E-MU Command Stations

Frequently Asked Questions

Ver 2.1


GENERAL
-What are the differences between the XL-7, MP-7 and the PX-7?
-How do I update the Operating System for the Command Stations?
-How do I use the Effects in the Command Station, I don't understand the Sends?
-How do I use the Sub Mix outputs?
-How do I make my own arpeggios?
-What is the purpose of Multisetups?
-Is the Superbeats mode from previous E-Mu sound modules incorporated into the Command Stations?
-Why can't I get E-Loader to work?
-Why can't I get the USB port to work on my Command Station?
-Is it possible to save and organize my Presets via E-Loader?
-I have a hum in my headphones when they’re connected to the Command Station, is it defective?
-Why does my Command Station suddenly lock up and display a message asking me to “Compact Flash ROM”?
-What are all of the shortcut key combinations used on the Command Stations?

PATTERNS
-Is there a way to initialize a Pattern to default settings?
-Can I specify which Pattern the Command Station will start at when I first power on?
-Is it possible to delete the factory programmed Patterns in the Command Stations?
-Why do my Patterns not play back correctly after I save them?
-Why do I get notes that continue to sound after my Pattern has stopped playing back?
-Do the Command Stations have groove quantizing?
-Why do my Patterns all play back at the same tempo, even though they were saved at different tempos?
-Why does the Track mute button remain lit for a Track I deleted/erased all the data from?
-My Pattern/Song in the Command Station keeps starting each time I press play on my external sequencer, how can I stop this from happening?
-Is there a way to select a new Pattern or organize a live set without scrolling through all of your Patterns individually?
-I created a drum Pattern using different Tracks, how do I combine all of those onto one Track?
-Is there a quicker way to select a track without having to scroll through them all?
-Why does Replace Record keep turning off?
-How do I use the 16 knobs to control the Gate Time in Grid Record mode?
-I copied one Track to another using the Clipboard, why doesn’t it sound the same now?

PRESETS
-Is there any way to initialize a Preset to its default settings?
-Is it possible to make your own drum kit Presets in the Command Stations?
-How do I make an open hi hat stop the sound of a closed hi hat like a real drum kit?
-How do I use my own samples in the Command Station? What kind of E-Mu sampler do I need?
-Why can't I hear my LFOs doing anything, I know they're assigned correctly in the Patchcords section?
-How do I install Sound ROMs into my Command Station?
-Why can't I hear the Filter Resonance sweep when I turn the knob in Quick Edit mode?
-Why doesn't the Glide Button remain lit when I save my Preset?
-Why do I hear clicking noises while playing some of my Presets?

MIDI
-Why do my Patterns use the wrong Presets when I trigger them from an external sequencer?
-Do the Command Stations have a GM (General MIDI) mode?
-How are Presets, Tracks and MIDI channels related to each other?

BTS MODE
-Can I make my own BTS Presets?
-Why do only 1 (or 4, 5, ect.) of the triggers do anything when I assign them to BTS Mode?
-Why does the Audition button light up when I am using BTS?
-Why are my BTS's out of sync with the tempo of my Pattern/Song?
-How do I change the volume of my BTS's, they're much louder than the other parts in my current Pattern/Song?
-Why do my BTS Triggers not sound like they should (I.E. Trigger 1 doesn't make a Kick sound)?

XMIX
-
I don’t understand how to use XMIX, what does it do?
-How do I select a different Source Pattern in XMIX Mode?

 

FAQ ANSWERS


GENERAL

-What are the differences between the XL-7, MP-7 and the PX-7?

Aside from the color, the only other differences are the Sound ROMs that they come with. The XL-7 ships with the X-Lead Sound ROM, the MP-7 ships with the Pure Phatt Sound ROM, and the PX-7 ships with the Protean Drum ROM containing brand new studio drum samples.

-How do I update the Operating System for the Command Stations?

The current OS can be downloaded from the E-Mu website.

