Modor OS007 User manual

MODOR DIGITAL DRUM SYNTHESIZER
USER MANUAL - OS007

Contents
1 Getting Started . . . 1
1.1 Overview ................................ 1
1.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Connections............................... 2
1.4 Installing wooden sides or rack-ears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Patternprogramming .......................... 3
1.6 Modulations............................... 4
1.7 Menunavigation ............................ 6
1.8 Loading patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.8.1 ...fromthemenu........................ 6
1.8.2 . . . from the frontpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.8.3 ...quickreload......................... 7
1.9 Saving patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.9.1 ...inthemenu ......................... 7
1.9.2 ...quicksave.......................... 8
1.10SafetyMode............................... 8
1.11Initialisation............................... 9
1.11.1 ...fromthemenu........................ 9
1.11.2 . . . shortcut for patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.12Fingerdrumming... ........................... 9
1.13Keycombinations............................ 10
2 Overview 12
2.1 StructureoftheDR-2.......................... 12
2.2 Pattern, song and drumset modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3 Flashmemory.............................. 14
2.4 Frontpaneloverview .......................... 14
3 Drum synthesizer 17
3.1 Drum models or algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.2 Envelopegenerator ........................... 18
3.3 Bassdrums ............................... 20
iii

3.3.1 DriveBD ............................ 20
3.3.2 NoiseBD............................ 21
3.3.3 SquareBD ........................... 22
3.3.4 StringBD............................ 22
3.4 Snaredrums............................... 24
3.4.1 BasicSN ............................ 24
3.4.2 MarchingSN.......................... 25
3.4.3 AnalogSN ........................... 25
3.5 Cymbals................................. 26
3.5.1 Hihats.............................. 27
3.5.2 Ridecymbal .......................... 27
3.5.3 Crashcymbal.......................... 29
3.6 Claps .................................. 30
3.7 Toms................................... 31
3.7.1 AnalogTom .......................... 31
3.7.2 Tenordrum ........................... 31
3.8 Miscellaneous.............................. 33
3.8.1 Rimshot............................. 33
3.8.2 Rattle.............................. 34
3.8.3 Cowbell............................. 34
3.8.4 GlassBottle........................... 35
3.9 Tonaldrummodels ........................... 36
3.10Aftertreatment ............................. 37
3.10.1 Attackenvelope......................... 37
3.10.2 Distortion............................ 38
3.10.3 TiltFilter ............................ 38
3.10.4 Compressor........................... 39
3.10.5 Gainsetting........................... 40
3.11Modulations............................... 40
4 Drum sequencer 42
4.1 16 step, 64 step or 128 step sequencer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.2 Rec, Play, Rec Pause and Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.3 BPMandSwing............................. 43
4.4 Patternmode .............................. 44
4.5 Songmode ............................... 45
4.6 Patternprogramming .......................... 46
4.6.1 32ndnotes ........................... 46
4.6.2 Accents............................. 46
4.6.3 Reverses ............................ 47
4.6.4 Breaks ............................. 47
4.6.5 Flams.............................. 48
4.6.6 Tuplets ............................. 48
4.6.7 Meter or pattern length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.6.8 Polymeters ........................... 50
4.6.9 Bars and pattern variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.7 Synchronisation............................. 51
4.8 EuclideanGenerator .......................... 52
4.9 ParameterLocks ............................ 54
iv

5 Menu Reference 56
5.1 Load................................... 56
5.2 Save................................... 57
5.3 Name .................................. 57
5.4 Init.................................... 57
5.5 Copy................................... 58
5.6 SystemSettings............................. 59
5.7 SysexDump............................... 60
5.8 Menuoverview ............................. 62
6 Firmware upgrades 63
6.1 Firmwareupgrade............................ 63
6.1.1 Why upgrading the firmware? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6.1.2 Upgrade procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6.2 Bootloaderupgrade........................... 64
6.2.1 Why updating a bootloader? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6.2.2 Installation ........................... 65
7 MIDI Implementation 66
7.1 Midichannel .............................. 66
7.2 MIDInotemapping........................... 66
7.3 MIDIcontrolchanges.......................... 68
7.4 MIDI program changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
7.5 MIDI implementation chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
7.6 MIDIcontrollerlist........................... 71
v

