QMidiArp - A MIDI Arpeggiator, Step Sequencer and Controller LFO

Documentation

Global Storage Window

Index

MIDI Connections

Main Toolbar

MIDI Clock operation

JACK Transport Client Operation

Global Storage

Arpeggiator Modules

LFO Modules

Step Sequencer Modules

Settings

MIDI control

Event Log

Example Files

Comand Line Usage and Options

Supported Files

The Global Storage Window allows storing and restoring most of the parameters of all modules at once, or later individually by a context menu.  Parameters can be restored either at the end of each module pattern or globally at a given time by clicking on the restore buttons. This allows you to use QMidiArp as a versatile live sequencer, since patterns can be changed in a non-linear fashion, and even sequences of patterns can be setup dynamically, and the playback of the pattern sequences can be triggered at a given time by mouse or MIDI controller.

In this window, each module and its storages appear as a column. The first column represents switches for all modules globally.

The first row lists all modules, shows their pattern position as a pacman clock, replicates the mute buttons in a central place and contains context menus for MIDI-learning the storage switches. For using the storage, the first step is to save the state of all modules globally. This is done by clicking the small Store button on the left, which causes all modules to store their parameters in a location given by the current row. Also, at this time, a new storage location is made ready for the next setup. Module storages can then be recalled by clicking on the buttons of each individual module or globally (numbered buttons in the first column). Storage locations can be removed again by clicking on the "arrow" button on the bottom of the list. When a new module is added at a time when storage locations already exist for other modules, the storage locations for the new module will be empty and can be filled by using Store again at this location. Note that you can click on the top row button of each module to raise its window if it is hidden by others.

Global Switching
When QMidiArp is running, the switch behavior of the left global column will depend on the selection made in the comboboxes in the first row of the window.

End of will cause parameter switches to occur when the module in the second combobox reaches its pattern end. When individual switches are done the module in the column of the clicked module determines the switch time.

After will do parameter switches at the end of the number of beats selected in the second combobox after the restore button is clicked.

Individual Switching
The individual switches always occur at pattern end. This way each module handles itself, and you can do several switch requests for different modules at the same time.

By righ-clicking on the individual switch buttons the context menu shown on the right appears.

You can store the current module parameters and pattern at the current location and decide what to do when a pattern reaches its end. 

Stay here is the default mode without location change after pattern end.

Jump back will cause the module to go back to the previously active location. This is useful when breaks are part of your setup. 

Jump to will cause a jump to the location selected below when the pattern ends. These "interconnections" between locations provide a dynamic way of setting up a pattern sequence like in a "song mode", but they can also be used in conjunction with a MIDI controller to trigger a particular pattern sequence at a desired time and then return to a statically active pattern.

All switches can be done by MIDI controller assigned by the MIDI Learn context menu of the top row button of each column. Note that it is the the controller value that corresponds to the storage location, and that you may want to adjust the range of controllers to your needs using the MIDI Control Editor.

With the Global Storage handler, QMidiArp can act as a simple but handy live sequencer tool. But the Golbal Storage button in the View menu and in the main toolbar toggles visibility of the Global Storage window.