The procedure for installing the new Operating System is simple and uses the current version of E-Loader. Once you install E-Loader, power on your Command Station while holding the ENTER button, placing the Command Station in OS receive mode. Launch E-Loader and make sure your Command Station is connected with both its MIDI in and MIDI A out ports to your computer's MIDI interface. You must use the MIDI ports to update the Operating System, the USB port does not currently work for this in E-Loader. Next select the OS Downloader menu option, and navigate to the folder where you downloaded and unzipped the new OS. There's two files that need to be transferred to the Command Station during an OS update if you do not have OS 1.18 or later installed currently. If you are running a newer OS, you only need to select the second file. The first file is "commandprep10.dli", select that one and download it to your Command Station. After a few minutes you will be prompted to “Press Enter To Commit OS To Flash”, do so now. Once done, power off your Command Station and then power back on holding ENTER again. This time download the file "command200.dli" (or whatever the most current OS file is) to the Command Station, and press Enter again when prompted.

-How do I use the Effects in the Command Station, I don't understand the Sends?

There are two Effects processors available in the Command Stations at any time, regardless of whether you're only playing a single Preset, or a Pattern with 16 Tracks. You can use the Effects in one of two ways, each selected from the Global menu. The first is where the Preset on the active MIDI channel controls the Effects, and therefore all the Effects settings are used as stored with that Preset. This way works best if you're only playing a single Preset at a time.

The second method for using the Effects is in Master Effects mode. In this case, all Presets share the same two Effects, and the Effects and their settings are saved as a part of each Pattern. However being able to only turn the Effects on or off for each part is not very flexible, so E-Mu uses Effect Sends to increase your options. Just like there are only two Effects for the entire Command Station, there are only four Sends for the entire unit as well. The send amounts for each effect are freely assignable in the Global menu. For instance, say your first effect is a reverb, and your second is a delay. You can specify how much reverb you want to be applied to Send 1, as well as how much Delay you want to be applied to Send 1. Say you set your reverb amount to 5% on Send 1, and your delay amount to 27% on Send 1. In this configuration, any Track you route to Send 1, will have about 5% reverb on it, and then it has 27% of the delay effect added to it. If you only wanted reverb for instance, you would just set the delay amount for that Send to 0%, and now all Tracks routed to Send 1 will only have reverb applied. You can assign more than one Track to a Send, and you have 4 Sends to use for each whole Pattern, giving you lots of ways to use only those two Effects processors.

-How do I use the Sub Mix outputs?

The Sub Mix outs are directly tied in with the Effects settings. Any signal sent to Send 2, will come out Sub Mix 1, and any signal sent to Send 3 will appear at Sub Mix 2. Keep in mind that even though you're sending these signals to your Effects sends, the Sub Mix outs will only play the dry signal. There's no way to apply Effects to any sounds coming out of the Sub Mix outs. See the Owners Manual for a diagram of the Submix routing.

-How do I make my own arpeggios?

Any time you make a change to an arpeggio, the data is saved as soon as you leave the Arp menu. If you don't want to overwrite the current arpeggiator settings, it is recommended that you first copy the desired arpeggio to a User arpeggio location, this can be done in the Save menu. Once you have copied it, make sure you select the new location for your Preset Arpeggio in the Preset edit screen. Once that's done, resave your Preset before you forget, then turn ON the Master Arppegiator in the Arp Menu. Select the User Arpeggio location where you saved the Arp you want to edit. Once it is selected, you can change any of the parameters you desire and listen to the results as you play back your Pattern, or hold a note. Once you are done editing, simply leave the Arp menu and the settings are saved automatically. All User Arpeggios are saved as part a Multisetup.

-What is the purpose of Multisetups?

Multisetups provide a way to instantly recall all of the settings not saved as part of Patterns or Presets, including Trigger assignments, MIDI settings, Global settings, BTS settings, ect. In addition to these, they also save the current Pan, Volume, Arp Status, and Preset assignments for each Channel. A good way to save your song settings if you use external sequencers too! Think of Multisetups as way to store a snap shot of all the current settings on your Command Station at that moment.