1
Getting Started . . .
1.1 Overview
Thanks for buying a Modor DR-2!
The DR-2 is a digital 6 instrument drum machine with a 128 32nd note step se-
quencer. Soundwise, the DR-2’s digital drum models offer a lot of sound sculpting
flexibility. It is not based on samples or analog circuits, the DR-2 is actually a real
digital DSP drum synthesizer. It has the sound editing knobs like on a synthesizer, but
with digital synthesis algorithms that are aimed towards drum synthesis.
The DR-2 also has extensive sequencing possibilities. It has a 32nd-note resolution
and there is the possibility to program accents, flams (double hits) and tuplets (multi-
ple hits), silences (breaks), reversing (backwards running) drum sounds and parameter
locks.
1.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets
The Modor DR-2 has an internal sequencer, that plays PATTERN or SONG structures,
triggering the internal drum synthesizer. The synthesizer creates drum sounds using
the sound parameters stored in DRUMSETS. These are the 3 different kinds of ’data
structures’ you’ll meet working with the DR-2.
• A PATTERN is the collection of up to 128 steps of sequencer data of the six
instruments, including accents, flams, breaks, reverse notes and parameter locks.
• A SONG is a string or loop of up to 60 patterns.
• A DRUMSET is a set of sound synthesis parameters for the six drum instruments
A-F.
So, the DR-2 consists of two main components: the drum synthesizer, and the
drum sequencer. The internal drum synthesizer and its drumsets, are not related to
the internal sequencer and its patterns and songs. So you can play any pattern or song
using any drumset. But also, this means after restarting your DR-2 you’ll have to load
both the pattern/song and the drumset separately to restart where you left before. If you
save a pattern or song after editing, the drumset is not saved along. You have to save it
separately if you want to store it!
1

1.3. CONNECTIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
By pressing the PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET buttons, you go into pattern,
song or drumset mode. This is important in the menu for loading, saving, initialising
and renaming items.
To learn how to load patterns, songs and drumsets, check §1.8.
1.3 Connections
Before you can start playing the Modor DR-2 a few connections have to be made. This
chapter is written to help you make the first connections so that you can immediately
start playing your instrument. By following these instructions, you will have your
Modor drum machine up and running in a few minutes time.
Main Audio Connections The main stereo output of the Modor DR-2 is found on
the L/PHON and R/MONO connectors on the backside of the instrument. Connect
the DR-2 to an external amplifier or mixing device with two mono 6mm jack cables.
The external amplifier or mixing device should be switched off before making this
connection, and only be switched on after the connection has been made to prevent
damage to the equipment.
You can also connect headphones to the L/PHON audio connector with a 6mm
TRS-connector. The signal is strong enough to drive a pair of headphones, although it
may not be loud enough to be used in noisy environments.
Channel Audio Connections The Modor DR-2 has six drum channels that can be
sent to the main L/R mix, but can also be sent out using the A-F connectors on the
backside. If you insert a mono 6mm jack connector into one of these connectors, this
channel is taken out of the main stereo mix on the L/R connectors and can be treated
separately on an external mixing desk.
However, these connectors can also be used as so-called ’insert’ points. Using a
6mm TRS connector you can send a channel out for external treatment, some effect for
example, and have it returned back into the DR-2. It then passes the stereo panning and
is mixed into the main L/R output.
Clock Syncronisation The DR-2 has CLK IN and CLK OUT connectors for 24PPQN
clock signals. You can use the DR-2 as a clock master or clock slave to synchronise
with other systems.
2

