User:Bllix/sandbox/Music sequencer

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A music sequencer (or simply sequencer) is a device or application software that can record, edit, or play back music by processing note and performance information of various forms. MIDI or CV/Gate are common forms of delivery; others include audio and automation data used with audio plugin and digital audio workstations (DAWs).

Overview[edit]

Music sequencers are often categorized by the type of data they process to produce sound, their construction, or by their sequence mode ("record mode"). MIDI sequencers process data received from

       on MIDI sequencers

An example of realtime sequencer on synthesizer
Real-time sequencer (real-time mode)
Musical notes programmed into a real-time sequencer are recorded in real time, as on an audio recorder, and played back with designated pitch, tempo and quantization. For real-time editing, punch in/out features are often supported; however, to edit details, another editing mode may be needed. Built-in sequencers on electronic keyboards often support real-time mode.
An example of analog sequencer
Analog sequencer
An analog sequencer generates sound with analog electronics. It is designed for both composition and live performance. The user may change the notes in a sequence without entering record mode. Steps (the time interval between each note) are independently adjustable.
An example of step sequencer
Step sequencer (step mode)
On the step sequencer, musical notes are divided into steps, and each step is recorded without exact timing. Instead, the timing of each step is designated separately, either by the order in which the steps are programmed (on bass machines), or by the selection of column buttons (on drum machines).[clarification needed] Analog drum machines and bass machines often utilize this mode, along with semi-real-time mode.
Software sequencer
A software sequencer is application software that provides the functionality a sequencer. A software sequencer may simulate an analog sequencer. The user may control the software sequencer by using either a graphical user interface or a specialized input device, such as a MIDI controller.
Typical features on software sequencers

Piano roll editor
with strip chart

Score editor
 

Audio and MIDI tracks on DAW

Loop sequencer
 

Sample editor
with beat slicer

Vocal editor
for pitch and timing

Modern sequencers[edit]

Today's typical software sequencer, supporting multitrack audio (DAW) and plug-ins (Steinberg Cubase 6[1])
The interface of Steinberg Cubase v6.0, a digital audio workstation with an integrated software sequencer.
See also: § Software sequencers, Audio sequencer, Digital audio workstation, and Audio plugin

With the advent of MIDI and particularly Atari ST in 1980s, programmers were able to write software that could record and play back the notes played by a musician. Unlike the early sequencers used to play mechanical sounding sequence with exactly equal length, the new ones recorded and played back expressive performances by real musicians. These were typically used to control external synthesizers, especially rackmounted sound modules as it was no longer necessary for each synthesizer to have its own keyboard.

As the technology matured, sequencers gained more features, and integrated the ability to record multitrack audio. Sequencers mainly used for audio are often called digital audio workstations (or DAWs).

Many modern sequencers can also control virtual instruments implemented as software plug-ins, allowing musicians to replace separate synthesizers with software equivalents.

Today the term "sequencer" is often used to describe software. However, hardware sequencers still exist. Workstation keyboards have their own proprietary built-in MIDI sequencers. Drum machines and some older synthesizers have their own step sequencer built in. There are still also standalone hardware MIDI sequencers, although the market demand for those has diminished greatly due to the greater feature set of their software counterparts.

History[edit]


Barrel with pins
on large stationary barrel-organ (1615)


Music roll
on barrel organ


Player piano (1920) controlled by piano rolls


RCA Mark II (1957),
controlled via punch tape


Buchla 250e (2004),
seems to be influenced
from Circle Machine


Drawn sound  films on Oramics (1957)
resembles strip chart

xx x

Earlier sequencers[edit]

See also: Category:Mechanical musical instruments and Music box § Evolving box production

The earlier music sequencers had appeared in the form of various automatic musical instruments, including music boxes, mechanical organs, player pianos, etc. For example, authoring of piano roll resemble the definition of music sequencer. Several composers recorded their composition on piano rolls, then specialists edited rolls for the preparation of mass duplication, and finally consumers played back music on their player piano.

The origin of automatic musical instruments seems considerably old. As early as 9th century, Persian inventors Banū Mūsā brothers invented hydropowered organ using exchangeable cylinders with pins,[2] and also automatic flute player using steam power,[3][4] as described on their Book of Ingenious Devices. In 14th century, rotating cylinder with pins were used to play carillon in Flanders,[citation needed] and at least in 15th century, barrel organs were seen in the Netherlands.[5] In 19th century, as the result of the Industrial Revolution, various automatic musical instruments were invented, includes music box, barrel organ and barrel piano using barrel / cylinder / metal disc with pins, or mechanical organ, orchestrion and player piano using book music / music rolls (piano rolls) with punched holes, etc. These instruments widely spread as the popular entertainment devices, before the invention of phonograph and radio.

