MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Song playback

You can start playback of current project song in "Transport" mode. Path:

[Song] - [Transport]


Control panel buttons:

[Set BPM] - Set current BPM for song. In status line after BPM value displayed synchronization status:

• Int - Internal sync mode (MIDI sync can send to external devices/applications).
• Ext - Sync with external MIDI clock source. Number shows external BPM.
• Non - External sync is lost or missing.
• Err - External sync out of range (30 - 240 BPM) or not stable. Sometimes it may appear at the beginning of sync.

Hint: BPM value for song can differ from BPM of patterns that song contains. When you add first pattern to empty song BPM will set to the pattern BPM value. All next added patterns will not changing this value.

[Rewind] - Returns playback pointer to beginning of song. Also you can use it during playback.

When the "Loop mode" is enabled the "Rewind" button will returns playback pointer to "In" marker position if pointer located after it, or to beginnnig of song if before. Next clicks will toggle the pointer between beginning of song and "In" marker.

[Play] - Playback of current song. Indicator on "Play" button shows that current song is playing.

Hint: By default playback of song starts from beginning. You can change this mode to start playback from current pointer position. These options are located in pattern editor settings. Path:

[Settings] - [Pattern editor]

When the "Loop mode" is enabled the "Play" button will starts playback from "In" marker position if pointer located after it. If playback pointer located before "In" marker playback will starts from beginning of song (by default) or from current location of pointer. After reaching the "Out" marker playback will continue from "In" marker.

[Stop] - Stops playback.

[Loop mode] - This mode allows play song in loop between "In" and "Out" markers. Indicator on this button shows that current mode is active.

[Set In] - Set "In" marker in current location of pointer.

[Set Out] - Set "Out" marker in current location of pointer.

Hint: During playing you can use Mute ("M") and Solo ("S") buttons at the end of each track to switching off playback one or several song tracks - Mute mode, or play only one song track - Solo mode.

Song length and last step:

You can set song length and last step for all song patterns in "Song settings" section. Path:

[Song] - [Transport] - Track title - [Song settings]

"Measure last step" parameter defines last step (last cell) for each measure of song. If this checkbox is set the "Last step" value will be taken from the first pattern added to empty song. All next added patterns will not changing this value and will be used current value.

You can define "Last step" for entire song manually by switching off checkbox.

More details about "Last measure" see in section "Pattern settings". Path:

[Pattern] - [Transport] - Track title - [Pattern settings]

"Last measure" option defines total measure for playback. Playback of song will be stopped after last measure.

By default this value will be calculated automatically in depending of last used measure cell in the song. You can set this value manually by switching off checkbox.

Please note: Song playback pointer and "In"/"Out" markers can't be placed after last measure.

Transport MIDI commands:

When starting and stopping playback the sequencer can send transport MIDI commands (Start/Stop/Continue) to external devices or applications. For that the sequencer should be in internal sync mode and option "Send transport" should be enable. Path:

[Settings] - [Pattern editor]


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Pattern settings


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Pattern playback and record

You can start playback or record a pattern in "Transport" mode. Path:

[Pattern] - [Transport]


Control panel buttons:

[Set BPM] - Set current BPM which is common for all patterns. In status line after BPM value displayed synchronization status:

• Int - Internal sync mode (MIDI sync can send to external devices/applications).
• Ext - Sync with external MIDI clock source. Number shows external BPM.
• Non - External sync is lost or missing.
• Err - External sync out of range (30 - 240 BPM) or not stable. Sometimes it may appear at the beginning of sync.

[Real time record] - Sets recording mode for current pattern. For start recording select the track and click "Play pattern" or "Play all". All incoming events from external device/application or internal keyboard will be recorded in current track. Playback loop is defined by "Last step" and "Last measure" parameters. Path:

[Pattern] - [Transport] - Track title - [Pattern settings]

To specify external source of MIDI events for recording select input MIDI channel and device. Path:

[Settings] - [MIDI input]

[Rewind] - Returns playback pointer to beginning of pattern. Also you can use it during playback.

[Play pattern] - Playback of current pattern. You can start and stop playing the current pattern during playback of other patterns. When other patterns play the current pattern starts from current position of pointer.

Indicator on "Play pattern" button shows that current pattern is playing.

[Stop pattern] - Stops playback of current pattern but not affected on other patterns.

[Play all] - Starts playback of all patterns together. Indicator on this button will flash when play not all patterns. And will ON when play all patterns.

Hint: Playback of single pattern or all patterns at once by default starts from beginning of pattern. You can set mode when playback start from current pointer position. These options are located in pattern editor settings. Path:

[Settings] - [Pattern editor]

[Stop all] - Stops playback of all patterns.

