Xequence 2.4 Public Beta Available

SevenSystems

Greetings everyone!

Xequence 2.4 is now entering public beta! Here's the TestFlight link:

https://testflight.apple.com/join/0BHeU8z7

This version is all about workflow tweaks & improvements (and your regular assortment of smaller fixes).

The manual update for 2.4 is still in the works and I'll drop a link here when it's finished.

Here's the changelog:

NEW:

• Instruments: Xequence now comes with over 40 factory instrument (MIDI configuration) templates. More to be included in the future. They can be accessed in the "Factory" folder via the usual "Load" button in the instrument editor.

A big thanks to @crushed for providing all 39 Korg Gadget instruments!

Also: If you want to contribute your own instrument files for inclusion in 2.4, it'd be most welcome.

• Arranger: When opening an editor for a clip with linked clips, the "xx linked" notification now contains a direct "Unlink" button, removing the need for a tedious round-trip to the arranger and back.
• Pianoroll: New "Remove doubles" option in the "Process" menu to remove notes starting at (almost) the same time: Only the longest of all overlapping notes will be kept. Notes with higher velocity will be prefered if in doubt.
• Recording: Prevent double notes: Only keep longer / higher velocity notes (can be disabled in settings).
• Recording: If a newly recorded clip overlaps with existing clips, Xequence will now offer to merge them or move the clip to a new sub-track.

IMPROVEMENTS:

• When Xequence is hosted as an IAA, the host's icon is now shown as an additional tab in the top toolbar and you can switch back to it with a single tap.
• Keyboard: Reorganized and much improved key and scale selector.
• Keyboard: Controller ribbons to be shown can now be selected directly on the keyboard screen (instead of in instrument settings). Also, the limit of 3 controller ribbons has been removed.
• Keyboard: Improved touch handling for better response time and less wonkyness with wild playing styles.
• Keyboard: Much improved key-position-to-controller handling for all 3 modes.
• Drum Pads: Drum maps can now be more efficiently selected via the regular file selector.
• Arranger: Instrument settings for each track's target instrument can now be accessed directly from the track menu.
• Arranger: Mute and Solo buttons are now directly accessible at any vertical zoom level.
• Arranger: Current track is now always drawn taller, providing access to all buttons at any vertical zoom level.
• Arranger: Generally improved dynamic tracklist layout.
• Arranger: Significantly smoother editing under high CPU load.
• Arranger: Tweaked clip previews.
• Arranger: When naming clips, if all selected clips already have the same name, pre-fill the input box with it.
• Toolbars: Added labels to top and keyboard toolbar icons.
• When loading a project that uses 'Xequence Source' and it is not enabled, offer to enable it.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Timestretching now by default turns itself off again every time the horizontal handles are used; this is probably a rarely used mode and having it unexpectedly enabled probably often gives unexpected results (the old behaviour can be restored in Settings).
• Arranger: Undo / Redo now always preserves which track is selected.
• Various little user interface tweaks to make life more productive.
• MIDI Sync: When recording, the Count-In is now be excluded so that the slaves only start after the Count-In.

FIXES:

• Keyboard: Kill any held notes when changing scales.
• Keyboard: Fix problem with keys sometimes sending the wrong (maximum) velocity when sliding between keys with multiple fingers in dual mode in both manuals simultaneously.
• Controller Editor: Fix existing automation not being deleted when recording new automation via the left-hand ribbon and recording is started while the ribbon is already being touched.
• Recording: Fix rare situation where controller data recorded during count-in could be written one or more bars early.
• Fix rare situation when Xequence's settings could revert to defaults.

ipadbeatmaking

Hey now!!!!!!

ipadbeatmaking

@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

cokomairena

There goes my weekend

SevenSystems

@cokomairena said:
There goes my weekend

Nah, the changelog is shorter than it looks!

ipadbeatmaking

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

catherder

@SevenSystems any plans to add step recording ? Less proficient keyboard players - myself included - would appreciate this very much. And because X2 can only act as MIDI master, it would offer a great way to record sequences from external hardware that cannot be synced from X2 because you use an external clock source.