1.4. INSTALLING WOODEN SIDES OR RACK-EARSCHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
MIDI Connections The DR-2 has an internal drum sequencer, but it can also be
controlled by an external keyboard or (computer) sequencer via a MIDI connection.
Chapter 7 indicates which notes (note numbers) to send. Connect the MIDI output of
this external midi source to the MIDI IN connector on the backside of the Modor DR-2.
The patterns generated by the internal sequencer, can also be sent out via the MIDI
OUT connector as MIDI note messages, along with the knob movements of the sound
parameters as MIDI control messages.
Power Connector Finally, the Modor DR-2 has to receive power via the power con-
nector. Connect the adaptor, and turn the volume knob (POW/VOL) on the upper left
corner of the front panel clockwise to get the instrument running. Theoretically, any
9V DC-adaptor with 9W power (1000mA) will be sufficient, but there are many DC-
adaptors around providing unstable or even plain wrong electrical tensions. Only use
the DC-adaptor delivered with the Modor DR-2 or refer to a specialised electronics
dealer. Damage to the instrument caused by using a wrong adaptor is excluded from
any warranty regulation.
1.4 Installing wooden sides or rack-ears
The Modor DR-2 comes with a pair of wooden side blocks, and a pair of white metal
rack ears to put the it in a 19” rack. The necessary screws to install these are also
included.
• M3x25 screws and 4.3/12mm washers for the wooden side blocks
• M3x6 screws for the metal rack ears
Pay attention not to put the wooden side blocks upside down. The short sides of
the blocks shouldn’t be vertical, but should follow the shape of the metal case.
1.5 Pattern programming
Programming basic patterns on the DR-2 is quite simple. Push the A-F buttons to select
an instrument and hit the 1-16 buttons to toggle drum hits. Then press play to hear the
pattern you programmed. That’s the basic step sequencing as can be found on many
3

1.6. MODULATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
classic drum machines. You can also record patterns live by pushing REC and PLAY,
and then playing the A-F buttons.
However, there is more about pattern programming on the DR-2:
Accents can be programmed by keeping the ACC button pressed
while programming drum hits with the 1-16 buttons.
Accents can also be programmed in a separate accent track for
all instruments simultaneously. Just press the ACC button to
access the accent track.
Reverses can be programmed by keeping the REV but-
ton pressed and hitting 1-16. Set the reverse delay with
REV+VALUE
Breaks or instrument silences can be programmed by keeping
the BREAK button pressed and hitting 1-16.
Flams or double hits can be programmed by keeping the FLAM
button pressed and hitting 1-16. Set the flam speed with
FLAM+VALUE.
Tuplets or multiple hits can be programmed by keeping the
SHIFT+FLAM buttons pressed and hitting 1-16. Set the tuplet
balance, number and speed with SHIFT+FLAM+Y/Z/T.
β-variations Every instrument has two separate tracks to pro-
gram αand βdrum hits. The αand βdrum sounds are identical,
except for one sound parameter. Set the βparameter and value
by keeping βpushed and turning a knob.
1.6 Modulations
You can bring a lot more life in your drum riffs by using modulations that avoid every
drum hit to sound exactly identical. There are 5 different ways of modulation:
Velocity or accents: Velocity or accent can modulate the volume and one extra pa-
rameter. Keep the VELOCITY button pressed and move a slider to set the volume
sensitivity. Keep the VELOCITY button down and turn one of a drum’s parameter
knobs, to add another parameter to velocity modulation. When playing notes with dif-
ferent velocity or accent you’ll hear a difference in sound. Double click VELOCITY
to remove the extra modulation, keep VELOCITY pressed and move the slider down
to remove volume sensitivity.
4

