Get Bigger and Better Sounds with Alesis Sample Pad and PercPad

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Alesis’ popular e-percussion instruments come with 25 of the most requested sounds in all of popular music. But, did you know you can edit and customize these sounds? The following guide illustrates how to modify the internal sounds as well as sounds loaded from an SD card (SD card available on the Sample Pad only). Using these tips, you'll have customized sounds that are truly your own.

 

Controlling Your Sound

The Interface

Two control sections allow you to quickly and easily navigate each adjustable parameter.

Note: The Sample Pad display is shown for reference. The same parameters are available on the PercPad, highlighted by LED indicators.

Select - controls which parameter you would like to edit.

Use [Select +] or [Select -] to navigate up and down the list

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Value - Once selected, controls the individual parameter.

Use [Value +] or [Value -] to scroll through available options

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Select Your Sound

The PercPad allows only editing of sounds from its internal sound library. Pull up any internal kit, select a sound, and you are ready to start editing your sounds

The Sample Pad has the added benefit of its integrated SD card reader. In this case, you must choose internal or external sound sets. Use the Select buttons to navigate to the top of the LCD screen. Titled "LOC", use the Value buttons to choose INT (internal) or CARD (SD card slot) files.

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Once your desired sound is selected, you can edit and customize it.

 

Customizable Options

There are five major parameters that you can you use to personalize your sounds. 

 

Tune

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Use this parameter to change the pitch (and sample length) of loaded sound file.

  • Tuning your sounds can also help them sit better "in the mix" with your recordings or other players.
  • Try pitching down a standard cowbell, or pitch up your kick drum for a tighter sound.
  • Tune up or down to its extreme, to radically change the character of the original sound

 

Reverb

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Each sound in the PercPad / Sample Pad has its own independent reverb level

Tips:

  • Add additional reverb to snare and hi-hat for an expansive sounding kit
  • Add some reverb to a dry kick for a bigger, boomier sound
  • subtract standard reverb levels for a tighter sound
  • Mix dry and wet sounds across your pads for a truly unique kit

 

Sensitivity

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This parameter is used to control how much pressure is required to trigger the sound.

  • Adjust as necessary to reflect the loaded sound.
  • Tip: Try high sensitivity for a snare, low for "one-shot" samples (air horn, etc.)

 

Level

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Controls the overall loudness of the sound, once it is triggered.

  • Use this to balance the sounds across your kit.
  • This is a great tool to control the volume of samples loaded on the Sample Pad's SD card slot (which may vary widely).
  • Functions like an internal mixer, allowing you "mix" your sounds like a professional

 

Pan

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This parameter controls the position of the sound across the stereo spectrum.

  • Pan Left and Right to mimic the "sound" location on a real drum kit.
  • Just like an engineer, creating the soundscape of a recording
  • Try Panning hi-hat left, toms slightly left & right, etc.
  • Try any combination you want, experiment, and make these sounds your own!

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