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Sequencer That's Sends PC MIDI Messages?
Hi,
I think I asked, but there were none.... but maybe somebody has made something new and valuable.
Are there any sequencer apps that rather than "play a note" send a MIDI PC message out on a certain beat??
Thanks
AJ
Comments
When you say sequencer, do you mean step sequencer?
Hi. A fairly simple script could convert MIDI Note Ons to PCs (and block any Note Offs). You could get some basic functionality with a couple of StreamByter one-liners.
But I wonder what you could use this for. Most apps, synths or effects, are not particularly graceful about switching presets during live playing. There are issues of uninitialized buffers, cutting off existing sounds, etc. I know some high-end hardware synths can smoothly switch to a new preset while still playing any sustained notes, but I don't believe that's a feature of iOS music apps.
Do you intend to use these PCs to switch app presets, or do they have some other use? Might you be better off converting sequencer notes to one or two CCs to change some parameters, cross-fade between two synths, etc.?
@uncledave Excellent point. Yes... for example, I want to change the Pitch on the Eventide VOX plugin, on or before certain beats, and change it back at/before certain beats. Yeah.... I wonder if it the plugin will crash if I try to do this?
@espiegel123 Yes.... something like step poly arp, without the "pitch" part, just dividing a measure in 16 or 32 or 64 steps, and then on each step, or any I wanted, I could send a PC message. Of course..... if I needed some setting changed on or by beat 2 of a 4 beat measure, then I would send the PC message just before beat 2 (on step 7 of 16 or step 15 of 32) to assure the setting change or the plugin responded by beat 2.
@Vmusic : I agree with @uncledave . The path of least resistance is use a note based sequencer an use something to translate notes to other messages
Program Change (PC) messages are generally used for preset changes, but what you’re describing is more like adjusting individual settings than changing presets. CC messages are more typically used for that, and are far less likely to cause disruptions.
StepPolyArp can be used for that by just disabling the notes. Another app that can be handy for that is StepBud - again disabling the notes.
If you’re familiar with StepPolyArp, I’d say that’s the easiest way to go.
I don’t think either of those will do PC messages.
It really doesn’t sound like PC messages / preset changes are what is needed here.
@wim perhaps there's another way to send (pre-configured) MIDI PC changes on or just before a certain beat of a measure using the hosts' clock? I don't think, but maybe there's a plugin.
I cannot rely on me pressing a footswitch at a certain time; it's much easier to have it automated and time to the host clock. It would be such that the first 2 beats a plugin has certain settings, and the last 2 beats it has a different set of settings, etc.
I don’t understand. I wasn’t saying you shouldn’t use a sequencer. I’m saying that I think Program Changes (PC) are probably not what you want to use based on what you said earlier. It’s just not typical to do a whole preset change every few beats. It’s more typical to send CC messages to make just the adjustments you need as you need them. Another advantage is you don’t have to anticipate the load time for a preset change. Control adjustments take place virtually immediately and without the glitches that can occur with some plugin preset changes.
If you’re making changes to several controls rather than just a few, that’s maybe different.
There are several sequencers that can send CC messages when you need them, not so many that can send PC messages. Btw, you don’t have to use PC messages to do preset changes if you’re using Loopy’s preset system. Any midi message will do.
If you’re set on using PC messages, then I agree that converting notes to PC messages with something like mfxConvert Is the best way to go.
@wim Well, I'm not set on any particular MIDI message. I wanted a plugin that acts like a step sequencer for ease of use; so that I don't have to write a script or whatever. It seems odd that nobody has a set sequencer that sends out MIDI messages (of any type) at whatever step you want, that syncs with the host clock. My guess is that people are used to changing settings on plugins via LFOs, which are fine but don't provide an exact message at an exact time, and then send a bunch of unneeded messages (if they're sending CC messages all along the oscillation path)
I guess I’m completely failing to explain things. Yes, there are plenty of sequencers, including StepPolyArp that can sequence sending midi messages. Yes, you do need a sequencer by all that you've said. I’m not sure where the disconnect is in in my attempts to explain. Maybe someone else can be of more help.
I find StepBud useful for such things, but some people don’t find it as intuitive as I do. StepPolyArp can only sequence one CC at a time, so that's not the best choice if you want to manipulate more than one control.
Pattern Bud from Cem Olcay can send both CC and PC messages.
That looks like a good choice too.
Does it by any chance have an option to send messages a little bit before the beat or bar?
Tera Pro has that feature - I wish every synth did. Apart from the performance benefits, it makes preset demos on YouTube sound great, so it is a pity more devs don't implement this, might help them sell more apps.
I cannot see any configurable timing but you can add actions to the steps. These actions can send CC and PC as well. According to the tutorial they are executed at the end of the step.
Maybe the trick is so send the PC as an action configured in the previous step.
Thanks @catherder
In terms of timing the MIDI messages in advance, I believe that is possible with some of the aforementioned sequencers as well as others, if you use more steps per bar. For example, if the sequencer being used is set to 16 steps per bar, you could send the MIDI message for the next bar early step 15, or you might even be able to push it up to 32 steps per bar depending on the sequencer app. It may get rather tedious to do this, but it seems like a possible solution. Also, I'm wondering if you need to be able to see the exact value of the MIDI message that you're sending at each transition, or if a graph with vertical lines would be sufficient. If you just need a visual representation showing the value on a scale of say 0-127, then I have a couple more suggestions on apps that can sequence MIDI.
Helium and LK support program changes and of course it’s a breeze to convert anything using either Mozaic or MIDI Messenger.