Step Sequencer Question

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nazaru
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2011/07/28 12:34:37 (permalink)

Step Sequencer Question

Is there a way to have a 32 beat 8 steps per beat sequence visible on the screen it's entirety without having to scroll.  I have a two screen setup and if I could achieve this I would be completely happy.  Having to scroll to edit the sequence not viewable on the screen makes the step sequencer almost unuseable to me for the way that I like to work when building drum patterns.  I prefer to make 8 measure patterns which would be 32 beats long but would also like to be able to throw in a 32nd note from time to time hence the 8 steps per beat designation.  Thanks.

Dean (Nazaru) McCray
www.thelegionofboomINC.com
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#1

22 Replies Related Threads

    garrigus
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/07/28 12:40:55 (permalink)
    If the Step Sequencer is in the MultiDock, right-click its tab and choose Undock. That should float the window and now you can resize the window to whatever size you want including across multiple screens.

    If the window isn't floating after being undocked, click the upper right corner of the window and choose Enable Floating.

    That should do it...

    Scott

    --
    Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
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    #2
    nazaru
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/07/28 12:52:15 (permalink)
    WOW!  Thanks Scott.  Im going to buy your book.  Will it be revised to cover anything new that X1C integrates? 

    Dean (Nazaru) McCray
    www.thelegionofboomINC.com
    Sonar Platinum, Reason 8.2, Reactor 5, Pro Tools 12, 
     
    Intel Q6600 @2.9 GHz, 8 Gig Ram, Windows 10 64 
    Dual 23 " Acer monitors
    MCU with 3 XT, Mackie C4 
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    UAD-2 Octo, Antelope Audio Orion Studio
    Maudio B8 Monitors
    #3
    garrigus
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/07/28 13:51:42 (permalink)
    nazaru
    WOW!  Thanks Scott.  Im going to buy your book.  Will it be revised to cover anything new that X1C integrates? 
    Thanks, Dean! I appreciate it and I hope you enjoy the book. No, there won't be a revision, but the updates are usually mainly just bug fixes.

    My upcoming DVD tutorial series will include X1c changes, but again, the update is probably mainly bug fixes... http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor

    Scott

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    Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
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    #4
    nazaru
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/07/28 14:10:42 (permalink)
    Well Scott, I have been able to get the step sequencer to float and it is even across multi screens but there seems to be a limit to resizing it because I cannot get it any larger than 59 steps at 32 beats per sequence and 8 steps per beat before it starts scrolling.  There is nearly and entire monitor worth of additional realestate to use if it would allow me to continue resizing.  I wonder if this can be fixed?  Hmmm? 

    Dean (Nazaru) McCray
    www.thelegionofboomINC.com
    Sonar Platinum, Reason 8.2, Reactor 5, Pro Tools 12, 
     
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    Dual 23 " Acer monitors
    MCU with 3 XT, Mackie C4 
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    #5
    garrigus
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/07/28 14:31:15 (permalink)
    No, sorry. I don't know of any other way to resize the Step Sequencer window or the interface itself. Cakewalk must have programmed it that way.

    Scott

    --
    Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
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    #6
    Widetrack
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/01 19:32:03 (permalink)
    Scott:

    My StepSeq is definitely floating, but if, for example, I set it to 8 beats of 8 steps each, it won't display all eight bars at once on my 2-monitor setup.

    If I cut it down to 4 bars, or 8 bars with 4 steps, I see the whole thing, But I like the rhythmic power of 8 x 8 and wish I could use it. The snapping back and forth StepSeq does makes it unusable in that config.
    #7
    lorneyb2
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/01 20:05:21 (permalink)
    May be a workaround by first stretching the Main Sonar interface across both screens,(not maximized), then, Set Step Seq. to Enable floating( which does not allow stretching beyond 1 screen for some reason) then. select Disable floating without moving the location of it.  Now stretch the end of it across 2 screens. 

    It will also work  in Multidock the same way provided you have the entire interface stretched across both screens.

