Hello,

I am new here and this is probably the wrong place to post this in but here goes.

How can i create a new drum kit from samples i have in a USB and recall them every time the machine starts.  Its an XS.

I have looked at other forums and tried to read the manual but it was too hard.

thank you

In order to add new samples to a Motif XS, you must first expand the unit with SDRAM (DIMMs) as outlined in the Owner’s Manual on page 295. A matching pair of DIMMs (maximum size two x 512MB), SDRAM, PC100 or PC133.

Once you have the DIMMs in place, the audio samples can be loaded to Motif XS from your USB drive - provided they are 16-bit, @ a sample rate of 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz or 5.5125kHz and are in .wav or AIFF format.

Samples can be loaded to a Motif XS VOICE, DRUM KIT VOICE, or directly to a special “Sample VOICE” targeting a SONG/PATTERN sequence track.

Select the MODE you want to work in (i.e., [VOICE], [SONG], [PATTERN] mode...)
Press [FILE]
Set the TYPE = WAV or AIFF

_ If you were in VOICE mode when you pressed FILE you will be offered an ELEMENT and a KEY as a target location.
_ In creating a new Drum Kit you would start by selecting [VOICE] mode and go to a USER DRUM Kit. You can load samples directly to Drum Keys between C0 and C6 on the keyboard.
_ If you were in the Sequencer when you pressed FILE you will be offered a PART and a KEY as the target location. Loading a sample to the sequencer would allow an audio clip to be used in the sequence.

Each sample can be loaded to a KEY BANK as required for what you are attempting to build. Once your samples are in memory, you can create the VOICE, Drum Kit VOICE, or SONG or PATTTERN that uses the sample(s) and you can [STORE] that as appropriate.

USER samples are in volatile sample RAM (DIMMs) and must be loaded each time you power up. However, if you wish you can simply place them in a FILE and “teach” your Motif XS to auto load that file everytime you turn on your Motif XS.

Same as your computer loads your desktop and virus protection everytime you turn it on, you can have your Motif XS restore things that exist in RAM each time you power up… so when your Motif XS comes on it will have your particular favorite things loaded and ready to play. (see page 262-263 for how to create an AUTO LOAD).

Hope that helps.

Bad_Mister - 15 February 2009 08:53 AM

In creating a new Drum Kit you would start by selecting [VOICE] mode and go to a USER DRUM Kit. You can load samples directly to Drum Keys between C0 and C6 on the keyboard.quote]

URRRG!....I just made some Drum kits and put them in regular User slots...Would I have had different options had I put them in Drum User slots?....Being able to individually control the release like on the open high hat would be nice....I know it’s possible because the regular drum kits work that way....Thanks!....ZR

Thanks guys.  The other question i have is what format would i have to save the drumkit in so i would recall it.  Because right know i just have to save “all” in order to auto load the sounds.  so would it be all allvoice, voice, waveform, all, waveform etc…
and witch page do i have to bee it to do it VOICE, Pattern, etc....

The safest file format is always going to be ALL data (*.X0A) as it will save and allow you to restore all of your work. This includes everything: UTILITY mode settings, samples, Voices, Songs, Patterns, User Arpeggios, everything.

Alternatively, you could save as ALL VOICE (*.X0V) as this will save and allow you to restore ALL USER VOICES data (which will include your Drum Kit and your user samples)… but does not include UTILITY mode settings, Songs, Patterns or User Arpeggios etc., just USER VOICES and the User samples that make them (if any).

By the way (Concerning a Normal User Voice versus a Drum User Voice) - Of course, creating a DRUM KIT using a Drum VOICE offers you more flexibility (makes sense doesn’t it)? Each Key in a Drum Kit Voice (73 Keys) has its own Volume, Pan position, routing to the effects, Amplitude Envelope parameters, Filter parameters, Pitch parameters, etc., etc., etc. This is because a Drum kit is 73 instruments. Additionally, you have functions that allow drum sounds to turn off RECEIVE NOTE-OFF (drums sounds behave differently to key-on and key-off events… you don’t want to have to hold down a key to make a drum sound play it full envelope).

Drums Kits also have parameters that allow one sound to replace another (these are called ALTERNATE GROUPS) there are 127 ALTERNATE GROUPS… this is what allows the Closed Hihat to stop the Open Hihat, or the Mute triangle to stop the Open triangle… any two sounds in the same Alternate Group will replace the others.

A normal Voice it typically just 1 instrument, like flute or piano… while a drum kit is multiple separate instruments. Remember, a Drum kit is a “contraption” (that’s where the term TRAP KIT comes from)… where some inventive percussionist decided they would cludge together multiple drums into one entity. If you think about a marching band you have players that only play snare drums, and others who only play the bass drum, and yet another who just hits the cymbal, etc.

Please see our extensive Power User tutorial on “Drum Track Construction Tools” for insight into how Drum Kit Voices differ from Normal User Voices

Thanks Bad Mister...This confirms and also makes me want a swift kick in the arse!....I guess that’s how you learn though.....I will definitely try the user drum kit next time I make a kit....I always seem to jump in way over my head...Right now I’m trying to convert an acoustic double tracked guitar that is 4 velocities mute,harmonic,pick,slide!...Comes out to 64 samples total....Thanks again for the information...ZR