Is there a way to bypass the click track for the Pattern Section? If not, I guess I need to start recording to a click. Trying to figure out what BPM a section of music is can be difficult, especially if the song changes time signatures.

Is there a way to change what time signature the click is set to or is it locked in 4/4? Is there a way to take the accent off of the click if it is locked in 4/4?

You can adjust the click volume by hitting the "level" function button and using the far right control knob while recording or right before you record a pattern. I don't think you can change the time signature though.

If you want to find an approximte BPM for a song, I recommend using the tap tempo to tap along to the song. You can hit the "tempo" funciton button and use the tap tempo button to hit four or more beats. Bingo, there's your tempo.

Also, what songs are you sampling that change time signatures?

I am not trying to sample a song. I am building original songs with my own samples. I play drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, etc. I basically want to use the 404 like a backing track or a drum machine in a way. That way I can do solo shows where I play guitar and sing.

I want to record drum loops that I can string together to make songs. I am very rhythmic and love to mess with other time signatures besides 4/4. 4/4 gets boring to me after a while. Anyway, so I can turn the click on when I am recording samples to the pads? (*Not referring to patterns*) I want to be able to record long loops to the individual pads so that I can record up to 16 long drum loops for live accompaniment for myself.

I also want to get better at locking the different samples/loops with one another. That is probably the most frustrating thing for me. It will be much easier to make songs with this thing once I figure out the ins and outs. Any tips that you have to offer on using it in the way that I describe would be appreciated.

You can't play a metronome while recording a sample to a pad, sorry. I got a separate unit to do that and the samples went together a lot smoother.

My method for smooth starts and ends is to set the Auto Trigger Level to 2 or 3 so that it starts recording a pad when enough sound happens. This will help start on the first beat. I also set the sample BPM before I record it so when I hit stop after the last beat, it automatically marks off the end point.

Hope those help get the samples playing together cleaner.

I'm not 100% sure this is how you do it, but you can add a count-in measure when sampling to pads, it comes in handy. I'm pretty sure that before you hit record after the pad is chosen, you hit 'remain', and that sets off the clicking track. This is on the 404sx, mind. I'm not sure how it is on the original 404

I don't get it. Roland really dropped the ball on this. They have a click available for the patterns, but not the pads themselves? This boggles my mind.

Though, you're saying that it can be done with the remain button? I will try this. I have the SX.