Also in 20th century, earliest programmable music synthesizers , RCA Mark II Sound Synthesizer in 1957, and Siemens Synthesizer in 1959, were controlled via punch tapes similar to piano rolls. [6][7]

On the other hand, Raymond Scott, an American composer of electronic music, invented various music sequencers during 1940s–1960s for his electric compositions. The Wall of Sound, once covered on the wall of his studio in 1940s, was a electro-mechanical sequencer to produce rhythmic patterns, consisted with stepping relays (used on dial pulse telephone exchange), solenoids, control switches, and tone circuits with 16 individual oscillators. [8] Later, Robert Moog explained it “the whole room would go 'clack - clack - clack', and the sounds would come out all over the place”.[9] The Circle Machine, developed in 1959, had dimmer bulbs arranged in a ring, and a rotating arm with photocell scanning over the ring, to generate arbitrary waveform.[10] And relatively well known Clavivox, developed since 1952, was a kind of keyboard synthesizer with sequencer.[verification needed] On its prototype, theremin manufactured by young Robert Moog was utilized to enable portamento over 3-octave range, and on later version, instead photographic film and photocell were utilized to control pitch by voltage. [9]

With the relation to the photographic films, the drawn sound technique that appeared in the late 1920s, may be also important as a precursor of today's intuitive graphical user interfaces. On this technique, notes and various sound parameters were controlled by hand-drawn waves on the films, resembling piano rolls or strip charts on the modern sequencers/DAWs. It was often utilized on early experiments of electronic music, including "Variophone" developed by Yevgeny Sholpo in 1930, and Oramics designed by Daphne Oram in 1957, etc.

One of the earliest commercially available analog sequencer (front) on Buchla 100 (1964/1966)[11][12]
Moog sequencer module (left, probably added after 1968) on Moog Modular (1964)

Analog sequencers[edit]

Main article: Analog sequencer

Step sequencers[edit]

Eko ComputeRhythm (1972), [13][14] one of the earliest programm-
able drum machine
Firstman SQ-01 (1980), [15] one of the earliest step bass machine
See also: Drum machine, Acid bass machine, and Groovebox

The step sequencers played rigid patterns of notes using a grid of (usually) 16 buttons, or steps, each step being 1/16 of a measure. These patterns of notes were then chained together to form longer compositions. Sequencers of this kind are still in use, mostly built into drum machines and grooveboxes. They are monophonic by nature, although some are multi-timbral, meaning that they can control several different sounds but only play one note on each of those sounds.[clarification needed]

Computer music[edit]


CSIRAC played earliest computer music in 1951


Max Mathews playing a violin connected to the GROOVE system(c.1970)

Main article: Computer music

On the other hand, software sequencers were continuously utilized since 1950s, in the context of computer music, including computer played music (software sequencer), computer composed music (music synthesis), and computer sound generation (sound synthesis). In June 1951, first computer music Colonel Bogey was played on CSIRAC, Australia's first digital computer.[16][17] In 1956, Lejaren Hiller at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign wrote an earliest program for computer music composition on ILLIAC, and collaborated on the first piece, Illiac Suite for String Quartet, with Leonard Issaction.[18] In 1957, Max Mathews at Bell Labs wrote MUSIC, a first widely-used program for sound generation, and 17 second composition was performed by the IBM 704 computer. Since then, computer music were mainly researched on the expensive mainframe computers at the computer centers, until minicomputers and later microcomputers went into practice on this field in 1970s.

