Zoom AERO RYTHMTRAK AR-96 Use and care manual

AR-96 Firmware V2.0 Update
This guide provides you with an outline of the new features, functions,
and enhanced user interface that are included with AR-96 Firmware 2.0.
Overview
The new 2.0 firmware is designed to improve the operation of AR-96 by:
a) Introducing changes to the user interface on the LCD screen;
b) Simplifying the access to parameters with 3 Knobs and Cursor buttons;
c) Making new functions available on both Base Station and Ring Controller.
User interface enhancements
Graphics and instrument icons are now refined and resized to better fit the LCD
screen and offer a more intuitive user experience when playing and recording on
AR-96.
Changes to Four operation MODEs
1. STEP MODE
•Sequence of each pattern is shown as Piano Roll or Drum Map by switching
alternately on SELECT Knob
•Step and Duration of notes is instantly defined by real-time access through
Knobs
Piano Roll Drum Map

2. INSTRUMENT MODE (INST)
•Larger instruments icons and names are displayed on LCD when tapping on
each Pad of the Ring Controller
•Sound selection is made easier by using the SELECT knob as an instrument
on each Pad. Each Pad is easily and seamlessly visible on the LCD and Ring
Controller
Instrument views
3. SONG MODE
•Information view is enhanced with Song + Pattern/Kit name and memory
location
•Ring Controller is enabled for real-time playing over Song
Song view
4. LOOPER
•Captured WAV files are now assignable to each Pad by scrolling manually
through memory locations

Improvements to Settings and Editing
KIT
•Number of available Kits is increased to 384
•Each Pattern can have its own assigned Kit and no longer shared with
different Patterns
•Enhanced view with Pad Layout Edit option and Instrument Listing
Pad Layout Inst Listing
EDIT
•Re-designed graphics allow for intuitive use of the SELECT knob when
choosing sound parameters
•Destination is increased to more parameters from 2x LFO, 1x Envelope,
and Aftertouch
Sound Edit views

MIXER
•Access to the mixing configuration is now instantly accessible on Pads with
MUTE, SOLO, and Group MIX selections
CAPTURE
•An improved graphics interface with a Waveform display helps you
visualize the captured sound or music phrase
•Above the Waveform, there is also a timeline ruler which allows you to
zoom into different components of the sample
•Assigning a captured (recorded) audio file to an Instrument Pad or
Looper is faster and easier
EFFECT
•Re-design of graphics interface with visual icons of Effects
•Instant access to Effect types and real-time control of parameters

New Functions
Adding Original Sound Sources
•A new Sampler function allows for captured sound to be used as an
additional sound source. These new sound sources can be edited with Filer,
ADSR envelope, and LFO modulation.
•WAV files from your own sound libraries can also be imported (via SD card)
as new sound sources for the internal Oscillator
•Supports mono and stereo sample resolutions of up to 16-bit or
24-bit/44.1 kHz
Assign + Control of Sound Parameters
•Visualize and edit all sound parameters instantly on the LCD by pushing the
EDIT button and scrolling through windows
•The settings window allows you to assign 3 of your favorite parameters for
real-time control with the rotary knobs

Scale Keyboard
•Each sound can be played chromatically on the Ring Controller. By pushing
the PAD KEY button, sounds can also be visualized on a 32-scale keyboard
on the ARQ’s LCD screen.
•Playing and recording bass and melodic parts is now simple and intuitive
Arpeggiator
•Instantly access standard, polyphonic, and sequential Arpeggiator
functions by pushing the HOLD button
•The Ring Controller can control the notes and repeat rates of the
Arpeggiator

Music Bar length
•Pattern sequences can now be up to 8 bars in length and are no longer
limited to just 2 bars
•Sequencing musical phrases can be achieved within the same Pattern
Accelerometer
•The Ring Controller function can now expand to access every sound
parameter of each instrument (such as Filter Frequency) in combination
with Effects
•Can also control note and rate of Arpeggiator
•The Accelerometer control can be stopped and resumed seamlessly while
you’re gripping the Ring Controller
Auto Save
•You now have the option to save changes automatically while editing a
Pattern or a Song
Auto Grip Mode
•The Ring Controller now enters Grip mode automatically when removed
from the Base Station, so the “Grip” button is no longer required

