CHAPTER TWO

2.1 THE FRONT PANEL
--------------------

The current sequence number is shown in large numbers on the right of the
display. Enter a pair of digits on the numeric keypad to change sequence.
If Trackman is stopped then the sequence will change immediately and
the patch memories for the new sequence will be sent.
Blank sequences inherit information from the last sequence you used.
When you type the number of the new (blank) sequence, Trackman copies
the Tempo, Patch Memory and MIDI channel allocations from the
previously selected sequence. If you want to reset the blank sequence to
the usual defaults use New Sequence.

If Trackman is playing when you select a sequence the number will
appear in the 'NEXT SEQUENCE' box but the sequence will not change
until the previous sequence finishes. Patch memory changes will not be
sent at this time, but will be sent as usual when the sequencer stops.
In the same display box is the name of the current sequence. Click here
and the cursor appears so you may edit the name. Click anywhere else on
the screen or press [Return] to complete the naming.

TRANSPOSE
enables a preview of pitch transposition during play or record.
Play a sequence and engage transpose. Hit a note on your MIDI keyboard
and the amount of transposition is indicated by the transpose button.
Middle C corresponds to zero. Click the button again to use the MIDI
keyboard normally. The temporary transpose remains in force until you set
it to zero or stop the sequencer.

Transpose is not applied to the drum tracks. These tracks are selected in the 
Drum List dialog. Clicking the transpose button with Trackman stopped is the 
same as selecting 'Transpose Pitch' from the options menu.

SCREEN
does the same as selecting 'Screen Edit' from the Edit menu.
 
BANK
is used to toggle the track display between the two groups, 1 to 16 and 17 to 
32.

PATCH
allows MIDI program changes to be sent direct from the computer. 
Patch changes are sent on the current channel and subsequent channels
according to the number of channels specified. Sending the same patch
over a range of channels is useful for MIDI guitar controllers where six mono
channels may be used together. These changes will be recorded in the
patch memory for the current sequence. Pressing '*'on the numeric
keypad will also access this facility.
If you use this facility when punched in, the patch change(s) will be
recorded on the current track instead of going to the patch memory. The
patch number may be entered using one of three formats:

* 0-127, used by Oberheim and Korg, these are the same as the actual patch numbers used by MIDI.

* 1-128, used by Yamaha and others.

* a11-b88, used by Roland and Casio, the 'a' or 'b' are optional and simply denote the first or second group of 64 patches.

Select the format to suit the way your synthesizer numbers patches. 


UNDO
can reverse many of the editing operations. It works on:

1.Load One Sequence.
2.Any operation from the 'Edit' menu.
3.Pitch Transpose, Velocity Rescale or Note Priority.
4.The last RECORD operation.
5.Itself, so you can redo the operation that was undone.

The memory where the undo data is kept is updated after an edit or record 
operation. This memory is also used by the MIDI data transfer and MIDI export 
operations (in the file menu) so you cannot undo after using these. Using fast 
forward, rewind or locate during record will update the undo memory

The control will be dimmed when there is nothing available to undo. After an 
undo the button will be named REDO. 

ERASE
selected during record, will erase MIDI information on the current track. Erase 
observes the MIDI filters. This enables selective erasure of controllers, patch 
changes, aftertouch, pitch bend and system exclusive data. Ticked menu items and 
highlighted controllers will be erased.
To erase recorded notes simply hold down the corresponding note on the MIDI 
keyboard. You must be punched in to use erase. Clicking ERASE while playing or 
stopped is the same as selecting 'Erase Bars' from the edit menu. 

REPEAT 
selected during record will enable repeats at the current quantise rate. Any incoming notes will be repeated while they are held down. If channel pressure is received, it will be added to the velocity of the repeated notes. This is very useful in creating hi-hat or cabasa patterns. 
Clicking repeat while playing or stopped is the same as selecting it from the quantise menu and will allow you to enter the REPEAT SPECIFICATION.

RECORD
when selected shows PLAY and RECORD to indicate that you are punched in. 
Subsequent use of record will punch in or out. Unlike a tape deck recording is 
non-destructive so things are not erased unless you erase them deliberately. 
This means you can safely loop in record, trying ideas while punched out, then 
punch in and overdub your new bit when ready.

Overdubbing pitch bend or other controller information can cause unexpected 
results which are seldom very musical. Although you could erase just the 
controller, it's generally easier to erase the bad section completely and do it 
again. 
If you wish to record a patch change you must be punched in otherwise it will be 
placed in the patch memory.

PLAY 
starts playing from the current bar. You may change sequence numbers during 
play by entering two digits on the numeric keypad. There is no need to hit 
return.

