Korg BeatLab BTL-1 User manual

2
ThankyouforpurchasingtheKorgDIGTALMET-
RONOME BEATLAB.
Precautions
Location
Using the unit in the following locations can result in a
malfunction.
• In direct sunlight
• Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
• Excessively dusty or dirty locations
• Locations of excessive vibration
• Close to magnetic fields
Power supply
Be sure to turn the power switch to OFF when the unit is
notinuse.Removethe battery in order to preventit from
leaking when the unit is not in use for extended periods.
Interference with other electrical devices
Radios and televisions placed nearby may experience
reception interference. Operate this unit at a suitable
distance from radios and televisions.
Handling
To avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the
switches or controls.
Care
If the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry
cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or
thinner, or cleaning compounds or flammable polishes.
Keep this manual
After reading this manual, please keep it for later refer-
ence.
Keeping foreign matter out of your equipment
Never set any container with liquid in it near this equip-
ment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a
breakdown, fire, or electrical shock.Be careful not to let
metal objects get into the equipment.

3
THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for U.S.A.)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interfer-
ence in a residential installation.This equipment gener-
ates,uses,and can radiateradio frequencyenergy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruc-
tions, may cause harmful interference to radio commu-
nications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-
encewillnot occur ina particular installation.If thisequip-
ment does cause harmful interference to radio or televi-
sion reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dif-
ferent from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV tech-
nician for help.
Unauthorizedchangesor modification tothis system can
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
CE mark for European Harmonized Standards
CE mark which is attached to our company’s products
of AC mains operated apparatus until December 31,
1996means itconforms to EMC Directive(89/336/EEC)
and CE mark Directive (93/68/EEC).
And, CE mark which is attached after January 1, 1997
means it conforms to EMC Directive (89/336/EEC), CE
mark Directive (93/68/EEC) and Low Voltage Directive
(73/23/EEC).
Also,CE mark whichis attachedto ourcompany’sprod-
ucts of Battery operated apparatus means it conforms
to EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and CE mark Directive
(93/68/EEC).
IMPORTANT NOTICETO CONSUMERS
This product has been manufactured according to strict
specifications and voltage requirements that are appli-
cablein the countryin whichit is intended that this prod-
uct should be used. If you have purchased this product
via the internet, through mail order, and/or via a tele-
phone sale, you must verify that this product is intended
to be used in the country in which you reside.
WARNING:Use of this product in any country other than
thatforwhichit is intended couldbe dangerous andcould
invalidate the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.
Pleasealso retainyourreceipt asproof ofpurchase oth-
erwise your product may be disqualified from the
manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.

4
Contents
Precautions .................................................................................................................2
Nomenclature and Functions..................................................................................... 7
Program Mode ........................................................................................................... 10
Selecting the program............................................................................................................. 10
Starting/stopping the program replay...................................................................................... 10
Specifying the beat ................................................................................................................. 10
Specifying the tempo .............................................................................................................. 10
Specifying the rhythm note volumes ....................................................................................... 11
Saving the program parameters (WRITE) .............................................................................. 12
Chain Mode................................................................................................................12
Chain configuration ................................................................................................................. 13
Selecting the chain ................................................................................................................. 13
Starting/stopping the chain .....................................................................................................13
Selecting the bar ..................................................................................................................... 14
Specifying the program ........................................................................................................... 14
Selecting the tempo ................................................................................................................ 14

5
Editing the chain ..................................................................................................................... 15
Saving the chain setting (WRITE)........................................................................................... 16
Training Mode ............................................................................................................17
Selecting the training pattern ..................................................................................................17
Starting/stopping the training pattern...................................................................................... 17
Specifying the tempo .............................................................................................................. 18
Selecting the hand to start beating on the training pattern ..................................................... 18
Adjusting the volume .............................................................................................................. 18
Resetting to the Factory Setting..............................................................................19
Battery PowerWarning .............................................................................................19
Replacing the Batteries ............................................................................................19
Specifications............................................................................................................ 21
Programs ...................................................................................................................22
Chains ........................................................................................................................22
Traning Patterns ........................................................................................................23

