Beat Bug^TM v3                                                                                                  (bold = important/related)

INSTRUCTIONS

             Thank you for purchasing the latest version of Beat Bug. It is a vast improvement over previous models. This kit includes: Beat Bug, installed batteries, external sensor with drum clip, 1" x 2" Velcro strips, instructions, sticker.

MOUNTING

            Apply mated Velcro strips to the back of Beat Bug near the top of the unit, then stick the Beat Bug somewhere at eye level. To monitor foot taps, tape the sensor foam-up to a thin piece of plastic or plywood placed on the floor and foot-tap the plywood. DO NOT foot-tap directly on the sensor. Be very careful to not flex the wire where it joins the disk. And be EXTRA careful to not flex the disk at all. 

POWER UP! 

Simply plug the external sensor into either jack on top of the unit. On is displayed for 2 seconds, then 10 for 6 seconds. Your Beat Bug will then go to sleep and wait for a tap to wake it.  Unplugging the sensor disconnects the batteries. 

USE

Adjusting the threshold knob will filter out ghost notes and the decimals will flash when an accented beat has been heard.  If you’re frequently over-ranging, seeing “255”, caused by double triggering due to bounce or sustained overtone ring, raise the threshold CCW. Maintaining a consistent reading is the name of the game.  

            Half the song tempo is displayed if a 2,4 backbeat is tapped. Quarter notes will yield actual song tempo and subdivisions of quarters will yield 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. (Please don’t try to do the math every time. We will not be responsible for you driving yourself and fellow band members nuts.) Jazz drummers may also monitor their tempo by briefly reverting to a consistent pattern or backbeat.  Range is 10 to 255 bpm. Beat Bug will go to sleep after 6 seconds of inactivity, but will wake on the next tap and display the same number as before it went to sleep.  

HINTS

 *Draw up a list of songs with respective tempi and keep it handy. *Always max the threshold CCW when you leave the sensor plugged in say overnight. This will greatly extend battery life. *If at any time your Beat Bug functions improperly, reset the unit by unplugging and reconnecting the sensor. When this remedy fails or needs to be repeated, it’s time to replace the batteries.  *Always try a known new set of batteries before calling with a problem. *If your Beat Bug powers up but won’t wake, the sensor is probably bad. 

REPLACING BATTERIES

            Beat Bug will gradually become more sensitive as its batteries get weaker; and you’ll have to keep raising the threshold CCW to correctly respond to your taps. The Beat Bug is telling you its batteries should be replaced soon. Weak batteries will not affect accuracy, only LED brightness and triggering threshold.

            Remove back battery cover and pull the strap to pop out the old batteries. Pull the strap back across the holder and insert the new 1.5-volt AAA cells observing polarity. Replace back cover.

            Don’t waste your money on NiCd, NiMH or any 1.2-volt cells. They don’t last as long as 1.5-volt cells and numbers will be dimmer.

WARRANTY

             This unit is warranteed against factory defects for 6 months after date of purchase. External sensors cannot be warranted due to their fragility. Be careful with yours. The maker is not responsible for damaged product once it ships. See our other helpful drumming products at www.temporef.com.