Real-Time Recording - Alesis Micron Reference Manual

10. Real-time recording

Once you've reached the "record" parameter, you'll hear the
metronome start to click. Use this "lead-in" time to get yourself
into the groove. (As always, if the tempo isn't right, you can use
the [tap] button to adjust it.)
Once you're ready to play, just start playing. The Micron will
begin recording from the first note of the pattern. Alternately, if
you don't want to play from the first note, you can push the
control knob to kick off the recording.
The pattern will loop continuously, so you can add to it each time
it comes around. When recording in real-time, remember that
playing will never erase anything you've already recorded. To wipe
out a section so you can replay it, hold down the control knob as it
gets played back.
To stop recording, turn the control knob or press a mode button.
You will often want to clear the entire pattern and start over. One
way of doing this is to hold down the control knob and wipe out
the pattern as you record. But a quicker way is to hold down the
[patterns] button and hit the highest note on the keyboard. This
is a shortcut to the "Clear pattern?" option. See page 27.
The Micron records not only the keys you play, but all movements
of the sliders and pitch wheel. These controller movements don't
even need to be recorded at the same time as the keys. A useful
technique is to play the keys first, and then when the recording
loops around, play on the controllers to add some life to your
notes. If you do this, you will probably also be using the "Clear
controllers?" option as well, so you can revise your controller
movements until you're satisfied. See page 27.
3
Patterns
Time display
The Micron displays time as
"bar:beat:tick". There are
four beats in a bar, and 120
ticks in a beat.
Three-step beats land on
0, 40, and 80.
Four-step beats land on
0, 30, 60, and 90.
Five-step beats land on
0, 24, 48, 72, and 96.
Changing the metronome
The metronome you hear
when recording is, in fact,
just another pattern. It is
named "* Metronome", and
appears near the beginning of
the pattern list. You are free
to edit this pattern all you
like. For example, you can
choose a different program,
or put the clicks on eighth
notes or triplets instead of
quarter notes. A quick way of
disabling the metronome
entirely is to simply rename
this pattern and store it. You
can always bring back the
metronome later with another
rename.
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