CreamWare Noah Step Sequencer User manual

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
-Tactive Instrument Modeller
MainTable of Contents
The Step Sequencer
Controls
Example Sequence Configuration

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
The Step Sequencer
Each of the 4 instrument slots can be
addressed not only by an external
keyboard or MIDI sequencer, but also by
Noah’s onboard Arpeggiator or Step
Sequencer.You can assign an indepen-
dent instance of the Step Sequencer to
each slot.
To assign the Step Sequencer to an
instrument slot, select Seq as the Trig
Src ( Trigger Source ) for the respective
slot in the MIDI Manager.
The Step Sequencer lets you create
unison sequences you can think of as
loops.Asequenceconsistsofamaximum
of 16 steps in which each step has a
configurablelength.
When it receives a MIDI note, the Step
Sequencer starts playback at the speed
set in the MIDI Manager.The sequence
is transposed according to the note
received.

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
Controls
Step Length: Selects the overall
resolution for the Step Sequencer (that
is,the smallestrequirednote length).For
example, choose 1/16 if your shortest
step is a 16th note.
Possible values: 8/1, 4/1, 2/1,1/1, ½ dot,
½, ½ trpl, ¼ dot, ¼, ¼ trpl,
1/8 dot, 1/8, 1/8 trpl, 1/16 dot, 1/16,
1/16 trpl, 1/32, 1/32 trpl, 1 Clock .
Values of the form x/1 are longer than a
beat.4/1,then,indicates4beats perstep.
Values with a „trpl“ are triplets. 1/4trpl
indicatesaresolutionoffourtriplets, orsix
steps per bar.(in 4/4).Values with a „dot“
indicateadottednotevalue.Therefore, 1/
4dotstandsfora dotted quarter-note(=3
eighthnotes).
Setthe actuallengthof theindividual steps
under Length per Step, where you can
entera whole numbermultipleof the value
configured here for each step.
Step Loop: Switches loop playback on
or off.
Length: Selectherethenumber of steps
toincludeinthe loop (continuous loop).
SEQ 1 - 4:Multiple instances of the Step
Sequencer exist. Each instance is
assigned to one of the Instrument slots.
Use the switches - the number of which
dependsupontheoperatingmode(
Single,
Multi ) and the hardware version (Noah,
NoahEX)- to selectthedesiredinstance
fordisplayandediting.
Activate SEQ1-4: Turn this switch on to
activate the step sequencer for the
corresponding slot.This is equivalent to
selecting the step sequencer as trigger
sourcein the MIDIManager.
Activate SEQ1-4

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
Signature Mode: Signature (time
signature) mode specifies the start/stop
behavior of loop playback through the
followingoptions:
Off:Signaturesettingshavenoeffect.
AutoRestart: The Step Sequencer
starts from the beginning using the bar/
beatsettings configuredunder
Signature .
Thisis independentofwhetherStepLoop
is enabled or not.
Auto Stop:TheStep Sequencerstopsat
the end of the bar configured under
Signature , even if the total of the step
lengths adjusted under Length exceeds
thebarlength.
Signature:These two values define the
numberofbeatsintheloop(bar),andthe
valueofabeat(see
SignatureMode ).They
representthe timesignatureoftheloop.
Center Key: ThisistheMIDInotenumber
that starts the sequence without any
transposition.Whennotesotherthan this
arereceived,the sequence istransposed
accordingto the notereceivedrelative to
thisone.
Hold: Push this button in order to have
the sequence continue to play after the
key is released. Push it again to stop the
sequence. You can achieve a similar
resultusingtheholdpedal:thesequence
plays as long as the pedal is held and
stops when the pedal is released. The
control message sent by the hold pedal
is„absorbed“bythe sequencer and is not
passedalongtothesynthesizerwhichthe
sequencerisplaying.

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
The following parameters, located in the
lower part of the control interface, are
individuallyadjustableforeachstep.
Note: SetstheMIDInotefor each step.
See the comments under Center Key.
Length: Thelength(duration)ofthe step
asamultipleoftheresolutionasconfigured
underStepLength.Forexample,iftheStep
Lengthis1/16,avalueof1meansthestep
willhaveadurationofa1/16thnote.Avalue
of2indicatesastepdurationoftwo1/16th
notes,oran1/8thnote.
Gate Duration: This is the length
(duration)ofthe note itselfasopposedto
the length of the step. Therefore, if the
steplengthis1/16and the
GateDuration
is set to 50, the note will last for 1/32nd
note (50% of a 16th note) and the
remaining time will be played as a rest.
You can change the value by adjusting
the bar display with the mouse.
Velocity: Sets the MIDI Velocity value
(keystroke intensity) for each step.
Youcanchangethevaluebyadjustingthe
bardisplaywiththemouse.
You can also control certain device
parameters such as the filter cutoff of the
Minimaxor Lightwave’s PanusingVelocity
values.

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
Example Sequence Configuration
The following example should help clarify the use of the Step
Length , Length ,and SignatureMode parameters.
We’llassumethatthesequencehasthefollowingrhythmicform
andthataloopistheequivalentofabar.
The smallest note value that occurs is an eighth note triplet.
Therefore,setthe Global valuefor StepLength to1/8trpl.Because
thephrase is onlysevennotes long, you’llneed only sevenof
the16 steps. Therefore,set the Length to7 steps andenable
Step Loop . Next, set all notes to the desired pitches (in this
example,C3forallsteps).
Givethefirsttwostepsa
Length of3(becauseaquarter-note=
3eighth-notetriplets).Givethenextnotealengthof2,andthe
lastfournotesalengthof1.
The Step Sequencer will now play the seven notes as a
continuousloop andwillignorethesubsequent,unusedsteps,
sincethefirstsevencorrespondtothelength of a bar.
Alternativelyyoucouldsetthe
Signature to4/4,and Signature
Mode to Auto Restart . With these settings, too, the 7-note
sequencewillplayback as a loop.

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Step Sequencer IndexContents
Index
A
AutoRestart 4
AutoStop 4
C
Center Key 4, 5
continuous loop 6
Controls 3
D
dotted note value 3
dotted quarter note 3
G
Gate Duration 5
Global 6
K
Key 4
L
Length 3, 5, 6
length 3
Loop Length 3, 6
N
Note 5
O
Off 4
P
Possible values 3
S
SEQ 1 - 4 3
Sequence Configuration 6
Signature 4
Signature Mode 4
Step Length 3, 6
Step Loop 3
T
triplet 6
triplets 3
V
Values 3
Velocity 5