-Is the Superbeats mode from previous E-Mu sound modules incorporated into the Command Stations?

Yes Beats mode is fully supported as of OS ver1.31 or later, see the BTS section dedicated to this feature elsewhere in the FAQ.

-Why can't I get E-Loader to work?

Make sure you upgrade to the newest version of E-Loader to ensure the most trouble free performance. The previous version of E-Loader had issues with the version of Java it used, this has been remedied in the current release which can be download from the E-Mu website.

-Why can't I get the USB port to work on my Command Station?

In order to use the USB port, you need to have the latest version of E-Loader installed on your PC computer (currently there is no USB driver available for Mac computers). Also, keep in mind that you CANNOT use the USB ports to update the OS currently, only Patterns and Songs can be stored and transferred via the USB port.

-Is it possible to save and organize my Presets via E-Loader?

E-Loader ver1.1 does not support the transfer of Presets, only Patterns and Songs. In order to back up your User Presets, you will need to enter the MIDI Menu screen and send the sysex data for your Presets to an external MIDI data filer or sequencer.

-I have a humming sound in my headphones when they’re connected to the Command Station, is it defective?

No, the hum can actually be caused by a few things. Sometimes after installing a new Sound ROM, the two halves of the Command Station outer cover may not be secured tightly enough. Use a philips head screwdriver to check that all of the screws are securely seated. Also check to see if the headsocket itself is securely fastened to the unit as that too may be an addition cause of the noise. Some users have reported that using a 12v lamp plugged into the unit may occasionally cause some minor noise in the headphones. Lastly, check if the ribbon cable connecting the headphone circuit board to the main circuit board has come loose inside the machine.

-Why does my Command Station suddenly lock up and display a message asking me to “Compact Flash ROM”?

Every so often, the Command Station will need to basically Compact (defragment) it's own internal memory. This is perfectly normal and it's frequency of appearing is related to how often you save your work. None of your current or previous work will be lost, though the procedure can take up to 3 minutes during which time the Command Station will appear to lock up. You can opt to not perform the process by pressing a cursor button, but it will continue to display this same message each time you try and Save until the Compaction is performed. It is recognized that this is not something that would be desirable in a live setting, so the user can perform a check to see if Compaction will be needed in the immediate future (and thus risk freezing the Command Station at a critical moment). In the Save menu you will find the option to "Manually Compact Now". To perform this, cursor to the lower line and press Enter. If the memory is close to needing Compacting, the Command Station will perform the procedure now. If Compaction is not needed, the Compaction will not occur. This is not something that should be performed often, and therefore should only be done before a live show or prior to other critical work!

-What are all of the shortcuts and key combinations used on the Command Stations?

TAP + STOP Toggles Temporary Bar Region (Loop) on or off.
TAP + PLAY XMIX Mode.
TAP + REC Replace Record Mode.
TAP + SELECT Sets Loop Start location.
TAP + EDIT Sets Loop End location.
TAP + TRIGGER Changes the Trigger Button functions.
TAP + TRACK MUTE Selects Track.
TAP + ENTER (while selecting a new Pattern during playback) Current Mute Status will be applied to the next Pattern (Mute Hold).
ERASE + TRACK MUTE Erases all Track Data.
PLAY + STOP Resets current Pattern or starts Queued Pattern.
ENTER + MIDI MIDI Panic (Sends All Notes Off message).
LEFT CURSOR + RIGHT CURSOR (while powering unit on) Diagnostic Mode.
ENTER (while powering unit on) OS Update Mode.
AUDITION (while powering unit on) Shows developer credits.

 

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PATTERNS

-Is there a way to initialize a Pattern to default settings?

At this time there is no way to directly Initialize a Pattern. The easiest way is to select an empty Pattern, then save that to the Pattern location you want to initialize. Alternatively, you could hold down ERASE while selecting all of the Track Mute buttons to clear all Tracks.