1.6. MODULATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
Random: Press the RANDOM button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs.
Now you’ll hear a random variation of this parameter with every drum hit. Random
can be connected to one parameter per drum. Double click RANDOM to remove this
modulation.
Definable: Press the DEF button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs. Now the
DEF-knob above the instrument’s slider can be used to vary this parameter. Definable
knobs can be connected to one parameter per drum. Double click DEF to remove this
modulation.
Alpha/Beta: Press the β-button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs. Now you
have a β-variation of this instrument. β-variations can be connected to one parameter
per drum. The sequencer has separate tracks for the αand βvariations, press αor βto
program α/βdrum hits.
Parameter Locks: If you keep a sequencer button (1..16) down while turning a knob,
you program a parameter lock. This synthesis parameter is then different for the drum
hit playing at that sequencer position. To remove the parameter lock, keep the se-
quencer button down again, and hit NO(/EXIT).
5

1.7. MENU NAVIGATION CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
1.7 Menu navigation
The menu of the Modor DR-2 consists of 7 menu items. When the MENU/YES button
is hit you enter the menu, and the first menu item is shown on the upper display line.
A black dot starts running from right to left over the display. By pressing MENU/YES
again before the dot reaches the left side of the screen, the next menu item is selected.
If you stop hitting MENU/YES, after about 1 sec the black dot reaches the left side of
the display, and you enter the indicated menu. Following menus can be entered:
1. LOAD: Load a pattern, drumset or song from internal memory
2. SAVE: Save a pattern, drumset or song into the internal memory
3. NAME: Give your pattern, drumset or song a name
4. INIT: Initialize a pattern, drumset or song
5. SONG EDIT: Edit the order of patterns in a song (only in song mode)
6. COPY: An easy way to copy data between different parts of a pattern, or different
instruments in a drumset.
7. SYSTEM SETTINGS: To set some global system parameters
8. MIDI DUMP: Dump the memory contents of the DR-2 using Midi Sysex mes-
sages
Next, after entering a certain menu, data can be selected and altered using the SE-
LECT(/BPM) encoder and VALUE(/SWING) control. Sometimes you need to validate
your choice by pressing the MENU/YES button again, or you might need to cancel your
choice by using EXIT/NO. While in the menu, on any moment you can press EXIT/NO
to cancel and leave the menu. A full item-by-item reference of the complete menu can
be found in chapter 5.
Note: the SONG EDIT menu can only be entered when you are in Song mode, it
is skipped otherwise. Press the SONG button to get into song mode. You can also
doubleclick the SONG button as a shortcut to the SONG EDIT menu.
1.8 Loading patterns, songs and drumsets
1.8.1 . . . from the menu
Press PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET, hit the MENU/YES button 1 time and wait 2
seconds to enter the LOAD menu. You should see the following screen: On the first
line you see ”LOAD” to indicate you are in the LOAD menu and PATTERN, SONG or
DRUMSET to indicate in which mode you are. On the second line you see the active
pattern, song or drumset number and name.
You can now scan through all the available patterns, songs or drumsets in the
Modor’s memory using the SELECT and VALUE controls. Confirm your choice with
MENU/YES.
6

