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→Grid Size
= Menus and Parameters =
= Menus and Parameters =
First we need to understand some user interface elements. ZynSeq includes a menu that is shown by short press LAYER or touching the top left of the screen. The LAYER or SELECT encoder may be used to highlight entries within this menu and short press LAYER or SELECT will select that entry. Alternatively the touchscreen 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 SELECT or LAYER encoder or press and drag with the touchscreen. (Note: When touch and dragging on touchscreen the menu option will be selected when touch is released.) The first entries in menu are common to all ZynSeq views. Entries below the first divider are sensitive, i.e. specific to the current view or action being performed.
[[File:Zynpad menu.png|right|400px]]
First we need to understand some user interface elements. ZynSeq includes a menu that is shown by short press LAYER or touching the top left of the screen. The LAYER or SELECT encoder may be used to highlight entries within this menu and short press LAYER or SELECT will select that entry. Alternatively the touchscreen 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 SELECT or LAYER encoder or press and drag with the touchscreen. (Note: When touch and dragging on touchscreen the menu option will be selected when touch is released.) The first entries in menu are common to all ZynSeq views. Entries below the first divider are sensitive, i.e. specific to the current view or action being performed. The topbar shows a button that may be clicked to exit the current view.
If a parameter is selected from the menu its title and value is displayed in the title bar at the top of the screen. This is called the ''parameter editor''. The value may be adjusted with the LAYER or SELECT encoder or fine adjusted (if appropriate) with the SNAPSHOT encoder. The value is asserted by a short press of LAYER or SELECT. Bold press SELECT may reset value to a default. Short press BACK to cancel out of the parameter editor. If touchscreen widgets is enabled then buttons appear in the title bar allowing adjustment of the parameter.
If a parameter is selected from the menu its title and value is displayed in the title bar at the top of the screen. This is called the ''parameter editor''. The value may be adjusted with the LAYER or SELECT encoder or fine adjusted (if appropriate) with the SNAPSHOT encoder. The value is asserted by a short press of LAYER or SELECT. Bold press SELECT may reset value to a default. Short press BACK to cancel out of the parameter editor. If touchscreen widgets is enabled then buttons appear in the title bar allowing adjustment of the parameter.
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= Pattern Editor =
= Pattern Editor =
Each pad has an icon indicating its play mode. The default mode is ''Loop All''. This means the pad will play the whole sequence then wait unit the next sync point / bar before starting again.
Each pad has an icon indicating its play mode. The default mode is ''Loop All''. This means the pad will play the whole sequence then wait unit the next sync point / bar before starting again.
Similar to how we navigate the cursor in the Pattern Editor we can move the cursor in ZynPad with the BACK and SELECT encoders. Move the cursor to the top left to highlight pad A1 (it is probably already there) then short press SELECT encoder to start playback of sequence A1. This can also be achieved with a touchscreen by simply tapping pad A1.
Similar to how we navigate the cursor in the Pattern Editor we can move the cursor in ZynPad with the BACK and SELECT encoders. Move the cursor to the top left to highlight pad 1 (it is probably already there) then short press SELECT encoder to start playback of sequence 1. This can also be achieved with a touchscreen by simply tapping pad 1.
Playback of the pattern you created should start to loop. During playback a green right-pointing arrow shows on the pad.
Playback of the pattern you created should start to loop. During playback a green right-pointing arrow shows on the pad.
So far we have edited a single pattern in one pad's sequence. Let's add patterns to other pads. By default ZynSeq has 16 pads (sequences) each with a single track with its own pattern. User BACK and SELECT encoders to select pad
So far we have edited a single pattern in one pad's sequence. Let's add patterns to other pads. By default ZynSeq has 16 pads (sequences) each with a single track with its own pattern. User BACK and SELECT encoders to select pad
2 and bold press SELECT to show its 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 ZynPad.
Start pad A1: see its play icon show green and hear its sequence loop.
Start pad 1: see its play icon show green and hear its sequence loop.
Start pad A2. Pad A2 shows an orange ''starting'' icon but does not start to play yet. A1 pad's icon changes to red and continues to play. The red icon indicates sequence is playing but will soon stop. A2 pad icon changes to green and starts playing as A1 stops. The behaviour occurs because these pads are in the same group, "A" (see below).
