Mode Machines SEQ12 User Manual
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Mode Machines SEQ12 User Manual

Analog and midi sequencer
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  • Page 1 USER MANUAL...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    CONTENT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Quick overview 1.2. About this manual 1.3. Unpacking 2. CONNECTIONS 2.1. MIDI-connections 2.2. Power supply 2.3. Prog-Ports 3. CONTROL ELEMENTS 4. CONCEPT 5. DEFAULT-VALUES 6. QUICKSTART 7. JAM-MODE 7.1 Function of the Matrix 7.2 Function-button-assignments 7.3 Menu-functions in JAM-mode 8.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    MIDI-channels, resulting in complex sequences which can be manipulated in real time. Therefore, SEQ12 is a live-capable tool to create and arrange pattern-based music. It lends itself to be used as a standalone sequencer, but may as well be perfectly combined with a DAW, to hugely expand whose possibilities.

  • Page 6: Connections

    2. CONNECTIONS 2.1. MIDI-connections On its rear panel, SEQ12 offers connectors for MIDI-units. There are three outputs and one input. To ensure optimal timing, SEQ12 offers three MIDI-outputs. If possible use these outputs in parallel and avoid serial chaining of MIDI-units. Connect a suitable MIDI-unit to the MIDI- input, such as a master-keyboard.

  • Page 7: Control Elements

    CONTROL ELEMENTS 3. CONTROL ELEMENTS The buttons of the user-interface are sorted by function into three sections. The Matrix claims the largest space. It consists of 12 lines and 16 columns. The matrix serves to program sequences and to display and edit different types of MIDI-data. Depending on the mode being selected, it may also display the progression of different sequences.

  • Page 8: Concept

    As described earlier, SEQ12 is a pattern-based step-sequencer which creates MIDI-data. To illustrate the concept, we will explain a couple of important terms here: SEQUENCE A sequence is the smallest unit within the SEQ12. It contains up to 16 steps, representing MIDI-data such as notes, controllers, shuffle etc. SEQ-mode The SEQ-mode is used to program a sequence using the matrix or an external MIDI-input device (e.g.
  • Page 9 The topmost hierarchic-level is the „setup“. A setup contains the settings of all data that can be changed by the user. This includes all parts, contained sequences and sequence-chains as well as the global settings. You may compare a „setup“ to a „song“. SEQ12 allows to store up to 32 setups.

  • Page 10: Default-Values

    DEFAULT VALUES 5. DEFAULT-VALUES After switching on the SEQ12, it will automatically enable JAM-mode with the following de- fault-setup: Tempo : 126 BPM Track 1 : monophonic, OUTPUT 1, MIDI-channel 1 Track 2 : monophonic, OUTPUT 1, MIDI-channel 6 Track 7...

  • Page 11: Quickstart

    To checkout your SEQ12, please read and follow this quickstart first. Even though not all func- tions are explained here, you will get a first impression of your SEQ12‘s workflow. Connect a synthesizer to MIDI-output 1. The unit should be set to receive on MIDI-channel 1. Switch on the SEQ12. The unit now is in JAM-mode, With the default-setup being loaded. Only track 1 is active because only the topmost function-button to the left is lit. The first sequence of track 1 is active (see matrix: button 1/1 is lit). The first sequence is also selected in all other tracks (see matrix: buttons 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 etc.
  • Page 12 Press JAM. JAM-mode is now re-enabled. 18. Press the second button in the first line (2/1) of the matrix to playback this (second) sequence. Please note: After playing sequence 2 once, SEQ12 will jump back to the first sequence which will be played back in a loop because the corresponding default-settings of the sequence-chain are active for track 1. (Find more detail on page 33.)
  • Page 13 QUICKSTART Change into JAM-mode. The matrix again displays all tracks (1-12), one below the other now. It displays the currently played sequences per track. Watch how the current sequence in the first track (line) changes corresponding to the edited sequence-chain (see 21.). Press FUNCTION-BUTTON 11 to activate track 11. Connect a drum computer to MIDI-output 3.

  • Page 14: Jam-Mode

    By pressing the corresponding button, the track is enabled/disabled. The graphic to the right shows SEQ12 in JAM-mode. Tracks 1, 3, 11 and 12 are active. The function-buttons of these tracks are lit. In track 1 sequence 1 is active, in track 3 sequence 2, in track 11 sequence 8 and in track 12 sequence 7.

  • Page 15: Menu-Functions In Jam-Mode

    A setup contains the settings of all data that can be edited by the user. This includes all sequen- ces, parts as well as all global settings. You may compare a „setup“ to a „song“. SEQ12 can store up to 32 setups.
  • Page 16 This mode allows adjustment of settings to connect to the CV/Gate-Interface by Mode Machi- nes. To enable changed settings, you will need to switch the SEQ12 off and back on. In this state, other MIDI-units cannot be operated at the corresponding port unless they support a...

