Jul 6

Step sequencer for note and parameter sequncing

i have given the midi sequencing module some thought and have come up with this: a simplified version of the elektron sequencers: 2 rows of 8 steps. When holding a square and pushing one or more keys from the mela keyboard or an external one note and velocity data get written to the step. Double tapping resets the step. There could be a dial for selecting the amount steps: 3,4,6,8,12,16,24 and 32. 3,4,6 and steps will work as expected and disable steps to make the sequence shorter. 12,16,24,32,48,64 will previously greyed out dots beneath the sequencer light up to show that the extra amount of steps has been added. Pressing the dots will make the sequencer show the sequencer page. Dot 2 for steps 9 to 16. Dot 3 for 17 to 24. Dot 4 for 25 to 32 and dot 1 for going back to step 1 to 8. There could also be a dial for speed. Maybe for centre will be 1 (normal speed) going left or right will change the speed by .5 divided or multiplied respectively. All the way to /4 or x4. The could also be a swing button where central is neutral (50) and the offset get subtracted or added up. Lastly there should be a dial for the note gate. There should also be a submenu for selecting a target. Here each step can be manually selected and given a target to modulate and the amount to modulate with, like other modules like the lfo. When a step and a target are sepected they should always send a message when the step is played even when no note has been inserted into the step. This way the module can always be used for parameter switching. It would be nice to have some kind of automatic smoothing between different values on different steps to make the transition sound less jumpy. I think a module like this could have some value as it can be used for primitive parsmeter locking and sequencing. I hope i made my idea clear and that it maybe gives you some inspiration to think more about a new sequencing module. If you have any question: let me know!

Pending

Apr 1, 2026

There will be other types of sequncers in Mela, but 7.4 introduced Mod Steps, a powerful modulator sequencer. Details: https://nikolozi.com/blog/mela-⁠74-update/ Tutorial: https://youtu.be/nkwtm6GlH1Y

Jul 9, 2024

Regarding 'step sequencers' in general... I think it's a good idea two have two separate sequencers, one for note-data (including step chords, per step ratchets/note-repeats etc.) and one for automation data with an optional step to step interpolation between step values. The 'automation sequencer' could be seen as an LFO with a custom waveform and include options to re-trig, set start-step and naturally an option to leave if running free as it doesn't send any note-data. I'm personally a huge fan of the step-sequencer in Drambo (especially step note recording/entry and adjusting notes on existing steps) but I also really like the 'Pattern Region' in LogicPro for iPad and all the options it provides. This will definitely need a few iterations to 'get it right'. Cheers!

Jul 6, 2024

Said van Hattum thanks for the detailed post, I'm slowly exploring sequencer module ideas. There are different ways to go about it, but one thing that makes sense is to make it work like a MIDI sequencer but also be able to modulate parameters: 1. But then what aspects should be sequenceable? 2. Maybe standard Note parameters or even MPE? 3. And I guess when using it as a parameter modulator should it just be generating a single modulator signal (with usual up to 8 targets) 4. And then if the user wants a slightly different pattern or values they can just insert another sequencer module? 5. Or should this somehow be a slightly different modulator, and generate different modulation signals for different targets? 6. I do feel, maybe it makes sense to have 2 different modules one for MIDI sequencing and one for parameter modulation (i.e. a modulator module)? I think I do need to experiment a bit and see what sits well with rest of Mela.