6

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Nomenclature and Functions
(1) STANDBY/ON Switch
Switches the power on and off.
Turn the volume to zero before switching the
power on.
(2)TAP Key
Specifies the tempo.
Pressing the TAP key twice or more allows you
to specify the intermediate time as the tempo.
When the BEATLAB pauses, replay starts im-
mediately after you specify a tempo.
(3) START/STOP Key
Starts or stops the programs, the chains and
the training patterns.
(4) Numeric Keys,(UP) Key and (DOWN)
Key
Numeric Keys (0-9): Used to set the individual
parameters.
Thenumberof digits of each parameterthe user
can enter from the numeric keys has been pre-
set. On completion of entry of the preset num-
ber of digits, the entry is accepted. When all of
the digits are not entered, the BATLAB waits for
about two seconds before accepting the entry.
For example, as the tempo is a three-digit pa-
rameter, it changes to 120 on completion of en-
tering“120.”When“80”isentered, the BEATLAB
waitsforabouttwosecondsbeforechangingthe
tempo to 80.
Entering“080”inthiscase causes the BEATLAB
to immediately change the tempo to 80. When
another key is pressed before the entry is ac-
cepted,the entryis immediately accepted at the
time of pressing that key.
When a value out of the parameter range is en-
tered, the BEATLAB returns it to the previous
value when the entry is accepted.
Key : Increases the preset value of each pa-
rameter by 1.
 Key:Decreases thepresetvalueof each pa-
rameter by 1.
Hold the s key or the t key for one second or

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more to quickly change the preset value.
When pressing key while holding the key,
the parameter value starts quickly increasing.
When pressing the key while holding the 
key, the parametervaluestarts quickly decreas-
ing.
(5) Backlight Key ( )
Pressing the backlight key turns the LC display
backlight on. Pressing it while the backlight is
on turns it off.
Thebacklightautomatically goes off 20seconds
after turned on.
When pressing the backlight key for two sec-
onds or more, the backlight blinks twice, then
keeps illuminating.
The backlight automatically goes off When the
BEATLAB is not operated or keeps pausing for
60 seconds.
(6)Volume Slider
Adjusts the entire volume.
(7) Sliders
Use the five sliders to adjust the volumes of the
individual rhythm tones.
ACC/5 Slider : Adjusts the accent and quintu-
plet volumes.
/6 Slider : Adjusts the quarter and sextu-
plet volumes.
/7 Slider : Adjuststheeighthandseptuplet
volumes.
/8 Slider : Adjusts the triplet and octuplet
volumes.
/9 Slider : Adjusts the sixteenth and
nonuplet volumes.
(8) GROUP NOTES Key
Selects the notes to be adjusted using the slid-
ers listed in (7).
(9) Mode Keys
PROG : Enters the program mode.
CHAIN : Enters the chain mode.
TRAINING:Enters the training mode.

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(10) Parameter Selection Keys
Pressing the key positioned under the param-
eter shown on the LC display allows you to se-
lect the parameter.The parameters you can se-
lect depend on the mode:
Program mode : Program, beat and tempo.
Chain mode : Chain, bar, program and
tempo.
Training mode : Trainingpattern,lefthandstart,
right hand start and tempo.
(11) WRITE Key
Used to save the parameters after changed.
(12) INS Key
Used to insert a program in a chain.
DELKey:Used to delete a programfromachain.
(13) LC Display
Shows the parameters and other information.
(14)Tempo Indicators
The LEDs blink in synchronization with the
tempo.
The red LED and the green LED are lit on to
guidethedownbeatandtheupbeat,respectively.
Inthetrainingmode, the red LED indicates when
the left hand should be used and the green one
indicates when the right hand should be used.
(15) AC Adapter Jack
Used to connect a separately-sold AC adapter
( ).
(16) Speaker
(17) Headphone Jack ( )
Used to connect the headphone having a stan-
dard plug.
Note: The BEATLAB is designed to provide a
high output for the headphone volume.
Whenusing a headphone, set thevolume
to zero first, then gradually increase it for
adjustment.

