MAM SQ16 User manual

Owners Manual

SQ16

Contents

1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4

1.1. Basic usage of the SQ16.................................................................................................................... 4

1.2. Basic principles................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3. Memory structure of the SQ16........................................................................................................... 7

1.4. Synchronizing the SQ16 to other sequencers.................................................................................... 8

1.5. First steps........................................................................................................................................... 9

2. Common functions...................................................................................................... 16

2.1. Tempo.............................................................................................................................................. 16

2.2. Start/Stop - Continue........................................................................................................................ 16

2.3. Loop.................................................................................................................................................. 17

2.4. Select/Edit........................................................................................................................................ 17

3. Global ........................................................................................................................... 18

3.1. Panic................................................................................................................................................. 18

3.2. MIDI Dump....................................................................................................................................... 18

3.3. Common Pattern.............................................................................................................................. 19

3.4. Clock Source, Clock out On/Off, Autostart On/Off............................................................................ 20

3.5. Load from Block - Write to Block...................................................................................................... 22

3.5.1. Loading/Writing Rotates, Songs, Chains, MIDI Sets, Step Sets, or Mute settings............... 22

3.5.2. Loading/Writing Patterns...................................................................................................... 23

3.5.3. Loading/Writing Global settings............................................................................................ 24

3.5.4. Loading/Writing a complete Block........................................................................................ 24

4. Pattern.......................................................................................................................... 25

4.1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 25

4.1.1. What is a Pattern and what is its purpose?.......................................................................... 25

4.1.2. Step data for a Pattern......................................................................................................... 25

4.1.3. Creating a Pattern - Playing back a Pattern......................................................................... 26

4.1.4. Pattern functions - Overview................................................................................................ 28

4.2. Instrument tracks.............................................................................................................................. 29

4.2.1. Structure and data of instrument tracks ............................................................................... 29

4.2.2. Editing the instrument tracks of a pattern............................................................................. 31

4.2.3. Copying the currently edited On/Off track or Accent Track.................................................. 32

4.3. Note Tracks...................................................................................................................................... 33

4.3.1. Structure and data of note tracks......................................................................................... 33

4.3.2. Editing the On/Off track, Accent track and Hold track of a Note Track ................................ 37

4.3.3. Editing/Inserting Notes......................................................................................................... 38

4.3.4. Copying the currently edited On/Off track, Hold track, Accent Track or notes..................... 41

4.4. Playing back Patterns....................................................................................................................... 42

4.5. Basic Pattern settings (Function pattern) ......................................................................................... 44

4.5.1. Length .................................................................................................................................. 44

4.5.2. Scale.................................................................................................................................... 44

4.5.3. Step Set................................................................................................................................ 44

4.5.4. MIDI Set............................................................................................................................... 45

4.5.5. Copying the currently edited Length setting, Scale setting, Step Set setting or MIDI Set setting ....... 45

5. MIDI Set ........................................................................................................................ 46

5.1. Which data does a MIDI Set contain?.............................................................................................. 46

5.2. Why and how to use MIDI Sets?...................................................................................................... 47

5.3. Editing a MIDI Set............................................................................................................................. 50

5.4. Copying MIDI Set data..................................................................................................................... 51

5.4.1. Selected MIDI Set setting: I Note # or I Channel.................................................................. 51

5.4.2. Selected MIDI Set setting: n Receive Channel or n Send Channel ..................................... 52

Contents

6. Step Set ........................................................................................................................ 53

6.1. Which data does a Step Set contain?.............................................................................................. 53

6.2. Why and how to use Step Sets?...................................................................................................... 54

6.3. Description of Step Set settings....................................................................................................... 55

6.3.1 ACC Mode, ACC Low, ACC High, Delay Repeat, Delay Time.............................................. 55

6.3.2 n Step Length........................................................................................................................ 57

6.4. Editing a Step Set............................................................................................................................. 58

6.5. Copying Step Set data...................................................................................................................... 59

6.5.1 Selected Step Set setting: ACC Mode/Low/High, Delay Repeat/Time.................................. 59

6.5.2 Selected Step Set setting: n Step Length.............................................................................. 60

7. Copy.............................................................................................................................. 61

7.1. Copying single settings..................................................................................................................... 61

7.2. Copying Patterns, Songs, Chains, MIDI Sets, Step Sets and Rotates............................................. 62

8. Mute settings ............................................................................................................... 65

9. Chain............................................................................................................................. 67

9.1. Chain Structure................................................................................................................................. 67

9.2. Chain playback................................................................................................................................. 67

10. Song............................................................................................................................ 69

10.1. Song structure................................................................................................................................ 69

10.2. Playing a Song............................................................................................................................... 69

