Thursday, January 31, 2013

MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Features

Main features:

  • Classical data structure: Project - Song - Pattern.
  • Four main control modes - Transport, Keyboard, Edit pattern, Edit cell.
  • Pattern tracks can be configured for notes or drum events.
  • Support CC/RPN/NRPN automation controllers for patterns (learn mode available).
  • MIDI presets for Bank/Program change and CC/RPN/NRPN controllers (learn mode).
  • Recording and editing patterns in real time thru internal controls or external devices.
  • Patterns with different length can play together (can set Last step for patterns other than 4/4).
  • Changes pattern events (Transposition, Velocity, Duration, Automation) during playback.
  • Editing individual events or changes all events in track (possibility to make Swing/Shuffle rhythm).
  • Song can contain patterns from current project and patterns from any other projects.
  • Advanced set of editing functions - insert, delete, move, scroll a single event, measure or entire track.
  • Clipboard to copy and paste tracks, measures and events between patterns and songs.
  • Playback in background to real time tweak parameters in other running applications.
  • Export complete song or individual patterns to MIDI files (include automation).
  • Upload and download complete project files to copy on another iPad or backup.
  • Access to files through iTunes or any Web browser in local WiFi network.
  • Set of different color schemes of interface.

MIDI features:

  • Full support of MIDI specification and very accurate timing.
  • Support of all external MIDI interfaces based on CoreMIDI (like iRig, MIDI Mobilizer II, StudioConnect, iConnectMIDI, IO dock, Camera Connection Kit).
  • Each track can be configured for output to any MIDI channel (or more than one channel) and different devices.
  • Creating virtual MIDI port for connect to internal iPad applications (like PPG Wave, SampleTank, iELECTRIBE and many others).
  • Synchronization with external device that send MIDI clock.
  • Send own MIDI clock to external devices and applications as master device.
  • Send transport commands Start/Stop/Continue to (and from) external devices.

    Metronome:

    • Internal metronome on standard audio output.
    • Metronome can start at recording only or at playback and recording.
    • Metronome can start immediately or within one or two measures before.

    MIDI Console:

    • MIDI console displays all input MIDI messages in convenient form.
    • Activity indicator shows channels of incoming MIDI messages.
    • Displays external BPM value and status of synchronization.


    [ Table of contents ]



    MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - About

    MIDI Pattern Sequencer is a tool with powerful and at the same time very comfortable, intuitive and easy interface. It is the main feature, through which the sequencer can easily used by anyone, from beginner to professional, and everyone will find it most necessary for their own purposes.

    The sequencer does not produce the sound. It is designed to control via MIDI any external sound modules, samplers, synthesizers and other applications running on iPad or another computer. Full support for external MIDI interfaces, network and virtual ports, synchronization with external devices and transport control makes this sequencer like playback control center for music devices or other applications.

    The main purpose of this application is that it should be an indispensable tool in creation of final composition or experiments with rhythm and phrase patterns. At home or in studio, among many other devices and music applications, MIDI Pattern Sequencer helps in creating original music, but will not draw away from main thing - your creativity. This application it is work tool that can be operated with one hand, even with one finger, everywhere wherever iPad is located in your workspace, wherever you can reach out.

    User interface is designed so that all features of the current mode are available immediately or through one or two steps. But at the same time the interface does not have complicated gestures, very small elements which are inconvenient for clicks, clumsy scrolling and distracting realistic interface elements. Just only single click and move faders. It is simple. And thus the structure of application remains clear and easy to add new features without complicating the main conception.



    On screenshots (click image to enlarge):

    • Drum pattern in Transport mode with track automation.
    • Drum pattern with pads for editing/recording.
    • Song page filled patterns.

    See also:

    MIDI Pattern Sequencer - Manual - Features






    [ Table of contents ]



    Monday, January 28, 2013

    Version 1.1 uploaded to App Store

    After final testing new version 1.1 uploaded to App Store for review. If all will ok after about a week the new version will be available for download and update. As wrote before in this version I have added several new and very interesting functions. This is the list "what's new" from App Store:

    • CC/RPN/NRPN automation for pattern tracks.
    • Learn mode for external device input controler.
    • Reassign external input controller to any output controller (also changing controller type).
    • Controller value can switch between events or smoothly changing from event to event.
    • Different colors for each graphs of automation.
    • One click edit mode for drum tracks (quick edit).
    • Extended mode for drum event - accented events or velocity for each events.
    • Setting velocity value for accented and non-accented events (for each track separately).
    • Powerful feature "Shift clock" changes start clock of event and clock of gate on fixed step or randomly. This feature not only adds to the Swing/Shuffle rhythm, but also allows quickly create unusual rhythmic patterns. Especially with pitch/cutoff controller automation.
    • Another new color scheme.

    Next step, version 1.2 after about two weeks. Of course I will make in it most requested Bank/Program/Song change mode for patterns and song.

    Final testing in process:


    Tuesday, January 15, 2013

    Announce of the next version

    A week had passed since publication the first version of sequencer and I have a quite enough suggestions about new and useful features that I should be add to my app :) I agree to almost all of it. Actually, that write me happy fans it's interesting for me too. I really will try to do most of the requested features in upcoming versions. But I cannot make all of it at once. So please be patient and don't leave this app without your attention. Selling of this app it's best support for me and future developing of my sequencer. Thanks to all who write me (and maybe in App Store) comments and suggestions!

    This is a list of the most requested additions for the sequencer:
    • Sending CC/RPN/NRPN automation for tracks.
    • More quick and convenient way to create drum pattern.
    • Velocity for the drum event (now it's only accented).
    • Sending program change (and maybe other changing bank, pattern, program) midi messages at start pattern/song and at any other playback time.
    • Import and export midi files.
    • Increase song length (song pages).
    • And much more.

    So, after about a week I plan to send to App Store next MIDI Pattern Sequencer version 1.1 that will have first three of new feature from the list. See screenshots for the first details:




    If you are interested in progress of this application, please write comments or use feedback form for questions or suggestions. Your attention is very important to me.


    Friday, January 11, 2013

    Review by Nick Trass

    Excellent review of MIDI Pattern Sequencer from Nick Trass -

    Apps4iDevices - MIDI Pattern Sequencer v1.0

    Video from this review:



    Monday, January 7, 2013

    Connect with other sound creation applications

    This simple example provides some tips on how to configure MIDI Pattern Sequencer for working with other sound creation applications on iPad (like Korg iElectribe).

    • Sound application should support Virtual MIDI device or connecting to external MIDI devices.
    • Check that sound creation application will be working in background (usually, application has a special option for it).
    • Check MIDI channel assigned in application (it can be a fixed channel or assigned in settings). Sequencer (pattern or song tracks) should be configured to send MIDI messages to this channel.
    • For drum parts find (in description or help) notes which assigned for each of it.

    Click an image to enlarge description.




    Sunday, January 6, 2013

    Available in App Store

    Good news! MIDI Pattern Sequencer 1.0 already available in Apple App Store.

    [ MIDI Pattern Sequencer for iPad ]





    It's version 1.0 and I want to make it even more convenient and advanced. If you have any suggestions or have bug report please use feedback form.