Digital sequencers[edit]

EMS Sequencer 256 (1971), branched product from Synthi 100
Roland MC-4 (1981), a successor of MC-8 (1977)

In 1971, Electronic Music Studios (EMS) released one of the first digital sequencer products as a module of Synthi 100, and separated products Synthi Sequencer series.[19][20] After then, Oberheim released DS-2 Digital Sequencer in 1974,[21], and Sequential Circuits released Model 800 in 1977 [22]

Also in 1977, Roland Corporation released their first microcomputer-based digital sequencer, MC-8 Microcomposer, also called computer music composer by Roland. [23] It equipped keypad to enter note in numeric code, 16KB RAM for maximum 5200 notes (large enough at that time), and polyphony function which allocates multiple pitch CV into single Gate. [24] The earliest known user was Yellow Magic Orchestra, an electronic music group in 1978, [25] they created new sounds not possible until then.[peacock prose][26][failed verification]

Software sequencers[edit]

Synclavier I (1977)
Fairlight CMI (1979)
See also: Music workstation, Groovebox, and Tracker (music software)

In 1975, New England Digital (NED) released ABLE computer (microcomputer)[27] as a dedicated data processing unit for Dartmouth Digital Synthesizer (1973), and based on it, later Synclavier series were developed. Synclavier I, released in September 1977,[28] was one of the earlier digital music workstation product with multitrack sequencer. Synclavier series evolved throughout late 1970s–mid 1980s, and they integrated digital-audio and music-sequencer, on the Direct-to-Disk option in 1984, and later Tapeless Studio system.

In 1980, renewed Fairlight CMI Series II with its sequencer, “Page R”, combined step sequencing with sample playback. In 1987, this led to the development of similar software sequencers of this kind, called Trackers, which became popular in the 1980s and 1990s as simple sequencers for creating computer game music, and are yet popular in the Demoscene and Chiptunes.

Visual timeline of rhythm sequencers[edit]

Main articles: Drum machines, Groovebox, and Beat slicing

mechanical (pre 20c)





Rhythmicon (1930)





Drum machine
(late 1950s–)





Step drum machine (1972–)





Digital drum machine (1980–)


“Page R” on Fairlight (c.1980)





Groove machine (mid 1980s–)


Tracker (1987–)




File:Recycle mac screenshot.png

Beat slicer (1990s–)


Spectrogram editing (1994)


Loop sequencer (1998–)





Note manipulation on audio tracks (2009–)

Hardware sequencers[edit]

Many synthesizers, and by definition all workstations and drum machines, contain their own sequencers.

Following are specifically designed to function primarily as sequencers:

Rotating object with pins[edit]

Punched paper[edit]

Sound-on-film[edit]

  • Variophone (1930) — on earlier version, hand drawn waves on film or disc were used to synthesize sound, and later versions were promised to experiment on musical intonations and temporal characteristics of live music performance, however not finished. Variophone is often referred as a forerunner of drawn sound system including ANS synthesizer and Oramics.
  • Composer-Tron (1953) — rhythmical sequences were controlled via marking cue on film, while timbre of note or envelope shape of sound were defined via shapes hand drawn with a grease pencil on a surface of CRT input device.[29]
  • ANS synthesizer (1957) — An earliest realtime additive synthesizer using 720 microtonal sine waves (1/6 semitones × 10 octaves) generated by five glas discs. Composers could control time evolution of amplitudes of each microtones via scratches on glass plate user interface covered with black mastic.
  • Oramics (1957) — hand drawn contours on a set of ten sprocketed synchronized strips of 35 film were used to control various parameters of monophonic sound generator (frequency, timbre, amplitude and duration).[30] Polyphonic sounds were obtained using multitrack recording technique.

Electro-mechanical sequencers[edit]

  • Wall of Sound (mid 1940s–1950s) — earlier electro-mechanical sequencer developed by Raymond Scott to produce rhythmic patterns, consistead with stepping relays, solenoids, and tone generators.[8]
  • Circle Machine (1959) — electro-optical rotary sequencer developed by Raymond Scott to generate arbitrary waveforms, consisted with dimmer bulbs arranged in a ring, and a rotating arm with photocell scanning over the ring.[10]

Analog sequencers[edit]

Analog sequencers with CV/Gate interface
  • Sequencers on Buchla 100 (1964/1966–) — One of the earliest analog sequencer in the modular synthesizer era since 1960. Later, Robert Moog admired Buchla's unique works including it.[11][12]
  • Moog 960 Sequential Controller[31] / 961 Interface [32] / 962 Sequential Switch[33] (c.1968)[34]
    modules for the Moog modular synthesizer system, a popular analog sequencer following earlier Buchla sequencer.

Analog-style MIDI step sequencers
Since the analog synthesizer revivals in 1990s, newly designed MIDI sequencers were released. These equip multiple knobs or sliders similar to analog sequencer, CV/Gate and DIN sync interface, and even patch memory for sequence patterns. These analog-digital hybrid machines are often called Analog-style MIDI step sequencer or MIDI analog sequencer, etc.