There is a third method, but it's only recommended if you haven't created any User data, or if you have them properly backed up. Power on the Command Station while holding down the two Cursor buttons to boot into Diagnostic Mode. Now scroll the data wheel until you get to the menu option "17 Erase All User Data", then press ENTER. This will initialize all User data (Songs, Patterns, Presets, Multisetups, User Arps, etc), so be sure you have backed up anything you want to restore once this is done.

-Can I specify which Pattern the Command Station will start at when I first power on?

Unfortunately no, the Command Stations always power on to Pattern 000, Bank 0. You need to save any Pattern you want loaded upon power up to this location. Another option would be to save the Pattern you want to start with as part to the Pattern Set option of the Trigger buttons. That way you can just select that Pattern right away via the Trigger buttons once the Command Station finishes booting up.

-Is it possible to delete the factory programmed Patterns in the Command Stations?

Yes, the factory Patterns are fully erasable. One way is to create a blank Pattern, and select the "Initialize" Preset (see Preset section for more on this) for all Tracks. Make sure your pan and volume settings are correct, and then save it and use E-Loader to upload it to you computer. From here, just Download this new "Blank Pattern" into all of the Pattern locations used by the Factory Patterns. If you also save this blank Pattern in location 000, Bank 0, you will have a nice clean slate to start writing from every time you power up the Command Station. Another method would be to boot into diagnostic mode, and perform the option "17 Init Data Except Seq." This will erase all factory Patterns and Songs, but it will also erase your ser Presets, Multi's, and Arps as well, so make sure they are backed up first.

-Why do my Patterns not play back correctly after I save them?

There are a few things that could lead to this, and most of them are unfortunately user errors, not bugs. Here's some things to tryout, or remember for next time you're writing. First of all, if you press Stop three times or hold PLAY then press STOP, it resets the channel settings for that Pattern, so your Pan, Volume, and Preset assignments may revert to their saved status as originally recorded in the Pattern. This does not include recorded Pattern data, such as Notes or CC's. Second, loading a Multisetups will override these same settings, and if you save your Pattern before playing it, the Multisetups channel settings will be saved to Pattern, instead of the correct values you wanted. Additionally, make sure your Pattern is done saving before you power off. Finally, be aware that Patterns will not store data such as Preset assignments, FX Send amounts, etc for those Tracks that don't have any MIDI information recorded to them.

-Why do I get notes that continue to sound after my Pattern has stopped playing back?

Unfortunately this occasionally happens with almost all MIDI gear for one reason or another. If you experience a stuck note, press the MIDI and ENTER buttons at the same time. This triggers a PANIC message that turns all notes off.

-Do the Command Stations have groove quantizing?

No, currently they only have Straight, Triplet, and Shuffle quantize.

-Why do my Patterns all play back at the same tempo, even though they were saved at different tempos?

Until OS 2.0, if you were switching Patterns while the Command Station is playing, the tempo remained the same as the first Pattern that was played. With the new OS, you can change this behavior by going to the MIDI menu and changing the "Chained Patterns" setting to "change to new tempo".

-Why does the Track mute button remain lit for a Track I deleted/erased all the data from?

Even though all the note and CC data has been erased, there is still some Pattern set up data (Preset Number, etc) remaining at the very beginning of the Tracks. Thus the Track still thinks it has pertinent info on the Track and the LED lights up. The fastest way to delete this info is to hold down ERASE while pressing the Track Mute button for the track you want to erase. This will clear all of the data on that track and stop the LED from lighting up mistakenly when no MIDI data is present.

-My Pattern/Song in the Command Station keeps starting each time I press play on my external sequencer, how can I stop this from happening?

The Command Stations have a feature that can force the Command Station’s to ignore MIDI Start and Stop commands. Go to the External Song Start/Stop screen in the MIDI menu, and set this to Disabled. This is especially useful for those people who want to use the Command Stations as a sound module from an external sequencer, but don't want to have the internal sequencer start and stop each time they press Play or Stop on the external sequencer. With this new feature, you can now keep your LFO rates, Delays and Envelopes tempo synced to the external sequencer, and not worry about two sequencers playing at once.