Start pad 2. Pad 2 shows an orange ''starting'' icon but does not start to play yet. Pad 1's icon changes to red and continues to play. The red icon indicates sequence is playing but will soon stop. Pad 2 icon changes to green and starts playing as pad 1 stops. The behaviour occurs because these pads are in the same group (see below).
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[[File:Zynpad 4x4 playing playing.png|right|400px]]
[[File:Zynpad 4x4 playing playing.png|right|400px]]
Each sequence belongs to a mutually exclusive group. This means that only one sequence within the same group may play concurrently. Sequences from other groups may play simultaneously. The group is indicated by the single letter prefix of the sequence name. There are up to 26 groups, A-Z.
Each sequence belongs to a mutually exclusive group. This means that only one sequence within the same group may play concurrently. Sequences from other groups may play simultaneously. The group is indicated by the colour of the pad. There are up to 26 groups, A-Z.
By default sequences are arranged in columns of groups with the first column being in group A, second column in group B, etc. and the last column being in group J. (This is because the default configuration also allocates MIDI channels 1, 2, etc. and 10 for last column which is traditionally used for percussion.) ZynPad tries to keep things simple with each sequence containing a single track and a single pattern. We will see later how this can be changed with Arranger. Following this simple workflow, a sequence's MIDI channel may be set from the menu option ''MIDI channel''. This also sets the sequence's group. There are 16 colours used to indicate groups so that each MIDI channel may have a different colour.
By default sequences are arranged in columns of groups with the first column being in group A, second column in group B, etc. and the last column being in group J. (This is because the default configuration also allocates MIDI channels 1, 2, etc. and 10 for last column which is traditionally used for percussion.) ZynPad tries to keep things simple with each sequence containing a single track and a single pattern. We will see later how this can be changed with Arranger. Following this simple workflow, a sequence's MIDI channel may be set from the menu option ''MIDI channel''. This also sets the sequence's group. There are 16 colours used to indicate groups so that each MIDI channel may have a different colour.
If you start sequence A1 then start sequence B5 you will see that B5 shows orange ''starting'' icon then green ''playing'' icon when the next sync point is reached whilst A1 continues to play.
If you start sequence 1 then start sequence 5 you will see that pad 5 shows orange ''starting'' icon then green ''playing'' icon when the next sync point is reached whilst pad 1 continues to play.
This is a powerful performance feature of ZynPad. You can assign any quantity of sequences 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.
This is a powerful performance feature of ZynPad. You can assign any quantity of sequences 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.
A ''Sync point'' is a location within playback at which sequences will loop and / or group sequential play will change to another sequence. Sync points are synonymous with bars in traditional music notation. See section on time signature.
A ''Sync point'' is a location within playback at which sequences will loop and / or group sequential play will change to another sequence. Sync points are synonymous with bars in traditional music notation. See section on time signature.
Remember, sequences are indexed by number, 1, 2, 3, etc. and Groups by letter, A, B, C, etc. Pad labels consist of the group letter and sequence number, e.g. A1.
Remember, sequences are indexed by number, 1, 2, 3, etc. and Groups by letter, A, B, C, etc. By default pad labels show the sequence number but can be renamed (see below).
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Sequences are added or removed when the grid size is selected. Any patterns are not lost but may need to be reselected with Arranger (see later) when the grid size is increased.
Sequences are added or removed when the grid size is selected. Any patterns are not lost but may need to be reselected with Arranger (see later) when the grid size is increased.
When the grid size is changed in ZynPad the sequences are reassigned groups and MIDI channels to create columns of mutually exclusive sequences. If this behaviour is undesired then use Arranger to adjust the grid size.
When the grid size is changed in ZynPad existing sequences remain in the same position. This may result in duplicate (default) names (see picture).
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All these modes affect how sequences stop. There are currently no modes that affect how a sequence starts. If JACK transport is not running then the first sequence to be started will start immediately. If any sequences are playing (JACK transport is rolling) then sequences will start at the next sync point.
All these modes affect how sequences stop. There are currently no modes that affect how a sequence starts. If JACK transport is not running then the first sequence to be started will start immediately. If any sequences are playing (JACK transport is rolling) then sequences will start at the next sync point.
