Macro Interface
The very first numeric entry sets the visible width of the bars in sequence-type macros. The scrollbar affects the view of all macros at once. There is a matching scrollbar at the bottom underneath all the macros. Each macro has the following parameters:- Macro type (explained below)
- Timing options:
- Step Length (ticks): Determines the number of ticks between macro steps. Default is 1
- Delay: Delays the macro until this many ticks have elapsed. Default is 0
- The button is highlighted if either of these parameters is set to non-default values
Macro Types
There are three macro types available:Sequence Macro
This is the most basic macro type. When the instrument is played, every value in the macro will be output sequentially, from left to right.
Editing the Sequence
The Length field allows you to set the number of steps in the sequence. The sequence view allows you to edit the macro:- Press and hold the left mouse button to start drawing. Release to stop drawing
- Press and hold the right mouse button to draw a line:
- The start point will be set to the cursor position
- Move the cursor to change the end point
- Release to finish drawing the line
View Adjustments
The sequence view may be adjusted using the following combinations:- Hold Ctrl and use the scroll wheel to zoom horizontally
- Hold Ctrl-Shift and use the scroll wheel to zoom vertically
- The scrollbar at the right allows you to scroll vertically (if possible)
- You may hold Shift and use the scroll wheel to scroll vertically as well
Right-Click Menu
Right-click on the sequence view to open a menu:- Copy: Copy this macro to clipboard
- Paste: Pastes the macro
- Clear: Clears the macro
- Clear contents: Resets all values to 0
- Offset:
- X: Slides the data “horizontally” within the macro, filling the gap with zeroes. Data moved past the start or end is lost
- Y: Increases or decreases all values, clipping them if they would move past the allowed range
- Scale:
- X: Stretches the macro
- Y: Multiplies all values by the scale factor, clipping them if they would exceed the allowed range
- Randomize: Replaces all values with random values between Min and Max
Arpeggio and pitch macros may have values above or below the visible area. Indicators will be shown until they are scrolled into view.
Loop and Release Points
Under the sequence view there is a bar that allows you to set loop and release points:- Click to set the loop start point; the end point is the last step or release point
- Right-click to remove the loop point
- Shift-click to set the release point
- The macro will stop at the release point until the note is released (
===orREL) - If the loop point is set, and it is placed before the release point, the macro will loop until note release instead
- Shift-right-click to remove the release point
- The macro will stop at the release point until the note is released (
Arpeggio Macros
Arpeggio macros have an additional bar under the sequence view to set steps to “relative” or “fixed”:- By default, step values are offsets relative to the note
- If clicked on, a step value becomes fixed and will be played at its corresponding note without regard to the currently playing note
- Values are counted from
C-0. For example, a fixed value of 48 produces aC-4note - Fixed values are especially useful for noise or percussion
- Values are counted from
Text Input
The sequence can be edited in the text input field at the very bottom. The following symbols have special meanings:|: Loop point/: Release point- In arpeggio macros,
@prefixed to a value indicates that it is a fixed value as described above
Release Mode
The release mode parameter determines how macro release (=== or REL in the pattern) is handled:
- Active: Jumps to release position on release
- Passive: Does not jump to release position. This will result in delay if release position has not been reached yet
Bitmask Macros
Bitmask-style macros show labels for each of their bits. These are edited as toggles. Drawing lines is not possible in these macros.
ADSR Macro
This is an attack/decay/sustain/release envelope, providing classic ADSR envelope control.
Parameters
- Bottom and Top: Determine the macro’s output range (Bottom can be larger than Top to invert the envelope!). All outputs will be between these two values
- Attack, Decay, Sustain, SusDecay, and Release accept inputs between 0 to 255. These are scaled to the distance between Bottom and Top:
- The output starts at Bottom
- Attack: How much the output moves toward Top with each tick
- Hold: How many ticks to stay at Top before Decay
- Decay: How much the output moves to the Sustain level
- Sustain: How far from Bottom the value stays while the note is on
- SusTime: How many ticks to stay at Sustain until SusDecay
- SusDecay: How much the output moves toward Bottom with each tick while the note is on
- Release: How much the output moves toward Bottom with each tick after the note is released
LFO Macro
Low Frequency Oscillator - creates periodic modulation of the parameter.
Parameters
- Bottom and Top: Determine the macro’s output range (Bottom can be larger than Top to invert the waveform!)
- Speed: How quickly the LFO position moves
- Phase: Defines the starting LFO position, measured in 1/1024 increments
- Shape: The waveform of the LFO. There are three waveforms:
- Triangle: Bottom > Top > Bottom
- Saw: Moves from Bottom to Top, and then jumps back to Bottom
- Square: Alternates between Bottom and Top
Common Macro Uses
Volume Envelopes
Use ADSR macros on the volume parameter to create attack and decay envelopes for your sounds.
Pitch Bends
Use sequence macros on the pitch parameter to create pitch bends, slides, or portamento effects.
Vibrato
Use LFO macros on the pitch parameter to create vibrato effects with adjustable speed and depth.
Arpeggios
Use sequence macros on the arpeggio parameter to create chord arpeggios or melodic patterns.
Filter Sweeps
Use sequence macros on filter cutoff to create classic filter sweep effects.
PWM
Use LFO or sequence macros on the duty parameter to create pulse width modulation.