-Is there a way to select a new Pattern or organize a live set without scrolling through all of your Patterns individually?

Yes, OS 2.0 added a new feature called Direct Pattern Access. You can enable this feature via the Triggers Menu. Enter that menu and scroll until you see Trigger Buttons Function, then change it to “Triggers Select Patterns” The next screen will allow you to assign which Patterns will be assigned to each Track Mute button while in this Trigger mode. Use the Track up and down keys to select other Track Mute buttons on this screen.

-I created a drum Pattern using different Tracks, how do I combine all of those onto one Track?

This can be done by using the Pattern Edit feature "Combine Selected Tracks To Clipboard". Unmute the Tracks you want to copy, then cursor to the lower line and press Enter. You can now Paste all of those Tracks to another track of you choosing.

-Is there a quicker way to select a track without having to scroll through them all using the Up and Down Cursor buttons?

Yes, simply hold down TAP and then press the Track Mute button of the track you wish to select. If your MIDI Channels correspond to the same numbered Track (ie, Track 1 is MIDI Channel 1), this also can be used as a quick way to select different MIDI Channels.

-Why does Replace Record keep turning off?

The "Replace" Record mode will only actually start to record once you play a note or turn a knob, until then it is only armed and waiting when set to "1st Note Record Enabled". Once you actually start playing notes or CC's into the Command Station it will record until the end of the Pattern and then go back into it's armed status until you play another note. This is a design feature to protect the user from accidentally writing over data previously recorded at the start of the Pattern. If you do not have "1st Note Record Enabled", the Command Station will begin recording as soon as you press TAP + REC, and stop recording at the end of the Pattern.

-How do I use the 16 knobs to control the Gate Time in Grid Record mode?

In order for the 16 knobs to control the Gate Time while Grid Recording, you must press the button above the knobs that normally selects what function they perform (ie, Quick Edit, Program, Volume, and Pan). Pressing this button will toggle the knobs from alternately controlling either the Velocity or Gate Time for their corresponding steps. For instance, Knob 3 will control either the Gate Time or Velocity for any Notes entered at Grid location 3. You may also cursor over to the "Vel" field and change it via the scroll wheel if you prefer.

-I copied one Track to another using the Clipboard, why doesn’t it sound the same now?

Normally the Paste Track command will only Paste the Note or CC data that it copied from the Source track. This information does not include the Program Change or Effects Sends Amount data. This can be pasted to the Destination Track as well by using the Pattern Edit menu option "Apply Clipboard Settings". This is also a way to copy ONLY the Preset and Effects Send information from one track to another, while leaving the original note data on both Tracks unaltered.


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PRESETS

-Is there any way to initialize a Preset to its default settings?

No, but the very last Factory Preset (127:3 :default V1.0) in each Command Stations is already initialized for you . Just scroll hard right with the data entry wheel to the very last Preset location, and save it to your current Preset location. Alternatively, you could enter the Save Menu and use the "Copy Preset" command to select this default preset and have it overwrite the currently selected Preset.

-Is it possible to make your own drum kit Presets in the Command Stations?

Unfortunately, no. You only get 4 layers to modify in each Preset, and this includes the factory drum kits. However there is a limited work around. First, you assign each layer to be a different drum hit sample with Transpose turned off and a limited Key Range. Then use the Link Presets feature to link two more similarly set up Presets to the current one. With this method, you could effectively make your own Drum Kit Preset with up to 12 different drum sounds key-mapped as you see fit.

-How do I make an open hi hat stop the sound of a closed hi hat as with a real drum kit?

You need to assign the sounds to use the "Multiple Triggers" Solo mode in the Preset Edit menu. The only problem with this, is that any other sounds you use from the same layers will do the same thing. If you run into problems with snares stealing your hi hats, or any other issues, it may be best to use that hi hat Preset on its own Track.

-How do I use my own samples in the Command Station? What kind of E-Mu sampler do I need?

