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Choose a beat

A beat sets the foundation for your performance's tempo and Loop length. You can use a built-in Pattern, a WAV / MP3 / MIDI file on the SD card, or a sound from a sampler pad.

We recommend starting with a built-in Pattern.

1. Select the BEAT part

  1. Turn the lower dial on the right
  2. Select BEAT from the part selector
  3. Press the lower dial to open the menu
  4. Go to Beat → Select Beat

2. Choose the beat source

Option Contents
Built-in Built-in Patterns such as Pop, Rock, House, Hip Hop, Disco, and Break
SD Card WAV, MP3, MID, and MIDI files saved on the SD card
Sampler Pad Use a current sampler pad's sound as an independent audio beat

For your first try, choose Built-in.

3. Preview and choose a beat

  1. Turn the lower dial to select a candidate
  2. Press Fn1 for a Preview
  3. To listen to another candidate, turn the dial and press Fn1 again
  4. Press OK when you find a beat you like

Patterns are previewed for one cycle at their original Tempo; WAV / MP3 files are previewed for a short section. Previewing alone does not change the current Project.

If you already have a recorded performance

When you change the beat, a screen may appear asking how to handle the current Rec.

Option Result
Follow New Beat Fit the recorded performance positions to the new beat's length
Keep Current Tempo Keep the current Loop length and fit the beat to the current tempo
Clear Rec Erase the recorded performance and use the new beat as the basis

If you are unsure, choose Follow New Beat. Do not choose Clear Rec if you want to keep your current performance.

Change the beat's sound (drum kit)

For pattern beats, choose drum sounds from Beat → Select Kit.

  • Acoustic
  • Dance
  • Chiptune

You can change just the drum sounds without changing the Pattern or Tempo.

Beat volume and repetitions

You can also adjust the following in the Beat menu.

  • Beat Volume: the beat's volume
  • Beat Repeat: repeat the beat once, twice, or four times to set the Loop length

Changing Beat Repeat also changes the Loop length used as the reference for Rec.

Record your performance over this beat with Rec