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concepts - sequencer - lcd display - edit steps - record realtime - recording from midi - step & gate length - play mode - quickresults - side notes - signal flow- download
Concept
The TB-303, TR-606, TR-808 or TR-909 contain Pattern based sequencers, which are handy for drum computers.
The MC-202 sequencer is based on a timeline. The sequencer consists of 2 Channels, both with a timeline which contains a sequence of Notes.
The sequencer clock is a "tick" counter, the speed of which can be controlled by the Tempo. Every "tick" is a STEP 1.
A Note duration can be set with the STEP from 1 to 239 Clock ticks. At the lowest Tempo setting, 239 ticks have a duration of 9.1 seconds.
The Memory can hold 2729 Notes. The contents of the Memory can be saved to and loaded from cassette tape.
Of course these days we use much more reliable digital recordings. See download.
| Measures --> | Measure 1 | Measure 2 | Measure 3 | and so on... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PITCH | 3b | 3d | 3c | 3f | 2g | 2f | 2d | 2f | 3e | 3e | 3c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STEP | 6 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GATE | 4 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "ticks" timeline | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basically the MC-202 Memory works like this:
- the most important feature of a sequencer is super stable timing of the Clock ticks.
- so every PITCH lasts a number of STEP ticks.
- the time a key is held down for this PITCH during the STEP time is saved as the GATE time value.
- also the sequencer has to know whether this STEP contains PORTAMENTO and ACCENT.
- in the above example the 1st, 4th and the 8th STEP start a new Measure, so this information is stored within each Note.
The only thing the MC-202 sequencer has to do when playing, is read all of the properties of a Note and execute them at/during the right Clock ticks.
Repeat.
Edting STEPS
For every STEP you can:
- change
the STEP time, PITCH value and GATE length.
- delete the STEP
- insert a new STEP, which moves all STEPS from the current step to the right.
Every Note in the Sequencer can contain the following data and value ranges
| Every Note contains | values | comment |
| PITCH value | 1F..6C | for the internal keyboard |
| 1C..6C | for an external keyboard | |
| STEP time | 1..239 | Number of Clock Ticks |
| GATE time | 0 | Rest Note |
| 1 ..239 | Play the Note (GATE='ADS'-part of the ENV), value can not exceed STEP time |
|
| ACCENT | On/Off | Toggle |
| PORTA from | On/Off | Toggle |
Entering and deleting Measure markers
New Measure Markers can be set in between entering of the Notes.
Every Channel can have their own Measure markers, independent of the other Channel.
When entering Notes, push the BAR button to enter a new Measure marker.
The MC-202 beeps and automatically proceeds to the first Note of the new Measure.
Press the SHIFT button to show the new Measure number.
However, when you want to delete a Measure marker, you have to delete the last note of the previous Measure.
That's a bit funky.
Editing whole Measures
Measures are quite arbitrary units. For the MC-202, Measure markers only have meaning for the editing functions.
For every Measure you can:
- delete the remainig Notes (STEPS) of a Measure (inlcuding the current Note).
- copy the remainig Notes (STEPS) of a Measure to the end of the Channel (inlcuding the current Note).
- you can not insert a new or empty Measure, you have to insert the STEPS one by one and enter a new Measure marker between the desired Notes.
- you can not delete a Measure marker. You have to delete the last Note of the previous Measure, and then reinsert the Note without entering a Measure marker.