The only way to use your own sounds is by burning them to an E-Mu Flash ROM via an E-Mu hardware sampler. Currently, you will need an E-Mu “Ultra” sampler in order to burn Flash ROMs for use in the Command Stations, there is no other way to do it.

-Why can't I hear my LFO's doing anything, I know they're assigned correctly in the Patchcords section?

If you assign a LFO to modulate a parameter, make sure that the parameter is initially set low enough for the LFO to do anything. Example: you want to modulate the AmpVol with LFO1+. If your AmpVol is already set to 100, the LFO (see the little plus sign, that means it adds to the parameter value) won't be able to do anything to it because the value is already at its maximum. Lower the AmpVol parameter amount and you should be able to hear the changes now.

-How do I install Sound ROMs into my Command Station?

Command Stations are completely user serviceable when it comes to installing Sound ROMs, it's quick and easy to do. First, unplug the power cord, then flip the unit over and set it on a pillow or other soft surface. Next remove all of the screws on the bottom of the unit and remove the cover. Inside you'll see three empty slots next to a full one (which has the Sound ROM your Command Station shipped with). Gently insert the new Sound ROM into an empty slot (they only fit one way, just like SIMM memory sticks) and lock it in place. Put the cover back on, and you're ready to play! Be sure to tighten the case screws all the way, or else you may end up with an annoying ground hum in your headphones!

-Why can't I hear the Filter Resonance sweep when I turn the knob in Quick Edit mode?

Because E-Mu has complex Z-Plane filters that take a high amount of CPU cycles to calculate, all of which must happen at the same time your music is playing back. To help keep the strain of calculating those filters from affecting the timing critical playback of your Songs or Patterns, some compromises had to be made. In the case of the Command Stations, Resonance is fixed at note on, and cannot be changed while a note is held. See the Tutorials and Tricks section at E-Mu's website for a way to "fake" resonance sweeps using layer crossfading.

-Why doesn't the Glide Button remain lit when I save my Preset?

The glide button status isn't saved as part of the Preset, it merely tells you that at least one Layer has a Glide setting greater than 0.000 sec/oct. Even if you have a Patch Cord adding glide, one of the Layers must be set to value greater than the above number and saved in order to light up. If the Glide button is pressed for a Preset that does not have a Glide amount greater than zero, by default it will add 0.177sec/oct of Glide. If you want to have the light come on each time you select a certain Preset, set one Layer to 0.002sec/oct (preferably a Layer you're not using), and the rest to zero.

-Why do I hear clicking noises while playing some of my Presets?

Because of the complex and highly resonant nature of some of the E-Mu Z-Plane filters, it is possible to occasionally "clip" the internal signal path of the Command Station. Should this happen, try reducing the Q amount and/or the Amplifier Volume amount in the Preset Edit menu to eliminate the clipping noise. Be sure to try this on all Layers, not just the first one. Also, if you are using the digital outputs, be sure that you are sending the Command Station a digital clock signal, as well using high quality digital cables.

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MIDI

-Why do my Patterns use the wrong Presets when I trigger them from an external sequencer?

Make sure that the feature "Rechannelize MIDI In" is set to Never (located in the MIDI menu) if you are using the Command Station as a sound module controlled by an external sequencer. If that does not solve the problem, try hitting Stop three times, or playing the Pattern by pressing Play, then Stop twice on the Command Station. Playing the Pattern even shortly will ensure that your channels load with the correct Presets, prior to being triggered by the external sequencer.

-Do the Command Stations have a GM (General MIDI) mode?

The Command Stations do not have a GM mode, although you can get GM Presets to use if you purchase the Sounds Of The ZR ROM which has a GM Instrument bank. You will still need to arrange all of the Presets on each channel manually as needed, as the ROM will not automatically map the Presets according to any GM standards.

-How are Presets, Tracks and MIDI channels related to each other?

