EnergyXT has the ability to mix and match different composition methods: linear
sequencing and pattern sequencing.
Linear sequencing was made popular by traditional software sequencers where an arrangement
of midi parts is played from beginning to end along a timeline. Pattern sequencing
can be summarised as building a complete song out of component song parts. A "playlist"
is often employed to determine what parts need to be played at various points along
the timeline.
The EnergyXT sequencer can contain multiple Arrangements. You can almost think of
arrangements as different tabs in a spreadsheet with each arrangement being a complete
song in its own right. The Arrangement functionality is used by EnergyXT to mix
and match linear and pattern sequencing when constructing a song.
However EnergyXT goes one step further than this. Not only can the sequencer contain
multiple arrangements, but it can hold unlimited variations of each arrangement.
This is perfect for compiling different sections of a song (eg. verse, chorus, bridge)
and then using pattern sequencing to arrange the song in its entirety.
Arrangements can be viewed either in isolation - Single Mode, or with all arrangement
sequencing tracks in a "playlist" - Multi Mode.
The above shows an arrangement in Single Mode. Only one arrangement is shown in
the sequencer window and if only this mode is employed, the mode of operation is
similar that of a purely linear sequencer. When in Single Mode only the displayed
arrangement will be used in playback.
The Mode button displays which Arrangement mode the sequencer is in at any given
time. This button also acts as a toggle between the Arrangement modes.
The options are "Single", "Multi" and "Live". The "Live" option allows sophisticated
live triggering of arrangements and will be covered in the following section: "Live
Arrangements".
Next to the Mode button is the title given to the arrangement. Click-drag will cycle
through all the arrangements in the project for selection. On the right of the title
is the Variation control. The display is in the format
x of
y (
x/y)
where
x is the number of the current variation and
y is the total
number of variations. Cycling through the variations is accomplished by left or
right clicking the Variation control, a navigation that is effective both in Single
and Multi mode.
The above shows the Multi Mode view in the sequencer. The Mode button indicates
that the Sequencer is in Multi Mode and there is a section of the sequencer which
shows the Arrangement sequencing tracks.
To the left of the Arrangement track name in the track header are two icons which
control muting and soloing of the given arrangement. This will affect all variations
of the arrangement within the playlist. To the right is an icon which indicates
how the Arrangement should play back in the sequencer. This also acts as a toggle
switch between the three playback modes.
The arrow pointing to the right is the Linear playback mode meaning that the sequencer
just plays the Arrangement once from beginning to end. In the playlist this is displayed
as a "part" which will extend from 0 to the length of the arrangement on the sequencer
timeline.
The repeat arrow is the Repeat playback mode meaning that the sequencer will play
the arrangement in an endless loop. In the playlist this is displayed as multiple
sequenced parts extending basically forever along the sequencer timeline.
The remaining icon is the Pattern playback mode. This mode allows placement of an
Arrangement at any point or indeed at multiple points along the timeline. A left
click in the playlist will place a new instance of the arrangement in the timeline
according to the current Snap settings. A right-click on an instance will remove
it from the timeline. Click + drag can be used to paste or remove multiple instances
of an arrangement using left or right mouse button respectively.
Additionally, left-click + dragging a variation in the playlist will allow drag-n-drop
of that variation along the timeline of that arrangement.
When placing an Arrangement in the playlist, whichever Variation is currently selected
will be inserted into the track. The number of the variation will be shown in the
created part before the Arrangement name. To change which variation is placed in
the Pattern track, the Arrangement and Variation must be opened before placement
in the Pattern playlist.
Working with Arrangements is relatively simple. A left-click in the track header
will select an Arrangement. The selected Arrangement will then appear in the bottom
part of the screen ready for editing. Clicking the mouse button on the Variations
button will cycle through the Variations within a given Arrangement.
Additionally, in Multi mode, clicking on a variation within the playlist will also
select that arrangement and variation number both in the arrangement window and
in the Arrangement and Variation controls above the playlist.
SHIFT + UP ARROW and SHIFT + DOWN ARROW can be used to move up and down respectively
through the arrangements listed in Multi Mode.
A right-click on a selected arrangement track header will bring up the arrangement
options menu where options include:
- Adding a new arrangement
- Duplicate an arrangement to become a new arrangement
- Renaming the selected arrangement
- Deleting the selected arrangement
- Adding a variation to the selected arrangement
- Duplicating the selected variation to become a new variation
- Deleting the selected variation from the selected arrangement
The Arrangement options are also available via the Arrangement button (Arr) in the
sequencer's menu bar.
The Split selected parts function will create a split in all selected midi parts
where the song position cursor is – at the nearest snap point if snap is on.
The Zoom All and Zoom Selection are used as a zoom control on the currently displayed
Arrangement. Zoom Selection will zoom to the currently selected midi part within
the Arrangement and Zoom All will zoom so that the entire Arrangement is visible.