Sequetron

What if you could record & multi-track directly on your music keyboard while you are playing it, without ever touching a computer keyboard or mouse?

Sequetron is a program with a twist; designed as a live instrument for hands-on use, all played & controlled from where your hands are - the music keyboard. It runs from switch-on with no interaction, and converts the simplest MIDI keyboard or device into a multi-track recording, playback & looping instrument.

It has sequencer-like functions but is radically different to other programs as it is completely controlled using series of music notes called command sequences.  There is no difference between commands and music - they are all sequences, hence the name... it can even control itself.

This fresh approach involved first designing a command language based on musical notes, and only then writing a program to interpret it. The computer now takes a back seat, so it really is a different concept...

The screen is used for configuration & maintenance; it provides status info and
customary flashing lights during normal operation...  but is not essential.

The input can be any simple MIDI keyboard or device, and the output can be any MIDI device(s) such as synthesizers, drum machines, light displays etc.

Sequences can be recorded in real-time or step-time, played back, looped and altered (channel, velocity, pitch, mute etc.), either individually or in any combination, but unlike hardware sequencers, there is no concept of 'steps', nor do the sequences have to be monophonic; any notes & chords can be used. They can also be saved to standard MIDI files for further processing by other programs.

This hands-on ability to record, play & alter different length sequences starting at different times on-the-fly gives Sequetron an unusual syncopated feel, encouraging you to experiment with overlaying and controlling patterns; even the most basic 1, 2 or 3-note sequences can create something totally unexpected.

Sequetron can also generate and record hotkeys, giving full control over Windows or any application which uses keyboard shortcuts, e.g. for stepping through a slide/video show in time with your music.

Includes free Sample Aid tool for sampling & auditioning MIDI instruments.

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The 'customary flashing lights'

Configuration files for these are available in the downloads section.

Or use the sequescope as inspiration...

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Dynamic templates

The built-in template window updates in real-time, and provides a basic virtual keyboard for test-driving without the need for a MIDI input device.

A similar system is available to remote programs or devices supporting the keyboard label link (KLink) sysex protocol, e.g. the RTastra MIDI controller shown below. The KLink spec & program are available from RTastra

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Audio Demos

Click the Play links below for MP3 audio demos:-

A promising backing track: Play
One sequence has been pitch-locked to contrast with the others when they are shifted; slight dischord at 00:40, but this is all part of the fun. Strings at 00:50 were some rough(!) & ready improvs.

Cyclic pitch commands in action: Play
This is all running 'hands-free'; a couple of sequences are automatically switching between 2 pitch offsets.
 
Cyclic play & mute, cyclic pitch & time-shift: Play
Three snippets from the same session using the cyclic play & mute, cyclic pitch and time-shift commands on some existing sequences; the strings at the end were live.

Building sequences step-by-step from scratch:
(also shown in the Mk I overview video and described in the tutorial)

1. Play - Start metronome & record sequence 1 (4 notes), then press Play to stop & play immediately. My slight mis-timing during the record cycle is automatically fixed by the quantiser.
2. Play - Pitch key pressed to shift all tracks currently playing.
3. Play - Sequence 2 (same 4 notes as 1) has been recorded in sync & stopped along with metronome; Seq2 & Play keys pressed to start seq 2 on the off-beat of seq 1.
4. Play - Pitch key pressed to shift all tracks currently playing down 3 semitones & back again.
5. Play - Seq2 & Pitch keys pressed to shift sequence 2 up by 3 semitones, then back again. Did you predict what this will sound like before playing it?
6. Play - Pitch all down & re-introduce metronome as a bass, then repeat.
7. Play - Tempo keys pressed to speed up, then a few pitch changes.
8. Play - A few more tweaks; something developing?
9. Play 1   Play 2 - Manual play (I use the term loosely) on the same keyboard...a melody somewhere?
10. Play - A similar sequence using a different synth patch.

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Video Demos

• Recording n bars
• Karma on interpreted port - added 20-Dec-2012
• Schaltwerk on raw port - added 18-Dec-2012

• Dynamic key mapping - added 11-Nov-2012
• Part 1 - Live mode, hotkey, channel multiplier
  
• Part 2 - Command mode, prog-change-inc, play, stop
  
• Part 3 - Selection functions, play, stop, digit mode
  

• Record+Increment & Attribute Source - added 27-Oct-2012
• How to record & loop in sync - added 15-Oct-2012
• Factory keyboard templates mini keyboard example - added 14-Oct-2012


• Sample Aid videos
• Auditioning Yamaha P95 piano
• Sampling microKORG, EMU Ultra E5000
• Sampling with Velocity Cross-Fading
  

• Hotkey / keyboard-shortcut demo
• Step-time recording demo
• Adding a real keyboard Yamaha P95 piano as input & output
• Solo demo playing a sequence to create a sequence
  Deconstruction in Examples
  
• Force-to-notes demo simple demo during beta testing
  


• Quick Setup
• Part 1 - Stand-alone testing
  
• Part 2 - Connecting a MIDI keyboard via USB
  
• Part 3 - What makes it different?
  

• Yamaha QY-100
  
• Multi-tracking Korg padKontrol & Yamaha DD14 drum pads
  
• Phat sounds + drawbar organ feature
  


• Virtual Test Drive
• Part 1 - Installing
  
• Part 2 - How & Why?
  
• Part 3 - Basic Recording
  
• Part 4 - Basic Commands
  
• Part 5 - Key Maps
  
• Part 6 - Commands Play,Mute,Cyclic,Record
  

• Recording & Playback part 1 of 2
  
• Recording & Playback part 2 of 2
  


• Unfinished Symphony
  
• Coffee break with microKORG
  
• Sweeping program/patch-change nos.
  
