Deluge - Basic Freeform Looping & Sampling of Audio

There are 2 ways the Deluge can record:
1. Freeform .
2. Precise

This post covers the Freeform method.
It's the basic way to record and sample audio into the Deluge.
This is using firmware 3.0

You can sample into Song or Arranger view, but this post covers song view.
The method is similar to basic looping and overdubbing..... which also use the song view.
I'll cover precise looping and overdubbing (using a metronome) in another post.

I'm using an unbalanced cable. Audio is from a Doepfer Dark Energy synth. Just a simple drone.
It's plugged into the left mono input. As there are no existing tracks, there is nothing telling the Deluge what BPM to use. Thus it will use auto BPM mode.

The loop timing will be set by the first audio clip

1. Turn on your Deluge.
     If its already on, press SHIFT + NEW 
2. Go to song view. The button will light up blue.
3. Press any PAD in the row you are recording into, and at the same time press the SELECT knob
    You will see the words AUDIO 1
4. Press LEARN & tap any PAD in the row you are recording into.
5.  You can now select the recording channel.
     I'm recording into LEFt(dot).

     This is the mono, unbalanced  monitoring/recording channel.

Other options are
      Off (oFF)
      Left / Left (dot)
      Right/ Right (dot)
      Stereo (StEr) / Stero (dot)
      Balanced (bALA) / bALA (dot)
      Mix -- sources audio from the deluge's output.
                  There is no FX (pre FX) or level adjustment
                   Use this for "bouncing" everything to a single clip.
                   This is different from the Deluge's resampling option
                   which can be used for recording the final output.
      Output (oUTP) -- sources audio from the deluge's output.
                                    Similar to MIX, but this is post FX.
                                    It's the same as resampling.


 6. Hold the RECORD button for a couple of seconds.
     This checks the arming status.

     A flashing coloured magenta launch button means that the clip is
     empty and ready to record.
     Magenta also means it will record to the next available row and that all
     the past recording rows will play while the new recording is happening.
     (the options for this launch button are blinking Magenta, blinking Red and not blinking)
     If blinking Red is picked, only one row (the current recording) will play at a time.
     The other rows will be silent.
     Just tap the blinking button if you want to change the colour

7. When you are ready to record, press the RECORD button.
     This arms the track.

8. Press PLAY

    You are now recording.

9. Press the LAUNCH pad of the grid row or RECORD to stop recording.
     Press play to listen to your recording.

That's basically it.
Your loop is recorded.
You can record new loops into the lower  rows.
The first recorded loop will determine the general BPM. It also determines the length of future clips.
Future overdubs will follow the first loop.
Setting the arming state (Red vs Magenta) will determine where overdubs play together or individually.

The recorded files will go into a temporary folder in the SAMPLE section on the SD card
under CLIPS

The files will be saved there even if you don't actually press SAVE. (eventually however, they will be overwritten). If there are any loops you like , it's probably best to back them up to another folder.

I'm still new with the version 3 firmware so do let me know if there are any mistakes, omissions or errors.


Many thanks to Ron Cavagnaro.
His videos are awesome.
https://youtu.be/VqII9seGw-k