StepPolyArp and Thesys. What's the difference?

markk

I got both of these apps some time ago. I quickly became familiar with StepPolyArp and grew to love it. That didn't happen with Thesys.

I've just started experimenting with Thesys again. It seems quite powerful, but what that can it do that StepPolyArp can't?

JohnnyGoodyear

Incremental myopia?

markk

Yes, there' s that.

[Deleted User]

I've just bought Thesys. It's a bit mad...

Carnbot

I really like what Thesys can do but it's too cramped on an ipad mini, I don't think you should have to zoom in on an interface. It's clearly designed for mouse use...hope there's an update in the pipeline

1P18

If you're looking for a reason to deal with the hassle that is Thesys' (Thesyses?) iOS interface you're probably not going to find a very good one. In other words the apps are that similar, but since you asked, there are some minor things.

1. You can set the loop lengths independantly of each other for each channel.
2. You can string together patterns, also setting the amount of steps before a pattern change.
3. You can set the range for the randomize button.

There's probably a few more things, just can't think of them. Nor can I properly format this message, so I'll just leave it.

markk

Random is good.

@1P18 said:

2. You can string together patterns, also setting the amount of steps before a pattern change.

Is SPA unable to do this?

1P18

The song mode (stringing patterns together) is done a bit differently in Thesys. In SPA I'm pretty sure you can just trigger different patterns. In Thesys you have more customization in how the patterns playback. It's in the lower right section, and you can set the order, the playback speed (I mistakenly said you can set the number of steps, but it's essentially the same thing), as well as the number of repeats.

KING

Thesys needs a 'Fabfilter-Style-Video' done for it...................

There are vids though! And of course we have the 'Doug-Style-Videos'. Great Stuff :-)

Edit: Thesys:

SPA:

Then look at the suggested vids for more..

Then just have a good old-fashioned 'press-every-button' time! :-)

Zetagy

StepPolyArp outputs multiple midi channels, Thesys outputs one.
StepPolyArp is more about transforming notes from an external source, Thesys is more about designing an abstracted note pattern within the app.
...
I'm trying really hard right now to come up with definitive comparisons, but I cant.
Actually they're two different beasts that can be used in two totally different ways.
They're both top-notch, indispensable, I highly recommend both.
...
One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is using CC commands sent to both, along with notes. Scales, keys, patterns can all be changed around from an external source making it possible to design a sort of sequence of sequences, instead of just stringing patterns along with the internal settings. To me, that's where things get really fun-!
...
Get both, you won't be sorry

markk

@Zetagy said:

One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is using CC commands sent to both, along with notes. Scales, keys, patterns can all be changed around from an external source making it possible to ...

Can SPA change patterns via an external source? I haven't found the way to do this, but would love to be able to!

Zetagy

There's a metric ton of things you can do with midi CC and SPA.
Read the manual and look at the MIDI implementation chart-!

markk

@Zetagy said:
There's a metric ton of things you can do with midi CC and SPA.

Yeah, but I don't think changing the pattern is one of them, according to the implementation.

Zetagy

MIDI CC 21 = preset change, accepts 0-15, also works with program change.

markk

When I change presets using that method I get an audible hiccup that I thought I would avoid by simply changing patterns. Each preset having x number of patterns.

Zetagy

That is where midi magic comes in. You need a good controller that sends an initialization beforehand. The only one I've found that can do this is midi sequencer by Igor Vasiliev. I made this video to demo a bug for Laurent Colson who makes SPA. He's since worked out the bug (it was having to do with live scale changes), but if you pause this video in the beginning, you can see all the settings I used to get SPA changing presets on sync. I'd be happy to answer more about this if you like. Anyway here's the video http://mikeszabo.com/testvideo.mov

markk

Interesting. I'm gonna have a bit of a play. Thanks for the info.

nick

how would you guys compare Thesys to Pro Midi ?

I think Thesys might just be too tiny for my eyes ...

Will

@nick said:
how would you guys compare Thesys to Pro Midi ?

They're both MIDI sequencers available on iOS. Comparison pretty much ends there—they're completely different approaches to MIDI sequencing. I guess the biggest practical difference is that Thesys is for sequencing one synth, ProMIDI is multi-track. But really, just about as different as they could be and still be categorized as sequencers.

nick

ah, thanks, that clarifies.
I think pro midi is more what I want right now so I'll pass on Thesys

BiancaNeve

On a similar note anyone know when Kirnu Cream for ios is coming out?

JohnnyGoodyear

@Zetagy said:
That is where midi magic comes in. You need a good controller that sends an initialization beforehand. The only one I've found that can do this is midi sequencer by Igor Vasiliev. I made this video to demo a bug for Laurent Colson who makes SPA. He's since worked out the bug (it was having to do with live scale changes), but if you pause this video in the beginning, you can see all the settings I used to get SPA changing presets on sync. I'd be happy to answer more about this if you like. Anyway here's the video http://mikeszabo.com/testvideo.mov

Helpful stuff, thanks for sharing it.