4. Sequence

Tap on the Sequence button at the top of the screen. Refer back to the tutorial video (4:15). Each of the sequencing functions are explained in more detail here. Refer to the screenshots as needed.

​

SEQUENCE BUTTONS: There are 8 grey buttons, places for storing individual sequences, which are currently empty and ready to fill. By sliding right or left you can access up to 4 banks of the sequence buttons, meaning that you can store up to 32 sequences in total, for one project. Once a sequence has been filled, the button will turn blue with step patterns inside.

​

RECORD: When you press record, whatever you touch on the sample pads, including the individual sound(s) selected, and the rhythm you play them in, will get sequenced into the track. Play the different samples in time with the metronome to create your sequence. You can add one sound, then layer additional sounds over the top each time the pattern loops. Pressing record again will stop the recording and the metronome.

​

To make a new pattern, press a new sequence button and repeat the above process. If you wish to merge 2 patterns drag one sequence on top of another sequence. You will be given the option to mix the sequences or add the one you’re dragging to the end of the first sequence.

​

To add a new sound to an existing sequence, you can select the button for the sequence and press record. You will hear the existing sequence to be able to play in time with and record your new sound over the top. Another option is to duplicate your sequence by dragging it to a new sequence box. The new sound can then be recorded onto your duplicated sequence while preserving the existing sequence. This can be an effective way of layering sounds into your sequences.

​

PLAY: The play button is automatically depressed with the record button, and so the recorded sequence will continue to loop until you press the play button again to stop the play back. When the play button is depressed without the record button, any samples pressed will not be sequenced, so you can practise your beats and add them to the sequence when you are ready.

​

During playback, you can switch between different patterns by pressing the sequence buttons. The audio continues playing through, and retains its place at the current bar number, so moving from one sequence to another is smooth.

​

During playback, if you find your samples need to be adjusted or edited, this is easily done by returning to the sample page. For example, if the volume is too loud, or the tone needs to be softened, these can be adjusted in the sample page while playback is on. Any changes made to sound samples after the sequence is recorded will flow through to the sequence.

​

METRONOME: Pressing the metronome icon will turn the metronome on or off during recording as desired. To change the tempo, slide the BPM number left or right. Alternatively tap on the BPM number for the option to increase/decrease the tempo in small increments by pressing the + or – buttons, or press tap to skip through.

​

QUANTIZE: When quantize is selected (in the metronome menu), the rhythm of the sound samples played into the sequence will be aligned to subdivisions of the beat so any imperfections in your timing will automatically be corrected.

​

SWING: Swing can be added to the sequence, even after recording, by sliding the blue bar across the swing button (in the metronome menu). Swing affects the underlying semiquaver pulse, by making every 2nd semiquaver pulse delayed. The higher the level of swing, the greater the delay. Tap anywhere on the screen to hide the metronome menu.

​

BAR: Selecting the bar button will allow you to increase the length of your sequence to up to 64 bars (each with 4 beats in them) by pressing the + and – buttons. If, for example, your sequence is 2 bars long, there will be 8 beats for you to record your sequence. After 8 beats your pattern will loop. Adding bars to an existing sequence will append empty bars. Double up will double the number of looped patterns in your sequence, thus doubling the number of bars.

​

CLEAR: The clear button will clear the sequence box that is currently selected. A message will appear, asking if you are sure you want to clear this sequence. Once cleared, this cannot be undone. If you want to remove a sound sample from a sequence, press clear and hold until the pads are flashing, then tap the sound sample to be removed.

​

UNDO: Pressing the undo button will only remove the last single sound tapped.

​

KEYBOARD: If you have a sample that you want to play in different pitches, press the keyboard button, then choose the sample to play on the keyboard. The grid represents a musical keyboard in a more condensed layout. The light red colour shows the original pitch of the sample, while the darker reds are octaves up and down. Select a scale to use from 10 different options by clicking on the menu in the bottom left corner. Select a sequence pattern, or make a copy of a pattern by dragging it to a new sequence box. Press play to practise your pitched sounds over the top of the pattern. When you are ready, press the record button to add your pitched sounds to the sequence. Multiple keyboard pads can be played simultaneously if desired.