Custom SEQ clock division?

[Metrophage]

Reading the main SEQ page, I see that the clock divisions are all even. Is it a straightforward thing to change them in the firmware code, so I could get odd number divisions and primes? I don't usually do even-meter stuff, so I am usually stuck doing this by computer, or with lots of analog modules. I'd love to tweak the clock divisions live to my MIDI gear with something like this.

Is it just something like changing an "X/16" to something else, like "X/11", or is it more involved? This is my first PIC experience, so I don't know how such stuff works exactly.

M

[moxi]

hi ,

you can set the number of step for each track (e.g. track 1= 16 steps ; track 2 = any number from 1 to 16 ;)

[Metrophage]

Hi Moxi,

Yes, setting step length is definately something to be happy about. Also I am wondering about setting the tempo of each track. Sounds like it is time for me to learn more about the MIDIbox firmware, and try it out for myself!

CJ

[moxi]

it's a "track divide" parameter on the seq : bpm ;bpm/2 ;bpm/4 ....to 64 ,it's really helpfull  ; but no separate bpm by track..

[TK.]

Independent BPM rates would require dedicated hardware timers for each track --- this is not possible, all timers of the PIC are allocated.

But you could customize the BPM divider if you want. Currently only even numbers are provided, since they can be easily derived from a bitmask.

I haven't taken odd numbers into account, but there is only one place in the sequencer core which needs to be changed:

SEQ_CORE_Clk_NextStep_No1st
	;; increment SEQ_TRKSTEPx and save new value in TMP1
	movlw	SEQ_TRKSTEPx
	incf	PLUSW0, F
	movff	PLUSW0, TMP1
	;; check for max value which depends on divider setting
	movlw	SEQ_TRKDIVLENx
	movf	PLUSW0, W
	;; 0->1, 1->2, 2->4, 3->8, 4->16... hey, thats simply the output of MIOS_HLP_GetBitORMask
	call	MIOS_HLP_GetBitORMask
[/code]
so, if you would call an own jumptable function instead of MIOS_HLP_GetBitORMask, you could realize any divider.
up to 16 different divider settings are possible, this means that for the case BPM/1 ... BPM/16 you could just replace "call MIOS_HLP_GetBitORMask" by "andlw 0x0f" and "addlw 1", this will work without  changing the data structures
Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Metrophage]

This is really excellent to hear! I was guessing that completely separate tempo would require multiple sequencers (not such a bad thing!). Indeed, it was more varied clock divisions which I was thinking of. I am delighted to read that this can be implemented relatively easily! This more or less cinches that I will try to start making on of these projects soon!

Thanks so much Thorsten!

M

[moxi]

hi thorsten ,

that a great things ,especially to play with "ternary tempo" : with such a thing ,you can do ternary pattern without the help of the alternative gate mode!!!

[TK.]

I think I will change this in the next official release, because it really allows more variations than the current BPM divider settings.

This would mean that BPM/32 and BPM/64 won't be available anymore. However, if somebody needs this (I don't think so), then he is always allowed to reverse the change ;-)

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[cheater]

Too bad you can't control this in real time... :(

[TK.]

What cannot be controlled in realtime?

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Metrophage]

Cheater - we are talking about sequencing in real time, with software VS dedicated hardware.

On a lot of gear and software, complex rhythmic tweaks aren't available in real time, if at all. But there are some, it just takes creative people to make it. I have a lot of software, now I am looking for real time hardware sequencer for MIDI and CV. That's why I am here!

CJ

[cheater]

Oh, I'm sorry, I missed your reply the first time around.

I also should have been more clear.

What I was talking about is setting an arbitrary BPM divider while the unit is working.

[TK.]

The change is now available in v2.3

Best Regards, Thorsten.