Early version of step sequencer available

[Stray]

Hey guys,

So I’ve been working on a couple different methods of building a step sequencer. I’m not sure that either one is the best approach or that the app I’m using to build them (Translator) is very ideal for this, but they work.

This first one is 16 steps x 4 tracks. It could be expanded to 32 x 4 or 16 x 8, not sure which is better. This doesn’t actually output any notes, the notes are already in a clip in Live. The pK just controls a rack that alters the output of the notes in the clip. It also uses Tranzport emulation so if you click on a track with the mouse, the pK will switch to that track.

You can download it here if you’re interested. Make sure to check the manual for info on how to setup Live. Let me know what you do/don’t like about it and please feel free to be critical. The other sequencer will be ready to check out soon.

Thanks.

System Requirements:
Windows XP or Vista
Ableton Live 6 or 7
MIDI Yoke NT 1.75
Korg padKONTROL

[selthym]

Thanks Man, I will check this out and provide feedback

[selthym]

I like the way it is set out... but I can't get it working. I do not see Transport as a control surface option. I only get Tranzport.

The pads are not lighting up or muting/turning on each step, nor the encoders or rotaries doing anything. I suspect it is because of the above.

Good Work

[Stray]

Lol, my apologies, I spelled that wrong. Both control surfaces should be Tranzport. Not having that selected wouldn’t stop the pad lights from lighting up though. I double checked the rest of the settings the manual lists and everything else is correct. Make sure you have Remote and Sync turned on for Out to MIDI Yoke: 2.

[Stray]

Another thing I should mention is that the installer handles port selection a bit differently than my other software. I’m trying to make it easier on the user’s end. So it’s possible the ports weren’t set up properly.

You can verify that by going to Program Files\nativeKONTROL Stepper\Data\BMT. Inside there you’ll find nKStep1 – 3. Launch each instance and verify these settings…

nKStep1
MIDI In: In From MIDI Yoke: 2
MIDI Out: padKONTROL 1 CTRL
Options: MIDI Time Code checked

nKStep2
MIDI In: In From MIDI Yoke: 2
MIDI Out: Out to MIDI Yoke: 1

nKStep1
MIDI In: padKONTROL 1 PORT A
MIDI Out: Out to MIDI Yoke: 2
Options: MIDI Thru checked

Let me know if you had different settings than these. The installer should automatically select the ports and, for nKStep 1 and 3, will ask you to handle the Options menu.

[selthym]

BMT was set up correctly. I worked out what it was

"2. Select “Transport” for Control Surface #2. Select “Out To MIDI Yoke:
2” as the Output."

You also need to select "In From Midi Yoke 2".

Then I had to exit, then renter native mode. All is OK and Now I will have some fun testing it out.

[selthym]

I'm getting a few errors

1) I can only use track one and only when I 1st switch to native mode. As soon as I press track Up or down. I get an Tr-- displayed on the LCD instead of Tr1 or Tr2 etc.

2) When I drop an instrument onto the track but not next to the TKStepper midi rack the rack gets deleted.

3) When clicking on a Track it does not select that on the padKontrol

4) I received a couple of BMT crashes with a message - message queue is full. 1st time I was loading an instrument on track 2 whilst track 1 was still playing, the second double clicking on the track

5) All 16 steps are audible. The steps I have highlighted on the padkontrol are louder but the rest are still audible.

I like the set up though

[Stray]

"2. Select “Transport” for Control Surface #2. Select “Out To MIDI Yoke:
2” as the Output."

You also need to select "In From Midi Yoke 2".

That will create a MIDI feedback loop and cause issues like these….

1) I can only use track one and only when I 1st switch to native mode. As soon as I press track Up or down. I get an Tr-- displayed on the LCD instead of Tr1 or Tr2 etc.

3) When clicking on a Track it does not select that on the padKontrol

4) I received a couple of BMT crashes with a message - message queue is full. 1st time I was loading an instrument on track 2 whilst track 1 was still playing, the second double clicking on the track

2) When I drop an instrument onto the track but not next to the TKStepper midi rack the rack gets deleted.

That’s strange, I can’t get this to happen. I can grab a MIDI effect rack, drop it directly onto of the Stepper rack and then it will be deleted. But that doesn’t happen with instruments or instrument racks as you can’t drop those directly onto a MIDI effect rack.

5) All 16 steps are audible. The steps I have highlighted on the padkontrol are louder but the rest are still audible.

Not real sure on that one. If possible, can you post a screenshot of the MIDI/Sync page in Live?

Either way, thanks for the feedback.

[Stray]

Here's a screenshot of what you should have for settings...

[selthym]

Quote:5) All 16 steps are audible. The steps I have highlighted on the padkontrol are louder but the rest are still audible.

Not real sure on that one. If possible, can you post a screenshot of the MIDI/Sync page in Live?

I turned all the Velocity effects (Out Hi) Controls to 0 instead of 127 and fixed this.

That’s strange, I can’t get this to happen. I can grab a MIDI effect rack, drop it directly onto of the Stepper rack and then it will be deleted. But that doesn’t happen with instruments or instrument racks as you can’t drop those directly onto a MIDI effect rack.

In Sesssion view drop it on the tracks name and the midi device disappears. Strange as I aven't seen it happen before, only like you said above with a like for like rack... No big issue

1) I can only use track one and only when I 1st switch to native mode. As soon as I press track Up or down. I get an Tr-- displayed on the LCD instead of Tr1 or Tr2 etc.

3) When clicking on a Track it does not select that on the padKontrol

I think it is all coming down to this. When I arm a track, when I 1st go into Native mode, when I press Track up or down, this occurs.

I have checked and double checked my settings and they look right.

[Stray]

There’s no need to arm tracks to use the step sequencer. The arm button is there for use on other tracks and/or for tracking audio from the step sequenced tracks.

What happens if you click on the Record button with the mouse? Does the SW Type button start flashing?

I haven’t actually tried this with Live 7, which I think is what you’re using. I’ll install it now and see if I can recreate any of this.

Thanks.

[Stray]

All 16 steps are audible. The steps I have highlighted on the padkontrol are louder but the rest are still audible.

Thanks for bringing this up. If you have a Velocity plugin with Out Hi set to 127 and Out Low set to 0, you get no output in Live 6. But you do in Live 7. I’m at a loss as to why that is but, like you said, changing Out Hi to 0 for every step does solve the problem and works the same in either 6 or 7.

Gonna spend some more time trying to recreate the other issues you brought up and I’ll upload a new installer later this PM.

[Stray]

I uploaded a new installer that fixes the velocity issue in Live 7 and the typo in the manual.

Make sure to uninstall the previous version before installing this one. I’ll continue looking into those other issues.

[Stray]

Forgot to mention that I haven't been able to recreate any of the other issues you mentioned. Anyone else try this out at all?

[timur]

I just came around and will be having a look at it. I liked Selthym's original Live sequencer quite alot.