How the Fantom-G sequencer works

Once again I think you guys are totally jumping the gun on this. Why not let Art's info act as simple information only. You can't tell how this is going to work until you do some sequencing on it.

JimK - While true, the "big" DAWs are mostly linear, all of them are moving towards some type of pattern-based workflow as an option. Sonar just added a step sequencer, Cubase has play order tracks, Logic has pattern sequencing in its drum synth. And don't forget fully pattern based DAWs like Project5, Fruity Loops, and Live. The fact is that many users prefer pattern-based recording due to the prevalance of current hip-hop, dance, and electronica styles.

I personally like the sound of the "G"s new sequencing method. More and more I see this as my possible exit from software sequencing with Sonar and Project5, something I've never been able to really get my head around (but have spent plenty of money on "upgrades").

I too am hoping that the g sequencer would leave someone like me feeling they dont need to get a software based sequencer and do it on a computer...I personally dont want to do music on a pc...i use one for work and dont want to use the pc for music..but thats me...so maybe the g will be a good bridge in the manner vs say the motif xs which..includes a smaller cubase version to run with the xs..

I almost forgot about the mouse in regards to Sequencing...

Should be very easy!

Dont you mean speculation
since as you stated we dont know what its like yet.

I got only one question:

- Can I alternate between PATTERN / SONG mode like in FL Studio or MV8000/8800?

Thanks in advance.

avl_digital:

Can I alternate between PATTERN / SONG mode like in FL Studio or MV8000/8800?

Yes, but it's not called Pattern mode. Everything you record in Song mode is a phrase and appears within the project's Phrase List. These phrases can be copied, deleted, and moved directly from the Song Edit screen without having to enter a special Track Edit mode (like on the X).

If you'd prefer to create patterns, simply access the Phrase List and record from there. You're still making phrases, but they're offline, independent from the song's timeline, so effectively, you could call them patterns.

The big difference, however is how one arranges patterns in the Song. With the X, you had to chain them together on a track—one after another—with Pattern Call. On the G, you can insert any phrase/pattern anywhere on any track... and then copy, move, delete, insert, etc. to arrange your song. It appears to be WAY more fast and flexible.

If you're familiar with audio arranging on the X, MIDI arranging on the G is a lot like that, except each region (phrase/pattern) can have up to 34 channels of data embedded within.

Sounds a little like a product from Roland's new acquisition Cakewalk, that product being Project5.

I wouldn't make associations with any particular software product. GarageBand and Logic have similar concepts as well.

Hi, my first post here, and it has to be a question, sure!

I honestly try to understand the princip how the "phrases" work. I read this post, some others as well, even read parts of the manual, and I tryed (no success for me) to get the idea about the "34 channels" that "The Audacity Works" mentioned.

But there is one big question remaning:

When a phrase is recorded, does it (No1) only contain the Midi info of one patch like e.g. only a synth bass sound or does it (No2) contain more then one patch data like e.g. the synth bass and the dums and maybe even more?

If the (No1) is the case, would it be possible to "group" some phrases to make arraning easier? (like: move a refrain a bit further in the song backwards).

If the (No2) is the case, how could an alternative version with slightly different melody be edited? (like: create a refrain phrase from a verse phrase).

I imagine the arranging process different in these two cases... I am sorry when this is a silly question, but I am new to Fantom G (don't have one or even played a Fantom X, too).

Thank you for answering!

kroll:

When a phrase is recorded, does it (No1) only contain the Midi info of one patch like e.g. only a synth bass sound or does it (No2) contain more then one patch data like e.g. the synth bass and the dums and maybe even more?

It records data for whatever part or parts are currently active. You can keep overdubbing new parts (or the same part) into the same phrase. So—#2.

RECORDING TO A TRACK:

1. Choose the part FIRST.
2. THEN choose the track.
3. Record away.
4a. If you'd like to record a different part to the same track, choose the new part but don't change the track. Both parts (channels) will exist within the same track.
4b. If you'd like to record the same part to a different track, simply stay in Song mode and select the next track. The same part (channel) will be triggered by multiple tracks. This is perfect for sequencing different drum hits within the same kit to different tracks, facilitating much more flexible editing/arranging later on.

RECORDING TO A PHRASE:

1. Choose the part FIRST.
2. THEN choose an empty phrase from the phrase list.
3. Record away.
4a. If you'd like to record a different part to the same phrase, choose the new part but don't change the phrase. Both parts (channels) will exist within the same phrase.
4b. If you'd like to record the same part to a different phrase, select a different phrase and record away.

ADDING ANY PHRASE TO A SONG:

1. From the Song Edit screen, press the F-key for Insert. A list of all phrases within the project will open.
2. Choose the desired phrase and press the F-key for Select. The phrase (with one or more parts embedded within) will appear on the current track at the current location. This phrase can now be moved to a different track or location if desired.

How could an alternative version with slightly different melody be edited? (like: create a refrain phrase from a verse phrase).

I'm not sure yet, but since copying a phrase from the Song Edit screen effectively creates an alias, there must be a way to clone a phrase elsewhere, where it could (presumably) be inserted back into the song.

Artemiy?

Is there a "Continue" feature...

In other words, can I record, stop and then continue recording on the same phrase.

For example: I want each section of the song to have phrases the exact length of the section only.
Verse 1 Phrase, V2 Phrase, Chorus Phrase, Bridge Phrase, etc.

So, I start recording the bass line for the verse.
I stop and start 6 different times before getting the entire bass line right.
Can this all still be one phrase, even though I recorded it in 6 steps?

...maybe this was kind of answered above....let me know.

Thanks!

One more question...

Art explained the track clear feature on the first page.

But, I am still curious about how to undo what I just recorded without clearing an entire track or phrase.

If you recorded a second part to an existing phrase/track, don't like what you did, but want to keep the first part's data, you'll have to manually erase that channel data within the phrase edit screen...

...or wait for Roland to add an Undo feature.

Hopefully it we can quickly do this manual erase.

Maybe we can highlight the notes not wanted (Lasso) with the mouse and delete?

@audacity

...or wait for Roland to add an Undo feature.

You named exactly the reason why an Undo function will probably be at least as necessary on a G as it was on a X.