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Do not use this guide until this warning is removed.

Do not use this guide until this warning is removed.

= zynseq - The Zynthian Sequencer =

= ZynSeq - The Zynthian Sequencer =

This guide explains how to access and use the rich set of features provided by Zynthian's step sequencer called, zynseq. Before following the guide, add 2 synth engines to layers using MIDI channels 1 & 2 respectively. We will use these to demonstrate zynseq. If you use a touchscreen instead of rotary encoders then enable touch widgets using webconf INTERFACE->UI Options.

This guide explains how to access and use the rich set of features provided by Zynthian's step sequencer called, ZynSeq. Before following the guide, add 2 synth engines to layers using MIDI channels 1 & 2 respectively. We will use these to demonstrate ZynSeq. If you use a touchscreen instead of rotary encoders then enable touch widgets using webconf INTERFACE->UI Options.

TODO: Provide a demo snapshot with engines and sequences configured.

TODO: Provide a demo snapshot with engines and sequences configured.

= Accessing zynseq =

= Accessing ZynSeq =

To access the sequencer, select "Step Sequencer" from the main menu or use the shortcut: bold press SNAPSHOT encoder. The first time you access the sequencer you will see a 2x2 grid of grey rectangles. This view is called ZynPad and provides a live performance interface to zynseq. Each of rectangle represents a pad which may be used to play a sequence. Use of ZynPad is described later but first we need to add some sequences.

To access the sequencer, select "Step Sequencer" from the main menu or use the shortcut: bold press SNAPSHOT encoder. The first time you access the sequencer you will see a 2x2 grid of grey rectangles. This view is called ZynPad and provides a live performance interface to ZynSeq. Each of rectangle represents a pad which may be used to play a sequence. Use of ZynPad is described later but first we need to add some sequences.

What is a sequence? A sequence is a collection of patterns which may be played and looped. Several sequences may be played simultaneously, each playing any of the 16 MIDI channels. We will see how sequences are manipulated in the section Pad Editor.

What is a sequence? A sequence is a collection of patterns which may be played and looped. Several sequences may be played simultaneously, each playing any of the 16 MIDI channels. We will see how sequences are manipulated in the section Pad Editor.

= Pad Editor =

= Pad Editor =

The Pad Editor is a view that allows the manipulation of sequences used by pads. To access the Pad Editor, from within zynseq short press LAYER encoder or tap the top left of the screen. This shows a context menu. The LAYER encoder or ENTER encoder may be used to highlight entries within this menu and the ENTER or LAYER button will select that entry. Alternatively the touch screen may be used to select an entry by touching the selection. If the menu extends beyond the bottom of the screen it may be scrolled by highlighting lower entries with the LAYER encoder or press and drag with the touchscreen. The first entries in context menu are common to all zynseq views. Select entry, "Pad Editor". The view should change to show a different type of grid. Each horizontal row represents a sequence assigned to a pad. On the left the pad's name and some other info is shown on a coloured cell. To the right is where patterns are added and removed. This is called the Patterns Grid. Each sequence may have as many or few patterns as desired. It may be common to use just one pattern for each sequence but more complex combinations are possible.

The Pad Editor is a view that allows the manipulation of sequences used by pads. To access the Pad Editor, from within ZynSeq short press LAYER encoder or tap the top left of the screen. This shows a context menu. The LAYER encoder or ENTER encoder may be used to highlight entries within this menu and the ENTER or LAYER button will select that entry. Alternatively the touch screen may be used to select an entry by touching the selection. If the menu extends beyond the bottom of the screen it may be scrolled by highlighting lower entries with the LAYER encoder or press and drag with the touchscreen. The first entries in context menu are common to all ZynSeq views. Select entry, "Pad Editor". The view should change to show a different type of grid. Each horizontal row represents a sequence assigned to a pad. On the left the pad's name and some other info is shown on a coloured cell. To the right is where patterns are added and removed. This is called the Patterns Grid. Each sequence may have as many or few patterns as desired. It may be common to use just one pattern for each sequence but more complex combinations are possible.

Navigation around the patterns grid is performed by rotating the BACK encoder to move up and down (select different pads) and the ENTER encoder to move left and right (select time). The currently highlighted cell is shown by a coloured outline called the cursor. By default there are 4 empty sequences configured. (Empty means no patterns have been added.) Let's add a pattern.

