The sequencer (Easy record?)

If you have never tried sequencing before then try working through this article and by the end you should have a grounding on how to produce a sequence. You will probably be surprised how easy it is to achieve some good results. The following is based on the 3000 and 5000 sequencers which are virtually the same. However the principles are the same for all KN instruments. If, using these techniques, you succeed in producing a fully sequenced song then you are well on the way to being able to produce your own album.

What is a Sequencer

For the uninitiated, you should probably think of the sequencer section in your keyboard as a tape recorder. There are many different levels at which the sequencer can be used. Several times over the past years customers have phoned me with problems regarding how to hook a tape deck onto their instrument to record the performances, so that they could then sit back and listen to see what works and what doesn’t from the other end of the room. I have then pointed out that they do not need a tape deck, as the keyboard will perform this function on its own, thus getting around the problems of what leads are needed etc, etc. The next question I’m asked is "How can I do that?" The answer to that lies in the "Easy Record". This is sequencing at its easiest level and is a good place to start the learning curve. Taken a stage further, many of you will have seen Midi Files and yet know little of what can be done with them apart from pressing the start button and listening. Once you have an understanding of the way the sequencer works, you will find there are a number of ways these files (and Technics sequences) can be changed, to tailor them to your requirements. These changes once made, then mean you can play along with a sequence with a lot of other tracks playing at the same time and so give a pretty spectacular rendering of the song you are playing. Before we get to that stage however, back to the very basics.

Easy Record

We are fortunate with the KN range (and some of the organs and piano’s) to have a little button called easy record. This is an excellent place for the beginner to learn what a sequencer is and what it will do with the minimum of fuss. Many of the problems you will come across in the more in depth use of the sequencer are bypassed, such as track assign, another favourite question! This tape deck (sequencer) is cleverer than an ordinary tape deck as once you have recorded a piece of music, it is possible to go back into it and change things or tidy up any little mistakes that have been made. You should think of the Easy Record as five tape decks linked together to record each part simultaneously but each on a different tape.

Tape 1 (track 1) - for record and playback of "Right One"

Tape 2 (track 2) - for record and playback of "Right Two"

Tape 3 (track 3) - for record and playback of "Left"

Tape 4 (APC) - for record and playback of the accompaniment backing parts

Tape 5 (Control) - for record and playback of control data

Because each section is on a different track, it makes it easier to get to a specific part afterwards and then alter it if needed. Not all the tracks need to be used or even recorded at the same time, in fact there are several different ways to input the information into which ever track you wish. Musical parts may be played in or written in one note at a time in step record. Control data may be recorded in real time, pretty much as you would record a musical part or again in step edit and it is also possible record much of the control data needed at the start of the song with something called panel write. As you become more advanced you will move away from the "Easy Sequencer" and use the full sixteen track version. The principles are largely the same but there is much better control of what is to be re-recorded and then edited. Another way to record into the sequencer would be to first do the recording on a computer with a sequencer program such as Cubase and then get the computer to play the whole thing in one go straight into your instrument. Before trying to run though, we need to learn to walk and if you follow the next section, we’ll get you on your way.

Sequencing from scratch

Using the standard waltz pattern on the 3000 as a start point (although any rhythm will do as the principle is the same), make sure the auto play chord is on, the tempo is set between 90 and 100 to suit your tastes, the variation you wish to use is selected, you have a piano sound set to "Right one" and that "Right two" is not being used. Press intro one and synchro start, this way you will get an introduction when you play your first chord If all the panel settings are made before the next step they will automatically be recorded without any fuss. The next step in the process is to press the red "Easy Rec" button followed by "OK". If all has gone well you will now be ready to record this simple sequence. Don’t touch the keyboard until you are ready to record, play the first chord and then play the song until the end. Don’t worry if you get it wrong, just press the red "Easy rec" button and try again. This can be repeated as many times as you would like until you are happy with the results. When you get to the end of a version you are happy with, press the "Rec Stop" button as soon as the outro finishes. Now press the grey "Sequencer Play" button, press start and listen to the results. Again if you are not happy then just go back to the beginning and re-record the song, repeat as many times as necessary.

So far so good, you should now have a sequence that sounds quite pretty, even if it is a little basic. Before doing anything else, save this to disk so that you have a point where you are happy with the results to go back to should anything go wrong. This is important, while this is only a simple song its a good habit to get into, as you progress and make sequences that become more and more complicated, you’ll be protected from those times when things do go wrong. It only takes a power failure at the wrong time to lose hours of work otherwise. Ok, the next step is to add a layer of a different sound on top of you recorded sequence and start building it up. To do this, press the sequencer reset button (fill 1), select "Right two" and choose a sound from a sound group. Next, press the black "Sequencer button, "Realtime" and the channel "RT2" (accomp 3 volume up) twice so that it says "Rec" in the screen. When you ready, press "Start" and play the music. You should remember here that you only wish to play the right hand part as all the rest is already recorded. Once your sequence has got to the end press "Rec stop" and the grey "Sequencer play" button, pressing "Start" will then play back your whole sequence included the new layered part. If you are happy then again save this to disk. I should point out that it wasn’t necessary to record the melody the first time, you could just record the left hand chords. If you wish to do this, use the instructions in this paragraph but this time apply them to "Right one" for the melody line.

Before we get into putting more layers on top, (this will use more tracks) the next step is to learn about some of the control changes that can be placed into the sequence.

Editing using Panel Write

For changes to be made right at the start of a sequence the process is quite simple. For the sake of argument, lets say we don’t like the piano sound that is being used on "Right one" and we would like to change it to a pan flute. Go to the Sequencer play page and press sequencer reset. This will make sure everything is set as its supposed to be. Now select the Pan flute in the Flute and Ethnic sound section. To make the sequencer remember this sound change, press the black sequencer button, choose edit, select page up and the press panel write. The keyboard will ask you if you are sure, so press OK. Press sequencer play, start and Hey Presto your piano sound will have changed to a Pan Flute. There are other settings that can be changed using this process. If by now you are getting bored with listening to the same intro over and over again, change it to intro number two. Maybe the volume on one or more of the parts is incorrect and needs editing, follow the same procedure and when you play the sequence back, these parameters will be altered to the new settings.

It should be remembered that easy record is just what it says. It is a good place to start to learn what a sequencer can do for you. It is not however as versatile as the main sequencer section . If you have any questions then send us an e-mail or leave a message on the Forum.

John Romero.