Alesis Performance Pad Reference Manual page 25

3.1J Select New Patterns and Fills While in Compose (Record) Mode
In Compose mode, Main Pattern selection works in the same manner as Perform
mode—select a Pattern number (with the desired A or B designator), and the newly-
selected Pattern will play back as soon as the current Pattern plays through its entire
length. The display will show the Pattern to be played next.
In Perform mode, Fills are transitional Patterns. If you press FILL in Compose mode, a
Fill will continue playing—not transition to a different Pattern when it's finished
playing—so you can record into it, like a standard Pattern. Remember, as mentioned
earlier, that the Fill also plays the downbeat of the next Pattern.
If a footswitch is plugged into the Count/A/B/Fill jack when recording Patterns in
Compose mode, pressing the footswitch will switch a Main Pattern over to its
associated Fill. The Fill will continue playing until you press the footswitch again, at
which point the Performance Pad will revert to the associated Main Pattern.
3.1K Using Fill to Create Repetitive Drum Hits
As mentioned earlier, the FILL button performs two different functions. We've already
covered how to use the FILL button for Pattern selection, however, it can also trigger a
drum sound at the current quantization rate (e.g., eighth notes, 16th notes, etc.; if
quantization is off, though, this function is inactive) and swing value. This allows
playing a series of drum hits without having to repeatedly press the pads, and is
typically used to create steady 16th note hi-hat parts, quarter note kick drum parts,
snare rolls, etc.
1. The Performance Pad should be in Compose mode and recording.
2. Press a pad on the first beat of what will be a series of hits and hold it down.
3. Immediately after pressing the pad, press and hold the FILL button. The drum will
be re-triggered at the current quantization rate for as long as the pad and FILL buttons
are held down. All hits will be at the same volume as the first pad hit.
Caution: If you don't hit the drum first, pressing the FILL button will select a Fill
Pattern.
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