  • Page 17: Seq-Mode

    SEQ-MODE 8. SEQ-MODE The SEQ-mode is dedicated to program and edit sequences. Depending on the track-type being selected, the function-buttons call up different views of the matrix to enter the corresponding MIDI-data. 8.1 Matrix-function In SEQ-mode, the matrix visualizes a single sequence. The 16 columns of the matrix contain and represent the steps of a sequence.

  • Page 18: Menu-Functions And Display

    SEQ-MODE 8.2 Menu-functions and display Some functions in SEQ-mode need to be adjusted using the display and the navigation-cursor. With SEQ-mode being selected by pressing SEQ, the display shows the sequence-selection- menu. Select the sequence to be edited here. Track Type Select Mode M ON O PAT T E R N...
  • Page 19 SEQ-MODE The left side of the display will still show the selected sequence, track and track-type. On the lower right side of the display, you will find a parameter selection. The individual parame- ters are listed below and will be described in detail later in this manual: • Use DOWN to select the parameter. • Use to change or adjust the parameter value.

  • Page 20: Track-Types

    SEQ-MODE • When changing from track-type MONO to POLY, controller 3 is omitted. The notes remain as is. • When changing from track-type POLY to MONO, chords are omitted. The lowest notes remain as is. • When changing from or to track-type DRUM, all data are omitted. • For all other parameters, the new values will immediately be executed. • The settings C1, C2, C3, MIDI, CHAN, TYP and THRU are valid for all sequences of a track. 8.3 Track-types Each track can be assigned to one of three track-types. All of these are optimized in regard to their specific matrix visualization. In addition, they offer different functions. The following track-types are available: • MONO : A monophonic track can play one note per step, and offers three controller- tracks.
  • Page 21 SEQ-MODE NOTE / OCT View Octave ”+1“ Octave ”+2“ Note ”C“ Note ”D#“ Besides CONTROL 1 and CONTROL 2, this is the third controller-track of a monophonic sequence. You can enter a controller value per active step. The lowermost line in the matrix equals controller-value 0.
  • Page 22 SEQ-MODE VELOCITY Velocity can also be transmitted via MIDI per active step. Entering data is identical to MOD. Data-values are visualized as vertical LED-bars (course) and as separately lit LEDs (fine). LENGTH The step-length chains a number of steps to longer notes. The length is entered above the cor- responding step. However, it is visualized by a horizontal bar of corresponding length. Possible values are (to be entered from bottom up) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 steps.

  • Page 23: Function-Buttons With Track-Type Poly

    SEQ-MODE SHUFFLE View Value Active Note(s) Shuffle-Value for Step 1 = ”3“ for Step 3 = ”2” for Step 5 = ”0” for Step 7 = ”0” CONTROL 1, 2 These functions generate MIDI-controller-data. The behavior is described under MOD (see page 21).

  • Page 24: Function-Buttons With Track-Type Drum

    SEQ-MODE CHO(rd) View C-Major Chord A-Major Chord (C / E / G) (C / F / A) 8.4.3 Function-buttons with track-type DRUM The track-type DRUM is especially suited to enter drum-patterns. Here, every line in the matrix works as a sub-track which can be assigned to a MIDI-note-number. Given that these correspond with a MIDI-sound-engine, you may for example use the lowermost line as a bass drum, the line above as a snare and so on.
  • Page 25 SEQ-MODE NOTE / ACC(ent) View Note- Number/ Sound e.g. Snare e.g. Kick Step with Step without Accent Accent This function allows to set a velocity per line (sub-track). Column 1 is used to set the velocity for the triggers in the topmost line and so on. The view resembles a mixing console with twel- ve „channels“.
  • Page 26 SEQ-MODE NC, OC These functions adjust the note resp. the octave being transmitted for a step being set. This works exactly as described for track-type MONO. However, the first twelve columns of the matrix represent the sub-track 1 to 12. Column 1 defines the transmitted note (note number) of the topmost line/sub-track, column 2 sets the note for line/sub-track 2 and so on... NC (Note) / OC (Octave) - View Note (”E1”...
  • Page 27 8.6 Odd-numbered sequence-lengths (STEP and TRIM) for all track-types SEQ12 not only allows a selectable sequence-length of 1 to 16 steps, it is also possible to create longer sequences (up to 64 steps) that always run in sync with all other sequences. This is done by the TRIM function in interaction with the parameter STEP.

  • Page 28: Ratchet Function

    Even more complex rhythmical functions can be achieved by using the ratchet-function. The ratchet-function allows to output multiple triggers per step. This enables easy creation of rolls, flams and comparable effects. To do so, SEQ12 offers six selectable trigger-patterns and a no- te-value to adjust the length of the trigger-pattern. • To enable the ratchet-function, change to the sequence-edit-menu (press ENTER, see...