SevenSystems

@catherder said:
@SevenSystems any plans to add step recording ? Less proficient keyboard players - myself included - would appreciate this very much. And because X2 can only act as MIDI master, it would offer a great way to record sequences from external hardware that cannot be synced from X2 because you use an external clock source.

Step recording has been requested a lot and I'd definitely like to see it as well. I can't currently say if / when it will be added though.

ipadbeatmaking

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

Yes loopy Pro. Ok so they have to be tethered via audiobus? No way to go direct?

catherder

@SevenSystems said:

@catherder said:
@SevenSystems any plans to add step recording ? Less proficient keyboard players - myself included - would appreciate this very much. And because X2 can only act as MIDI master, it would offer a great way to record sequences from external hardware that cannot be synced from X2 because you use an external clock source.

Step recording has been requested a lot and I'd definitely like to see it as well. I can't currently say if / when it will be added though.

Thanks for your work. I would be very happy if the “if / when” at least becomes a “when” 😉

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

Yes loopy Pro. Ok so they have to be tethered via audiobus? No way to go direct?

You should be able to enable "Virtual MIDI" as a MIDI source on Loopy Pro's mixer page. Then, Loopy Pro should appear as a MIDI destination in Xequence. There's more about this here:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/48438/loopy-pro-questions/p10

(search for "Xequence" inside the page! )

ipadbeatmaking

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

Yes loopy Pro. Ok so they have to be tethered via audiobus? No way to go direct?

You should be able to enable "Virtual MIDI" as a MIDI source on Loopy Pro's mixer page. Then, Loopy Pro should appear as a MIDI destination in Xequence. There's more about this here:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/48438/loopy-pro-questions/p10

(search for "Xequence" inside the page! )

Thanks! I think I followed all the steps but I still can’t get loopy to advertise a midi destination. Weird. I’ll keep trying. Probably user error on my part

ipadbeatmaking

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

Yes loopy Pro. Ok so they have to be tethered via audiobus? No way to go direct?

You should be able to enable "Virtual MIDI" as a MIDI source on Loopy Pro's mixer page. Then, Loopy Pro should appear as a MIDI destination in Xequence. There's more about this here:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/48438/loopy-pro-questions/p10

(search for "Xequence" inside the page! )

Thanks! I think I followed all the steps but I still can’t get loopy to advertise a midi destination. Weird. I’ll keep trying. Probably user error on my part

Edit: I had to restart loopy pro and it works! Thanks

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
@SevenSystems is there a way to make the scale choice global?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

(mind the typos!)

Ok thanks! Also, is there a (recommended) path to getting this working with loopy (stand-alone)? I’d like loopy to host the auv3 instruments, do my initial sequencing with Xequence and then let loopy 🍩 do it’s thing.

I don’t see a ‘Loopy Destination’ the same way AUM shows a ‘AUM destination’

In case you mean Loopy Pro, there's been several threads about this setup recently, here's one:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/51928/fantastic-video-and-project-audiosbus-aum-xequence-2-and-loopy-pro

Yes loopy Pro. Ok so they have to be tethered via audiobus? No way to go direct?

You should be able to enable "Virtual MIDI" as a MIDI source on Loopy Pro's mixer page. Then, Loopy Pro should appear as a MIDI destination in Xequence. There's more about this here:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/48438/loopy-pro-questions/p10

(search for "Xequence" inside the page! )

Thanks! I think I followed all the steps but I still can’t get loopy to advertise a midi destination. Weird. I’ll keep trying. Probably user error on my part

Edit: I had to restart loopy pro and it works! Thanks

I'll look into it further ASAP... in the meantime, you might want to try around in Loopy Pro's menu, under "MIDI Control" -> "Virtual MIDI In". Also, under "System Settings", try enabling "Play in Background" 🤷

ipadbeatmaking

Small request @SevenSystems …when we hit the + on the instrument panel of an instrument I love that it automatically goes up to the next channel number, but could it also change to the next color also? Or is the idea for every same destination to have the same color regardless of channel?