1.9. SAVING PATTERNS, SONGS AND DRUMSETSCHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
If you are loading drumsets, the selected drumset can be heard when playing the
DR-2. This way you can listen to the drumsets in the memory without loosing your
current work, and compare your active drumset to any drumset in the Modor DR-2’s
memory1.
You can push EXIT/NO at any time to cancel the load operation and return to the
situation where you left before.
1.8.2 . . . from the frontpanel
However, there is a much easier and more straightforward way to load patterns, songs
and drumsets. Keep the PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET button pressed, while you
hit one of the 1-16, 17-32, 33-48, 49-64 buttons and then one of the 1-16 step buttons.
For example [PATTERN] + 17-32 + 5 loads pattern Pt21 (16+5). [DRUMSET] + 33-
48 + 13 loads drumset Dr45 (32+13). That’s a lot quicker to switch between drumsets,
patterns or songs. The downside of this for drumsets is that your current drumset gets
immediately overwritten, you can’t use it to compare your work to a stored drumset in
memory as you can when menu loading.
To load pattern, song or drumset 1-16, you don’t need to push 1-16 when loading
from the frontpanel. Use for example PATTERN + 7 to load pattern 7.
You can keep both PATTERN and DRUMSET down together to load the pattern
and drumset with the same number.
1.8.3 . . . quick reload
If you want to reload the last saved version of the pattern or drumset you are currently
working on, keep PATTERN and/or DRUMSET down, and press PLAY.
Watch out however, as there is no ’Are You Sure?’ question here, your current
work immediately gets overwritten!
1.9 Saving patterns, songs and drumsets
1.9.1 . . . in the menu
Saving goes more or less identically to menu loading: now press the MENU button
twice within one second to enter the SAVE menu. Select a slot in the memory using
the SELECT and/or VALUE controls. This slot will be overwritten with the current
working pattern, song or drumset if you now hit MENU/YES to confirm.
1If the system setting LoadPreview is ON, see §5.6
7

1.10. SAFETY MODE CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
When you play the DR-2 during the save operation for drumsets, you can hear the
drumset in the Modor DR-2’s memory that’s about to be overwritten. This way you can
check which memory position can be overwritten before actually doing it2. Hitting
EXIT/NO at any time cancels the save operation and exits the menu of the Modor
DR-2.
1.9.2 . . . quick save
To save the pattern and/or drumset you are currently working on, you can also keep
PATTERN and/or DRUMSET down, and hit RECORD.
Watch out, as this immediately overwrites the pattern/drumset in memory, there’s
no ’Are You Sure?’ question. . .
1.10 Safety Mode
When loading a drumset from the DR-2’s memory, or when switching between instru-
ments, the frontpanel control knobs are in a position that doesn’t necessarily correspond
to their active parameter values. When you turn a knob on the frontpanel, the sound
suddenly changes to the value of the frontpanel knob, and this change can be very
abrupt!
No problem as long as you aren’t touching these control knobs, or if you are on
your own, experimenting with the DR-2 in your home studio. But of course, this can
be very annoying in certain cases, for example when recording or playing live. When
accidentaly touching one of the frontpanel controls, the sound can suddenly change
very drastically. That might give the Modor DR-2 a very unreliable or ’unstable’ feel-
ing on stage or while jamming in the studio!
Therefore, a safety mode has been installed on the DR-2. When this Safety Mode
is activated, the sound parameters do not change when turning a frontpanel knob, until
you are passing their current value. This setting can be found in the SYSTEM SET-
TINGS menu. Activate the menu by pressing MENU 6x, and use the SELECT-encoder
to select this setting. Change it using the VALUE-control.
When Safety Mode is activated and you turn a knob on the frontpanel, a ’<’ or ’>’
is displayed when the parameter change is blocked, which indicates at what side you’ll
find it’s current value. This safety block is released when you turn the knob past the
current value, and the ’<’ or ’>’ dissapears. So, if you want a parameter to change,
2If the system setting LoadPreview is ON, see §5.6
8