  • Page 29: Copy / Paste / Clear

    • Open the sequence to be copied. The view does not matter. • Press COPY. The full sequence (all MIDI-data) will be copied to the SEQ12‘s buffer- memory. • Select the target sequence on the same track using / INC.

  • Page 30: Random Generator Rnd

    However, if you use a synthesizer with an integrated keyboard, the knob-movements will of course automatically be passed on internally in the instrument. The THRU-parameter of SEQ12 should then be switched off. Several synthesizers offer a function called „local off“. It separates keyboard and controls from...
  • Page 31 TIP: In case three controllers are not sufficient and velocity has already been used, another track of the SEQ12 can be configured in a way that this track‘s controllers will also be routed to the targeted instrument. This second track may of course...

  • Page 32: Song-Modus

    SONG-MODE 9. SONG-MODE The SEQ12‘s song-mode allows chaining sequences to longer structures. It is possible to create a sequence-chain of up to 64 steps in length for each of the 12 tracks. For each step, one of the 16 sequences can be selected and played. Sequence-chains are programmed and played back in SONG-mode.

  • Page 33: Sequence Chains

    SONG-MODE 9.1 Sequence-Chains FUNCTION-BUTTONS (left) select the current track. Also, the display shows the current track (e.g. Each matrix- line (!) now represents a step of the sequence-chain. Use matrix-buttons to select the sequence to be played by this step. Lines below each other form a sequence-chain.

  • Page 34: Parts

    While a sequence-chain is played back, you can change into JAM-mode at any time. Here, you can start any sequence to your liking to modify the predetermined course. Once the selected sequence in JAM-mode has been completed, the SEQ12 will continue the course of the sequen- ce-chain.
  • Page 35 SONG-MODE In select-part-mode, one out of eight save-able parts can be called up and played back. Given that parts could equal song-parts, you will have a choice of intro, verse, break or outro, which can all be called up to taste. Parts can additionally be switched „on the fly“. The changeover to the next selected part will be carried out after the sequence-chain of track 1 has been comple- ted.
  • Page 36 SONG-MODE Select Parts: Press one of the MATRIX-BUTTONS 1 to select the part. With the sequencer running, the change of the part will not be carried out until the sequence-chain in track 1 has been fully completed (because track 1 is the timing master). While waiting for the sequence-chain to be completed, the corresponding part-button will flash.

  • Page 37: Playback Functions And Midi

    In song-mode, all sequence-chains will be played back from the beginning. A MIDI- start-command is being transmitted. PLAY lights up, if SEQ12 is running. This button is used to stop and restart the playback. RECORD With the RECORD button enabled, received notes will be recorded to the currently selected sequence.

  • Page 38: Recap: Summary Of Functions/Button Assignments

    Mute-­‐Funk/on   f ür   S puren ak/ve   S equenzen Tempo,   L aden,   S peichern,   RECAP Konfigura/on SONG Select   P art   A nsicht:   M ute Select   P art   A nsicht:   a k/ver   P art,   Select  ...

  • Page 39: Appendix

    APPENDIX 12. APPENDIX Terms of Warranty Please find all service- and warranty-informationen on our webseite: www.modemachines.com/imprint CE norm & FCC information 1. Important notice: do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, is compatible with the CE norm & FCC requirements 2.
  • Page 40 Specifications subject to change without notice. Although the content of this owners manual has been thoroughly checked for errors, Mode Machines cannot guarantee that it is error-free throughout. Mode Machines cannot be held liable for any misleading or incorrect information within this guide. MODE MACHINES...

  • Page 41: Safety Instructions

    APPENDIX Safety Instructions Before using SEQ12, please follow the instructions for use of the instrument as this will warrant proper operation of the instrument. Due to the fact that these instructions touch on product liability, we recommend you reading them carefully. Any claim for defect will be rejected if one or more of the topics have not been observed.
  • Page 42 • Before cleaning SEQ12, make sure the unit has been unplugged. Use a soft, dry cloth only to clean SEQ12. Never use any liquids, abrasive clea- ners or cleaners containing solvents such as alcohol, terpentine, or other spirits (such as Scotch Single Malts in cask strength).
  • Page 43 • When using the instrument in Germany, ACHTUNG: the appropriate VDE standards are to be obeyed. The following standards are of special and utmost importance: DIN VDE 0100 (Teil 300/11.85, Teil 410/11.83, Teil 481/10.87), DIN VDE 0532 (Teil 1/03.82), DIN VDE 0550 (Teil 1/12.69), DIN VDE 0551 (05.72), DIN VDE 0551e (06.75), DIN VDE 0700 (Teil 1/02.81, Teil 207/10.82), DIN VDE 0711 (Teil 500/10.89), DIN VDE 0860 (05.89), DIN VDE 0869 (01.85).

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