Navigation around the patterns grid is performed by rotating the BACK encoder to move up and down (select different pads) and the ENTER encoder to move left and right (select time). The currently highlighted cell is shown by a coloured outline called the cursor. By default there are 4 empty sequences configured. (Empty means no patterns have been added.) Let's add a pattern.

= Multiple Sequences =

= Multiple Sequences =

So far we have created a single sequence with a single pattern. Let's complement this with more sequences with different patterns. By default zynseq has 4 pads. Open the Pad Editor and move the cursor to the first time slot of the second sequence, "A2". Note the bottom left corner shows a number. This is the index of the pattern that will be added when you short press ENTER or press the pattern grid on the touchscreen. Use the BACK encoder to change the pattern selection to 2 or press on the bottom left of the touchscreen then adjust the value in the topbar. Add this pattern to sequence A2. Bold press ENTER or press and hold pattern 2 on the touchscreen to show the pattern editor. Add a new melody to the pattern then short press BACK or touch top left and select the back icon from the topbar to return to the Pad Editor view. Repeat for the other two pads then use the context menu to show ZynPad.

So far we have created a single sequence with a single pattern. Let's complement this with more sequences with different patterns. By default ZynSeq has 4 pads. Open the Pad Editor and move the cursor to the first time slot of the second sequence, "A2". Note the bottom left corner shows a number. This is the index of the pattern that will be added when you short press ENTER or press the pattern grid on the touchscreen. Use the BACK encoder to change the pattern selection to 2 or press on the bottom left of the touchscreen then adjust the value in the topbar. Add this pattern to sequence A2. Bold press ENTER or press and hold pattern 2 on the touchscreen to show the pattern editor. Add a new melody to the pattern then short press BACK or touch top left and select the back icon from the topbar to return to the Pad Editor view. Repeat for the other two pads then use the context menu to show ZynPad.

There are now 4 coloured pads, each with a different sequence. Start pad A1 and hear its sequence loop. Start pad A2. Pad A2 changes to Orange but does not start to play yet. Orange indicates sequence is waiting to start. A1 pad changes to red and continues to play. Red indicates sequence will stop at next sync point. A2 pad will change to green and start playing as A1 stops and changes to purple. The behaviour occurs because these pads are in the same group, "A". Start pad B3. Sequence B3 will start when the currently playing sequence reaches a sync point so that playback is synchronised. Start pad B4. Sequence B3 will continue then sequence B4 starts as B3 stops. A2 should continue to play. This is a powerful performance feature of ZynPad. You can assign any quantity of pads to any group providing groups of mutually exclusive (only one can play at a time) sequences. Sequences from different groups can play simultaneously but sequences from the same group will play sequentially.

There are now 4 coloured pads, each with a different sequence. Start pad A1 and hear its sequence loop. Start pad A2. Pad A2 changes to Orange but does not start to play yet. Orange indicates sequence is waiting to start. A1 pad changes to red and continues to play. Red indicates sequence will stop at next sync point. A2 pad will change to green and start playing as A1 stops and changes to purple. The behaviour occurs because these pads are in the same group, "A". Start pad B3. Sequence B3 will start when the currently playing sequence reaches a sync point so that playback is synchronised. Start pad B4. Sequence B3 will continue then sequence B4 starts as B3 stops. A2 should continue to play. This is a powerful performance feature of ZynPad. You can assign any quantity of pads to any group providing groups of mutually exclusive (only one can play at a time) sequences. Sequences from different groups can play simultaneously but sequences from the same group will play sequentially.

= Songs =

= Songs =

All the configuration described above relates to a song. Zynthian supports 1000 songs, each may have different quantity of sequences, etc. Songs are identified by an index 1-1000. This can be selected from any zynseq context menu or directly by using LAYER encoder in ZynPad or Pad Editor views. The current song is shown in the topbar within brackets, e.g. ZynPad (5). Sons 1-128 may also be selected with MIDI Song Select message.

