Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row?

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Mantofini
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2013/10/15 17:54:51 (permalink)

Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row?

I read through the documentation on the step sequencer and couldn't find out if this was possible or not... When you add a new row, it usually adds the next MIDI note. So, for example, if the top row is note 50, the new row will be note 51. Is there a way to use a press of the keys on my MIDI keyboard to select the desired note?
 
I'm asking because, I have a version of Studio Drummer and it is mapped across all 49 keys of my keyboard. There are quite a few voicings/sounds for each kit piece. I'd like to add a new row and just press the key I want to switch the step sequencer row to that note. I don't know the MIDI notes off by heart and I usually take a while to find the exact sound I want by randomly typing in a number and incrementing/decrementing accordingly.
 
It was taking so long that I ended up giving up and just playing the drum part manually on the keyboard... It wasn't pretty. I am really sloppy... I'd rather use the step sequencer. If it matters, I'm using X2a.
 
Thanks for any help. Also, sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.
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    robert_e_bone
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/16 10:00:38 (permalink)
    I work with drum parts in Step Sequencer all the time, and at the moment there are some weird things that can happen if drum maps are used with step sequencer, so I too have to deal with note names/numbers like you do.
     
    What I ended up doing was to build a Word document that has a table in it where I pu in the note names and numbers, as well as the associated general midi mapping of drum kit pieces that get triggered for each note.
     
    I then use that document when creating drum sequences in step sequencer, and it seems to work pretty well.
     
    When I create any custom kits that do not map as general midi maps drums, I also then create a Word document specific to that custom kit's mappings, and I use that then when I am sequencing drums in step sequencer.
     
    It doesn't take but a few minutes to create such a document, and for kits that map to general midi drum note values, it is quite easy to begin to learn what notes play which drums.  Creating similar documents for custom kits also does not take much, and having that document handy when sequencing the drum parts for those kits makes that an easy task, as well.
     
    I hope that helps - from a different thread, Dan from Cakewalk has been looking into some of the reported issues using drum maps with step sequencer, and if they ever get that stuff all working like it is hoped, then you will be able to use drum maps and not have to guess any more.
     
    Until then, try the method I describe above, and maybe that will do the trick for you - for now.
     
    Bob Bone
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
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    brundlefly
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/16 12:23:12 (permalink)
    Mantofini
    Is there a way to use a press of the keys on my MIDI keyboard to select the desired note?



    This would be a good feature request to make. Some other SONAR data fields allow note number entry in this way, but not Step Sequencer. The easiest workaround I can think of without adding some other plugin that shows incoming note numbers is to run a MIDI port monitor utility like MIDI-OX. MIDI-OX has an Always On Top display option so you can see and enter the note numbers in Step Sequencer without having to swap apps.
     
    http://www.midiox.com/

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    #3
    Mantofini
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/16 17:18:58 (permalink)
    robert_e_bone
    I work with drum parts in Step Sequencer all the time, and at the moment there are some weird things that can happen if drum maps are used with step sequencer, so I too have to deal with note names/numbers like you do.
     
    What I ended up doing was to build a Word document that has a table in it where I pu in the note names and numbers, as well as the associated general midi mapping of drum kit pieces that get triggered for each note.
     
    I then use that document when creating drum sequences in step sequencer, and it seems to work pretty well.
     
    When I create any custom kits that do not map as general midi maps drums, I also then create a Word document specific to that custom kit's mappings, and I use that then when I am sequencing drums in step sequencer.
     
    It doesn't take but a few minutes to create such a document, and for kits that map to general midi drum note values, it is quite easy to begin to learn what notes play which drums.  Creating similar documents for custom kits also does not take much, and having that document handy when sequencing the drum parts for those kits makes that an easy task, as well.
     
    I hope that helps - from a different thread, Dan from Cakewalk has been looking into some of the reported issues using drum maps with step sequencer, and if they ever get that stuff all working like it is hoped, then you will be able to use drum maps and not have to guess any more.
     
    Until then, try the method I describe above, and maybe that will do the trick for you - for now.
     
    Bob Bone
     



    Thanks for the suggestion Bob. You wouldn't happen to have one of those Word documents ready for the default Studio Drummer mapping, would you? I would gladly compensate you with a flattering thanks you post that contains your choice of heartwarming emoticon in exchange for it... Otherwise, I have some work to do.
     
    Hopefully, Dan reads this post and steals my using the keyboard idea. It just seemed natural to me. Especially with input echo on, you could just hit a bunch of keys quickly to find the sound you want and then quickly map the key to a row.
    #4
    Mantofini
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/16 17:20:14 (permalink)
    brundlefly
    Mantofini
    Is there a way to use a press of the keys on my MIDI keyboard to select the desired note?



    This would be a good feature request to make. Some other SONAR data fields allow note number entry in this way, but not Step Sequencer. The easiest workaround I can think of without adding some other plugin that shows incoming note numbers is to run a MIDI port monitor utility like MIDI-OX. MIDI-OX has an Always On Top display option so you can see and enter the note numbers in Step Sequencer without having to swap apps.
     




    Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look in to that.
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    robert_e_bone
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/16 20:23:35 (permalink)
    STUDIO DRUMMER includes mapping templates for instant use with E-DRUMS and other Drum Modules / software:
    General MIDI
    V-Drums TD-12/20/9 V/10 V / V-Drums TD-3/6/8*
    DrumIt Five
    Superior Drummer
    BFD
    iMap
    Addictive Drums
     
    -------------------------
     
    Here is from another site's reference to the kit mappings:
     
    http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5109947
     
    Let me know if that will work for you.  You should be able to cut/paste from the doc.
     
    Bob Bone
     
     
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
    Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) 
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    #6
    Mantofini
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    Re: Step Sequencer - Use keyboard to select notes for each row? 2013/10/18 19:06:17 (permalink)
    robert_e_bone
    STUDIO DRUMMER includes mapping templates for instant use with E-DRUMS and other Drum Modules / software:
    General MIDI
    V-Drums TD-12/20/9 V/10 V / V-Drums TD-3/6/8*
    DrumIt Five
    Superior Drummer
    BFD
    iMap
    Addictive Drums
     
    -------------------------
     
    Here is from another site's reference to the kit mappings:
     

     
    Let me know if that will work for you.  You should be able to cut/paste from the doc.
     
    Bob Bone
     
     
     




    Bob. I just wanted to say thanks. I didn't realize there was more documentation in the Komplete sample library folder. The pdfs indicated in that forum post were exactly what I was looking for. I will print this off and keep it handy. Thanks for being so helpful.
    #7
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