Stylus RMX: Patterns, Groove Editing, REX Files, and Edit Groups

Stylus RMX: A Rhythm Instrument for Club and Electronic Music

Stylus from Spectrasonics
is a library of great-sounding, high-quality patterns.
You can freely edit and rearrange these patterns, or build your own beats using high-quality one-shot kits.

Stylus RMX Video: Basic Concepts and Using Patterns

Selected Questions and Answers from the YouTube Video

There are no sounds in my library at all and I am stuck. What should I do?

Log in to the Spectrasonics site and visit the following URL: https://auth.spectrasonics.net/useracct/index.php Download and install all updates from the area shown in the image: https://app.box.com/s/l5j8l4v2t7p9vuqyk3all1dmy7qxmh4y

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This is not a question about using the software, but do you know how to unregister Stylus or merge Spectrasonics accounts?

You will probably need to contact support directly. https://www.spectrasonics.net/support/index.php Try contacting the email address on that page.

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I watched this video while considering a purchase because JR Rotem appears to use it. The diagonal display in the piano roll looked difficult to use and did not initially appeal to me, but I loved the one-shot sounds and decided to buy it. I am also looking for software with good trap snares and closed hi-hats. Could you recommend anything?

How about Maschine 2? https://www.native-instruments.com/jp/products/maschine/maschine-accessories/maschine-2.0-software-update/ You can use its sounds in software without the hardware and expand the library to suit different genres. It offers a wide range of sounds and was our recommendation in this exchange.

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How do I add MIDI tracks in Logic Pro X? Even if I select eight sounds in Stylus, the number of MIDI tracks does not increase, so I can only place one sound.

This troubleshooting article explains the process: https://sleepfreaks-dtm.com/dtm-trouble/mulch-track/

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Switching Sounds and Modes

Click the area outlined in red or the folder icon beside it.

The following sample collections can be managed here:

• Core Library: The samples included with Stylus
• EXP Library: Additional sample collections, purchased separately
• User Favorites: Samples you have marked as favorites

When you select Core Library, you can choose loops, genres, one-shot kits, and more from the section below.

Exporting Patterns to Your DAW

Select patterns from Elements on the right of the screen.
Clicking a pattern plays it automatically.
When you find one you like, drag the sample name below “MIDI FILE” into your DAW.

Using One-Shot Sounds

The Core Library’s Sound Menus provide one-shot sounds.

MIDI Channels

Stylus has eight MIDI channels.
You can load a different kit or loop on each channel.

Editing Effects and Rhythm Patterns

Next, we will look at effects and rhythm editing.

Stylus RMX Video: Editing Rhythms

Applying Effects

Open effects from the FX tab.
A variety of effects are included, from distortion to reverb.

Using Loops for Individual Instruments

Although many Stylus loops combine multiple instruments, it also includes loops for individual instruments.

Select Groove Elements in the Core Library to see a list of instruments and find a loop you like.

Adjusting a Loop’s Feel

From the TIME tab, you can control the feel of the selected loop.

• No Groove Lock: Choose the timing grid to synchronize to from the menu.
• LOOSE / STRENGTH / TIGHT: Control how closely the groove follows the grid.
• SWING: Add swing to the groove.
• NATURAL: When enabled, preserve the natural feel of the overall groove.
• SIMPLIFY: Reduce the number of hits to create a simpler groove.

Expand Your Options with REX Files

REX files can be found on sample CDs or magazine discs and can be created in applications such as Reason.
You can import and use them in Stylus.　

Stylus RMX Video: Using REX Files

Importing REX Files

To import REX files, launch Stylus as a standalone application and choose View → Import REX Files from the upper-left menu.

Select a REX file or a folder containing REX files, then click Open.

A dialog shows the import results. Click OK and close the application. Importing a large number of REX files may take some time.

Using REX Files

The next time you launch Stylus, the converted REX files are available under User Libraries.

EDIT GROUP

The wealth of stylish patterns is one of Stylus’s strengths.
Many users may use them as the main beats in their songs.

Patterns are placed as MIDI like this.
One challenge is that individual kit sounds, such as kick and snare, can be difficult to edit separately.
That is where EDIT GROUP comes in.
It lets you edit individual kit elements within the pattern and refine the beat further.

Stylus RMX Video: Edit Groups

Using EDIT GROUP

On the EDIT screen, click the area outlined in red to open EDIT GROUP.

Click ASSIGN and choose which part of the pattern to edit from the menu.
There are mainly two assignment methods: manual and automatic.
For example, the automatic options include:

• ASSIGN (1 AND 3) DOWNBEATS: Assign slices on beats 1 and 3 to the Downbeats Edit Group.
• ASSIGN (2 AND 4) BACKBEATS: Assign slices on beats 2 and 4 to the Backbeats Edit Group.
• ASSIGN (3) HALFTIME BACKBEATS: Assign slices on beat 3 to the Halftime Backbeats Edit Group.
• ASSIGN (1): Assign slices on the first sixteenth note of each quarter note to the 1st 16th Edit Group.

These are some of the available choices.
Here, we selected ASSIGN (1 AND 3) DOWNBEATS.
The video demonstrates manual assignment.

When you select the group you want to change, editing in Stylus applies only to that group.
In this example, that means slices on beats 1 and 3.

FX processing likewise applies only to the selected group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there a limit to the number of REX files Stylus RMX can import?

According to Spectrasonics, a folder can contain no more than 61 REX files for import. If you have more, divide them among folders. The original guide also recommends using English folder names.

Q2. How many MIDI channels does Stylus RMX support?

Stylus RMX has eight MIDI channels. You can load a different kit or loop on each channel to build layered beats.

Q3. How can I edit specific instrument sounds in an existing pattern?

Use EDIT GROUP to edit selected kit elements, such as kicks or snares, within a pattern. Assign the target slices manually or automatically from the ASSIGN menu for more detailed beat editing.

Q4. What collections are available besides the Core Library?

The EXP Library contains additional collections available separately, while User Favorites lets you manage samples you have marked as favorites. These options help you expand or organize your choice of sounds and patterns.