Behringer LM DRUM User Manual

Introduction

The Behringer LM DRUM is a versatile drum machine that builds upon the iconic sounds of early samplers while adding modern features. It offers an enhanced programming environment, inspired by the RD-8 and RD-9, with the ability to sample sounds and create custom banks. The LM DRUM features up-to-date MIDI and USB connectivity, individual voice outputs, and full velocity sensitivity, allowing it to be played as an instrument or integrated with electronic drumkits and pads. This manual guides users through customizing the LM DRUM and maximizing its capabilities.

Top Panel Overview

The top panel houses the primary controls for the LM DRUM. Key sections include:

• Top Row: Controls like MIDI, USB, Sync, Tempo Rate, Wave Designer, Analog Filter, and Volume.
• Middle Row: Controls for Attack, Sustain, Cutoff, Resonance, Input, Master Volume, and individual voice tuning/decay.
• Bottom Row: Step/Pad buttons (1-16), Mode selection (Song, Pattern, Step, Pads), and Program & Playback controls (Length, Sample, Bank, Quantize, Mute, Solo, Record, Stop, Play/Pause).

The panel also includes dedicated sections for Navigation and Control, with specific buttons for menu access, data entry, and parameter adjustment.

Navigation and Control

Navigation through menus and options is primarily handled by:

• Navigation Buttons (35-38): Used for scrolling through options, moving between pages, and adjusting values.
• Data Control (34): Used for fine-tuning values and confirming selections (Enter).
• Yes/No Buttons (33/31): Used for confirming actions or stepping through menu pages.

Specific buttons like '37' switch options on/off, while '36' switches them off. Accessing menus is done via the 'MENU' button (32).

Control Section Details

1. MIDI: Accesses MIDI options for channel selection (RX, TX), forwarding messages to USB, and setting up MIDI Thru.

2. USB: Manages USB connectivity for MIDI control, firmware updates, and interaction with the SynthTribe app.

3. SYNC: Allows synchronization with internal clock, MIDI clock (via MIDI In or USB), or analog sync sources (Sync In). TRIG RATE sets the clock division.

4. RAND: Enables random triggering of sounds on any given step within a pattern. Users can select which sounds are randomized and for which steps.

5. STEP REPEAT: Loops a selected number of steps (1, 2, 4, or 8) when the trigger button is pressed.

6. NOTE REPEAT: Adds a rhythmic 'ratchet' effect to drum sounds, repeating a note 1, 2, 4, or 8 times. Can be programmed per drum and per pattern.

7. AUTOFILL: Automatically inserts a 'fill' pattern during playback. Patterns can be assigned as Autofill patterns.

8. TRIGGER: Triggers selected drum sounds when the LM DRUM is stopped or paused, or activates step/note repeat when playing.

Tempo, Edit, and Mode Sections

Tempo Section:

• RATE (9): Sets the internal clock speed from 20 to 240 bpm.
• TAP (10): Tap three times to set the tempo. Also used to adjust Swing, Probability, and Flam values.

Edit Section:

• SAVE (11): Saves the current pattern or song.
• COPY (12): Copies patterns or songs to different locations.
• ERASE (13): Deletes patterns, songs, or global settings.
• DUMP (14): Initiates a SysEx dump to transfer data to/from a computer.

Mode Section:

• SONG (15): Enters song mode for saving, copying, erasing, or dumping songs.
• PATTERN (16): Enters pattern mode for saving, copying, erasing, or dumping patterns.
• STEP (17): Enters step mode for creating patterns in step time.
• PADS (18): Enters pads mode for real-time pattern creation using pads or an external MIDI device.

Program & Playback Section

LENGTH (19): Sets the pattern length, up to 64 steps. Autoscroll allows the playhead to move between step blocks.

SAMPLE (20): Accesses user sampling menus.

BANK (21): Selects sound/sample banks (16 banks, 127 slots each). Factory banks include LM 2 drums, LM 1 drums, etc. User samples can be loaded and managed.

QUAN (22): Sets quantization for real-time programming (0-127).

<< (BACK) (23) & >> (FORWARD) (26): Navigate through steps or groups of steps.

MUTE (24) & SOLO (25): Mute or solo individual voices during playback/programming.

RECORD (27): Enters record mode.

STOP (28): Stops recording or playback.

PLAY/PAUSE (29): Starts, pauses, or resumes playback.