Hint: During playing you can use Mute ("M") and Solo ("S") buttons at the end of each track to switching off playback one or several tracks - Mute mode, or play only one track - Solo mode.

Transport MIDI commands:

When starting and stopping playback the sequencer can send transport MIDI commands (Start/Stop/Continue) to external devices or applications. For that the sequencer should be in internal sync mode and option "Send transport" should be enable. Path:

[Settings] - [Pattern editor]


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Pattern settings

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Hotkeys


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Project settings

Project settings contain parameters common for all patterns and song of the current project. Path:

[Project] - [Project settings]


Pattern settings:

At pattern settings you can set the number of patterns in the current project. Click "Set value" to define how much patterns will contain project. It can be from 4 to 16 patterns. By default new project contain 8 patterns. Don't set the number of patterns more than you need, it's not comfortable for work.

Hint: Song of the project can contain not only patterns of current project but also can include patterns from other projects.

Please note: If you reduce number of patterns all data of hidden patterns will be deleted.

Song settings:

At song settings you can set the number of pages in current song. Click "Set value" to define number of song pages. It can be from 16 to 62. By default project contains 16 pages.

One song page contain 16 measures. On 62 pages of your song can contains up to 992 measures. At 120 BPM song will be about 33 minutes long (by default on 16 pages it will be about 8.30 minutes long).

Send MIDI presets:

These checkboxes define at what time MIDI presets will be sent to external output. By default MIDI presets are sent at the start of playback or recording pattern or song. But you can choose where the presets will be sent each time you select a pattern or song. For that set "At select song/pattern" checkbox.

Please note: When you choose "At select song/pattern" checkbox, "At start play/record" checkbox always will set.

If you don't want to automatically send presets, turn off these checkboxes. In this case, you can always send the presets by clicking on hotkey "Send presets" in pattern or song mode.


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - MIDI presets

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Hotkeys


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Export project

Operation "Export project" allow copy the project data from one device to another, or make backup on computer. Also, this operation allows you to convert an entire song or individual patterns of the project into a universal MIDI file for use in other desktop or mobile application. Path:

[Project] - [Export project]


The application files can be copied to a computer via iTunes file share or you can use internal Web access service to download or upload files.

More about iTunes file sharing see here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4094

Application files:

Complete project files stored in folder "projects" and have extension ".plist". Each file it's one project and contain all data of the project. Name of these files it's unique ID of project.

Please note: You should not change name of this file or its contents.

Project files can be copied to computer through iTunes file share or upload from internal Web access and upload to another device through internal Web access.

Created MIDI files have extension ".mid" and stored in folder "midi" and can be copied to computer through iTunes file share or internal Web access.

Web access:

Set this checkbox to enable internal Web access service. If web service will runs completely you will see the address (URL) that you need to specify in web browser to access this service.

Please note: On your device should be enabled and connected WiFi service.

Internal Web service is accessible only into your local network and can't accessible through Internet or through public WiFi access point.

When you leave "Export project" section or application switches to background mode the internal Web service will be stopped.

Export to MIDI file:

Two checkboxes are selected that will be stored in the MIDI file. It can be complete song or individual patterns. When switching to the patterns, by default will be selected patterns that contain events (not empty).

MIDI file options:

When checkbox "Skip empty track" in on, tracks that not contain events not exported. When this checkbox is off all tracks of all selected patterns will be exported by order starting from track 1 pattern 1 and ending track 8 of last pattern even the track haven't any events.

When checkbox "Merge pattern tracks" in on, all tracks of pattern will be merged in one MIDI file track. If you select few patterns MIDI files will contain separate track for each pattern.

Set checkbox "Export automation" if you need to export automation events to MIDI file. Automation events will be exported with controller number and type (CC/RPN/NRPN) that specified for track.

Output MIDI file name:

Name of the output MIDI file is generated automatically based on your selection (song or patterns). If file with generated name already exists to end of the name will be appended the unique number.

Click button "Save file" to create new MIDI file with current settings.

All created files will show in the MIDI file list. You can delete any of these files or delete all files. To delete one file select this file in list and click button "Delete file". If you want delete all MIDI files click button "Delete all".