The organization of the Command Stations can be a bit confusing at first when it comes to the Track versus MIDI channel assignments. Once you understand how this relationship works, you'll see just how flexible these units are in terms of sequencing and MIDI. The basic concept, is that a sequencer Track can be any assigned to control any MIDI channel, or all 16 of them at once! So just because you're writing on Track 3, doesn't mean that you're stuck using only MIDI channel 3. You can freely assign any MIDI channels to any of the Tracks as you
see fit. It's even possible to play all 16 MIDI channels on a single sequencer Track. However, because you can only use 32 internal channels, and 32 external channels at once, you are realistically only able to play 64 Tracks at once, up to the polyphony limit of 128 voices. It is also possible to change the MIDI Channel in the Note and Event List Editors for each note/event as well, should you have the need. All of this provides very flexible sequencing options.

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BTS MODE

-Can I make my own BTS Presets?

Yes and no. First of all, it's important to understand what BTS's really are, before you start modifying them. BTS Patterns are nothing more than multi-channel Audition Riffs. They're exactly the same as the Preset Riffs that shipped with your Command Station, except that they can play more than one sequence at a time, up to 16 parts total. Like the Riffs, it is not possible to create your own BTS Patterns/sequence, although you can assign them to any Preset you want. This is done exactly the same way you apply a riff, except that now you are assigning a BTS instead. Select an appropriate Preset, preferable one of the KIT ones if you're trying to make drums loops. Once you find a KIT you like, press Preset Edit, and then scroll until you come to the Audition Selection page. Move the cursor next to the PLAYS field and scroll through the RIFF categories until you get to the BTS category. These are the BTS's you can assign to your Preset. Select one you like, and save the Preset.

While it's not possible to modify the actual BTS Riffs, by playing with the various parameters that control a BTS Riff (all of which are found in the Arp Edit Menu), it is possible to make it trigger different Sounds in the KIT Preset (via the Beats Keys Offset screen) for instance. By using these features, it is possible to modify the BTS functions to some extent to suit your purposes. Many times it will simply be a matter of trial and error until you get results you wish to save. All BTS parameters that you change must be saved with the Multisetup. For a comprehensive list of all the features that can be modified, please see the latest Command Station Owners Manual.

-Why do only 1 (or 4, 5, ect.) of the triggers do anything when I assign them to BTS Mode?

Most likely this is because you have a assigned a KIT Riff to the Preset, and not a BTS Riff. Go to the Audition Selection page of the Preset Edit menus, and select a BTS Riff instead. KIT Riffs typically only have 4 or 5 separate sequences that play via the trigger buttons when they're assigned to control BTS.

-Why does the Audition button light up when I am using BTS?

Because BTS's are really just complex Audition Riffs. So activating them via the trigger buttons, will cause the Command Station to think you're auditioning a Preset. Pressing Audition is a quick way to mute and unmute all of the BTS parts that are currently playing.

-Why are my BTS's out of sync with the tempo of my Pattern/Song?

BTS's can be made to use either the default tempo that is stored with them, or the current tempo of the Command Station. To select which option you prefer, go to the Arp Edit menu, then scroll until you get to the Riff Tempo screen. Change the option from "Use Riff Tempo" to "Use Current Tempo".

-How do I change the volume of my BTS's, they're much louder than the other parts in my current Pattern/Song?

Go to the Triggers setting screen in the Controllers Menu, and set the default velocity to a lower value for each Trigger. Use the Track/Channel select buttons next to the display to scroll through the 16 triggers. Also, you can go to the Arp Edit menu, and scroll until you get to the BTS Part Velocity screen. Here you can assign a scalable value to the current BTS velocity, a setting less than 100% will lower the volume compared to the played note, a setting greater than that will make the BTS louder. Note that you must use the Track/Channel select buttons to the right of the LCD to set this option for all 16 parts of the BTS Riff. Be sure to save the current Multisetup once
you are done.

-Why do my BTS Triggers not sound like they should (I.E. Trigger 1 doesn't make a Kick sound)?