10.3. Editing a Song................................................................................................................................ 70

10.4. Copying and inserting Song Steps................................................................................................. 73

10.4.1. Copying and inserting a single Song Step ......................................................................... 73

10.4.2. Copying and inserting several Song Steps ........................................................................ 74

10.4.3. Copying Song Steps without inserting................................................................................ 75

10.5. Deleting Song Steps....................................................................................................................... 76

11. Recording note tracks............................................................................................... 77

11.1. Recording in Play Mode - Pattern................................................................................................... 77

11.1.1. Selecting a Pattern and a note track within the Pattern ..................................................... 77

11.1.2. Setting the MIDI receive channel for the selected note track............................................. 77

11.1.3. Editing the Step recording track......................................................................................... 78

11.1.4. Selecting Recording Mode................................................................................................. 78

11.1.5. Recording (Modes: SGL STP, SGL LEG, and SGL ALL)................................................... 79

11.1.6. Recording (Mode: Arp - UP1/UP2/do1/do2/Ud1/Ud2/ST2/Co1/Co2/Co3)......................... 82

11.2. Recording in Play Mode - Chain/Play Mode - Song....................................................................... 85

12. Rotate ......................................................................................................................... 86

12.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 86

12.2. How to activate Rotate:.................................................................................................................. 88

12.3. How to use Rotate.......................................................................................................................... 89

12.4. Rotate Data .................................................................................................................................... 89

12.5. Operation principles of the Rotate function.................................................................................... 89

12.5.1. Delay, Shift, Reset Mode.................................................................................................... 89

12.5.2. On/Off................................................................................................................................. 97

12.5.3. Destination......................................................................................................................... 98

12.5.4. Destination for instrument tracks........................................................................................ 99

12.5.5. Destination for note tracks................................................................................................ 101

12.6. Copying Rotate data..................................................................................................................... 103

12.6.1. Selected function: Delay, Shift or Reset........................................................................... 103

12.6.2. Selected function: On/Off................................................................................................. 103

12.7. Tips and tricks .............................................................................................................................. 104

1. Introduction

SQ16

1. Introduction

1.1. Basic usage of the SQ16

The SQ16 is predominantly used to create drum sequences. The SQ16 does not have a built-in sound source; instead it out-

puts MIDI data which control single drum instruments in an external drum expander or synthesizer. The SQ16 allows fast and

simple changes of the rhythm of a drum sequence. All changes can be made while the drum sequence is playing and are

immediately audible. That's why the SQ16 can also be used in a live setting.

With the exception of various synchronization commands (Sync, MIDI clock, Start/Stop/Continue) only Note commands are

sent by the SQ16. Other MIDI data types like Pitch bend or Controllers were consciously omitted to avoid complicated and

time consuming edit operations. For this purpose there are enough software sequencers in existence, which are often supe-

rior to a hardware sequencer. It would also defeat the purpose of the SQ16 - creating and editing drum sequences in a simple

manner.

The SQ16 offers a wealth of functions which go far beyond a step sequencer in the usual sense, like Delay (Echo), Arpeggio

or Rotate which helps create "irregular" rhythms.

Using the SQ16 as master:

•Example1:

The SQ16 controls the sounds and drumsets of a synthesizer. Simultaneously the synthesizer keyboard can be played;

the notes can be recorded into the SQ16 or transformed into an arpeggio. In addition the SQ16 synchronizes a drum

machine which has a sync input.

•Example2:

The SQ16 synchronizes an external sequencer. The drum sequence is transmitted via the synth's MIDI Thru to a drum

machine. The external sequencer itself controls the synthesizer.

Using the SQ16 as slave:

Here the SQ16 gets synchronized from an external sequencer. The SQ16 in turn controls the computer. If the external

sequencer must control the synthesizer too, this can be done via the MIDI Thru of the SQ16 in case the external sequencer

has just a single output.

1. Introduction

SQ16

1.2. Basic principles

• Pattern

So-called "patterns" form the nucleus of the SQ16. They are rhythmical patterns that consist of a limited amount of steps

(up to 16).

General architecture of a pattern:

Each pattern contains 16 tracks. Each track contains exactly one note per step. Within each instrument track all notes are the

same. If the SQ16 is triggering a drum expander each instrument track plays a single drum instrument (drum expanders

usually are built around drumsets in which each note is assigned to exactly one instrument).

Note tracks (track 14...16) can use different notes per step. If the SQ16 is triggering a synthesizer each note track plays back

a melody which can be assigned to certain sounds. If the synthesizer also contains drum sets you can simultaneously play

back Instrument tracks and note tracks. Each track has its own MIDI channel to allow an assignment to drumsets or sounds.

