Hi Organelle-ists,
We’ve been reading some of the posts here about the sequencer in many C&G patches lacking the ability to sync to an incoming MIDI clock. This sequencer is in patches like: Analog Style, CZZ-Multi, Loop Jam Rec, etc. (For those who have ever looked at the guts of these patches, this sequencer is called ‘Sequencer 2.’)
So we started working on an update to this sequencer which would sync to MIDI clock/Link. We made a beta version of ‘Sequencer 3’ with the following capabilities:
- Sequence lengths will be quantized to the nearest 16th note
- Incoming tempo is displayed on the OLED (the last line of text). If there is no incoming tempo, it defaults to an internal clock set to 120BPM and the OLED will display: Int 120.
- The LED will flash white on the quarter note of incoming MIDI clock/Link.
- Record knob adjustments. After record enabled, just turn a knob and it will start recording.
- MIDI Transport control:
Start Message: Will Start the sequence from the beginning (even if you have already started it (kind of a rewind))
Stop Message. Stops sequence wherever it is in time.
Continue Message: Right now this message acts like a Start message.
Seq3 has been loaded into five patches (Additive Synth, Analog Style, Arpeggio Synth, Basic Poly, and Sampler Style).
UPDATE Jan 16 2019: Please download updated patches here!
- Updated Sequencer 3’s beat clock and sequence record function. Also updated the ‘master metronome.’ These changes should allow better playback sync, especially for the Arpeggio Synth patch.
- Changed the function of the Aux button. When pressed, a list of functions appears on the screen. In some patches, there will be three functions (Seq: Play/Stop; Rec: Enable/Off; Latch: On/Off) but in other patches, there may be as many as 10. In this photo there are seven:
These shortcuts correspond to the ‘black’ keys on the Organelle. So if you press and hold Aux, you can then press one of the black keys to choose that function. The C# key selects the top left function (Seq: Play/Stop in the above photo). The order moves from top left to bottom left; then top right to bottom right. This is a departure from how we (C&G) implemented the Aux button previously but those who have tried @thetechnobear’s Orac will find it familiar.
To use:
- Download the patches and get them on your Organelle. Make sure you’re running OS 3.1.
- Optional: Connect tempo-sending external devices to Organelle via USB-MIDI or Link (requires WiFi adapter. More on this here)
- Press and hold Aux button then choose the corresponding ‘black’ key (see note about key order above) to select the available function. For example:
• Select ‘Rec’ with the D# key. It will now display ‘Arm’d’ and the LED will turn pink.
• Recording starts as soon as one of the following occurs: note press on the Organelle’s keyboard / Receipt of MIDI note from external device / Moving one of the Organelle’s four knobs. The LED will turn red.
• Recording stops when you press the Aux button. Playback begins immediately. The LED will be green. Remember: your sequence length will be adjusted to the tempo’s nearest 16th note. (Depending on your accuracy, the sequence might be shorter or longer than you expected.) - To stop playback, press Aux and the C# key. To record a new sequence, complete step 3 again.
- To save a sequence, navigate to the Organelle’s Storage menu and select Save. (It will also save all the knob states). When you launch the patch again, this saved state will be loaded.
We’d love to hear about your experiences with the new sequencer. What’s cool, what’s not, etc. Please keep in mind this is a beta release and there will likely be some issues. Please tell us about them if you find them. Please be specific about the gear you were using and how they were connected, what you were trying to do, and what the issue was. The more information the better. Pictures help.
Happy Sequencing!