USB-MIDI
•The MIDI OUT function now allows you to send MIDI notes to an external
device using the internal PAD sequence
•Any action generated with Pads, Knobs, Buttons, and the Ring Controller’s
X/Y motion can be sent out as MIDI messages
•The new USB-MIDI functionality enables you to use the AR-96 as an input
controller to record to DAW software
Editing Software
•The new AR-96 Editor lets you control all main functions from your Mac or
Windows computer.
•For easy editing, the overview on the main screen shows you the Pad
layouts on the Ring Controller, Piano or Drum Roll Map, and all sound
parameters
AR-96 Editing Software

Quick Comparison Chart AR-96 V1.01 vs V2.0
AR-96 1.01
AR-96 2.0
User interface
INST Mode Text-based user interface. LCD shows larger instrument icons and
scrolling of Pad position –
by SELECT
knob or Pad tapping.
(Pattern name) Small in size. Enlarged - clearly visible on LCD.
STEP Mode Same as INST mode.
Changed to Piano Roll and Drum Map
view and editing with 3 function Knobs.
SONG Mode Text-based user interface.
You can’t operate any function during
SONG sequence playback.
Enhanced view with Pattern name and
Piano Roll. You can play an instrument
during SONG sequence playback.
LOOPER Mode Need to assign WAV files to the “CAPTURE
list”. There is only one setting for WAV file
assignment.
(16-bit/44.1 kHz only)
Easy to assign WAV files to each Pad.
Added settings for WAV file assignment
(16- or 24-bit/44.1 kHz mono or stereo
supported).
KIT Only used for selecting or copying a KIT. Enhanced with Pad Layout edit.
KIT copy / erase
INST copy / erase / swap functions.
EDIT Text-based with small icon user interface.
Three modulation (2x LFO, 1x Envelope)
destinations only.
Enhanced with better graphics of sound
parameters and intuitive use of SELECT
Knob.
Destination increased to 6
parameters.
CAPTURE Need to assign WAV files to the “CAPTURE
list”. Only for LOOPER mode.
Added graphics interface with waveform,
sound editing, and zooming function.
Captured audio can be assigned to both
instruments and LOOPER mode very
quickly.
MIXER Use of mixer required pre-setting in “Mixer
Group”.
MUTE, SOLO, and MIX functions.
EFFECT Text-based user interface. Re-design of graphics interface with visual
icons of effects.

AR-96 1.01
AR-96 2.0
New Function
Auto Save N/A Can select ON/FF when editing sequence.
Auto Grip Mode N/A
Ring Controller enters Grip mode
automatically when
taken from Base
Station.
Sound source Internal sounds only. Can add original WAV files to internal OSC
and edit with Filter, ADSR envelope, LFO
modulation.
Sound parameters Fixed parameters: Filter Freq, Pitch and
Reverse in main LCD.
Now assignable in main LCD and by
motion of Ring Controller.
Number of KIT(s) 99. Each Pattern required to share same
KIT as others.
Increased to 384.Now each Pattern can
have its own KIT assigned.
Scale keyboard 1 Scale keyboard only. 32-sound instrument can be played on
Scale keyboard layout.
Arpeggiator N/A Standard, polyphonic, sequential
Music Bar length Limited to 2. Extended to 8 –
easier to create
pattern/sequence.
Accelerometer Filter, Delay and Reverb control.
Can control every sound parameter of
each instrument, Arpeggiator rate and
note, Filter, Delay and Reverb.
Accelerometer control can quit or resume
while gripping Ring Controller.
USB-MIDI MIDI clock only. MIDI OUT function allows to send out
MIDI notes from internal sequence + any
action generated on Pads, Knobs,
Buttons, X/Y motion as MIDI messages.
Can use ARQ as input controller to record
in to DAW software.
Software Editor N/A
Can control all main functions from
Mac/Windows software.
Overview on main screen can include
Pads layout on Ring, Pi
ano Roll, Scale
Keyboard and s
ound parameters for
editing.

AR-96 1.01
AR-96 2.0
DISCONTINUED
Function/Setting
(no longer in use)
Pattern Level (SONG mode) N/A
“Audio Input Level” (MIXER menu) N/A
Insert Effect “Before/After” Now set as “Before”
“Stepper Edit” (LFO) N/A
“Ring Parameter Top” N/A