The Instrument Layers; Playback / Record Basics - Akai XR 20 Reference Manual

THE INSTRUMENT LAYERS

The XR20 allows you to play three different kinds of sounds with the pads. These sounds are
available in three different Play Modes or Banks. These are DRUM, 1-SHOT and SYNTH and are
accessible by pressing the corresponding button on the top panel.
DRUM – This Pad Play mode allows you to play up to twelve Drum sounds with
the pads
1-SHOT – This Pad Play mode allows you to play up to twelve 1-Shot sounds with
the pads.
SYNTH – This Pad Play mode allows you to play up to 3 Octaves of a key-
mapped synth sample(s) on the pads. To transpose the synth sounds, press and
hold the SYNTH button and then use the INC / DEC buttons or VALUE dial to
transpose up or down an octave.

PLAYBACK / RECORD BASICS

Using the Transport Controls
To stop playback and go back to the beginning of the current Pattern or Song, press
the STOP button.
Press PLAY to play the Pattern or Song from the current location. Press PLAY again
while a Pattern or Song is playing to pause it. Press PLAY to continue playing the
Pattern or Song from the location where it was paused.
Preset and User Patterns
There are two types of Patterns in the XR20.
Preset Patterns provide a variety of styles, and other rhythms that feature drums,
1-shot samples and an accompanying synth parts. Note that the only way to
modify a Preset Pattern is to copy it to a User Pattern, where it can be edited.
User Patterns are Patterns you can program, edit, and save.
The PRESET / USER button selects between these two banks of Patterns.
Playing Patterns
1. To play Patterns, the XR20 needs to be in Pattern Mode. To do this press the
PATTERN / SONG button, which toggles between the two modes. The display
will show PATTERN in the upper right corner when the XR20 is in Pattern Mode.
2. Select a Pattern you wish to play with the INC / DEC buttons or the VALUE dial.
3. To play the selected Pattern, press the PLAY button.
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