Alesis Performance Pad Reference Manual page 7

1.2D What's a Voice?
Each of the 8 large pads triggers a voice. A voice is a sound-generating element with
several variable parameters: Drum sound, tuning, volume, output assignment (the
voice's audio output can go to either one of two sets of stereo outputs, and
furthermore, to anywhere within the stereo field of the chosen set of outputs), and MIDI
note number.
Each pad is velocity-sensitive: the harder you hit the pad, the louder the drum sound
assigned to the pad will play. Thanks to the dynamic articulation techniques mentioned
earlier, the timbre will often change as well, just like "real" drums.
There are eight levels of pad volume resolution, from soft to loud. However, when
using the Performance Pad as a drum sound expander and triggering sounds via
MIDI, they respond to all 127 MIDI volume levels.
1.2E About Defaults
A default is a setting that is automatically assumed until you purposely change it.
Example: When you turn on a VCR, it automatically defaults to Stop—you have to
purposely tell the machine to go into Record or Play. Stop is therefore the VCR's
power-up default status.
The Performance Pad includes a default setup that assigns particular drum sounds to
particular voices (pads), at certain level and pan settings. The default drum sound
assignments are explained. However, you can change these defaults and come up
with any type of "drum set" you'd like.
Defaults save time by giving you a setup that's instantly ready to go; sometimes you'll
need to change only a few parameters to customize the default setup to your liking.
Often the default is "whatever was selected last." Example: If the Performance Pad
was in Pattern mode and Pattern 23 was selected when you turned off the
Performance Pad, the next time the Performance Pad powers up it will be in Pattern
mode with Pattern 23 selected.
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