All the configuration described above relates to a song. Zynthian supports 1000 songs, each may have different quantity of sequences, etc. Songs are identified by an index 1-1000. This can be selected from any ZynSeq context menu or directly by using LAYER encoder in ZynPad or Pad Editor views. The current song is shown in the topbar within brackets, e.g. ZynPad (5). Sons 1-128 may also be selected with MIDI Song Select message.

All songs share the same pool of patterns allowing reuse of patterns in different songs. With 999 patterns available there should be sufficient to create all the sequences in all the songs you need. If not, see section on Save and Load.

All songs share the same pool of patterns allowing reuse of patterns in different songs. With 999 patterns available there should be sufficient to create all the sequences in all the songs you need. If not, see section on Save and Load.

= Save / Load =

= Save / Load =

If you run out of patterns or songs or want to have different configurations for different scenarios you have the option save the whole zynseq sequence set. From any context menu select "Save" to show an on-screen keyboard allowing naming of the sequence set. By default the name of the currenly loaded sequence set is shown. Use the ENTER encoder to highlight a character. This moves the cursor left and right, wrapping to next row at end of row and back to start when reaching the end. The BACK encoder may be used to move cursor between rows (but does not wrap). Short press ENTER to add the character to the name. There is a DELETE button to remove the last character and a SHIFT button to show alternative characters. You may also use the keyboard with direct press of the touchscreen. On-screen CANCEL button or short press BACK will cancel the operation. Selecting on-screen ENTER button will save the sequence set with the name displayed at top of screen.

If you run out of patterns or songs or want to have different configurations for different scenarios you have the option save the whole ZynSeq sequence set. From any context menu select "Save" to show an on-screen keyboard allowing naming of the sequence set. By default the name of the currenly loaded sequence set is shown. Use the ENTER encoder to highlight a character. This moves the cursor left and right, wrapping to next row at end of row and back to start when reaching the end. The BACK encoder may be used to move cursor between rows (but does not wrap). Short press ENTER to add the character to the name. There is a DELETE button to remove the last character and a SHIFT button to show alternative characters. You may also use the keyboard with direct press of the touchscreen. On-screen CANCEL button or short press BACK will cancel the operation. Selecting on-screen ENTER button will save the sequence set with the name displayed at top of screen.

A previously saved sequence set may be loaded by selecting "Load" from any context menu. A list of sequence sets is displayed. Highlight the required name using the ENTER encoder then short press ENTER to load the highligted sequence set. Alternatively press the touchscreen to select the set to load. A sequence set may be deleted by bold press ENTER. A confirmation message is displayed.

A previously saved sequence set may be loaded by selecting "Load" from any context menu. A list of sequence sets is displayed. Highlight the required name using the ENTER encoder then short press ENTER to load the highligted sequence set. Alternatively press the touchscreen to select the set to load. A sequence set may be deleted by bold press ENTER. A confirmation message is displayed.

= External Trigger =

= External Trigger =

It is possible to trigger a sequence from a MIDI controller, e.g. a MIDI keyboard connected to the Zynthian. Zynseq listens for triggers on a single MIDI channel, i.e. only one MIDI channel may be used to trigger zynseq sequences. Select "Trigger channel" from Pad Editor context menu to change the MIDI channel zynseq listens for triggers. This may be None or channel 1-16.

It is possible to trigger a sequence from a MIDI controller, e.g. a MIDI keyboard connected to the Zynthian. Zynseq listens for triggers on a single MIDI channel, i.e. only one MIDI channel may be used to trigger ZynSeq sequences. Select "Trigger channel" from Pad Editor context menu to change the MIDI channel ZynSeq listens for triggers. This may be None or channel 1-16.

Each sequence may be triggered by a MIDI note. Select "Trigger" from Pad Editor context menu to adjust the MIDI note that will trigger the highlighted sequence. By default sequences are assigned trigger notes sequentially from C4 (MIDI note 60). To disable a sequence from being triggered set its trigger value to None which is above G9, i.e. increase to maximum value. The trigger note is shown in brackets after the sequence name on the left of the Pad Editor, e.g. A1 (2, C4) indicates sequence 1 is triggered by note C4.