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:
Small request @SevenSystems …when we hit the + on the instrument panel of an instrument I love that it automatically goes up to the next channel number, but could it also change to the next color also? Or is the idea for every same destination to have the same color regardless of channel?

Heh, it's an interesting one.

The "global" + button does assign the next free color, but not the next free channel (it can't because the destination is undetermined yet). The + button on each instrument does the opposite.

I guess the idea is that when you duplicate an instrument then it might somehow belong to the same "class" of instruments (say, drums) which you might want to keep in the same color. While when you use the "global" + button, it's a totally different instrument and it should look different.

It's hard to say which behaviour is more useful.

I'm totally open for ideas though

ipadbeatmaking

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
Small request @SevenSystems …when we hit the + on the instrument panel of an instrument I love that it automatically goes up to the next channel number, but could it also change to the next color also? Or is the idea for every same destination to have the same color regardless of channel?

Heh, it's an interesting one.

The "global" + button does assign the next free color, but not the next free channel (it can't because the destination is undetermined yet). The + button on each instrument does the opposite.

I guess the idea is that when you duplicate an instrument then it might somehow belong to the same "class" of instruments (say, drums) which you might want to keep in the same color. While when you use the "global" + button, it's a totally different instrument and it should look different.

For drums I just do this via the timeline version of the instrument and it does it perfectly. Keeps the same channel and color. And I use the multi-output variant of that drum auv3 (Sitala for instance) and let AUM handle the outputs of each element (hats, kick, snare) etc. for fx, mixing etc.

It's hard to say which behaviour is more useful.

Maybe a preference option.

I'm totally open for ideas though

SevenSystems

@ipadbeatmaking said:

@SevenSystems said:

@ipadbeatmaking said:
Small request @SevenSystems …when we hit the + on the instrument panel of an instrument I love that it automatically goes up to the next channel number, but could it also change to the next color also? Or is the idea for every same destination to have the same color regardless of channel?

Heh, it's an interesting one.

The "global" + button does assign the next free color, but not the next free channel (it can't because the destination is undetermined yet). The + button on each instrument does the opposite.

I guess the idea is that when you duplicate an instrument then it might somehow belong to the same "class" of instruments (say, drums) which you might want to keep in the same color. While when you use the "global" + button, it's a totally different instrument and it should look different.

For drums I just do this via the timeline version of the instrument and it does it perfectly. Keeps the same channel and color. And I use the multi-output variant of that drum auv3 (Sitala for instance) and let AUM handle the outputs of each element (hats, kick, snare) etc. for fx, mixing etc.

It's hard to say which behaviour is more useful.

Maybe a preference option.

Probably the best, yeah. There's already 2 options for this anyway so might just as well add a third 😆

royor

Thank you very much for the back-to-host button.. 🙏 this is a huge workflow improvement.. 😁
I’m sure I’ll notice most of the other tweaks as I play inside the app in the next few sessions.. ALL of them are welcome + greatly appreciated..

catherder

I am not sure if I am missing something: It looks as if Xequence2 on my iPad does not have Ableton Link support. The "Link" button that (as far as I can see on YT videos) sits in the top right corner right of the bluetooth icon and the "(i)" is not there.
I am having the problem with both the stable and this beta version.
My system: ipad 9th. gen., iOS 15.7

SOLVED: Found it. It's in the tempo / bpm menu. These videos have very likely used an older version of X2.

Model10000

Mostly like to work in audio as fast as possible on iOS, but this is really clicking and will pick it up. What’s the fastest way to get many multiple imported MIDI files horizontally linked end to end on one instrument?