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Program Mode
PressthePROGkeyto enter the programmode.
You can replay 24 programs in this mode. In
addition, you can change the parameters pre-
setintheprograms,suchas the beat, the tempo,
and the rhythm note volume, which can be
saved.
Selecting the program
(1)In the program mode, press the parameter
selection key positioned under“PROG.”
(2)Enter the program number using the and
keys or the numeric keys.Specify the pro-
gram numbers - by two digits.
When the program is selected, the param-
eter values preset in the program are re-
trieved.When selecting a program while an-
other is being replayed, the newly selected
program starts on completion of current pro-
gram.
Starting/stopping the program replay
(1)ress the START/STOP key to start replay of
the program.
(2)Press the START/STOP key to stop replay
of the program while it is being replayed.
Specifying the beat
(1)Presstheparameterselection keypositioned
under “BEAT.”
(2)Enter the beat number using the and 
keys or the numeric keys. Specify the beat
by one digit. “EDIT” appears on the LC dis-
play when the setting is changed.
Specifying the tempo
(1)Presstheparameterselection keypositioned
under “TEMPO.”
(2)Enter the tempo using the and keys or
thenumeric keys.Specifythe tempobythree
digits.If not, press the TAP key twice or more
tospecifytheintermediate time as the tempo.
When the program pauses, replay starts im-
mediatelyafteryouspecify a tempo using the

11
TAP key .
“EDIT” appears on the LC display when the
setting is changed.
Specifying the rhythm note volumes
Use the GROUP NOTES key and the sliders to
adjust the rhythm note volumes.
“EDIT”appears on the LC display when the set-
ting is changed.
<Operate the following sliders without press-
ing the GROUP NOTE key>
Operate the ACC/5 slider to adjust the accent
note volume.
Operate the /6 slider to adjust the quarter note
volume.
Operatethe /7slider to adjust theeighth note
volume.
Operatethe /8sliderto adjust the triplet note
volume.
Operatethe /9sliderto adjust the sixteenth
note volume.
<Operate the following sliders while press-
ing the GROUP NOTE key>
Operate the ACC/5 slider to adjust the quintu-
plet note volume.
Operate the /6 slider to adjust the sextuplet
note volume.
Operate the /7 slider to adjust the septuplet
note volume.
Operate the /8 slider to adjust the octuplet
note volume.
Operatethe /9 sliderto adjust the nonuplet
note volume.
Use the volume slider to adjust the entire vol-
ume.
Note: The BEATLAB is designed to provide a
high output for the headphone volume.
Whenusing a headphone, set thevolume
to zero first, then gradually increase it for
adjustment.

12
Saving the program parameters (WRITE)
You can save the settings of the program pa-
rameters in the BEATLAB memory. If selecting
other program or moving to another mode be-
fore saving the current parameter setting, the
chainsettingwillbereturned to the previousone.
Be sure to save your important programs in the
memory by carrying out the writing operation.
(1)Press the WRITE key after setting the pa-
rameters.
The BEATLAB goes to the program selec-
tion state, and the program number blinks s
on the display.
(2)Enter the programnumberwhere the settings
are to be saved using the and keys or
the numeric keys.
Note: Once the writing operation is ex-
ecuted, the program currently saved
in the selected program number is
overwritten.
To cancel the writing operation, press
either the parameter selection key or
the mode key.
(3)Press the WRITE key.
The parameters are saved and “EDIT” dis-
appears from the display.
Chain Mode
Press the CHAIN key to enter the chain mode.
In the chain mode, you can continuously replay
one program after another, which has been
saved in the program mode.
-The BEATLAB offers eight chains, each of
which consists of one TEMPO and up to 16
BARS.
Youcanenteronly one programnumberinone
bar.

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Chain configuration
4
6
3
6
2
5
1
55 7
• • •
• • •
16
6
PROGRAM
TEMPO
PRG
BAR
CHAIN 1
43
--
2
11
1
10 5
• • •
• • •
16
PROGRAM
TEMPO
140
BAR
CHAIN 2
4
16
3
16
2
15
1
15 5 17
• • •
• • •
16
PROGRAM
TEMPO
72
BAR
CHAIN 8
• • • • • • • • • • • •
-When a chain is replayed, bars 1 to 16 are re-
played in this order.On completion of replay of
bar 16, the BEATLAB returns to bar 1 and re-
peats eplay. When you specify the end com-
mand to a bar, symbol “- -” appears on the LC
display. In this case, the BEATLAB continues
replay from bar 1 to the bar just before the one
having the end command, then returns to bar
1.In Chain 2, for example, because bar 3 has
the end command, the BEATLAB returns to
bar1 after replayingbar 2, resulting in alterna-
tive replay of bars 1 and 2.
-You can specify a tempo to the entire chain, in
which case the programs are all replayed in
the tempo you specify. Otherwise you can re-
play the individual programs in the tempos
specified to them.
Selecting the chain
(1)In the chain mode, press the parameter se-
lection key positioned under“CHAIN.”
(2)Enter the chain number using the and 
keys or the numeric keys. Specify the chain
number by one digit.
When selecting a chain while another chain
is replayed, the newly selected chain starts
on completion of current program of the bar.
Starting/stopping the chain
(1)Press the START/STOP key to start replay
of a chain.
(2)Press the START/STOP key to stop replay

