SEQUND VST by ALEXKID

GLOBAL SETTINGS WINDOW

Located at the bottom of SEQUND, this window is divided into 3 different panels. A Global Settings Panel, a Scale Panel and a Preset Panel. This window can be hidden or revealed by clicking on the [Global Settings Arrow] on the bottom left of the Plug-in.

GLOBAL PANEL

This is where you set the global values of SEQUND. You will notice that when any of the Length, Octave, Transpose or Velocity lanes are enabled, the corresponding controls in the bottom left panel of the Global Settings are disabled. Changing the visibility of each line allows you to switch between values set in Global Settings and your programmed sequence in real-time.You can also adjust the Clock Division and Swing values on the same panel.

• Clock Division – By default set to 1/16, this value defines the rhythmical resolution per bar. A setting of 1/16 will divide the bar in sixteen steps.
• Swing – This allows you to add swing to your patterns, negative values are also possible in order to create uncommon grooves.
• Length – Allows you to define the gate length on a global level, with a maximum length corresponding to the clock-division setting (e.g. If the clock division is set to 1/16th, the maximum duration of the gate will be of 1/16th). When made visible, the length lane overrides the global length settings.
• Advance Mode – Three Advance modes are now available. Clock, Gate and MIDI mode define how the plugin increases its steps:
  • Clock – Each step will increase with the defined clock division.
  • Gate – In this mode, Each step will only increase by one increment as each Gate becomes active (lights up) in the Gate Lane.
  • MIDI – The GATE lane will become inactive and steps will only increase when SEQUND receives midi notes above C3 (starting from C#3) from your DAW or even in real time with your keyboard. This opens new ways of expression, allowing you total freedom on the rhythm possibilities. (New in version 1.5.6)
• Velocity – Allows you to define the velocity value on a global level. Each step will output the same velocity. When made visible, the velocity lane overrides the global velocity settings.
• Octave – Allows you to transpose your entire sequence by octaves. When made visible, the octave lane overrides the global octave settings.
• Transpose – This setting allows you to transpose or shift the scale depending on the transpose setting (before/after scale). See the Scale Panel paragraph (next) for further explanations.
• Transpose via MIDI – When enabling the [Transpose keyboard button] in the [Transpose] window, Sending MIDI from a keyboard or your DAW will allow for real-time transposition. The Transposition value is altered by -12 semitones (or -12 scale steps) when a C1 is played ranging through to +12 semitones (or +12 scale steps) with a C3 played.

SCALE PANEL

The notes programmed in the Pitch A and Pitch B Lanes are always forced within a key and a scale and can be set by clicking the drop down menus in the bottom part of the scale panel. The factory scales correspond with Ableton Live and Push 2’s scales. Alternatively any scale can be edited or created by entering the scale edit mode simply clicking on the [Scale Edit] button on the top right of the panel.

Transpositions can be applied before or after the scale. When [Before Scale] is selected any transpositions will then be forced to fit within the scale and the transpose values won’t act as semi-tones but as steps within the scale instead. The result would be the following: If you are in a Scale of C Major and play a C Major Triad (C/E/G), a transposition of one step the the next note in the scale would result in a D Minor Triad (D/F/A). With [After Scale] selected, transpositions will be true and thus may fall outside the selected scale, all values being transposed

You can access further scale functions by opening the [Scale Menu] at the top right of the panel, next to the [Scale Edit] button. You get access to classic management functions such as:

• Save Scale – Save the current scale without renaming provided it’s not a ‘factory scale preset’.
• Save Scale as… – Save a copy of the current scale under a new name in the User Scale folder.
• Rename – Rename your currently active User Scale.
• Root Shift – When engaged, this setting allows the root key change to act as a transpose when it makes the most sense with the active sequence. When disabled, a Root Key change will result in the notes adjusting to the closest value within the newly selecte Scale. In most cases it doesn’t make any difference in your workflow, but we have set it to “ON” by default because it is the most expected behavior in a normal sequencer.
• Initialize – The scale setting goes back automatically to C Chromatic.
• Open Scale Folder – Allows you to Open your ‘User Scale Folder’ on your drive for quick file management.
• Set Scale Folder – Allows you to define a custom location of your ‘User Scale Folder’ on your Disk.

PATTERN PANEL

Each preset can hold 12 patterns, right-clicking on a pattern allows you to copy, paste or clear the block.

[Scale Lock] will force the current set scale to remain when switching between presets.

Enabling the [MIDI Pattern Control C0-B0] allows for real-time switching via a MIDI keyboard. Patterns will shift seamlessly within the phrase, never losing the sequence position even with complex polyrhythms. Pressing C0 on your keyboard (or sending a C0 from a MIDI clip) will call Pattern 1, C#0 Pattern 2, D0 Pattern 3… etc…

Bottom left of the pattern panel is the sequence export feature in case your DAW can’t record MIDI directly from SEQUND (Hello Logic users…). First define the [Export Length] in bars, click on the [Generate] button on the left side of the [Export Length] value, and the [Drag] button will become active. Then simply drag and ddrop from SEQUND’s [Drag] to your DAW MIDI Track et voilà! Your pattern data is exported.