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Patent
Pending
TEMPO REF v1.0 INSTRUCTIONS
Using over 23 years of experience with 2 models of BEAT BUG (the first
product of its kind), every effort has been made to strike a balance between
including as many features as possible, power conservation, simplicity and
logical/user-friendly operation. But certainly there will be a short learning
curve for you. Just fool around with the REF for a while and give yourself time
to get to know it.
The
REF is sleeping!
The only way to wake the REF is to press and release the left 'WAKE/decrease'
button. A " 1" is displayed and if no further action is taken the
REF will go back to sleep in 30 seconds. This was deliberately done to conserve
battery power if accidentally awakened.
MONITOR
MODE
The REF is now ready to monitor taps heard by its internal and external triggers and provide an instantaneous beat-to-beat evaluation in real-time; displaying beats per minute it technically is a "TEMPOMETER". This is the REF's default mode and no matter what the present mode, unless you're pressing a button, a tap will always take you to this mode. Adjusting the black wheel sensitivity control on the left side will filter out ghost notes and the right decimal will flash when an accented tap has been heard. This control may be a little stiff at first, but will soon loosen. Drummers…if you’re seeing a “ 1” here because of double triggering caused by bounce or sustained overtone ring, back off the sensitivity and/or isolate the unit/trigger with some thin foam or duct tape. Both triggers should not be played simultaneously lest you see some crazy numbers. Maintaining a consistent reading is the name of the game here. Range in this mode is 10 to 255 bpm.
USE
Hold the REF in one hand and tap its back surface with a fingernail; or place the REF on a music stand or hard tabletop and tap next to the display. Your taps will be reflected off the hard surface and hit the REF's internal trigger. You could also attach the external trigger to a thin piece of plywood placed on the floor and tap the plywood with your foot. (Do NOT foot tap directly on the trigger.)
The
REF will display half the song tempo if a backbeat is tapped. Quarter notes will
display actual song tempo and subdivisions of quarters will display multiples of
song tempo. Irregular patterns
can also be monitored, as long as it's a repeating pattern and there's a rest in
the pattern long enough for a number to be read. It doesn't matter what or where
a number is. As long as you see the same (or nearly the same) number in the same
place your meter is steady.
When a drumhead is struck, vibrations radiate from its center and travel across it. The supplied Velcro must be used on a drum to raise the REF above the head and transmit vibration to the “sweet spot” at the center of its back surface. To maximize sensitivity and minimize muffling use only a 1-inch square patch of Velcro on both surfaces. A vibrating drumhead is an extremely hostile/dirty environment when trying to convert this sustained motion into a single digital pulse/event. A little muffling is a good thing as this reduces overtone ring and double triggering(" 1"). Hard hitters don't need maximum sensitivity and should use larger Velcro strips to ensure attachment. Both surfaces must be clean and dry before applying the Velcro. The REF should be located as far out to the rim as your playing volume will allow to avoid being struck. Adjust sensitivity to only respond to accented beats.
If your drumming environment requires a very low playing volume
the more sensitive external trigger may be needed for consistent monitoring.
Thread a tension rod through the supplied wire clip and reinstall. The trigger
should be held against the skin with the wire clip pressing on the
trigger’s foam backing. It gets plugged into the jack
next to the sensitivity control. This is an AND jack so both internal and
external triggers will function. The output jack is used for headphones or
amplification.
KICKOFFS IN A NUTSHELL
(It doesn't get any easier than 1-2-3!)
1. Hold down a button to get to the desired preset.
2. The tempo stored in that preset will flash and beep for 1 minute.
3. Change a stored tempo while the apostrophe is on.
Once
a button is pressed and released, if uninterrupted, the automatic mode step-down sequence is:
PRESET ® CHANGE TEMPO ® KICKOFF ® MONITOR ® SLEEP.
(1
sec.
PRESET
MODE
If
a kick-off tempo or metronome is needed there are 66 programmable presets
available to you…
P: 1 through P:66.
Start by pressing and releasing either button. You'll see P:## (# = number); this is PRESET MODE. After 1 second this will change to ##'#. Notice an apostrophe over the center and right digits; this is CHANGE TEMPO MODE. The apostrophe will go off after 1½ seconds and this is KICKOFF MODE.