MIDI pattern sequencers
Several machines have also song mode to play sequence patterns on patch memory in specified order, as on drum machine.

Step sequencers (supported on)[edit]

Typical step sequencers are integrated on drum machines, bass machines, groove machines, music production machines, and these software versions. And also these often support (semi-)realtime mode.
Several machines have white & black chromatic keypads, to enter musical scale of bass lines, etc.
embedded CV/Gate step sequencers

embedded MIDI step sequencers
Other groovebox-type machines (including several music production machines) also often support step sequence mode, of course. :
Recently emerging button-grid-style interfaces/instruments are naturally support step sequence. On these machines, one axis on grid means musical scale, and another axis means timing of notes.
See also: Monome and Tenori-on
In addition, newly designed hardware MIDI sequencers equipping series of knobs/sliders similar to analog sequencers, are sometimes called "MIDI step sequencer", etc. For details, see #Analog-style MIDI step sequencers.

Digital sequencers[edit]

CV/Gate
Also often support Gate clock and DIN sync interfaces.
Proprietary digital interface (pre MIDI)
Also Yamaha used proprietary digital interface on their earlier digital products. For example, YIS PU-I-20/PU-I-10 ca. 1981, a home automation computer system before MSX, enabled integration of home electronics including player piano, Electone (electronic organ), and remote music keyboard.[38][39]

MIDI sequencers[edit]

Embedded MIDI sequencers
  Accompaniment machines
See also #embedded MIDI step sequencers.
Standalone MIDI sequencers
See also: #Analog-style MIDI step sequencers
MIDI phrase sequencers

Software sequencers / DAWs with sequencing features[edit]

See also: List of MIDI editors and sequencers, Digital audio workstation, and Tracker (music software)

Free/Open Source[edit]

Not categorized yet
DAWs/HD recorders
  • Ardour - Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD (Note: No sequence feature found)
Others

Commercial[edit]


Not categorized yet
Realtime orchestral accompaniments
  • Sinfonia , from Realtime Music Solutions (Note: It seems not the sequencer)
Hard Disk recorder solutions for MIDI sequencers
  • WinAudio from Zadok Audio & Media Products
Others

