Support


CR-8k 1.3 for iOS 13 2020-03-30

Main screen


Usage (commands from top to bottom and from left to right)
1. Instrument programming selector Use this selector to choose the instrument to write in the pattern while in basic or fill-in programming mode.

2. Machine mode selector Use this selector to choose between play mode to loop your patterns and variations, and basic or fill-in programming mode.

3. Six voices volume control Use those rotating knobs to adjust the volume of voices, which are built-in groups of instruments. Rotating a knob can be done by pointing it, then swiping to the left (-) or right (+), to the bottom (-) or top (+).

4. Accent depth control Use this rotating knob to adjust the way the instruments velocity is affected by the accent events from patterns and programs.

5. Volume control Use this rotating knob to adjust the main output volume of the machine.

6. Settings shortcut Use this switch to jump to the « CR-8k » section of the settings of your device. Direct access from your iOS home screen is also allowed. Important features and additional functionalities are available, as enumerated in the « Settings » chapter of this page.

7. Register button Use this button to cycle through the two memory registers. Each of them stores the pattern selections and the arranger settings. In programming mode, this button is to be used to write a note of selected instrument in the pattern, and to advance of one step.

8. Crash button Use this button to trigger the crash cymbal instrument while coming back to patterns after a fill-in. In programming mode, this button is to be used to write a silence in the pattern, and to advance of one step. A long-press will result in a complete resetting of the selected program.

9. CY-4'' arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the cymbal instrument is triggered each 4 steps.

10. CY-8'' arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the cymbal instrument is triggered each 2 steps.

11. HH-4'' arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the closed hi-hat instrument is triggered each 4 steps.

12. HH-16'' arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the closed hi-hat instrument is triggered each steps.

13. Open HH arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the opened hi-hat instrument is triggered each 4 steps.

14. Conga arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a conga pattern.

15. Hand clap arranger Use this button to add to your rythm a pattern where the hand clap instrument is triggered each 8 steps.

16. Shuffle arranger Use this button to switch to shuffle mode, with a 3/4 time signature. Patterns are computed from 4/4 ones by ignoring each third times, which means that this function works with programmed stuff as well.

17. Intro / fill-in selector Use this selector to choose the type of fill-in played as intro, as manual fill-ins or as automatic fill-ins. While in fill-in programmation mode, use this selector to choose which fill-in to write in, between number 9 and 12.

18. Tempo control Use this rotating knob to adjust the tempo of the machine while in playback mode. Alternatively, you can tap the rythm of measures on the button to set the tempo. The calculation is based on a 16 steps average.

19. Bank selector Use those buttons to select the preset patterns bank between three built-in themes, each of which correspond to orange yellow or green rythms printed on the machine.

20. Preset selector Use those buttons to select the preset patterns from the selected bank for playback. Two (default) or all (bonus setting) patterns can be layered.

21. Program selector Use those buttons to select the program patterns for playback or programmation.

22. Auto fill-in selector Use this selector to activate the automatic fill-in playback and to choose the number of measures between each.

23. Intro / fill-in button Use this button to immediatly switch to the selected fill-in while in playback or to make the machine play a fill-in first as introduction when started.

24. Start / stop button Use this button to start and stop the machine rythm playback.

Tips

Make use of registers for richest variations in songs. Registers stores all pattern selections and arranger settings. Three options are accessible in your device settings, category « CR-8k » to swap registers while playing back in regular intervals. Combining for exemple half of a pattern and half of another opens the doors to almost infinite combinations !


By default, the built-in LCD red display shows the tempo at any moment. An option is accessible in your device settings, category « CR-8k » to allow the usage of all-purpose LCD display. The original vintage device were unable of this. When activated, this option makes the display a lot more useful. You would find it indicating the value of all the parameters from the rotary knobs and, in programming mode, the number of the step in the pattern to write to from 1 to 32 and when affecting it, a two letters indicator corresponding to the selected instrument.


By default, the rythm you designed is stopped while playing a fill-in. Three options are accessible in your device settings, category « CR-8k » to have it superposed to arranger and/or presets and/or programs.


By default, only two patterns or programs can be layered to design your rythms, just like the original vintage device. An option is accessible in your device settings, category « CR-8k » to disable this limitation.



Settings


Usage (option switches from top to bottom)
Equalizer Off : Bypass.
On : Basses and trebles are boosted and mediums are reasonably positionned. Best for lo-fi devices.


Distortion Off : Bypass.
On : A distortion effect is applied to the drum machine main output.


Delay Off : Bypass.
On : A delay effect is applied to the drum machine main output. The length of this effect is sychronized to the tempo, which in a way, produce new richer patterns with secondary discrete shots.


Reverb Off : Bypass.
On : A reverberation effect is applied to the drum machine main output.


Stereo pan Off : Bypass.
On : Each instrument is balanced to the right or left in a logical and harmonious way.


Rock, pre-processed effects Off : Bypass.
On : An alternative kit is used while in playback. Each instrument is been reprocessed independently through several effects to provide a higher general dynamic result.


Jungle tune Off : Bypass.
On : Each instrument height is affected in a -2 +2 octaves range to provide an alternative tone to your creations.


Use all-purpose LCD display Off : The built-in red LCD display shows the tempo.
On : The built-in red LCD display shows any kind of digitized values, the number of step in programming process or the selected instrument.


Use unlimited pattern selection Off : Patterns and programs selection for layering onto a rythm is limited to two items.
On : Patterns and programs selection for layering onto a rythm is not limited.


Play arranger over fill-ins Off : Arranger stops while playing fill-ins.
On : Arranger continues to play along fill-ins.


Play presets over fill-ins Off : Presets stops while playing fill-ins.
On : Presets continues to play along fill-ins.


Play programs over fill-ins Off : Programs stops while playing fill-ins.
On : Programs continues to play along fill-ins.


Mute Gives access to a detailed list of instruments.
For each of them :
Off : The instrument is played.
On : The instrument is muted.


Accent bypass Gives access to a detailed list of instruments.
For each of them :
Off : The instrument velocity is affected by the accent events bundled in presets or added within your programs.
On : The instrument velocity is not affected by the accent events.


Usage (option switches from top to bottom)
Bluetooth LE Midi Gives the possibility to have « Register », « Intro / Fill-in » and / or « Start / Stop » functions triggered by a Bluetooth Low Energy control pedal.
Off : Function turned off. Better when not in use, to save your device autonomy.
On : Function turned on. Activate the Bluetooth function on your device and your foot switch, CR-8k automatically connects to the first Bluetooth LE peripheral around. Press and hold "Register", "Intro / Fill-in" or "Start / Stop" until the indication "Blt" flashes on the drum machine screen. Actuate the desired command on your foot switch, CR-8k associates it permanently with the selected function. The subsequent pairing of this same device is automatic.


Synchronized register switching Gives the possibility to trigger regular register switching.
None : Function turned off.
Sync-out 4'' to register : Switch between registers each 4 steps.
Sync-out 8'' to register : Switch between registers each 8 steps.
Sync-out 16'' to register : Switch between registers each 16 steps.
Sync-out 32'' to register : Switch between registers each 32 steps.


Audiobus V3

CR-8k is Audiobus V3 complient.


This app, sold separately, is supported by several musical software editors. It provides an interface within which sound sources, effects, recorders and any other tools are joined and interacts. In Audiobus, you would find CR-8k as an audio stream source.