1. Introduction

SQ16

Creating a rhythm

The rhythm of a pattern depends on which step within each track are active or muted. Creating a rhythm with the SQ16

is fast and simple:

• Selecting a track

The LED's above each Step button 1-16 show the status of each single step (Step is active or muted)

• Editing a track

Each Step has its own button that toggles between the states of the Step.

Playing a pattern

When a pattern is playing all Steps are played back sequentially; e.g. Step 1, Step 2, Step 3... After the final step is rea-

ched the pattern starts again from the beginning. All tracks that have an active Step on the current Step Play Position

output a MIDI note. Consequently, the number of simultaneous MIDI notes can vary between 0 and 16.

Because all steps are played back sequentially you can easily display the rhythmical structure of a pattern by putting

one track above the other.

Display of current Step Play Position:

If a track is being edited and the pattern is played back each played step blinks. This sort of display is handy when

editing a track.

Editing note tracks

Since a note track can contain different notes different procedures are used to create a note track:

• Editing a note track (Insert/Delete/Transpose notes)

• Recording from an external keyboard

• Songs and Chains:

Playing back different patterns sequentially can create longer rhythmical structures. This is done with either so-called

Chains (pattern chains in fixed order) or Songs in which patterns can be grouped freely.

• MIDI Sets:

A MIDI set is used to assign a note number and a MIDI channel to each instrument track or a MIDI send channel and a

MIDI receive channel to each note track. Those data are not stored with a pattern! Each pattern can use one of 16 MIDI

Sets. All tracks are assigned to the various MIDI channels as defined by the MIDI Set.

• Step Sets:

The steps of each track don't have an own velocity setting. With a drum sequence it is often sufficient to use two diffe-

rent velocities to vary the volume of an instrument. For this purpose each track has its own accent track in which you

can activate an accent for each single step. However the velocity values used here are determined by the Step Set (indi-

vidually for each track). By assigning a Step Set to a pattern the velocity settings of this Step Set are used for each track

of the pattern.

• Rotate:

This function generates rhythmical variations by changing the Step Play Position; the original rhythm of the pattern

(instrument tracks and note tracks) however remains unchanged. The SQ16 contains 16 Rotate settings. Each Rotate

setting in turn contains different settings for each track.

1. Introduction

SQ16

1.3. Memory structure of the SQ16

• Block

The 8 Blocks are memory areas for permanent storage of data. Data is not lost after power-down. Each Block contains

the following data:

• Pattern 1...64

• Chain 1...16

• Song 1...8

• MIDI Set 1...16

• Step Set 1...16

• Rotate 1...16

• Mute Setting 1...15

• Global settings

• Edit Buffer

The Edit Buffer is the "working area" of the SQ16. Only data in the Edit Buffer can be edited or played back. Data of a

Block are edited or played back by loading this Block into the Edit Buffer and playing it/performing edit operations.

Anatomy of a SQ16-"session":

1.After powerup Block 1 is loaded automatically into the Edit Buffer. You can load a different block (but only one Block at a

time) into memory.

2.If you just play back the Edit Buffer data without performing edit operations the Edit Buffer plays back an exact copy of

the data of the loaded Block.

3.By performing edit operations only the data in the Edit Buffer is changed, not the data in the Block itself. If you want to

make those changes permanent you need to store the Edit Buffer into the Block again.

You can copy a Block (for example Block 1 to Block 3) by first loading Block 1 into the Edit Buffer and saving it into Block

4.The Edit Buffer is volatile; all data are lost after powering down.

1. Introduction

SQ16

1.4. Synchronizing the SQ16 to other sequencers

• Synchronizing with MIDI sequencers

Synchronization is done by MIDI clock. The SQ16 can be used either as Master (SQ16 controls external sequencer) or

as Slave (SQ16 is controlled by external sequencer). This mode depends on the settings for Clock Source, Clock OUT

On/Off and Autostart On/Off in the global settings (see 3.4).

• Synchronizing drum machines with DIN sync

The SQ16 can control drum machines that have a DIN sync input. The SQ16 sends the commands Start, Stop ad Clock

(24 ppq).

1. Introduction

SQ16

1.5. First steps

This section helps you to become familiar with the basic operation of the SQ16. If you have never before worked with an

SQ16 you should follow these steps carefully.

1. Making connections

1.1. Connect the SQ16 to a MIDI expander that offers both drum instruments (as drumsets) and other sounds. Connect

the SQ16's MIDI Out to the expander's MIDI In.

1.2. Connect the included power supply to the SQ16.

2. Turning on the SQ16

• On powerup Block 1 data is loaded into the Edit Buffer. The SQ16 is in Play Mode - Pattern with Pattern 1 selected.