    Sonar Platinum 64bit, Win 8.1 Pro 64bit,  Quad Core 3.2GHz,  16G ram, Edirol FA 101, Nvidia
    EW (Platinum Orchestra, Hollywood Strings, Pianos, Gypsy, Fab 4, Ministry of Rock,Choirs, etc)
                     
    #8
    nazaru
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/02 22:05:57 (permalink)
    Widetrack


    Scott:

    My StepSeq is definitely floating, but if, for example, I set it to 8 beats of 8 steps each, it won't display all eight bars at once on my 2-monitor setup.

    If I cut it down to 4 bars, or 8 bars with 4 steps, I see the whole thing, But I like the rhythmic power of 8 x 8 and wish I could use it. The snapping back and forth StepSeq does makes it unusable in that config.

    Yes.  To me the step sequencer is totally unusable when it scrolls.  I really need to be able to sequence 32nd notes in the step sequencer for snare and closed hi hat cymbals.  I love to create 8 bar drum patterns but the Sonar step sequencer is not going to allow such a layout without implementing scrolling.  The step sequencer has SOOOOOOO much potential to create killer drum patterns.  I hope that Cakewalk is listening.  Peace.

    Dean (Nazaru) McCray
    www.thelegionofboomINC.com
    Sonar Platinum, Reason 8.2, Reactor 5, Pro Tools 12, 
     
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    #9
    Widetrack
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/03 17:13:26 (permalink)
    Thanks Lorney, but my screen wtill has an 8 x 8  limit.
    #10
    lorneyb2
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/03 17:36:55 (permalink)
    Were you able to get it stretched the full width of the 2 screens?  If not our difference may be due to screen resolution or screen size. I'm using 1680 X 1050 on 2 x 24in. monitors.  In multidock I can get 109 steps(measure 14 beat 5) using 14 beats, 8 steps, and fit quarters set to 4
    post edited by lorneyb2 - 2011/08/03 17:38:30

    Sonar Platinum 64bit, Win 8.1 Pro 64bit,  Quad Core 3.2GHz,  16G ram, Edirol FA 101, Nvidia
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    #11
    nazaru
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/03 21:54:32 (permalink)
    I have  21.5 inch screens so perhaps I dont have the realestate that you have.  I guess that I will have to PRV my hi hat and snare parts.  Thanks for the help.
     

    Dean (Nazaru) McCray
    www.thelegionofboomINC.com
    Sonar Platinum, Reason 8.2, Reactor 5, Pro Tools 12, 
     
    Intel Q6600 @2.9 GHz, 8 Gig Ram, Windows 10 64 
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    MCU with 3 XT, Mackie C4 
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    Maudio B8 Monitors
    #12
    Widetrack
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/06 22:44:00 (permalink)
    Lorney:

    Not sure of my screens' rsolutions. I know one's 1650 and the other is somewhat smaller. But I can open the stepseq so parts of it are on both screens, just not all the way across. Although I cn drag it back and forth across the screens, it still won't open to 8 x 8.

    Got to admit, I never tried a 14-measure, 5-beat pattern.
    #13
    lorneyb2
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/07 02:27:19 (permalink)
    Did you follow the instructions I indicated in post #8?

    Sonar Platinum 64bit, Win 8.1 Pro 64bit,  Quad Core 3.2GHz,  16G ram, Edirol FA 101, Nvidia
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    #14
    Widetrack
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/08 16:46:19 (permalink)
    Lorneyb2:

    This is complicated.
     
    My X1 does allow me to stretch Stepseq across both screens, but I can't stretch it to display a full 8x8 image.
     
    If I disable floating, I can stretch it to 8 x 8. But of course this requires it to stretch across both monitors, and unfortunately, my monitors are of different models and resolutions, so where the stepseq crosses from one to the next, the image changes size enough to make watching it just about as gnarly as having it jump back and forth when it just displays 7 bars.
     
    I haven't tried multidock, since it seems that with my mismatched monitors, it won't help. I'll give it a try anyhow.