= Sequence Names =
[[File:Osk.png|right|400px]]
By default each new sequence is allocated one pattern. Each pattern is identified by its index number and the sequence name is set to the value of the pattern's index. It is possible to rename each sequence. Use the menu to select ''Name sequence''. This shows an keyboard with the current sequence name selected. Use the BACK and SELECT encoders to navigate the cursor and short press SELECT to add the highlighted character to the name. Selecting ''Shift'' will allow the next character to be capital. Selecting ''Shift' again will lock the keyboard allowing all characters to be capital. Select ''Shift'' again to release shift-lock. Select ''Delete'' to remove the last character. Bold press ''Delete'' to clear the name.
Select ''Enter'' to assert the new name or ''Cancel'' to revert to the previous name.
The touchscreen may be used to select buttons on the onscreen keyboard.
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= Tempo =
= Tempo =
Tempo is the rate at which the sequencer plays back notes measured in beats per minutes (BPM). By default ZynSeq plays sequences at 120 BPM. Adjust Tempo with the SNAPSHOT encoder. The tempo is briefly displayed in the title bar. There is also a menu option to adjust tempo which may be used on touchscreens. The current tempo is saved and loaded with each snapshot.
Tempo is the rate at which the sequencer plays back notes measured in beats per minutes (BPM). By default ZynSeq plays sequences at 120 BPM. Adjust Tempo with the SNAPSHOT encoder. The tempo is briefly displayed in the title bar.
There is also a menu option to adjust tempo which may be used on touchscreens. When the tempo menu is selected the tempo may also be adjusted with 0.1 BPM resolution using the SNAPSHOT encoder.
The current tempo is saved and loaded with each snapshot.
ZynSeq allows tempo to be adjusted from 1BPM to 480BPM. Tempo may also be altered by external modules, e.g. SMF player.
ZynSeq allows tempo to be adjusted from 1.0 BPM to 500.0 BPM. Tempo may also be altered by external modules, e.g. SMF player.
= MIDI channels =
= MIDI channels =
The selection cursor may be moved around the grid of patterns by rotating the BACK and SELECT encoders. Information about the currently selected track is shown in the topbar, e.g. ''Bank 1 A2-1 (3)'' shows that track 1 in sequence 2 of bank 1 is in group A and sends to MIDI channel 3. Each horizontal division represents a beat. Moving the cursor beyond the edge of the screen will scroll to show more of the bank.
The selection cursor may be moved around the grid of patterns by rotating the BACK and SELECT encoders. Information about the currently selected track is shown in the topbar, e.g. ''Bank 1 A2-1 (3)'' shows that track 1 in sequence 2 of bank 1 is in group A and sends to MIDI channel 3. Each horizontal division represents a beat. Moving the cursor beyond the edge of the screen will scroll to show more of the bank.
Patterns may be added to or removed from the grid by short pressing the SELECT encoder or by tapping the touchscreen. Press and drag allows more accurate positioning of a pattern.
Patterns may be added to or removed from the grid by short pressing the SELECT encoder or by tapping the touchscreen. Press and drag allows more accurate positioning of a pattern. Patterns may also be moved (only with touchscreen) by click and drag action. (A pattern may not be moved to overlap an existing pattern.)
The pattern to be added is indicated by a number in the bottom left of the display. This may be changed by rotating the LAYER encoder. (Note: This differs from ZynPad where LAYER encoder changes the bank.) Tapping the bottom left number on a touchscreen will allow selection of the pattern if touchscreen widgets are enabled.
The pattern to be added is indicated by a number in the bottom left of the display. This may be changed by rotating the LAYER encoder. (Note: This differs from ZynPad where LAYER encoder changes the bank.) Tapping the bottom left number on a touchscreen will allow selection of the pattern if touchscreen widgets are enabled.
The displayed bank may be changed from the menu and a bank can be cleared, resetting to 4 x 4 grid using the ''Clear bank'' menu option.
The displayed bank may be changed from the menu and a bank can be cleared, resetting to 4 x 4 grid using the ''Clear bank'' menu option.
Each track may be muted by highligting the track then bold SNAPSHOT or using ''Mute track'' menu option. The patterns within the track turn grey and will not play when the sequence is playing.
A sequence play state may be toggled with short press SNAPSHOT. A vertical playhead line will show the current play position within each playing sequence. The screen will horizontal scroll as required to follow the currently highlighted track. Selection cursor will also move to remain in view.
By setting a sequence play mode to Oneshot and adding several tracks one may use the sequencer like a traditional, song-based MIDI step sequencer, similar to a DAW.
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