Analogue-sequencer

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 23:25:29 -0700, Gene Schwartz
<implode7@comcast.net> wrote:

>These are details about the Spectralis sequencer. Of course, this synth is
>not yet released - projected date is September...

Had my eye on this for a while - must try to get it for review.

>32 Sequencer Lines with up to 96 steps
>"Mute-Step", "Trig Step", "Skip Step" and "set last step" button functions.
>A step length can be set between 1/96th notes and 16 bars.

Awesome!!!

>For each step you can define parameter control envelopes. These envelopes
>are used for tempo based parameter changes. One can for example trigger on
>step 1 an decay envelope with a length of an 8th note and on step 3 an
>Attack envelope with a length of 8 complete steps. So, in the same line, the
>sequencer can trigger different kinds of envelopes with different durations.
>The noise Filterbank pattern is an good example for that. When you hear it,
>you exactly understand, what I did there. All these sounds, that remind a
>little bit of drum sounds are nothing else than bandpass filtered noise
>spectras. With the step sequencer envelopes, I opened the Amplifiers behind
>the different bandpass filters to create a new rhythm. This is the main
>feature, which also is the reason for the name spectralis.

Mmmmm

>Each line of the sequence can have different length, direction and time
>signature. So, one sequence for example can play 16th notes and the next one
>can for example control the cutoff frequency - changing the filter frequency
>only every 4 bars (step length 4 bars)

He learned a lot making the Polymorph that's for sure!

>But this stepsequencer will not only run synchronized with the maaster
>clock. For each line it will be possible to alternativly assign a controller
>number or the key velocity as an step selector. Rising up a controller value
>will increase the step number. Together with the glide function, which is
>also available for each line, you can create very strange morphing patterns.

Aha

>The stepsequencer will become a tool for doing complex realtime sound
>changes with nonlinear time functions. Just imagine to control all the
>filterbank bandpass levels by playing a little bit harder on your velocity
>sensitive keyboard. For up to 96 velocity values one can define a complete
>different filterbak volume setting.

I think a lot of why this will be cool will mirror why the Polymorph
is so cool controlling its own synth engine. The user interface is
fantastic. Oddly, I find the Polymorph synth perfect at producing ....
pads! Ironically, I used mine less for sequencing cos I never quite
got the sequencing sounds I liked from, say, the Nova or Virus. I
suspect this will be different.

>But also all other synth parameters can be controlled with this sequencer.
>You can change the waveform of an oscillator for each step or just the
>detune between two oscilators. Or you can add some FM to one oscillator just
>for only some dedicated steps.
>The polymorph sequencer is also very powerful but can't even come close to
>the stuff, the spectralis can do.
>And, of course - the step sequencer can control external MIDI units as
>well."

I suspect some people will still prefer a stand-alone sequencer with
no sound engine. Personally if the built-in synth were as good as the
humble Nova or better, any P3 or P4 type sequencer that was the whole
package like this would be quite remarkable. 
So bung in a Chameleon chip, get some heads from this list together,
and make the best damn Polymorph killer we all ever heard!

Paul

---
Paul Nagle / Soft Room Music
Email: paul@softroom.co.uk www.softroom.co.uk
                           www.BogusFocus.com