    Thank you for the suggestion.
    #15
    nazaru
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/08/08 23:18:26 (permalink)
    lorneyb2


    Did you follow the instructions I indicated in post #8?


    The most that I can get using the instructions that you advised is 128 steps.  32 beats at 4 steps per beat before it will start to scroll.  This is useable for everything except snare and Hi hat because I like to use 32nd notes which would require 8 steps per beat as opposed to 4 steps per beat.  Your technique does however does allow the step sequencer to be stretched across 2 monitors in their entirety from end to end but with my monitors this allows only 128 steps before scrolling starts.  Peace.

    Dean (Nazaru) McCray
    www.thelegionofboomINC.com
    Sonar Platinum, Reason 8.2, Reactor 5, Pro Tools 12, 
     
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    #16
    JaneLynch
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/07 22:21:00 (permalink)
    Yes, it is weird they didn't fix this in the update. I actually can't even fit 8x4 beats in my screen. The last two beats cause the screen to scroll, causing spatial disorientation, and making it so you can't see or connect with what you're working on and ultimately rendering the Step Sequencer useless. I can compose beats in 4x4. Unfortunately I can't adjust my screen resolution. 

    I selected 'disable float' or 'enable float' whichever was not already selected, and the Step Sequencer is now pinned beneath the Sonar main upper panel and cannot be dragged higher. It still cannot be lengthened or adjusted in size. There are also no more options to 'enable float' that pop-up menu has vanished. 

    #17
    JaneLynch
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/07 22:32:47 (permalink)
    yeah. that is a real bummer. i found 'enable float' . it somehow moved from the upper right corner to the upper left corner. whether it's on or off doesn't change anything. i can't find any configuration file which might determine the dimensions of the views. it's very large on my screen, even with only 8x4. I have a 1024x768 display. i could not find any graphics driver to increase. guess i'll have to make tons of 4x4 beats and hook them together somehow.
    #18
    Seth Perlstein [Cakewalk]
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/07 23:32:42 (permalink)
    For those of you with low-res laptops, try connecting a 1080p monitor to its monitor output. X1 was designed with a minimum 1280x800 resolution (and even that's pushing it, IMHO). Its all about the screen resolution, not the screen size, so the higher the res the more you will see, and the lower the res the less you will see. SP
    #19
    JaneLynch
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/09 04:14:05 (permalink)
    I have a new problem with the Step Sequencer, which I started using as 4x4. I had created a drum sequence and somehow the kick drum just stopped working. It's still programmed in, but makes no sound. Everything else plays. There is absolutely no way to figure out how to restore it. It's frustrating because I thought I was home-free when I finished my project, but nope. Technology is really the enemy of creativity, when you look into the future. 

    Anyway if anyone knows how to make the drum kick play sound again, let me know. 


    #20
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/09 04:17:08 (permalink)
    What synth is it assigned to. Hardware? Software? It hasn't become unassigned somehow?

    You haven't inadvertently knocked the velocity down on all the kicks?
    #21
    JaneLynch
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/09 04:24:04 (permalink)
    I just ended up choosing a different kick, which luckily was in the same kit. I think this may be the last time I use the Step Sequencer. I don't like the whole vanishing and disintegrating aspect. I tried to duplicate a Sequence to make a similar sequence, but when I erased the new one, it erased the old one and all the instances of it in the project. As annoying as FruityLoops 3 is, it still is able to allow you to sequence notes (16x4), and have them stay there unless you delete them yourself, and also stretch audio without screwing around with that idiotic AudioSnap thing. Smash me in the head with a hammer. 
    #22
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Step Sequencer Question 2011/09/09 04:43:46 (permalink)
    The erasing thing is by design. When you duplicate a clip it is linked to the previous one by default. To unlink them click on the clip(s) and select unlink from the right click context menu.

    I have a keybinding for it as I use it constantly. I create a clip then create copies from that for various song sections unlinking and editing them as I go.
    #23
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