1.11. INITIALISATION CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
you need to ’go get it’ at it’s current setting and turn it up or down to a new value. This
way sudden drastic changes of the sound are prevented.
1.11 Initialisation
1.11.1 . . . from the menu
How to reinitialise the active drumset or pattern? If you want to start building up a
new drumset or pattern completely from scratch, this might be helpful. Select Pat-
tern/Drumset/Song with the respective button, and quickly hit the MENU/YES but-
ton four times to select the INIT-menu and wait one second to select it (the black
dot reaches the left side of the screen). Confirm with MENU/YES (or cancel with
EXIT/NO).
When you initialise a drumset, you get a simple straightforward techno orientated
drumset with a bassdrum, claps, hihat, snaredrum, rimshot and cymbal. Upon initial-
isation of a pattern, you get a very simple 1-bar 4-on-the-floor pattern, a Euclidean
pattern (per instrument) or an empty pattern (per instrument). An initialised song will
contain nothing but a list of patterns all set to pattern Pt00. For more details on initial-
ising, check §5.4.
1.11.2 . . . shortcut for patterns
You can also empty an instrument’s pattern line by keep the NO(/EXIT) button down
and hitting an instrument’s selection button A..F. By quickly hitting A to F while keep-
ing NO(/EXIT) down, you’ll clear the entire pattern.
1.12 Fingerdrumming. . .
The DR-2 is about programming drum sequences, it’s not really built for ’live’ elec-
tronic finger drumming, the buttons aren’t built for that. But of course, you can check
the sounds in a drumset by pressing the A..F buttons.
However, the A..F buttons are not velocity sensitive. You can check what it sounds
like when accented, by holding ACC down while playing A..F. The same goes for
flams, tuplets, breaks and reverses. Hold down the appropriate buttons while playing
A..F.
Fingerdrumming works when the sequencer is not playing, or when it’s recording.
When playing, there are two playing ’modes’, that can be toggled with the PLAY but-
ton. If you can’t hear the sounds when hitting the A..F buttons, press PLAY once more
to toggle between the two playing ’modes’. See also §4.2.
9

1.13. KEY COMBINATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
1.13 Key combinations
The DR-2 has a number of key and knob combinations to make things faster and easier.
Try the combinations in the table below, to get accustomed to what all these different
keys and knobs can do.
PATTERN (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Pattern
DRUMSET (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Drumset
SONG (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Song
PATTERN + REC Quicksave Pattern
DRUMSET + REC Quicksave Drumset
PATTERN + PLAY Quick Reload Pattern
DRUMSET + PLAY Quick Reload Drumset
REV (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Note Reverse
BREAK (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Note Break
FLAM (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Flam
SHIFT+FLAM (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Tuplet
16/32 + 1...16 Toggle 32nd Notes
SHIFT + A...F Mute/Unmute Instrument
SHIFT + 1...16 Set Pattern Length
SHIFT + 1-16/.../49-64 Set Number of Pattern bars
A...F + 1...16 Set Instrument Polymeter
VELOCITY + Knob Set Velocity/Accent Parameter and Amount
RANDOM + Knob Set Random Parameter and Amount
DEF + Knob Set Definable Parameter and Amount
β+ Knob Set βParameter
SHIFT + Knob Inspect Parameter without changing it
16/32 + SWING/VALUE Set 32nd Note Swing
FLAM + SWING/VALUE Set Flam Time
REV + SWING/VALUE Set Reverse Delay Time
SHIFT + FLAM + Y Set Tuplet Velocity Balance
SHIFT + FLAM + Z Set Tuplet Retrig Number
10

1.13. KEY COMBINATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
SHIFT + FLAM + T Set Tuplet Retrig Time
Double Click VELOCITY Remove Velocity Parameter and Amount
Double Click DEF Remove Definable Parameter and Amount
Double Click RANDOM Remove Random Parameter and Amount
Double Click SONG Shortcut to Song Edit
NO + A...F Delete an instrument’s pattern track
RANDOM + A...F Randomise an instrument’s pattern track
SHIFT + Slider Set Gain
SHIFT + Def Knob Set Amp Attack Time
SHIFT + X Set Distortion
SHIFT + Y Set Tilt Filter
SHIFT + Z Set Compressor Treshold
SHIFT + T Set Compressor Attack Time
SHIFT + PITCH Set Finetune (on certain models)
DEF + Slider Set Compressor Treshold
DEF + Def Knob Set Compressor Attack Time
DEF + A...F Set Compressor Sidechain Source
SHIFT + REV + SELECT Set Euclidean pattern length
SHIFT + REV + VALUE Set Euclidean number of drum hits
SHIFT + REV + AMOUNT Set Euclidean rotation
SHIFT + REV + YES Generate Euclidean rhythm
A...F + REC Copy Instrument Track
A...F + PLAY Paste Instrument Track
1-16/.../49-64 + REC Copy Pattern Bar
1-16/.../49-64 + PLAY Paste Pattern Bar
DRUMSET + Knob Inspect Parameter
DRUMSET + VELOCITY/RAND/DEF/βInspect Parameter Modulation
1...16 + Knob Add Parameter Lock
1...16 + NO Remove Parameter Lock
11