Step
to other presets by holding down either button. The number
slowly steps 5 times then goes faster to quickly get you to a distant preset. Release
the button when you're within 5 numbers of your target and again slowly step to
it and release. If you go past it just press the other button.
CHANGE
TEMPO MODE
CHANGE
TEMPO MODE, indicated by an apostrophe, is automatically entered from PRESET MODE.
This is your opportunity to change the tempo stored in any preset. So while the
apostrophe is lit press and hold either button. The number will again step 5 times
slowly then go fast.
KICKOFF
MODE
The number will flash and
beep at the displayed bpm for 1 minute in this mode unless interrupted by a
tap or button press.
Notice
how the display goes off halfway through the period? 
This special feature marks the
UP in addition to the DOWN beat, can be used as a visual tempo doubler, and is very helpful
for kickoffs at
extreme largo to grave tempi below 40 bpm. Cool... huh?
KICKOFF
MODE
exits to MONITOR MODE. If another minute is needed simply tap either button to
restart.
Once in MONITOR MODE, the REF
will go to SLEEP after 5 minutes of inactivity.
Settings
are retained in memory and are retrieved upon wake up. The REF brings you right
back to where you were before it went to sleep.
VERBOSE
/ MUTE
Toggle
the
beep on and off anytime by pressing both buttons
simultaneously. VERBOSE is represented by a "b " for beep, and MUTE by
a "- ". This mode exits to PRESET MODE.
HINTS
Draw up a P-numbered list of songs with tempi and keep it handy.
Use P:66 as your general purpose metronome to avoid resetting other
presets.
Do not place your REF directly over a drum's internal muffler. Muffling devices such as rings, pads, tape, … etc. will naturally inhibit skin vibration and obviously decrease REF sensitivity. For greater sensitivity use double-sided foam tape instead of Velcro.
To keep the REF in KICKOFF MODE while playing
a drum along with
it, turn the
sensitivity off so it doesn’t get triggered out of this mode.
Give your REF two very quick love taps then pull the sensitivity all
the way down before
letting it go to sleep. This over-ranging causes a “ 1” to be
displayed using minimal power for the 5 min. wait to sleep, extending battery
life.
Always store your REF in its protective tube with nothing pressing buttons and sensitivity fully off.
 | IMPORTANT: If at any time your REF functions improperly, reset by removing BOTH batteries and reinserting. When this remedy fails or needs to be repeated, it's time to replace batteries or you're using the wrong brand. |
REPLACING
BATTERIES
Not to worry! The REF will never just go dead on you. It uses large
capacity lithium coin cells that will last up to a year+ before the
LEDs become very dim. When
the batteries get weak, the REF will trigger very easily and you’ll have to
start backing off the sensitivity to correctly “track” taps. The REF is
telling you its batteries should be replaced soon. These batteries have a
10-year shelf life.
Weak batteries will not affect accuracy, only LED brightness and triggering threshold.
The back cover comes off by removing its two screws. CAREFULLY
REMOVE THIS COVER! There are wires here.
Another special design feature is the use of 2 batteries
in parallel. This configuration allows you to replace one battery at a time and avoid reprogramming the unit. With a
small screwdriver, carefully pry up between a battery and its
holder tabs at the bottom, negative(-) end, pushing the cell against the metal fingers at the opposite, positive(+) end. Do not pry up on the battery holders!
There is no danger of overheating and rupture as with other types of cells when
shorted.
Slide the new cells in against the same metal fingers at the positive end first, then push down on the negative end. They'll noticeably snap into position. Replace the cover being careful not to over-tighten screws or pinch wires. Use only RENATA CR2450N cells. Other brands won't properly fit the holders, can damage them, and WILL cause your REF to malfunction.
Need new
batteries, triggers, clips, jack adapters, or an earbud? Phone or fax 843/856-4115 or email
us at the website below.
WARRANTY
L.T. Lug Lock warrantees this unit against factory defects for 90 days after date of purchase. The maker is not responsible for damaged product once it is shipped. External triggers are not warranteed due to their fragile nature. Call the above number for all returns. See our other helpful drumming products at www.luglock.com