Track Recording on the SP 808

Along with all of these cool sampling features, the SP-808 can function as a four stereo track hard disk recorder. This allows you to create songs from your samples or to record directly onto a track from the MIC/LINE, DIGITAL, or AUX input. There are three different types of recording:

STEP: Allows you to record the pads directly to the tracks by touching the pads in the order you wish them to play. The playback length of the pads is determined in one of two ways; the trimmed length of the sample (SMPL), or by the selected note length (MEAS). If “MEAS” is selected, the playback length is determined by the note value that is selected (e.g., q [quarter note], e [eighth note], h [half note], etc.).
REALTIME: Records the pads while the song is playing. The pads will record as long as you hold them down.

AUDIO
RECORDING: Allows you to record directly from the MIC/LINE, DIGITAL, or AUX Inputs.

Step Recording
Step recording is great if you already have a lot of samples that are the same tempo (BPM). Before we start, it’s a good idea to create a Tempo Map so that the samples line up properly. This will also be helpful for editing the tracks later. Use the following procedure to create a Tempo Map:

1. Press SONG/TRACK.
2. CURSOR down to TEMPO MAP? and press ENTER/YES.
3. Rotate the VALUE/TIME dial to match the BPM of your samples, or play the pad that uses the BPM that you want to match and press ENTER/YES.
4. Press PLAY to return to the main screen.
Now let’s record some samples to track 1 using the STEP recording method:

1. Press PAD BANK and use the VALUE/TIME dial to select the desired bank of samples. Then, press ENTER/YES to select it.
2. Hold SHIFT and press STEP (EVENT REC).
3. displayed
4. Rotate the VALUE/TIME dial counterclockwise to select “SMPL.”
5. Press the pads in the order you want them to play back. If your samples are the same tempo as the Tempo Map, the SP-808 will automatically place the samples at the correct bar and beat.
6. Press STOP () when you’re finished.
7. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) A so that it is green (PLAY).
8. Press METRONOME () to return to the beginning of the song and press PLAY (4) to listen to the track.
9. If you do not like what you have recorded, press UNDO/REDO once followed by METRONOME () to return to the top of the song. Then, repeat steps 2-8 to try again.
Realtime Recording
Realtime recording is a great way to add samples to an existing track. The samples are recorded for as long as you hold the pad(s) down. The SP-808 features a quantize function, so if you play the pad a little off time, the SP-808 can correct it for you. This can be extremely helpful if you are having difficulty playing a particular section of your song in time with the metronome. Use the following procedure to record a track in real time:

1. Press PAD BANK and use the VALUE/TIME dial to select the desired bank of samples. Then, press ENTER/YES.
2. Hold SHIFT and press REALTIME () to display the Realtime Record screen (see Fig. 8).
3. Press STATUS(TRACK SELECT) B so it flashes red.
4. CURSOR down to Quantize and rotate the VALUE/TIME dial to select “q” (quarter note). You can also quantize using 8th (e) or 16th (x) notes.
5. Press PLAY (). There will be a two measure count in before the music starts.
6. Press the pads in time with the music.
7. Press STOP () when you are done.
8. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) B so that it is green (PLAY).
9. Press METRONOME () to return to the beginning of the song and press PLAY (4) to hear the results.
10. f you do not like what you have recorded, press UNDO/REDO once followed by METRONOME () to return to the top of the song and repeat steps 2-9 until you are satisfied with the results.
Audio Recording
The Audio recording method is probably the easiest to understand because it is very similar to recording on a “portable studio” type multitrack recorder. You plug something into the recorder, hit record, and play your instrument. The SP-808 can record in a similar fashion. Use the following procedure to record a track directly from the mic/line input:

1. Hold SHIFT and press AUDIO REC () to display the Audio Recording screen (see Fig. 9).
2. Connect the audio outputs of a CD player or instrument to the LINE INPUT, or a microphone to the MIC input.
3. Adjust the INPUT or MIC level so that the meter peaks just under the dotted line on the screen.
4. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) C so it flashes red.
5. Press PLAY (). There will be a two measure count off before the music starts.
6. Play your instrument/CD or sing into the microphone.
7. Press STOP () when you are done.
8. Press STATUS(TRACK SELECT) C so it is green (PLAY).
9. Press METRONOME () to return to the beginning of the song and press PLAY () to hear the results.
10. If you do not like what you have recorded, press UNDO/REDO once followed by METRONOME () to return to the top of the song. Repeat steps 1-9 until you are satisfied with the results.

Bouncing

Bouncing tracks is the process of combining multiple tracks to a single track. The idea is very similar to the re-sampling procedure we discussed earlier. It allows you to use one track to play back what used to require three tracks, enabling you to record new material on the previous tracks. This will free up more tracks for recording and play back. Use the following procedure to bounce tracks A, B, and C to track D:

1. Hold SHIFT and press AUDIO REC ().
2. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) A, B, and C until they light orange (BOUNCE).
3. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) D so it flashes red.
4. Press PLAY (). There will be a two measure count in before the music starts.
5. Use the faders to adjust the levels of tracks A, B, and C as desired.
6. After the tracks have finished playing, press STOP ().
7. Press STATUS(TRACK SELECT) D so that it is green (PLAY).
8. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) A, B, and C until they are off (MUTE).
9. Press METRONOME () to return to the beginning of the song and press PLAY (4) to hear the results.
10. If you do not like what you have recorded, press UNDO/REDO once followed by METRONOME ()to return to the top of the song. Repeat steps 1-8 until you are satisfied with the results.

Recording With Effects

The SP-808 allows you to record an effect and make it a permanent part of your track. This allows you to use the effects processor for other tracks or samples. There are two different ways an effect can be routed to record: as an insert effect or in a send/return loop. The method you should use depends on the effect you are using. Insert should be used when you want to send your source signal into the effects processor and record the output of the effects processor without recording the dry signal. Some effects commonly used in an insert routing include distortion, slicer, and radio. Use the send/return method when you want to record a mixture of the dry and effected signal. Effects such as reverb, delay, and chorus are commonly used in a send/return fashion.

Use the following procedure to record samples to a track with an effect added to those samples.

First, let’s create a new song:

1. Press SONG/TRACK.
2. CURSOR down to Create New Song and press ENTER/YES.
Now, let’s name the song:

1. Use the CURSOR buttons to place the cursor and the VALUE/TIME dial to select the desired character.
2. Press ENTER/YES twice.
Now let’s add the Radio effect to some samples and record the output to a track:

1. Press REALTIME EFFECTS ON/OFF so it is lit.
2. Press FX INFO, rotate the VALUE/TIME dial to select “P97 18>Radio,” and press ENTER/YES.
3. Hold SHIFT and press MUTE (MIX COMMON).
4. CURSOR down to FxLoc and use the VALUE/TIME dial to select “INS RECORD.”
5. Hold SHIFT and press AUDIO REC ().
6. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) A so it flashes red.
7. Press PLAY (). There will be a two measure count off before the music starts.
8. Press the pads in time with the music and rotate the Realtime Control knobs to alter the effect.
9. Press STOP () when you are finished.
10. Press STATUS (TRACK SELECT) A so it is green (PLAY).
11. Press METRONOME () to return to the beginning of the song and press PLAY () to hear the results.
12. If you do not like what you have recorded, press UNDO/REDO once followed by METRONOME () to return to the top of the song. Then, repeat steps 5-11 until you are satisfied with the results.

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