Analogue-sequencer

On Wed, 7 Jan 2004 13:10:46 +0100, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@wxs.nl>
(by way of Robert van der Kamp <robnet@wxs.nl>) wrote:

>3. I have a hard time with the interface. Maybe that's
>newbie problems, but anyway:

It was the same for me when I first saw it, very much like seeing a
french horn for the first time and not knowing what all the bits of
tube could possibly do to make music. Once learned you can use it
instinctively. 

>Suggestion: It would be nice if the LCD screen would give
> an indication, or that a new set of three LEDs would be
> added that simply indicate the current mode.

My ultimate interface enhancement would be a second line of 16 buttons
and LEDs, split into two lots of 8 and permanently showing the
track/part status. The existing controls would be permanently in edit
for the sequence in the selected track and tracks selected would show
amber or something. I don't really feel the need for anything else on
the LCD however but I've used the P3 a lot now and it feels very
intuitive now.

>3.c. Some parameters don't give their current value, I
>think. ;) For instance, the last pattern step to be set
>with the Edit Last parameter doesn't show the current
>value? Correct? I'm not sure here.

There is no visual clue - I guess the steps beyond the last step could
change colour but we're possibly pushing the colour fixation thing a
little ... 8)

>6. Play list edit mode took me a loooong time to
> understand. I keep pressing the page button to set the
> repeat and transpose value. (I know, the step buttons
> represent each play list step, but anyway. ;) I keep
> pressing the step knobs to select the track, but in
> reality I'm updating the pattern number for the current
> playlist. Am I correct that I can't see which track I'm
> editing when entering playlist mode?

You know when you enter this mode but I agree this was the hardest
thing for me. But then my playlists are always just selecting one 16
step sequence so I effectively don't use the feature. 

>That's it for the moment. I really like to see any
> comments.

I understand much of what you say and the more we ask to be crammed
into the P3, the harder to have the interface keep us informed or let
us navigate easily. For me I have simply stuck with it and once over
the learning curve, I am as fast at using the P3 as any other
sequencer with the possible exception of the ARP....

Good thoughts though,

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