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The term "audio sequencer" seems to be relatively new expression and seems to be not clearly defined, yet. For example, "DAW integrated with MIDI sequencer" is often referred as "Audio and MIDI sequencer". However, in this usage, the term "audio sequencer" is just a synonym for the "DAW", and beyond the scope of this article. In that case, please check Digital audio workstation.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Cubase 6 screenshot licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0". Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
  2. ^ Fowler, Charles B. (October 1967). "The Museum of Music: A History of Mechanical Instruments". Music Educators Journal. 54 (2). Music Educators Journal: 45–49. doi:10.2307/3391092. JSTOR 3391092.
  3. ^ Koetsier, Teun (2001). "On the prehistory of programmable machines: musical automata, looms, calculators". Mechanism and Machine Theory. 36 (5). Elsevier: 589–603. doi:10.1016/S0094-114X(01)00005-2.
  4. ^ Banu Musa (authors) (1979). Donald Routledge Hill (translator) (ed.). The book of ingenious devices (Kitāb al-ḥiyal). Springer. pp. 76–7. ISBN 9027708339. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)
  5. ^  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Barrel-organ". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  6. ^ "The RCA Synthesiser". 120 Years of Electronic Music. — (PDF version is available])
  7. ^ a b "Das Siemens-Studio für elektronische Musik von Alexander Schaaf und Helmut Klein" (in Deutsch). Deutsches Museum.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  8. ^ a b "Wall of Sound (sequencer)". RaymondScott.com.
  9. ^ a b Robert Moog. "Memories of Raymond Scott". RaymondScott.com.
  10. ^ a b "Circle Machine". RaymondScott.com. — includes 2 sound files: Raymond Scott's demonstration, and commercial soundtrack for new batteries of Ford Motors.
  11. ^ a b Holmes, Thom (2008). Electronic and experimental music: technology, music, and culture. Taylor & Francis. p. 222. ISBN 9780415957816. Moog admired Buchla's work, recently stating that Buchla designed a system not only for "making new sounds but [for] making textures out of these sounds by specifying when these sounds could change and how regular those change would be."
  12. ^ a b Miller, David (May 9, 2001), personal communication with Thom Holmes{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  13. ^ "EKO Computerhythm (1972)". Jarrography - The ultimate Jean Michel Jarre discography.
  14. ^ "EKO Computerhythm". SynthMaster.de.
  15. ^ "Multivox International". SYNRISE (in Germany). Archived from the original on 2003-04-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  16. ^ "CSIRAC: Australia's first computer". Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  17. ^ Fildes, Jonathan (2008-06-17). "'Oldest' computer music unveiled". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2008-06-18. — another oldest known recording of computer realized music played by the Ferranti Mark 1, captured by BBC in Autumn, 1951; the songs Baa Baa Black Sheep and In the Mood.
  18. ^ Hiller, Lejaren (Winter 1981). "Composing with Computer: A Progress Report". Computer Music Journal. 5 (Winter 1981). {{cite journal}}: More than one of |number= and |issue= specified (help)
    also available in Curtis Roads (ed.). The Music Machine: Selected Readings from Computer Music Journal. MIT Press (1989/1992). pp. 75. ISBN 9780262680783.
  19. ^ Hinton, Graham (2001). "Synthi 100 (1971, formerly Digitana, aka the Delaware)". Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall).
  20. ^ Hinton, Graham (2001). "Synthi Sequencer 256 (1971, formerly Synthi Moog Sequencer)". Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall).
  21. ^ J.Michmerhuizen (Boston School of Electronic Music) (June 1974). DS-2 Digital Sequencer Instruction and Service Manual (PDF). {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Model 800 Sequencer". SynthMuseum.com.
  23. ^ Russ, Martin (2008). Sound Synthesis and Sampling. Focal Press. p. 346. ISBN 0240521056. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  24. ^ Gordon Reid (Nov. 2004). "The History Of Roland Part 1: 1930-1978". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2011-06-19. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Yellow Magic Orchestra — Yellow Magic Orchestra at Discogs
  26. ^ "Artists and producers strive for inroads overseas". Billboard. 91 (20): 61. 26 May 1979. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  27. ^ "Synclavier Early History". Synclavier European Services.
  28. ^ Joel Chadabe (May 1, 2001). "The Electronic Century Part IV: The Seeds of the Future". Electronic Musician. In September 1977, I bought the first Synclavier, although mine came without the special keyboard and control panel ... (see Fig. 1 on the page). {{cite journal}}: External link in |quote= (help)
  29. ^ "The Composer-Tron (1953)". 120years.net.
  30. ^ "Daphne Oram and 'Oramics' (1959)". 120 Years of Electronic Music.
  31. ^ "Moog 960 Sequential Controller". MoogArchives.com. — 3×8 step sequencer module
  32. ^ "Moog 961 Interface". MoogArchives.com. — interface module to convert several signal types including audio input, V-trigger (CV), and S-trigger (short-to-ground trigger for Envelope Controller)
  33. ^ "Moog 962 Sequential Switch". MoogArchives.com. — switching module for 960 to convert 3x8 step sequence into 1x24 step sequence, etc.
  34. ^ "Synthesizer 2C with optional 960 and 961 - 1968 Modular System "Synthesizer 2"". MoogArchives.com. — On the MoogArchives.com, the photograph with caption "Synthesizer 2C with optional 960 and 961" on this page seems to be the earliest record of Moog's sequencer module.
  35. ^ "SM0600 Project - A Digital Sequencer - Rebuilding the Roland CSQ-700". Emulator Archive.
  36. ^ Brandon Amison (17 Jul. 1999). "Yaking Cat Music Studios QAQA answers - Subject:0033 Re:Clothing ETC". Yaking Cat Music Studios (Synclavier Assistance). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Furia, Steve De (1986). The MIDI implementation book. Third Earth Pub. p. 25. ISBN 9780881885583. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthoers= ignored (help) — MIDI Implementation Chart of Synclavier MIDI Option v0.9 in 1985.
  38. ^ "Survey report on trends in electronic documents" (in Japanese). Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). Archived from the original on June 2003. {{cite web}}: |chapter= ignored (help); Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  39. ^ "Cool machines - Yamaha YIS PU-I-20" (in Japanese). — a home automation system in 1982. System integration diagram is shown at the bottom of page.
  40. ^ "AM MSQ700 Nexus - MIDI Sequencer". Emulator Archive.

External links[edit]

*Music sequencer Category:Sound production technology Category:MIDI Category:Music software Category:Synthesiser modules

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