2
Overview
2.1 Structure of the DR-2
The Modor DR-2 has 2 main components: a drum sequencer and a drum synthesizer,
working more or less independently from each other.
Sequencing... The drum sequencer is a classic step sequencer able of playing 64 16th
notes, or 128 32nd notes per pattern for each of the 6 drum instruments (A..F) of the
drum synthesizer. It generates the triggers to induce the synthesis of drum sounds.
However, the sequencer can also create accents, reverses, note breaks, etc... for the
drum synthesizer.
Next to that, the drum synthesizer can of course also be controlled with external
gear connected to MIDI IN.
Drum models The drum synthesizer has 6 instruments (A..F). For each one you can
choose a separate drum DSP algorithm or model. There are models for bassdrums,
snaredrums, cymbals, claps, ... These models can be chosen independently. If you
want a drumset with 6 different snaredrums, just do it. It’s up to you to decide which
instruments you want in your DR-2 drumset. See §3.1 and following paragraphs for a
detailed overview of the drum models.
Each instrument of the DR-2 drum synthesizer can have up to 12 drum parameters:
• Pitch, with a pitch envelope decay, amount and curve
• Volume, with an amp envelope decay and curve.
• Pan
• X, Y, Z and T parameters, different for each drum algorithm.
Each of these 12 parameters has it’s own control knob on the DR-2’s frontpanel.
Select one of the 6 drum instruments with the A..F buttons below the sliders, and turn
the knobs to alter it’s sound.
After treatment Next, the sound produced by these algorithms or models, gets an
’after treatment’: a gain setting, a distortion, a tilt filter, a dynamic range compressor
and a small transient amp attack envelope. So, this introduces 7 more parameters per
instrument:
12