Menu Options

The MENU button (32) accesses various sub-menus:

• Step Size: Sets the note division (e.g., 1/8, 1/16).
• Probability: Sets the chance of a drum sound playing on a specific step (per drum/step).
• Flam: Adds a slight delay to drum sounds for a fuller effect (per drum/step).
• Note Repeat: Sets a note to repeat 1, 2, 4, or 8 times.
• Polymeter: Allows different step lengths for different drums within a pattern.
• Filter: Adjusts cutoff frequency (0-255) and mode (Low Pass/High Pass) per step.
• Preferences: Global settings for Tempo, Swing, Probability, Flam, Filter, Metronome, Step Size, Auto Scroll, FX Bus, Mute, Solo, and Bank.
• MIDI Map: Re-assigns MIDI notes to drums and sets MIDI channels.
• Trigger Assign: Assigns analog trigger outputs to specific drums.
• Bitcrusher: Alters the bit depth of samples for a grainy, distorted sound (1-11 bit).
• Metronome: Controls metronome on/off and beat division (1-9 beats).
• Options: Miscellaneous settings including Enhanced Mode, Random Closed Hat, Velocity THD, Velo Sensitive Pad, Chromatic MIDI In, Sample Record Mode, Auto Save, and Beep On.
• About: Displays firmware versions and allows factory settings restoration.

Wave Designer & Analog Filter

Wave Designer: Alters drum transients using Attack and Sustain controls. Affects main outputs only.

Analog Filter: Modifies timbre with Low Pass and High Pass modes. Controls include Cutoff (frequency), HPF (mode switch), ON (filter enable), and Resonance.

Volume and Input

VOLUME: Sets master output and headphone volume.

INPUT (48): Sets input gain for recording user samples. Supports line level and dynamic microphones (no phantom power).

Rear Panel Connections

• MAIN OUTPUTS (55): 1/4" TS jacks for stereo or mono master output.
• HEADPHONE OUTPUT (56): 1/4" TRS stereo jack for monitoring.
• REC INPUT (57): 1/4" TS jack for sampling audio.
• VOICE OUTS (58): 3.5mm TS jacks for individual voice outputs.
• TRIGGER OUTS (59): 3.5mm TS jacks for analog trigger outputs.
• SYNC IN (60): 3.5mm TS jack for external analog sync.
• SYNC OUT (61): 3.5mm TS jack for synchronizing external devices.
• MIDI IN (62): 5-pin DIN for MIDI control.
• MIDI OUT (63): 5-pin DIN for controlling external MIDI devices.
• MIDI THRU (64): 5-pin DIN to mirror MIDI In.
• USB (65): USB 2.0 Type B for MIDI control, firmware updates, and SynthTribe app connection.
• POWER SOCKET (66): Connects to the 12V 2000mA PSU.
• POWER SWITCH (67): Turns the unit on/off.

Programming

The LM DRUM offers a hierarchical programming structure: Song > Pattern > Step/Real-time input.

Step Time Programming: Create patterns step-by-step. Users select a drum, then press step buttons to place sounds. Features include Auto Scroll and the ability to delete steps.

Real Time Programming: Record patterns using the Step/Pad buttons, an external MIDI keyboard, or drum pads. Sounds are recorded with velocity. Quantization is recommended for tighter timing.

Chromatic Programming and Playing: Play and record sounds chromatically using the pads or an external MIDI keyboard. Octave can be adjusted.

Micro Timing: Adjust the timing of individual steps slightly ahead or behind the beat.

Creating a Song: Combine programmed patterns into songs. Songs can be set to Stop, Loop, or Hold playback. Patterns are assigned to slots using step/pad buttons.

Chaining Patterns/Songs: Select new patterns or songs while playback is active; playback will switch once the current one finishes.

Setlist: Arrange songs in a specific order and set the number of repeats for each.

Sampling

The LM DRUM allows users to create and use their own samples.

Direct Sampling: Connect an audio source to the REC INPUT (57). Use the Input Level (48) and Threshold controls to set recording parameters. Samples can be trimmed, named, and assigned to pads.

Using SynthTribe: Load .wav files (under 1MB) into the SynthTribe app to convert them to mono and download them to the LM DRUM. SynthTribe also acts as a librarian for backing up and restoring samples.

Sample Management: Access the sample menu to view, load, delete, trim, or rename samples. Default samples are write-protected.

Safety and Compliance

The manual includes extensive safety instructions in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Japanese, Chinese) covering electrical shock prevention, proper installation, and operating conditions. It also contains legal disclaimers and warranty information.

FCC Compliance: The LM DRUM complies with FCC Part 15 limits for Class B digital devices, designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference. Users are advised to reorient antennas, increase separation, or connect to different circuits if interference occurs.

CE Compliance: The product is declared compliant with relevant EU directives.