STOP
is the normal way to finish playing or recording. Trackman will also stop 
automatically when certain selections are made from menus. It only does this if 
necessary. When stopping, any notes currently sounding will cease. Any time you 
use STOP a number of MIDI events will be sent for each channel as follows:

1. Pitch Bend controller centred.
2. Hold pedal reset.
3. Modulation Wheel set to zero.
4. MIDI 'All Controllers Reset'.
5. The 'All Notes Off' code as specified in the MIDI menu.
6. Patch Number if present in the patch memory.
7. [<<] and [>>] are the rewind and fast forward controls. Unlike a tape deck they are 'spring loaded' and quite fast.


LOCATE 
goes quickly to the cue point indicated. Click in the upper part of this 
button to access the cue list. You may use locate during play or record if you 
wish.




2.4 THE MIDI MIXER
--------------------

In the lower part of the display is the MIDI mixer. This is divided vertically 
into tracks. Sixteen tracks are displayed simultaneously, the bank button being 
used to switch between groups 1 to 16 and 17 to 32.

THE TRACK SELECTOR
in the top row shows the track number. The current track is highlighted. To change track just click on the required track number. Unused tracks have the track number dimmed.

THE MIDI CANNEL SELECTORS
show the MIDI base channel for each track. These are initialised to correspond to the track numbers but you can change them with the up and down arrows. MIDI output channels are numbered from 1 to 16. Calculator style numbers are used to distinguish the auxiliary MIDI output from the normal MIDI output.

It is possible to change MIDI channels whilst playing a sequence without the 
risk of 'hanging notes'. However, it is possible to get a hanging note by 
holding down a note on your master keyboard whilst changing channel. This is 
because the note-on goes to one channel and the note-off goes to another. Hit 
the stop button to send 'All Notes Off' if this happens.

THE SOLO BUTTONS
will silence all the other tracks, unless they are also set to solo. A track 
which is silenced will not sound any notes but will still send controllers (e.g. 
pitch bend) to keep the synth up to date.

THE MUTE BUTTONS
will silence any track, even if it is solo'd.

THE FADERS
alter the velocity of notes played on each track. A synthesizer may respond to velocity by changing the volume or timbre of a sound so you will get different effects from the faders depending on how the synth is set up. If the synth is unable to respond to velocity then the fader will have no effect.
In the central position the number on a fader reads 100 percent which corresponds to no change. The maximum setting is 200 percent. To move a fader click and drag the numbered 'knob'. If a sequence is playing or if you play through the channel you are adjusting then the effect can be heard. The settings of the velocity faders are remembered for every sequence. It is also possible to record changes to the faders and solo/mute buttons. See the Goodies section for more information.





To the right of the mixer is a PANEL containing five indicators:

POSITION
displays the current position in bars and beats.

LENGTH
displays the number of bars in the current sequence.

TIME SIGNATURE
is displayed for the current sequence. The default sequences are in 4/4.

TEMPO
is displayed in Beats Per Minute. Use the single arrow for small changes (10ths) or the double arrows for large changes. The tempo may also be set using tap tempo; click twice in the BPM display and Trackman will measure the tempo and set it for you. You may find it easier to use tap tempo from the space bar or footswitch. The tempo is remembered for each sequence.

THE MIDI INDICATOR
is in the lower right hand corner. This shows MIDI activity on the current 
track. It also shows MIDI input activity if MIDI echo is enabled.




THE ATARI KEYBOARD:

THE NUMERIC KEYPAD
at the right of the computer keyboard is used to select sequences. Enter two 
digits, for example [0], [9] to get sequence nine. There is no need to hit 
[return].

THE HELP KEY
displays a guide to the keyboard controls.

THE UNDO KEY
duplicates the UNDO button on the screen.

THE CURSOR KEYS together with the INSERT and HOME keys form a six key group corresponding to the 'transport' controls, the DELETE and '#' keys duplicating the erase and repeat buttons.

The '<' AND '>' KEYS
can be used to adjust the tempo in steps of 1 B.P.M. This also works from within 
Screen Edit.

THE SPACE BAR
is programmable from the footswitch dialog.

THE '*' KEY
duplicates the PATCH button so you can do a patch change using just 
the numeric keypad.

ALTERNATE
is used with various keys to gain quick access to items on the edit and options 
menus. The keys are shown on the menus.

THE ESC KEY
may be used to quickly clear a line within any of the dialog boxes, the up and 
down arrows can be used to change field.





Elapsed Time
In the top right hand corner of the display is a clock which shows the duration 
of the latest play or record session.

