Playing Drum Patterns and Musical Phrases on a CS6X Arpeggiator

The CS6X can automatically play drum patterns or musical phrases from its Arpeggiator. Because it uses MIDI notes, the Arpeggiator is able to follow chord changes being played with the left hand. It can play continuously until stopped by the user.

Selecting a Voice for the Arpeggiator in Voice mode:

1) Press the [VOICE] button to enter Voice Mode.

2) While holding the [PRE1] and [PRE2] buttons simultaneously, press the [ENTER] button.

3) Turn the (DATA) knob to display 'Dr: Rock Kit' in the screen (for example).

Selecting a Voice for the Arpeggiator in Performance mode:

1) Press the [PERFORM] button to enter Performance mode.

2) Press the [EDIT] button.

3) Hold the [SHIFT] button and turn the (PAGE) knob until the cursor points to 'TON' at the bottom of the screen.

4) Turn the (PAGE) knob until 'MIX Vce' appears in the upper left corner of the screen.

5) Turn the (A) knob to select the desired Part.

6) Use the (B), (C), (1), (2), and (DATA) knobs to select 'PRE:DR1(A01)[Dr>Rock Kit ]' (for example).

Selecting the Arpeggio type:
NOTE: For this example, a Drum (Dr) Arpeggio will be used.

1) Select the 'Common' screen:


a) In Voice mode, turn the (A) knob to display 'C' in the lower left corner of the screen.

b) In Performnace mode, turn the (A) knob to display 'Common' in the lower left corner of the screen.


2) Turn the (PAGE) knob to display 'ARP Type' on the left side of the screen.

NOTE: There are four types of Arpeggios:

TYPE	DESCRIPTION
Sq (Sequence)	Arpeggios with simple musical phrases in octaves.
Ph (Phrase)	Arpeggios with more involved musical phrases such as guitar-strumming.
Dr (Drum)	Arpeggios with drum patterns to be played using Drum Kit Voices.
Ct (Control)	Arpeggios creating tone changes instead of note changes.

3) Turn the (B) knob to move the cursor to the 'Type' parameter.

4) Turn the (DATA) knob to select 'BigBeat3:Dr' (for example).

Setting Arpeggiator Parameters:

1) Turn the (C) knob to set the Tempo.

2) Turn the (1) knob to set the 'Switch' parameter to 'on'.

3) Turn the (DATA) knob clockwise to display 'ARP Limit' on the screen. This allows one to set the MIDI note range which will trigger the Arpeggiator.

4) Turn the (1) knob to select 'C -2' for the lower Note Limit.

5) Turn the (2) knob to move cursor to the upper Note Limit parameter.

6) Turn the (DATA) knob to select 'G 2' for the upper Note Limit.
NOTE: The lower and upper Note Limit parameters can be set as desired.

Using the Arpeggiator:

1) Play any note on a MIDI controller within the selected Note Range to hear the arpeggiated drum pattern.

NOTE: When a Normal (non-Drum) Voice and an 'Sq', 'Ph', or 'Ct' Arpeggio Type is selected, the arpeggiated musical pattern will change notes when different chords are played within the selected Note Range.

2) To have the Arpeggiator continue to play after the notes are released:


a) Turn the (PAGE) knob to display 'ARP Type' on the left side of the screen.

b) Turn the (2) knob to select 'on' for the 'Hold' parameter.

Reference: Owner's Manual, p.41-44, 82-83 TIP: There are also two alternate methods of playing patterns and phrases:

1. Phrase Clips can play continuously until stopped by the user, but do not follow chord changes, because they are recorded samples of someone actually playing (not MIDI note data). Click here for 'Playing Samples and Drum Loops on a CS6X'

2. Patterns and phrases can also be played from a sequenced song on a SmartMedia Card (using both MIDI data and sample data) at a fixed length of measures. Click here for 'Saving and playing a song using a SmartMedia Card on a CS6X'