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Sequencing sequencers?
I'm attempting to program an evolving synth line, so I'm using a generative MIDI sequencer. (The specific generative MIDI sequencer isn't important for this workflow, but I like to use ChordJam or OODA or Fugue Machine or Cem Ocley's Bud sequencers, etc.). But I want to be able to switch between various different AUv3 sequencer programs in a looped, automatic manner.
In essence, I'm trying to figure out how to rearrange my setup around some sort of meta-sequencer that I could use to sequence changes in other sequencers.
Effectively, I'm interested in automating the muting and unmuting of different sequencers. For instance, I might want to alternate between 1 bar of a sequence that I composed manually (ie. using LK or Xequence or Helium), followed by 3 bars of a generative sequence from another AUv3 app. I don't want the two sequences to play at the same time. So I'm looking for a way to essentially mute or bypass the generation of MIDI notes from one AUv3, and I need to automatically toggle this MIDI bypass between ON and OFF states in a loop according to my specific timing requirements.
I can imagine a couple different approaches to achieve the desired effect, however I have not yet figured out for myself how to actually implement any of them.
One approach could potentially involve sending different sequencers to the same synth on different MIDI channels (ie. send a sequence to the synth from LK on channel 1, and a sequence from ChordBud on channel 2, and a sequence from Harmony Bloom on channel 3, etc.). The I could create a clip of MIDI CC automation and use it to control my synth. Using the MIDI CC automation, I might be able to tell my synth to automatically switch between receiving MIDI input from channel 1 to channel 2 to channel 3, etc..
Another potential approach might involve using program change messages. I haven't ever used this feature before but I have a vague sense that it might be useful for achieving the type of automation that I'm aiming for. I believe Cem Oclay's app PatternBud could be worth buying if it's capable of facilitating this.
Alternatively, I could duplicate the synth instrument to two different channels, and control each of the synths with a different sequencer. Then, I could use an app like 4Pocket's MIDI Mixer to automatically adjust the volume level automation of the two tracks, creating the illusion that a single instrument is shifting between the two different sequencer patterns. One synth instrument would play out loud while the other is silent, and vice versa. (I've have not yet purchased this app, but I think it would probably work in this situation.) However this would be more CPU-intensive than other approaches.
Surely there are other possible methods of achieving this effect, too. I'm wondering how others in this forum deal with the challenge of automatically changing between various MIDI sequencers in a looped pattern.
I typically use AUM, although I'm open to other standalone apps as long as they play nicely with AUM. Is this the kind of problem that EG Nodes is meant to solve?
Comments
I experimented with this a few years back in AUM using Patternbud to load and unload instances of Particles but never really used it for anything, can't remember why now...
I made two Mozaic scripts that emulate the sequential switches found in the Eurorack world a while ago. The N-1 version in the zip package allows the sequential combination of different midi streams on different channels. This looks very much like what you are talking about:
https://patchstorage.com/sequential-channel-switch/
amazing work! this achieves exactly what i'm aiming to do! I've spent a little time using it and I'm super impressed and incredibly grateful that you have shared this with me!
At first I found it inspiring but a bit too limited. However, after exploring it further and examining the code I've discovered that the script is deeper than I initially realized! I had mistakenly believed that the script was always stuck with a fixed length of 16 steps, but I eventually discovered the ability to change the total number of steps in the sequence by setting any step either to "reset" or "skip". I made some minor cosmetic improvements (updated the step numbering scheme from 0-15 to 1-16 like most conventional sequencers), but beyond that the functionality you put into this thing is spectacular! Thank you again!
I’m glad you enjoy it. Apologies for the lack of a manual. Not sure if you noticed it already: SHIFT toggles the run state (displayed in the title bar). This is important if you want to start/stop it regardless of host transport state. And very useful if you clock it with midi notes and without any host sync.