Ableton Forum

I've just bought one used, but have no manual.

I think I have figured everything out, except how to set the gate time.

Apparently, there are 4 settings, 0.1s 1s, 2s, or 4s assignable to each pad.

Alas, it has me stumped.

Does anyone know how to do this?

Thanks in advance,

A followup, for google, or what have you.

There are four gate times that can be selected in the SPD-6. The following procedure is described in detail on page 31 of the SPD-6 owners manual.

1) Make sure the power is turned off. (press and hold power button to turn off)
2) Hold down the two buttons of the user patch you wish to edit and press the POWER button to turn the unit on. (The two buttons of the user patch you wish to edit will flash).
3) Hold down DRUMS/U1 button and press the 2 button. (OTHERS/U4 flashes - DRUMS/U1 and one of the 1 - 4 buttons will light)
4) Strike a pad to select it for editing. (only one of the buttons 1 - 4 will light according to the struck pad).
5) Now press the appropriate button to select the gate time . (1 = 0.1 seconds), (2 = 1.0 seconds), (3 = 2.0 seconds), (4 = 4.0 seconds). Note: factory default is 2.0 seconds.
6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 for editing other pads
7) Press OTHERS/U4 (flashing) to save the edit.
When you are finished making all the edits press OTHERS/U4 again to exit the edit mode and return to the play mode.

I have another spd 6 question, having spent the last hour or so Googling for an answer with no luck.

I would like to use an acoustic style pedal for the kick, and am wondering whether the KD8 Kick Trigger Pad, which is a drum trigger, will work with the spd6 (which I own). I find the simple switch I am trying to use is not suitable for producing a steady kick (I am not a drummer).

The alternative to the KD8 would be to try and put the simple switch (mine is made by Bespeco, but is identical to the Boss FS-5U) in some kind of rig, perhaps with a kick pedal from an acoustic kit. I couldn't find any pointers on this option either.

I also have several piezo switches from Radio Shack, which I know will trigger the Alesis modules, but these wouldn't work with the spd-6, would they?

To sum:

1) Is the KD8 a piezo switch? Whether it is or not, will it work with the SPD 6?

2) Is there an satisfactory alternative to the FS-5U , or a mod which would make it better than trying to hit a flat, unresponsive switch for twenty minutes at a time.

I realize that this is not the ideal forum, but I couldn't find the answers elsewhere, and the application for this project is Ableton Live.


Thanks much for any help on this,

e.