Sampling best practices, and recording patterns quantized or free

Question

Explain best sampling practices again, and pattern creation with quantization and "free" quantization.

Key takeaways

• In sampling standby (REC), RECORD SETTING gives REC BPM (CTRL 1), ROUTING ExtIn/Mix (CTRL 2), LEVEL (CTRL 3) and PAN (SHIFT + CTRL 3); pressing VALUE there opens INPUT FX. (RECORD SETTING)
• SHIFT + pad 10 cycles the count-in (1MEAS, 2MEAS, WAIT, OFF); WAIT starts sampling when the input exceeds Auto Trig Level. SHIFT + pad 9 toggles the metronome. (Adding a count-in before sampling)
• Real-time pattern recording: PATTERN SELECT, REC, a blinking pad, REMAIN until REC MODE is "Real-Time"; VALUE sets QTZ (Off, GRID 32…GRID 4, SHUFFLE 16/8), CTRL 3 STRENGTH or SHFL RATE. (real-time recording)
• "Free" isn't a manual term: QTZ Off stores hits where you played them (480 ticks per quarter note); lower STRENGTH keeps some feel. (Main specifications)
• Quantize afterwards per pad: PATTERN SELECT > PATTERN EDIT > pattern pad > RECORD SETTING, pick pads, CTRL 2 QTZ, CTRL 3 STR, VALUE > OK. It can't be reverted. (QUANTIZE)
• While recording: REC toggles rehearsal, SHIFT + PATTERN SELECT undoes the last take, DEL + held pad erases. (real-time recording)

Details

Sampling, in a sensible order (the manual gives procedures, the order is Claude's recommendation):

1. REC: empty pads blink red.
2. Set the sample tempo with CTRL 1 (SHIFT for finer values, or tap tempo) so END SNAP and later BPM SYNC line up.
3. CTRL 2 = length 1–32 measures or ∞; SHIFT + CTRL 2 = time signature 1/4–7/4.
4. RECORD SETTING for level, routing, pan; VALUE for INPUT FX (printed into the recording).
5. Metronome and count-in. WAIT suits sampling from vinyl or a phone: no dead air at the start. Auto Trig Level is a SYSTEM parameter, 1–10.
6. END SNAP: press START/END in standby ("END Snap ON").
7. Press a blinking pad, then REC; stop with the pad or REC; EXIT cancels.

After recording: trim with START/END (RESAMPLE lit snaps to zero crossings); VALUE there for TRUNCATE / NORMALIZE / EMPHASIS (destructive); set the tempo with PITCH/SPEED > BPM SET; missed a take? While MARK blinks, press MARK, REC, then a pad (skip-back keeps 25 s, 40 s with MARK Function "SBS Long").

Pattern parameters (Real-Time)

Control	Parameter	Values
CTRL 1	BPM	40–200
CTRL 2	LENGTH	1–64 measures; can't be changed once recording starts
VALUE	QTZ	Off, GRID 32 / 16.3 / 16 / 8.3 / 8 / 4.3 / 4, SHUFFLE 16 / 8
CTRL 3	STRENGTH (GRID)	0–100%
CTRL 3	SHFL RATE (SHUFFLE)	-50 to +50
SHIFT + CTRL 2	TIME SIGN	1/4–7/4
SHIFT + CTRL 3	METRO VOL	0–5

Press REC to record; the pattern loops and overdubs without overwriting. EXIT once finishes (saved automatically), twice stops playback. For patterns, count-in WAIT starts recording with your first pad hit.

Quantized: GRID pulls hits to the interval; ".3" values are triplets (GRID 4.3 = quarter-note triplets). STRENGTH 100% puts notes exactly on the grid. SHUFFLE delays the upbeats; the manual says +10 to +16 "generally give a pleasant shuffle feel". Claude's suggestions, not manual figures: GRID 16 is the usual drum choice, and GRID with STRENGTH around 50–70% is a middle route.

Quantizing afterwards: SHIFT + CTRL 2 / CTRL 3 set the start and end of the range. With SHUFFLE on that screen, STR 50% is even spacing and higher values lean toward dotted notes. Copy the pattern first, since quantizing can't be undone. This lets you tighten kick and snare and leave hats or chops loose.

TR-REC (REMAIN blinking) is step entry, always on the grid: hold SUB PAD and press a pad to choose the sample, then pads 1–16 place steps. Feel comes from SHUFFLE (SHIFT + CTRL 2), per-step START (SHIFT + CTRL 3, -50 to 99%), and Microscope (hold PATTERN EDIT and press a step pad, then turn VALUE to shift that note's timing).

Still to try / open questions

• Record a hi-hat part with QTZ Off and quantize only the kick and snare afterwards.