Recording Samples and Drum Loops on a CS6X

Phrase Clips (digital samples of sounds, drum loops or musical phrases) can be recorded (sampled) directly into the CS6X from a microphone, audio equipment such as a CD player, or from the CS6X itself by playing a key or a Song file. The CD ROM that comes with the CS6X contains many sounds and drum loops specifically for this purpose. Phrase Clips and .wav or .aif audio files can also be loaded in via MIDI, with the supplied 'Card Filer' software.

Phrase Clips can be assigned to individual notes on the CS6X and triggered by playing the keyboard. This method of triggering is useful for dance music, because each key can play a different beat or sound effect. The individual Phrase Clips are organized into groups called 'Clip Kits'. There are four internal Clip Kit memory locations on the CS6X. Click here for 'Playing Samples and Drum Loops on a CS6X'
Setting up for Recording:

1) Turn the (GAIN) knob on the rear panel fully counter-clockwise.

2) If using an external sound source, such as a microphone or audio equipment, plug it into the 'A/D Inputs' on the rear panel:


a) Use 'MIC/LINE 2' if the sound source is a microphone.

b) For audio equipment such as a CD player, use 'LINE 1' for a mono signal or 'LINE 1' and 'MIC/LINE 2' for a stereo signal.

NOTE: Stereo signals are internally merged into mono.


3) If recording an internal CS6X sound, choose the Voice, Performance, Clip Kit, or a Song file on a SmartMedia Card (with its corresponding Performance).

4) Press the [PHRASE CLIP] button to enter Phrase Clip Mode. The LED will illuminate.

5) Press and hold the [REC] button, then press the desired key to be assigned to the Phrase Clip.

6) Turn the (B) knob to select the Sound Source ('mic', 'line', 'pclip', 'voice', or 'perform').

7) Turn the (C) knob to select the Trigger Mode for the recording:


a) If the Source is set to 'mic' or 'line': Select 'manual' to start recording manually, or 'level' to start recording automatically when a signal level is received.

b) If the Source is set to 'pclip', 'voice', or 'perform': Select 'key' to start recording by pressing a key, or 'manual' to record a section of a sequenced Song.


8) Set the Source and Trigger levels:

NOTE: The 'Trigger' level parameter is only displayed when 'level' has been selected for the Trigger Mode.


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

b) Play the sound source or speak into the microphone, while adjusting the (GAIN) knob on the rear panel. Listen carefully, and adjust the level as high as possible without distorting.

c) If 'level' was selected for the Trigger Mode, play the sound source or speak into the microphone, and turn the (1) knob to select a Trigger level (that will start the recording) in the screen that matches the desired Source level above it.

Recording a Phrase Clip from a microphone or audio equipment:

1) Begin the recording process.


a) If set to 'level', press the [ENTER] button and recording will start automatically (as soon as the level of the sound source reaches the trigger level).

b) If set to 'manual', press the [ENTER] button to begin recording.


2) When finished recording, press the [EXIT] button.

3) To listen to the Clip just recorded, press and hold the [REC] button, then press the key chosen in the steps above.

4) If the Clip needs to be re-recorded, press the [ENTER] button again.

5) More Phrase Clips can be recorded to different keys by doing the following:


a) Press and hold the [REC] button, then press another key.

b) Repeat steps 1-4.

Recording a Phrase Clip from the internal tone generator of the CS6X:

1) Begin the recording process.


a) If set to 'key', start recording by playing a key.

b) If set to 'manual':


1] Press the [SEQ PLAY] button to begin playing the Song file.

2] When the desired section is reached, press the [ENTER] button to begin recording.


2) When finished recording, press the [EXIT] button.

3) To listen to the Clip just recorded, press and hold the [REC] button, then press the key chosen in the steps above.

4) If the Clip needs to be re-recorded, press the [ENTER] button again.

5) More Phrase Clips can be recorded to different keys by doing the following:


a) Press and hold the [REC] button, then press another key.

b) Repeat steps 1-4.

Storing the Phrase Clips to a 'Clip Kit':

1) Press the [STORE] button to store the recorded Phrase Clips to a 'Clip Kit'.

2) Turn the (2) knob to select one of the four internal Clip Kits.

3) Press the [ENTER] button.

4) Press the [INC/YES] button.
WARNING: The recorded Phrase Clip and Clip Kit data will be lost when the CS6X is turned off, unless it is stored to a SmartMedia Card. Click here for 'Saving and loading CS6X data using a SmartMedia Card'

Reference: Owner's Manual, p.143-145