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - MIDI presets

MIDI presets are designed for initial setup of external sound devices and applications. With these presets you can choose initial Bank/Program and set the value up to 16 CC/RPN/NRPN registers. Presets can be defined for each track of each pattern or tracks of song. Path:

[Pattern] - [Transport] - Track title - [MIDI presets]


By default MIDI presets are sent at the start of playback or recording pattern or song. But you can choose where the presets will be sent each time you select a pattern or song. Also you can disable automatic sending of presets and send the presets manually by clicking special hotkey. These parameters you can change in "Project settings". Path:

[Project] - [Project settings]

First two parameters allows to send the initial Bank and Program values for MIDI channel that specified for current track (see "Track settings"). The value will be sent when the corresponding checkbox is on. For some old device required only MSB value for Bank change message. Set this checkbox if it need. To change parameter value click button "Set value" next to parameter.

For more information about Banks and Programs see manual or settings of external music applications or devices.

Hint: At changing values these parameters will be sent to output channel when you close "Set value" panel. This works only when enabled sending presets at start playback/recording.

Init controllers:

The following items are intended to add or modify the list of controllers that are also part of the presets. First field it's short memo for controller. It's not required but convenient to identify the controller.

Set the value and new controller will be added to list. If you select controller in the list you can change its values or delete it click button "Delete current".

Click "Add new" button to add new controller to the list. New controller will be selected in list. Or select the list item and change controller values or delete controller by click "Delete current".

To set controller type and values from external device click button "Learn" and use (turn, move or switch it) external device controller to send messages to sequencer. In the "Learn input controller" panel should display external controller parameters.

Click "Set" to apply controller values. "Close" button will close panel without changing.

Hint: In order to sequencer can receive MIDI messages from input controllers you need to define input MIDI device and channels. It is can be set in "Settings" (top panel buttons) - "MIDI input". Path:

[Settings] - [MIDI input]

MIDI presets for song track:

Besides MIDI presets for pattern tracks you can add presets to song tracks. In this case presets which defined for song tracks will used instead first pattern presets. Path:

[Song] - [Transport] - Track title - [MIDI presets]

Presets for song can be specified for each pattern track that included in song track. By default for song track will used presets that specified in first pattern placed in song track.


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Track settings

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Project settings

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Hotkeys


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Hotkeys

Hotkeys panel available in all pattern and song work mode. Path:

[Hotkeys]


In this panel placed buttons which used very frequently at recording and editing patterns. Click "Hotkeys" button to open panel, next click closes it.

Buttons "Stop all" and "Play pattern" are the same as buttons in "Transport" mode.

Button "Send presets" will immediately sends MIDI presets (if defined) for all patterns.

Buttons "Clear track" and "Clear CC" clear all events in current track and all automation points (but not settings) in current track. These buttons are convenient to use at real time recording when need to rewrite entire track.

These buttons are available in all modes except "Transport" (where current track not specified). In other modes the current track is specified by the cell pointer or track pointer.

Hint: To prevent accidental clearing all events these buttons needs click twice. The first time you click the button indicator is lights up. If you accidentally clicked the button, click "Hotkeys" to close panel and reset this mode. A second click on the button will perform clearing track.

Lock external:

This button locks the changes pattern events and automations from the external MIDI input (from external devices or application). But keep sending MIDI messages from input to output if "Echo back" mode is on.

The button is very useful when using external MIDI keyboard or controller to prevent accidental changes events or automations in the pattern. Path:

[Lock external]


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - MIDI presets

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Project settings


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MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Pattern settings

Settings for entire pattern can be specified through section that available in settings for any track of this pattern. Path:

[Pattern] - [Transport] - Track title - [Pattern settings]


First field "Pattern title" intended as short memo or name of pattern. It's not required to specify. This title will be used in all others elements pointing to this pattern. To use this title set the checkbox next to title.

Measures in pattern:

The following two checkboxes specify the pattern length in measures.

When the first checkbox is set the length of pattern will be defined automatically by the last measure that contain notes (without taking the gate time). It's default setting.

Second checkbox defined fixed length in measures. Number of playable measures in pattern can select by buttons from 1 to 16. Measures outside specified length will not play even when contain notes.

Please note: Notes and automation events can be present behind last measure however it will not be playing. Also automation events will be hidden in unused measures but not cleared.

Measure last step:

These buttons allows you specify last step in each measure in current pattern. Ie each measure will play only specified number of steps (cells). So you can define other time signature for pattern. Not only 4/4. As example for 3/4 you need specify 12 as last step. Or 10 for 5/4, but complete measure will consist of two.

Please note: So as several patterns can have different last step and all they can play together BPM always calculated the same way for all. That is, regardless of last step duration (in time) of clocks is the same for all.

When you decrease last step number unused cells in measures will inaccessible and all data in these cells will be cleared.


See also:

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Experiments


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