14
of the chain while it is being replayed.
Selecting the bar
You can select a bar to start replay there or to
change the program set there.
(1)When a chain is being replayed, press the
START/STOP key to stop it. No bar can be
selected while a chain is being replayed.
(2)Press the parameter selectionkeypositioned
under “BAR.”
(3)Enter the bar numberusingtheand keys
or the numeric keys.Specify the bar number
by two digits.You can select from the bars
whereprogramsarespecified to ones where
the end command is specified (for which the
LC display shows “- -”).
Inthe chain configurationon page 13, forex-
ample, bars 1 to 16 in Chain 1 have preset
programs, so you can select from bar 1 to
bar 16.
In Chain 2, programs are preset to bars 1
and 2, and the end command, to bar 3, thus
you can select from bar 1 to bar 3.
Specifying the program
(1)When a chain is being replayed, press the
START/STOP key to stop it.No program can
be preset while a chain is being replayed.
(2)Presstheparameterselection keypositioned
under “PROG.”
(3)Enter the program number using the and
keys or the numeric keys.Specify the pro-
gram number by two digits.
Entering zero causes the LC display to indi-
cate “- -” and the end command to be speci-
fied. Note, however, that the end command
cannot be specified to bar 1.
“EDIT” appears on the LC display when the
setting is changed.
Selecting the tempo
(1)Presstheparameterselection keypositioned
under “TEMPO.”
(2)Enter the tempo using the and keys or
thenumeric keys.Specifythe tempobythree
digits.If not, press the TAP key twice or more
tospecifytheintermediate time as the tempo.

15
When the BEATLAB pauses, replay of the
chain starts immediately after a tempo is
specified.
Entering zero causes the indication on the
LC display to change to “PRG”and replay of
the chain to start at the tempos specified in
the individual programs.
“EDIT” appears on the LC display when the
setting is changed.
Editing the chain
<Deleting a program>
(1)When a chain is being replayed, press the
START/STOP key to stop it.No program can
be deleted while a chain is being replayed.
(2)Presstheparameterselection keypositioned
under “BAR.”
(3)Select the bar from which you desire to de-
lete the program using the and keys or
the numeric keys.
(4)Press the DEL key.
Theprogramis deleted from the selected bar,
causing the programs preset in the subse-
quent bars to shift forward. It is unallowable
to delete all the programs and specify the
end command to bar 1.
Onthe LC display,the deleted programnum-
ber disappears and the program number
shifted to the bar appears at once.
“EDIT” appears on the LC display when the
setting is changed.
Deleting program from bar 5
BAR 12345678910111213141516
12345678910111213141516
PROG
↓Deleting from bar 5
BAR 12345678910111213141516
1234678910111213141516--
PROG
<Inserting a program>
(1)When a chain is being replayed, press the
START/STOP key to stop it.
(2)Press the parameter selectionkeypositioned
under “BAR.”
(3)Select the bar in which you desire to insert a

16
program using the and keys or the nu-
meric keys.
(4)Press the INS key.
Theprogramis inserted into the selected bar,
causing the programs preset in the subse-
quent bars to shift backward.
OntheLC display,theselectedprogramnum-
ber disappears once and appears again at
once.
Note: No program can be inserted when all
of bars 1 to 16 have programs.In this
case, “FULL” blinks twice on the LC
display.
(5)Now the bar is ready for program insertion.
Enter the program number you want to in-
sert.
“EDIT” appears on the LC display when the
setting is changed.
Inserting program in bar 4
BAR 12345678910111213141516
12345 --6
PROG
↓Inserting in bar 4
BAR 12345678910111213141516
1234456--
PROG
↓Inserting program 2 in bar 4
BAR 12345678910111213141516
1232456--
PROG
Saving the chain setting (WRITE)
You can save the chain setting in the BEATLAB
memory. Selecting any other chain before sav-
ing the setting of the current chain causes it to
return to the previous setting, not to be saved.
Be sure to save your important chains in the
memory by carrying out the writing operation.
(1)Press the WRITE key after setting the pa-
rameters of a chain.
The BEATLAB goes to the chain selection

