Chaining Patterns Without Using The Chain Feature

[AlenK]

I’ve been experimenting with my XW-P1 again after a long absence. Yeah, I know, that’s a dangerous time sink for me. But I keep discovering things. Like how to chain the patterns of a sequence together without using the Chain feature. This is good if you don’t want to switch patterns interactively. Or if you just want patterns that are longer than 16 steps. 
 

The technique involves assigning the Step Sequencer Pattern Number Select NRPN to a knob and then sending values to that knob using a control track in the pattern. The values are unique to the pattern being played and serve to switch from the current pattern to another pattern, typically the next higher-numbered pattern or the first pattern, the latter in order to make the “mini-chain” into a loop. 
 

I always thought that this would work but for some reason, I never tried it until today. It works as I expected. 
 

For now, I will leave this as “an exercise for the student” because I don’t have the time to describe the specifics of how to do it. But anyone who really delves into my modest document here will be able to figure it out because all of the required elements are described there. 
 

Unfortunately, the technique doesn’t allow step editing across patterns. The XW-P1 ignores the Step Sequencer Pattern Number Select NRPN  in step edit mode. A pity. 
 

PS. If someone here or elsewhere already posted about this capability here or elsewhere at some time since the XW synths were introduced, please let me know. I would want them to get proper credit for the technique. 
 

 

Edited March 27, 2024 by AlenK

[XW-Addict]

I remember someone did some narly wave/tone stepping with the solo synth using nrpn , I have to look it up on soundcloud hope it still there very long while ago 🙂

[AlenK]

I remember that too. It was Hypnotuba:

https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba

 

He (or she, who knows?) has some great examples there of wave sequencing, which is quite a different thing than what I'm talking about above but fascinating in its own right. There have been discussions in the forum about how to formalize wave sequencing as a technique on the XW-P1 and XW-G1. Monophonically, either XW synth can sequence the waves of up to four oscillators in the solo synth. If all four are needed in a tone, then it can do 16 waves in each of the four sequences. If no more than three oscillators are needed in a tone, then the technique presented here could extend their wave sequences to as many as 128 waves.  

 

PS. In one of the comments on the SoundCloud page at the link, Hypnotuba said he is a member of the forums here. If he still posts here, maybe he will chime in!

 

Edited March 25, 2024 by AlenK

[Tom banjo]

''The technique involves assigning the Step Sequencer Pattern Number Select NRPN to a knob''

I can't see this as a destination in the assignment choices for the knobs in the (((performance--editor-knob assignment]]]]--nor in my unlearned   status--If anyone can say when and where and which one to punch into the editor--It would help me learn to program ideas--- with the nrps and registered nrps--

If I knew the moves I could reverse engineer the breadcrumbs and go elsewhere with it--

Edited March 18 by Tom banjo

[AlenK]

You assign the Step Sequencer Pattern Number Select NRPN to a knob by selecting “NRPN” as a function for the knob in the Performance Edit menu (Controllers submenu) and entering in the correct numbers for MSB and LSB. You will find the correct numbers on page 118 of the current rev (5) of The XW-P1 Companion. They are MSB=37 and LSB=1. You must also select “LSB” as the value that the knob sends. 
 

Now go to the Sequencers submenu of the Performance Edit menu and make sure the Change parameter says “Real.”

 

One more edit before testing. Exit completely from the Performance Edit menu and press the SETTING button. Select “MIDI”, then scroll to the S. Seq NRPN parameter. Turn it On. While you are at it, turn On all of the other NRPN parameters in that menu. You’ll need those turned On if you want to try other esoteric stuff in the future. 
 

Now you can test your new knob function. First, twist the knob to its full counterclockwise position. Start a sequence (any sequence). Now turn the knob slowly clockwise. As you turn it, you will hear the sequencer progressively change patterns starting at 1 and ending at 8. 
 

So far so good. To have a step-sequencer control track control the knob instead of you needing to turn it by hand, you just assign K1, K2, K3 or K4 (whichever you chose) as the parameter that the values in the steps of the control track are sent to. To switch from one pattern to another using the control track in a pattern, fill every one of its step except the last with a value that is one less than the number of the pattern you are editing. In the last step, enter a value that is one less than the number of the pattern you want to jump to. Note that the number of steps in the control track should be equal to the number of steps in the longest note track in the pattern. (Just to start off easy. There are other options.)
 

Exit completely out of the step-sequencer editor. Now select the pattern you edited and press START/STOP. The sequencer will play the first pattern once and then jump to the destination pattern, which it will play in a loop, as patterns usually do. How to link more patterns should now be obvious.

 

 

Edited March 20 by AlenK
Typo

[Tom banjo]

thank you so much Alen--I have been totally lost on  using rpns and with your great response I should be able to get a grasp on that much--I will definitely come back and acknowledge one way or the other--

I would never have guessed some of this -and didn't know your companion  had that great indepth list of the ccs--evidently i need to revisit  parts of it -also I know the destinations you gave me--so I am looking forward to tomorrows session

Edited March 20 by Tom banjo

[Tom banjo]

I  got it accomplished  tonight Alen--the first time I ever used the NRP send action and also-- finally realized/learned  some of the   logic [data needed on LSB) --I got the knob working "pretty soon"but the virtual controllers gave me fits because  I deviated from your advice--I realized I had to program both patterns  but my trouble was not setting things back a number-

The fact that  you have this machine figured out  in such depth--is evidence of a great wisdom of synths--and their inner connections etc.--your helping us lesser mortals is evidence that you have   a  talent  that  has  been used  in the best of ways   thanks again

Edited March 23 by Tom banjo