENGTH].button.so.the.button.is.lit.
The display will indicate the length (number of measures)
of the pattern that will be recorded.
10. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].knob.to.specify.the.length.of.the.
pattern.
The display will indicate the pattern length you specify.
Range: 1–99
If the pattern already contains data, you can’t make it
shorter than its current length.
You can specify the pattern length in one-measure units
for the range of 1–20 measures, and in four-measure units
for longer patterns.
11. Press.the.[QUANTIZE].button.so.the.button.is.lit.
The [LENGTH] button will go out, and the display will
indicate the quantize setting.
MEMO
What is quantization?
Quantization is a function that automatically corrects
the slight inaccuracies in timing that can sometimes
occur when you are pressing pads and playing samples
to produce a recording. Once you’ve specied a
quantize setting, your performance will be recorded
at accurate intervals of quarter notes, eighth notes, or
sixteenth notes.
12. Turn.the.[CTRL.3].knob.to.specify.the.desired.
quantize.setting.
The display will indicate the quantize setting you specify.
The indication has the following signicance.
S.8 Quantize to 8th notes using shue quantize.
S.16 Quantize to 16th notes using shue quantize.
4Quantize to quarter notes.
4.3 Quantize to quarter-note triplets.
8Quantize to eighth notes.
8.3 Quantize to eighth-note triplets.
16 Quantize to sixteenth notes.
16.3 Quantize to sixteenth-note triplets.
32 Quantize to thirty-second notes.
oFF Quantize will not be used. The actual timing at which you
pressed the pad will be recorded.
MEMO
If you use shue quantize (S.8, S.16), use the [CTRL 2]
knob to specify the amount of “shue” for backbeats.
A setting of “50” will produce a “straight” rhythm with
no shue. Settings in a range of 60–66 will usually
produce a pleasant shue feel.
13. Press.the.[QUANTIZE].button.to.extinguish.the.
button.
14. Press.the.[REC].button.