Alesis SR18 Tutorial 5. Step Edit & Quantize

Back with a 5th tutorial video on the Alesis SR18 drum machine, after a year or 2 away from music due to moving house etc. This video deals with a problem I had, trying to add a crash cymbol at the end of a User pattern and issues with quantization. Hope this might help some who may have come across this

[@patricecorbiere6838]

Thanks a lot. A very good tutorial 👌🤘

[@particuleselementals]

Hello. Thank you so much. Your trick is great and it works. Also that way you save a rhythm pattern with crash. I had seen your video and had not understood the need to do this. The normal thing is that after each break the next pattern contains a crash that sounds without problems. Thank you very much again. Last night I broke my head looking for a solution.

[@80sman80]

Excellent. Glad I could help you.

[@anthonylbca]

I set the Quantize to OFF and put the crash at the last step (95) instead of 88.

[@superuser13]

I noticed in one of your other videos, you played keys with sr18. Do you use midi connections between sr18 and you keyboards? If so, I would like to learn more about that connectivity.

[@80sman80]

Hi, Sadly I sold my sr18 a while back and so it's difficult now to refer back to it now. Yes, I did have it connected to some keyboards via midi and used it to sync some synths. But now I sync my synths via Abelton DAW.

[@mariuslysiak6402]

Good to have you back ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. How to make/edit your own kit?

[@80sman80]

Thanks, yes I might look at that...

[@romanyel]

I'm using this as a slave to the Keystep Pro. Since I program/Record using KSP as the brain I don't want any patterns triggered when I hit play on the Keystep. I've been just hitting stop but wonder if there's a better solution. Thank you for all these tutorials!

[@80sman80]

I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with kepstep Pro or that set up, so sadly I can't advise you.

[@bayramhassan]

Thank you so much for your effort. Can you please show how to record intro pattern? It's needed urgently 🙏😊Thank you already

[@80sman80]

@bayramhassan just record your intro as a pattern and then add it as your first pattern to your song when you piece your patterns together.

[@bayramhassan]

@@80sman80 Thank you so much. One last thing, i am loosing it 😬 Adding fill!!!

[@80sman80]

@bayramhassan just record your fills same as your pattern and them same as pattern to your song in song mode

[@friedrichroder9806]

very smart Solution 👍 Thanks a lot. Btw, can't find Part 4. Deleted?

[@80sman80]

Ha ha, your right... I did make 5 videos but unfortunately I numbered them wrong

[@ColourfulEnergy]

Great video and tutorial.👍😊

[@80sman80]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@MichaelKochSchulte]

Couple of questions. Does any have a system like a spreadsheet template for documenting User Patterns/Songs? Also, what software are you using to dump midi backups to? Has anyone uploaded patterns?

[@80sman80]

Hi, I've sold my Sr18, so regretfully am unable to check out your queries. I used to save backups via a midi to usb lead, onto my computer.

[@2ShadesOfGray]

This machine is old but really good considering it’s age, midi implementation not so good, would love to be able to trigger a pattern or song from a helix preset. Having said that it’s great fun, good live

[@wesleyc.4937]

OR you can leave the crash out altogether... and just hit the pad when you need it.

[@gordocojones]

I wish I had the patience for this machine. It had good samples for a drum machine. Unfortunately it frustrated me and I smashed it.

[@garysanders8304]

Only had my sr18 for a month. I bought this used and am wanting to not o ly use the presets and existing patterns, but I would really like to finger tap a rhythm to back my guitar playing on the fly instead of scrolling through the presets etc. Now the problem: most of the pads have a sound but not all. What do I do to enter a drum sound in the ones that are missing. Next question is on the presets the bass that is existing is not in a chord progression is it, so how do I use it like that. Some of them sound good when I play along with them but not all. I know I'm old and probably a lost case but help!

[@80sman80]

All the pads should play a drum or percussion sound when tapped. If not, then you may ned to go into either "Drum set" and choose a drum kit and then into "Record Setup" and adjust some settings i.e. velocity or pad volume. As regards the bass feature. It is fairly basic as the processor within the unit has limitations. You can write your own bass patterns along side your drum patterns, if that helps? Same as Drum sets, you can also change the bass sound.

[@jayesshague]

Could you also have solved this problem by making your pattern length 4 measures and only adding the crash at the start of mm 2-4?

[@80sman80]

Possibly, not tried that. This is how I resolved the issue.

[@Keithoconnellsongwriter]

Hi Patrick. Can you do a video showing how you record a Fill in user mode?

[@80sman80]

Hi Kieth, if I can get some time I'll take a look at doing that. I'm just working on another few projects at the moment and work is very busy.

[@Keithoconnellsongwriter]

@@80sman80 i totally understand. I've just got my head around step edit and copying the recorded pattern to the B section and saving it.. so I'm starting to make a bit of progress. No pressure if you are too busy.

[@bakerman3039]

First: You can still hear that the crash is offbeat. Second: You do not explain why you choose this and do not program it on the first tick of your pattern. Is it because you want to end your song with a crash sound? So why don't you program an empty pattern with just a crash? I don't get it.

[@80sman80]

First: I only did these videos so that my experiences using the SR18 might be of some help to some people. 2nd: I record these videos in my spare time as I am only an amateur musician and record these videos for 0 financial gain. So when someone comments just to criticise and pick holes in what I've done, I find that sad and I wonder why I ever bothered trying to help other musicians in the first place. I hope you enjoy your SR18 and it serves you well.

[@bakerman3039]

@@80sman80 Well, you have to live with criticism, when you load up a video. So much words for wining and no simple short answer. So the question ist still: Why do you set a crash on the last step of a pattern?

[@arjang1]

🙏🌻🏵️🌼🌸🌺🌹🌞🌝

[@russkij-mobik-ljaghet-v-grobik]

This drum machine is hopelessly outdated.