First, make sure that you aren't transposing any layers of the Preset in the Preset Edit menu, as this will throw off the Note Number assignments as listed in the Addendum. Also, setting the Triggers Mode to "Play Beats Part" may not automatically map the ideal note numbers to each Trigger button, so you might not get your beats to sound as you would expect. To set up your Triggers so that they conform to the E-Mu standard of having two main grooves on Triggers 1-4 and 5-8 respectively, four fills on Triggers 9-12, and the four "wild" parts on Triggers 13-16, verify the following settings by going to the "Beats Keys Layout" screen in the Controllers Menu. Be sure that all parts are set to the following Note Numbers:

PART
NOTE NUMBER
DRUM SOUND
1
C1
Kick 1
2
C#1
Snare 1
3
D1
Hi Hat 1
4
D#1
Perc 1
5
E1
Kick 2
6
F1

Snare 2

7
F#1
Hi Hat 2
8
G1
Perc 2
9
G#1
Fill 1
10
A1
Fill 2
11
A#1
Fill 3
12
B1
Fill 4
13
C0
Wild 1
14
C#0
Wild 2
15
D0
Wild 3
16
D#0
Wild 4

Alternatively, you may wish to use the following Note Number assignments for other BTS functions:

NOTE NUMBER
BTS FUNCTION
C2
Start/Stop all BTS Parts
C#2
Clear all BTS Parts
D2
Mute (pressing the Audition Button will do the same function)
D#2
Trigger Hold (for those parts not latched)
E0
Group 1 Trigger
F0

Group 2 Trigger

F#0
Group 3 Trigger
G0
Group 4 Trigger

You may wish to apply the same Note Number settings in the Triggers Settings screen in the Controller Menu, as well as lowering the velocity for each Trigger too, as the default is 128 which will most likely make your BTS sound much louder than the rest of your Pattern/Song.

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XMIX


-I don’t understand how to use XMIX, what does it do?

XMIX is a way to freely combine Tracks from several Patterns into the currently playing Pattern, all without stopping playback. This lets you build new Patterns using Tracks from other Patterns you have written. It also provides you a way of transitioning from one Pattern to another smoothly by muting currently playing Tracks and replacing them with new ones from other Patterns, similar to how a DJ might transition between records. Pressing TAP + PLAY causes the display to read "XMIX" in the upper left corner as well as show the current Pattern number, and the option to select a different Source Pattern from which to 'borrow' new Tracks. Use the Scroll wheel to select a new source Pattern, then press Enter. Next, select a Destination Track by pressing a Track Mute Button. This will be the location of the new Track once the operation is complete. After doing this, the Track Mute buttons will flash for those Tracks that contain MIDI data in the Source Pattern. The instant you select a Source Track it will begin playing back on the Destination Track you set in the previous step. Here are some helpful hints to remember when working with XMIX:

1. You can leave XMIX Mode at any time by pressing PLAY, and all changes will remain in effect.
2. The Effect Send Amounts and Effects Types are determined by the currently playing Pattern, not by the Source Pattern. If you are using XMIX to transition between two Patterns, leaving XMIX Mode and changing to the Source Pattern will cause the Effects to update as well.
3. The instant you select a Source Track it begins playing, regardless of it's Mute Status as saved in the Source Pattern.

-How do I select a different Source Pattern in XMIX Mode?

You do not need to select the same Source Pattern repeatedly each time you want to XMIX a new track into the current Pattern, as the Command Station will keep the first Source Pattern choice in memory. If you want to select a new Source Pattern, just turn the Data wheel which will cause the Source Pattern selection screen to reappear.

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Feel free to contact me if you see any errors and/or omissions in this FAQ, or if you have any additional questions about specific Command Station features. Please, do not contact me asking me to compare the Command Station’s to other gear, or for advice on how to make music. I do not work for E-Mu and only have time available to answer those questions directly related to this FAQ. This FAQ may be copied and distributed freely, provided proper credit and notice of use is given to the author.


Peace and beats,
Tarekith

http://tarekith.com