17
state, and the chain number blinks on the
display.
(2)Enter the chain number where the settings
are to be saved using the and keys or
the numeric keys.
Note: Once the writing operation is ex-
ecuted, the setting currently saved in
theselectedchain number is overwrit-
ten.
To cancel the writing operation, press
either the parameter selection key or
the mode key.
(3)Press the WRITE key.
The parameters are saved and “EDIT” dis-
appears from the LC display.
Training Mode
Press the TRAINING key to enter the training
mode.
In the training mode, 39 training patterns ideal for
snare drum practice are preset. You can replay
them and adjust their tempos while replaying.
In the training mode, the sounds and the LEDs
guide you to beat correct time.
Thehigh note sound is generatedand thegreen
LED blinks at the timing of right hand beat.The
low note sound is generated and the red LED
blinks at the timing of left hand beat.
Selecting the training pattern
(1)In the training mode, press the parameter
selection key positioned under “TRAINING.”
(2)Select the training number using the and
keysor the numeric keys.Specifythetrain-
ing number by two digits.
Starting/stopping the training pattern
(1)Press the START/STOP key to start replay
of the training pattern.
Thereferencebeatis givenfirstand followed
by the training pattern.
(2)Press the START/STOP key to stop replay
of the training pattern while it is being re-
played.

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Specifying the tempo
The training patters are replayed at the preset
tempo. Adjust the tempo for easy training if you
feel the preset tempo is too fast or too slow.
(1)Press the parameter selectionkey positioned
under “TEMPO.”
(2)Enter the tempo using the and keys or
thenumeric keys.Specifythe tempo bythree
digits.If not, press the TAP key twice or more
tospecifytheintermediate time as the tempo.
When the training pattern pauses, replay of
the training pattern starts immediately after
a tempo is specified.
Selecting the hand to start beating on the
training pattern
-To start beating by the right hand, press the
parameter selection key under the green LED.
“RIGHT” appears on the LC display.
-To start beating by the left hand, press the pa-
rameter selection key under the red LED.
“LEFT” appears on the LC display.
Adjusting the volume
-Using the ACC/5 slider, you can adjust the vol-
ume difference between the accented notes
and the non-accented notes. Lowering the
slidermakesthe volumedifferencegreaterand
raising it makes the difference smaller.
-Using the /6 slider, you can adjust the refer-
ence beat volume.
Listeningtothereferencebeat, youcanalways
be conscious of the top beat of the phrase.
-Use the volume slider to adjust the entire vol-
ume.
Note: The BEATLAB is designed to provide a
high output for the headphone volume.
Whenusing a headphone,set the volume
to zero first, then gradually increase it for
adjustment.

19
Resetting to the Factory Setting
To reset the BEATLAB to the factory setting,
switch the power on while pressing the PROG
key and the WRITE key. All the preset values
are reset to the factory set values.
Battery PowerWarning
When the battery power of the BEATLAB runs
down, the battery mark appears on LC display.
Replace the batteries with new ones as soon as
possible.
Replacing the Batteries
When the battery power of the BEATLAB runs
down,the replayedsounds maybedistortedand
the LC display and the tempo indicators may
darken.
Malfunction may occur. When the battery mark
appearson the LC display,replace the batteries
with new ones as soon as possible.
Replacing the batteries
(1)Be sure to switch the power off using the
STANDBY/ON switch.
(2)Slide the battery cover located on the rear
side of the BEATLAB in the direction of the
arrow.
(3)Replace the old batteries with the new ones
being careful to observe the correct polarity,
then close the battery cover.
(4)Switch the power on by pressing the

20
STANDBY/ON switch and ensure that the
BEATLAB operates correctly.
*The supplied batteries are used only to check
the BEATLAB operation and may have a
shorter life than regular batteries.