Each sequence may be triggered by a MIDI note. Select "Trigger" from Pad Editor context menu to adjust the MIDI note that will trigger the highlighted sequence. By default sequences are assigned trigger notes sequentially from C4 (MIDI note 60). To disable a sequence from being triggered set its trigger value to None which is above G9, i.e. increase to maximum value. The trigger note is shown in brackets after the sequence name on the left of the Pad Editor, e.g. A1 (2, C4) indicates sequence 1 is triggered by note C4.

= Adding Notes With MIDI Controller =

= Adding Notes With MIDI Controller =

It is possible to use a MIDI controller to add notes to a pattern, e.g. MIDI keyboard connected to Zynthian. Select "Input channel" from Pattern Editor context menu to adjust the MIDI channel that zynseq listens for input. When the Pattern Editor is shown, any note sent on this channel will add a note to the pattern at the current playhead cursor position with the current note duration and if the pattern is not being played, move the playhead to the next step. To add longer notes (in multiples of the current note duration) press the hold pedal whilst adding notes. It is possible to assign a note that acts as a rest, i.e. will not add a note to the sequence and skip to the next step. Select "Rest note" from pattern editor context menu to select which note will act as a rest. None may be selected by rotating ENTER encoder to the end of the range, i.e. below C-1 or above G9.

It is possible to use a MIDI controller to add notes to a pattern, e.g. MIDI keyboard connected to Zynthian. Select "Input channel" from Pattern Editor context menu to adjust the MIDI channel that ZynSeq listens for input. When the Pattern Editor is shown, any note sent on this channel will add a note to the pattern at the current playhead cursor position with the current note duration and if the pattern is not being played, move the playhead to the next step. To add longer notes (in multiples of the current note duration) press the hold pedal whilst adding notes. It is possible to assign a note that acts as a rest, i.e. will not add a note to the sequence and skip to the next step. Select "Rest note" from pattern editor context menu to select which note will act as a rest. None may be selected by rotating ENTER encoder to the end of the range, i.e. below C-1 or above G9.

= Time Signature =

= Time Signature =

= Import MIDI Files =

= Import MIDI Files =

There are some excellent percussion patterns available in MIDI File Format. Zynthian offers the ability to import such files into zynseq patterns. A MIDI file may be imported to one or more patterns. Some automation is involved in resolving pattern parameters, e.g. if the MIDI file contains events that would span more than one pattern, consecutive patterns are overwritten with the imported events.

There are some excellent percussion patterns available in MIDI File Format. Zynthian offers the ability to import such files into ZynSeq patterns. A MIDI file may be imported to one or more patterns. Some automation is involved in resolving pattern parameters, e.g. if the MIDI file contains events that would span more than one pattern, consecutive patterns are overwritten with the imported events.

* Copy a MIDI File Format file to a USB drive

* Copy a MIDI File Format file to a USB drive

= Timebase =

= Timebase =

Zynseq uses JACK timebase for its timing. Transport control and adjustment of tempo may be made by external JACK clients. Those clients may also use the same timebase. This means that zynseq can synchronise with other modules within Zynthian, e.g. synth engine LFO, arpegiators, etc. It also means that other modules may control zynseq playback to some degree. Zynseq acts as the timebase master, i.e. the concept of bars, beats and ticks (fractions of beats) and consequently tempo (BPM) is provided by zynseq. There is currently no mechanism to lock to external MIDI clock but a Zynthian MIDI effects layer may be used to create MIDI clock output. There is a plan to improve this support in a future update.

ZynSeq uses JACK timebase for its timing. Transport control and adjustment of tempo may be made by external JACK clients. Those clients may also use the same timebase. This means that ZynSeq can synchronise with other modules within Zynthian, e.g. synth engine LFO, arpegiators, etc. It also means that other modules may control ZynSeq playback to some degree. ZynSeq acts as the timebase master, i.e. the concept of bars, beats and ticks (fractions of beats) and consequently tempo (BPM) is provided by ZynSeq. There is currently no mechanism to lock to external MIDI clock but a Zynthian MIDI effects layer may be used to create MIDI clock output. There is a plan to improve this support in a future update.

Note that if a module alters the transport, e.g. stops it then zynseq may have unexpected behaviour. Check what engines are doing if you experience timing or playback issues.

Note that if a module alters the transport, e.g. stops it then ZynSeq may have unexpected behaviour. Check what engines are doing if you experience timing or playback issues.