The tempo is set to 120 bpm.

• The 13 instrument tracks of Pattern 1 are set to send on MIDI channel 10 and are configured for a General MIDI

drumset.

• The 3 note tracks of Pattern 1 are set to the following MIDI channels:

note track n14: Channel 1

note track n15: Channel 2

note track n16: Channel 3

3. Starting the sequencer

Press the "Loop" button and start the SQ16 by pressing the "Start/Stop" button. You should hear a drum sequence with

all 13 instrument tracks activated and all note tracks muted.

If the connected expander isn't playing at all check for:

• Wrong connections

• Incorrect MIDI setup in the expander (for example disabled MIDI In)

• The expander possibly doesn't have any drumkits or they are not set to receive on channel 10

If the instrumentation is not musically useful the expander probably uses a drum mapping different from the General

MIDI standard. In this case you will have to change the instrument assignments in the SQ16 (see section 10).

4. Selecting a pattern for playback

4.1. Press step buttons 1...16 to play different patterns. The currently playing pattern is displayed in the right readout,

the next selected pattern in the left readout.

4.2. Before continuing with the next step select Pattern 1.

5. Activating and muting instrument tracks

5.1. Press the "Inst/Note" button. Mute setting Co001 is selected; all 13 instrument tracks are activated; all three note

tracks are muted.

5.2. Press the "arrow up" button in the left Select/Edit section several times to select different Mute settings.

5.3. Press the "arrow down" button in the left Select/Edit section until again Mute setting Co001 is active.

5.4. Press step button 1.13 to mute a single instrument track or mute all tracks with the "ALL OFF" button. You can turn

back on a muted track by again pressing its corresponding step button. Use step button 14...16 to mute the note

tracks n14, n15 and n16.

1. Introduction

SQ16

6. Editing an instrument track (On/Off track)

6.1. Mute all note tracks (n14...n16) and all instrument tracks except 3 and 12 (LED's 3 and 12 are lit). Instrument tracks

3 and 12 should trigger the following sounds:

instrument track 3:tambourine

instrument track 12: bass drum

We are going to edit track 12 now:

6.2. Activate the "Inst Step - On/Off" function.

6.3. Press the "arrow down" button in the left Select/Edit section several times until instrument track 12 is selected (left

display: I12). The current Step Play Position is blinking shortly. All steps that light permanently will trigger a bass

drum; all other steps are muted.

6.4. You can change the rhythm of the bass drum track by triggering the bass drum at different positions:

a.Press step button 1...16 to activate or mute single steps.

b.Mute all steps using the "ALL OFF" button.

c.Activate all steps using the "ALL ON" button.

Before continuing make the necessary edits to the On/Off track to activate Steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

7. Editing an instrument track (Accent track)

This section shows you how to edit the velocity (and hereby the volume) of single steps. This of course requires a

velocity sensitive bass drum in the connected expander.

7.1. Activate the "Inst Step - Accent" function.

With the help of the "light band" interface you can see which step is currently played. Additionally each active step

is blinking (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

7.2. Setting accents

You can set an accent for each step. This results in a higher velocity for this particular step. Accents are set with

the appropriate step buttons. All steps without an accent are output with a common "low" velocity; all steps with an

accent with a common "high" velocity.

Activate the accent for arbitrary steps. If you set an accent for a non-active step the step button will light perma-

nently but of course no audible result will follow.

Before continuing make the necessary edits that the only accent is set on Step 3. Make according to example 6 the

necessary edits that only Steps 1, 2 and 3 are active (and played).

Table of contents

Popular Recording Equipment manuals by other brands

KV2 Audio

KV2 Audio 500 Series user guide

Robotics Technologies

Robotics Technologies microBus-Cam II installation manual

Seca

Seca 460 quick start guide

Cognex

Cognex MVS-8000 Series Hardware manual

Mect

Mect MPNC006 Series user manual

Bad Caf

Bad Caf THE LEASH operating manual

Strymon

Strymon NIGHTSKY user manual

Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi Electric 16CH DIGITAL RECORDER DX-TL5000U user manual

Tews Technologies

Tews Technologies TPMC465 user manual

Honeywell

Honeywell Excel 50 user guide

SeaLevel

SeaLevel COMM+8.LPCI user manual

Arturia

Arturia AUDIOFUSE STUDIO user manual

Rukra

Rukra RK-1240 quick start guide

Samson

Samson SCOM owner's manual

Dynacord

Dynacord DPS260 owner's manual

Nice

Nice Core user manual

Pyle Pro

Pyle Pro PSS8 manual

RF-System

RF-System TinyGate Assembly and user's manual