• How to spice up a microKORG
  
• Snippets using synth & drums
  
• Overview with drum sampler & synth
  


• Korg microKORG demos: Demo 1  Demo 2   Demo 3


• Configuring ports
• Original MkI DOS version with Supernova (for nostalgia!): Overview

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Minimum system requirements

Windows XP and later.
Tested ok on PC with XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 7 64-bit
and on Mac via Boot Camp with Win XP

MIDI hardware or software equivalent:-

• Input device, such as a keyboard
  (can also be test-driven using the built-in virtual keyboard).
• Output device, such as a synth.
• Self-contained MIDI keyboard/sound devices can be used if they have an option to disable 'local' MIDI control, i.e. the sound generator section can be controlled by MIDI-in as opposed to the local keyboard.

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Downloads

30-Mar-2013
Sequetron LE V13.02
Documentation V13.02 (required for both LE & full versions)

Older versions: Sequetron LE V12.10

Mods history for recent program changes
(old history before version 10)

Examples from users: configs, screenshots, MIDI files, icons etc.
Contact me if you want to share anything - updated 26-Apr-2013

The LE version is free; if you pass it on please keep the package intact. It handles fewer seqs & has less command variations than the full version, but is fully usable with no time limits or nag screens. Ideal for synths with limited polyphony, such as the microKORG.

The Full version is GBP £10 (currency converter), payment via PayPal to:  philpub1-sequetron at yahoo dot co dot uk (replace 'at' and 'dot' to make a valid email address)
...or get a free copy by entering this competition

Why upgrade to the Full version?

Free upgrades, plus...
More features, e.g...

• 16 sequences/tracks
• 9 parts per sequence
• 99 scene files for save/load MIDI
• 1-99999 bpm tempo range
• Logarithmic tempo changes
• Multiples Sequetrons can run simultaneously
• No. of bars for metronome sequence can be changed
• Multi-channel operation on all ports & channels
• Channel filtering for MIDI inputs
• Customisable colours
• Customisable program-change/patch names
• Separate config files for key maps & colours, e.g. for sharing
• Docking & width buttons for template/virtual keyboard
• Width button for keymapper
• More animation options for virtual keyboard
• Window positions restored at start-up
• Sequescope can be moved/resized
• Room for more drum & bass styles
• Save & load drum & bass patterns
  

More run-time commands/options, e.g...  

• Live-play function in all modes for no interruptions to live playing
• Hold functions in all modes for repeated data entry
  (use Hold & Live together for split-keyboard operation)
• Full set of force-to-scale & force-to-notes functions
• Record & step-record variants for auto-incrementing target seq no.
• Record-bar variants for recording pre-defined nos. of bars
• Record-raw variants for recording from raw input ports, e.g. capturing external rhythms
• Record/stop command for single-trigger record/loop/stop operation
  
• Shortcut functions for switching between commands
• Force-to-scale & force-to-notes commands
• Record & step-record functions to toggle recorded attribute source
  
• Edit sequence lengths with time-shift command
• Octave +/- , transpose & pitch-lock/unlock functions within pitch mode
• More variants such as 4, 8, 16, 32, n, nn, r, rr for play, mute, playmute, pitch, stop/play commands in record mode etc.
• More variants such as 8, 16 for nq quantise command
• Cyclic modifier for allowing commands to have unequal play/mute cycles, e.g. 3 play, 1 mute
• Sweep modifier for allowing commands to sweep through ranges dynamically, e.g. ports, parts, channels, progs etc.
• Adjustable metronome beat length
• Runtime control for metronome fill, no. of bars, type (drum/bass)
• More options for step-time recording
• More options for tempo clock division
• Full set of hotkey shortcuts, including hold functions
  

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Installing

• Run/double-click the program installation file and follow the prompts
• Repeat for the documentation installation file, using the same destination locations as the main program.
  (administrator privileges are required)
  

Once installed, Sequetron can be started via Start, Programs etc.
When started, click Settings, Ports to select your MIDI input & output devices and click Run. You no longer need to touch the PC; your music keyboard will act as a self-controlled sequencer-like instrument.

You can save this configuration so it will auto-run in future, allowing completely hands-free operation from power-on; more details in the configuration guide.

There is a troubleshooting guide if you get stuck.
Please contact me if you have any problems.

Uninstalling

• Use the standard uninstall/remove process in Windows Control Panel.
  Administrator privileges are required.
  Data files will not be removed, e.g. configs, scenes, midi, logs.
  

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MIDI drivers & internal synths

If you are using an internal driver to convert MIDI to sound, the standard Windows driver (Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth) is not recommended due to its poor response time/latency.  One free alternative is mudlord's BASSMIDI driver configured with Rich Nagel's WeedsGM3 sound font.

N.B.1 BASSMIDI v1.06 is reputed to have the fastest response time, but has only been verified with Sequetron on Windows XP.
v2.02 is not recommended as it crashes Sequetron on WinXP.
The latest version as at May 2012 is v3.0 which has been verified with Sequetron on WinXP. It seems to have a similar response time to v1.06, so may be a better choice if you can't get v1.06 working (always unload old drivers and reboot before installing new ones).

If there are any problems downloading these versions from mudlord's site, my local copies are here:  v1.06   v3.0

N.B.2 If you install BASSMIDI you must also install a sound font, such as WeedsGM3, otherwise the driver will not make any sounds!  Once you've installed BASSMIDI, download & run WeedsGM3 to unpack it into a folder of your choice (don't use a system folder to avoid permission problems), then find the BassMidi configuration option in the Start, Programs menu and add/apply the sound font.

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© Phil Tipping, 2013