2.1. STRUCTURE OF THE DR-2 CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
• Gain setting: SHIFT + slider
• Amp attack: SHIFT + DEF-knob or SHIFT + DECAY
• Distortion: SHIFT + X
• Tilt Filter: SHIFT + Y
• Compressor treshold: DEF + slider or SHIFT + Z
• Compressor attack time: DEF + DEF-knob or SHIFT + T
• Compressor sidechain source: DEF + A..F
MIDI OUT
128-step Drum Sequencer MIDI IN
MIDI
THRU
CLOCK IN CLOCK OUT
6 Instrument Drum Synthesizer
Model A Model B Model C Model D Model E Model F
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Gain
Compress
Tilt Filter
Distortion
Attack
Out/Ins A Out/Ins B Out/Ins C Out/Ins D Out/Ins E Out/Ins F
Stereo Mixer
Pan A Pan B Pan C Pan D Pan E Pan F
LEFT RIGHT
Channel outputs After that, the 6 instruments’ sound signals are sent to the outputs.
Each of the 6 (A..F) drum instruments or drum channels from the drum synthesizer has
a separate output or insert connector at the backside of the DR-2. This can be used to
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2.2. PATTERN, SONG AND DRUMSET MODES CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
send each channel separately to external mixing gear, or to treat it with external effect
gear and return it into the DR-2. Use 6mm TS (mono jack) connectors to output a
channel to a separate mixing desk, or use 6mm TRS (stereo jack) connectors to use it
as an insert point for external effect gear.
Panning, mixing, output And then finally, there’s a stereo panning, a mixer and
output amp for the signals (A..F) that weren’t separated.
2.2 Pattern, song and drumset modes
Pattern, song and drumset modes are selected using the respective PATTERN, SONG
and DRUMSET buttons. These modes mainly affect the menu. Outside of the menu,
the influence of the active mode is limited. Select Pattern, Song or Drumset mode to
load, save, rename or initialise patterns, songs or drumsets.
However, selecting Song mode has a different influence. When in Song mode, the
sequencer doesn’t repeat the same pattern over and over again. It plays a list of patterns
in a single movement or in a loop. That list of patterns is called a song. When at the
end of one pattern, the sequencer jumps to the next pattern in the list.
The main difference now, is that eventual changes to the playing pattern made with
the 1..16 STEP buttons are discarded when moving on to the next pattern. First, care-
fully design your song’s patterns, before combining them into a song. Or, when chang-
ing things in a song’s pattern, save it first in pattern mode, before moving on.
Every pattern has it’s own BPM, Swing, Swing32 and Flam and Reverse timings.
When playing in Song mode however, these pattern parameters are overridden by the
Song BPM, Swing and timing settings. So you can share patterns between different
songs, each song will play the pattern in its own way.
The same thing happens in Pattern mode, when switching between patterns without
stopping the sequencer. If you load a new pattern while the sequencer is playing, it
switches to the new pattern after the current pattern has ended. The pattern’s own
BPM, swing and timing settings are overridden with the currently playing settings.
2.3 Flash memory
The DR-2’s internal flash memory has space for:
• 64 Drumsets (0..64) of 6 instruments
• 96 Patterns (0..96) of up to 128 32nd note steps and 64 parameter locks
• 32 songs (0..32) of up to 60 pattern numbers.
Caution: A pattern and a song are 2 different things, that are stored separately in
the DR-2’s memory. A song does not ’contain’ it’s patterns, it only refers to pattern
numbers. For example, imagine song Sn05 and song Sn06 both contain pattern number
Pt35. If you change and store pattern Pt35 (in pattern mode), then both songs Sn05 and
Sn06 (in song mode) will have changed.
2.4 Frontpanel overview
You can find 18 rotary knobs, 6 sliders and 46 pushbuttons on the frontpanel of the
Modor DR-2.
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2.4. FRONTPANEL OVERVIEW CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
Song 5
Song 6
Song 5
Song 6
Pattern35
Pattern35
Pattern35
In a short overview, following controls are found:
• MENU/YES and EXIT/NO menu buttons.
• PATTERN button to select pattern mode.
• DRUMSET button to select drumset mode.
• SONG button to select song mode.
• Drum synthesizer, chapter 3
–6 volume sliders A..F [0, 127]
–6 definable knobs A..F [-64, +63] to control 1 user selectable sound param-
eter per instrument
–MODEL button to select the drum synthesis model (or algorithm)
–PITCH knob [0,127]
–pitch env DECAY knob [0, 127]
–pitch env AMOUNT knob [0, 127]
–pitch env CURVE knob [0, 127]
–X knob [0, 127]
–Y knob [0, 127]
–Z knob [0, 127]
–T knob [0, 127]
–amp env DECAY knob [0,127]
–amp env CURVE knob [0,127]
–PAN knob [-64, +63]
–βbutton to set 1 βmodulation per instrument
–VELOCITY button to set velocity (or accent) modulations
–DEF button to set 1 definable parameter per instrument to be controlled by
the definable knobs A..F, and to control the dynamic range compressor
–RANDOM button to set 1 random parameter modulation per instrument
• Drum sequencer, chapter 4
–6 channel or instrument selection buttons A..F
–1 accent channel selection button
–RECORD, PLAY and STOP buttons
–αand βbuttons to program αand βsequencer lines
–REV button to program envelope reverses
–BREAK button to program immediate note mutes
–FLAM button to program double hits
–SHIFT button to access extra functions
–16/32 button to program 32nd notes and events
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