Jumpercollins

@catherder said:
I am not sure if I am missing something: It looks as if Xequence2 on my iPad does not have Ableton Link support. The "Link" button that (as far as I can see on YT videos) sits in the top right corner right of the bluetooth icon and the "(i)" is not there.
I am having the problem with both the stable and this beta version.
My system: ipad 9th. gen., iOS 15.7

@catherder Check under BPM

SevenSystems

@royor said:
Thank you very much for the back-to-host button.. 🙏 this is a huge workflow improvement.. 😁
I’m sure I’ll notice most of the other tweaks as I play inside the app in the next few sessions.. ALL of them are welcome + greatly appreciated..

Probably the most useful instantly deprecated feature ever! 😄

SevenSystems

@catherder said:
I am not sure if I am missing something: It looks as if Xequence2 on my iPad does not have Ableton Link support. The "Link" button that (as far as I can see on YT videos) sits in the top right corner right of the bluetooth icon and the "(i)" is not there.
I am having the problem with both the stable and this beta version.
My system: ipad 9th. gen., iOS 15.7

SOLVED: Found it. It's in the tempo / bpm menu. These videos have very likely used an older version of X2.

Yes, sorry, it has moved to the BPM menu. One of the few instances where I changed the placement of a basic UI element because I thought it was worth it (also, in case Xequence ever gets the ability to sync to MIDI, it would make sense to consolidate both sync methods in that menu.)

SevenSystems

@Model10000 said:
Mostly like to work in audio as fast as possible on iOS, but this is really clicking and will pick it up. What’s the fastest way to get many multiple imported MIDI files horizontally linked end to end on one instrument?

I don't think there's currently a faster way than tapping "INSERT" -> "MIDI File" in the arranger toolbar for each file.

catherder

@SevenSystems said:

@catherder said:
I am not sure if I am missing something: It looks as if Xequence2 on my iPad does not have Ableton Link support. The "Link" button that (as far as I can see on YT videos) sits in the top right corner right of the bluetooth icon and the "(i)" is not there.
I am having the problem with both the stable and this beta version.
My system: ipad 9th. gen., iOS 15.7

SOLVED: Found it. It's in the tempo / bpm menu. These videos have very likely used an older version of X2.

Yes, sorry, it has moved to the BPM menu. One of the few instances where I changed the placement of a basic UI element because I thought it was worth it (also, in case Xequence every gets the ability to sync to MIDI, it would make sense to consolidate both sync methods in that menu.)

No need to apologise. This makes perfect sense. I was actually finding it in the end because that is where I would have put it, and thus looked for it.

Model10000

@SevenSystems said:

@Model10000 said:
Mostly like to work in audio as fast as possible on iOS, but this is really clicking and will pick it up. What’s the fastest way to get many multiple imported MIDI files horizontally linked end to end on one instrument?

I don't think there's currently a faster way than tapping "INSERT" -> "MIDI File" in the arranger toolbar for each file.

Thanks, it just took me a second to figure out the scroller at the bottom to move inserted clips so they weren’t on top of each other. Would be very welcome if the insert folders saved last used folder and position so directory doesn’t have to be navigated from the start each time when inserting tons of files. Regularly have to do this for a project. Or just drag and drop from the Files app. Nice work on this app.

SevenSystems

@Model10000 said:

@SevenSystems said:

@Model10000 said:
Mostly like to work in audio as fast as possible on iOS, but this is really clicking and will pick it up. What’s the fastest way to get many multiple imported MIDI files horizontally linked end to end on one instrument?

I don't think there's currently a faster way than tapping "INSERT" -> "MIDI File" in the arranger toolbar for each file.

Thanks, it just took me a second to figure out the scroller at the bottom to move inserted clips so they weren’t on top of each other. Would be very welcome if the insert folders saved last used folder and position

Yes, absolutely, remembering the last folder for each situation (also for loading instrument settings etc.) is definitely needed and high up on the todo list!

Or just drag and drop from the Files app.

Not quite as high up on the todo list, but still... somewhere 🎉

Nice work on this app.

Thanks!

RajahP

Can someone do a video of these updates, please.. Thank you..