CHAPTER 9: THE GOODIES MENU

9.1 THE GOODIES MENU
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INSTANT REDRAW 
It normally takes GEM 2-3 seconds to redraw the screen
when closing a dialog box. Instant redraw is much faster. The fast redraw
uses about 4000 notes worth of memory so on the 520ST it defaults to off. You
can still use it on a 520 but switch it off if you need to fit more notes in.


MEMORY LOOP/OVERDUB OFF 
This allows Trackman to do a smarter version of the sort of destructive recording that tape does. While you are punched in any previous notes are erased. Just tap the footswitch to record over the old stuff and again to punch out. This also opens up another possibility when looping. Select a fresh track 
and synth voice and start recording, stay punched in and play along while the 
pattern loops. When you play something you like, punch out or hit stop. The 
last loop has captured the good bit. This works perfectly even if you punch 
out in the middle of a loop, allowing you to decide if you like what you did 
after you played it.

- Emulating a Tape Machine
To emulate a tape transport activate Memory Loop/Overdub off and switch
off the 'Start Punched In' menu item. Set the locate counter to a bar or two
before the trouble spot. Assign the footswitch to RECORD. If you have
another footswitch assign it to LOCATE otherwise assign the space bar to
LOCATE instead. 
Press LOCATE then press RECORD and the sequencer will start. At the
appropriate time press the RECORD footswitch to punch in. Press the
footswitch again to punch out when you finish playing. If you are satisfied
with this take press STOP otherwise press LOCATE for another attempt.

- Selective Memory Loop
Use Work Loop to extract the required section. Record using Memory Loop
as usual. Play the new part and if this is OK use Work Loop/Replace to splice
the new section in place of the original.



PLAY FROM START 
if ticked Trackman will always go back to bar one when
stopped. If not ticked Trackman stops at the current bar. If Trackman is
already stopped, clicking on 'STOP' will perform a locate to bar one.

START PUNCHED IN 
With this ticked, Trackman will be punched in when you start 
recording. You may prefer to change this when using Overdub Off.

CUE LIST 
provides 32 locate points which can be named and quickly recalled. 
The cue list dialog can be accessed from the Goodies menu or by clicking
the upper section of the LOCATE button. The slide bar may be used to find
a required cue and the visible cues may be edited using the cursor keys to
move around the window.

To go to a cue either select it by clicking on it and then click the GO TO CUE
button, or simply double-click on the cue. This becomes the current locate
point, and the name appears above the locate button.

The cues are automatically sorted into bar order. The cue list is saved,
along with the track list, when you save one or all sequences. When
loading one sequence you will be asked whether or not you wish to
overwrite the current cue list.



DRUM LIST 
keeps a record of which drum is assigned to each MIDI note number. 
The drum names are used during screen edit to indicate which drum
corresponds to the current mouse position.

- The drum list dialog box also allows you to enter the range of tracks to be
used for drum parts. The drum tracks are exempt from pitch transposition,
either real time or permanent. You may remap any drum to another pitch
by using the drum list.

- Drum List Files
A file extension of '.KIT' is used for drum list files. You can load and save
drum files at any time. Use 'Save Preferences' to ensure your personal drum
list is automatically loaded whenever you use Trackman.

- Drum List Pitch Mapping
The played or recorded pitch of the drums can be mapped to a different
pitch before it is output. This is achieved dynamically and has no
permanent affect on the recorded notes. This has two main uses. Firstly it
makes it very easy to try a drum part on a different drum, secondly it
makes your drum patterns independent of the drum machine or sampler. 
If you wish to switch to a different machine simply write a new drum list
and save it. For your amusement the supplied file REVERSE.KIT may be
applied to a keyboard. The output pitch can be set by playing a note on
the MIDI keyboard then clicking in the output pitch box.

- Clicking on the Clear button will reset the pitch assignments to normal. This
does not affect the drum names.



TRACK SHEET 
is provided to keep a list of instruments used and notes on outboard gear/effects. 
Linked to the Track Sheet is a scribble strip which may be accessed by
holding down the left mouse button when selecting a track. 

The Track Sheet is saved with one or all sequences. When loading a single
sequence you will be asked if you wish to overwrite the current Track Sheet.
The Track is time and date stamped when you save the sequence. If you
need to set the time and date you should use the Atari control panel desk
accessory. This is supplied with all ST's and documented in the Atari ST
Owners Manual.



RECORD MIX 
If this is ticked and you are in RECORD mode and punched in,
then any change you make to the fader, mute or solo controls will be
recorded on their respective tracks as MIDI controller events.

If mix information is already recorded on a track then the new settings will
replace it starting from when you click on the fader or mute/solo control
and ending when you release the mouse button. This can be use to erase or
overwrite sections of a mix.


PLAY FADERS 
Enables playback of recorded fader movements.

PLAY MUTES AND SOLOS 
Enables playback of recorded mutes & solos.

CHASE EVENTS
Enables MIDI event chasing. If you start the sequencer in
the middle of a piece this will ensure that program changes, MIDI volume,
pitch bend, fader move and any other controllers are correct. Trackman
chases all the MIDI controllers plus pitch bend, channel pressure and
program change on all 32 MIDI channels.

BROADCAST MIX 
Enables the sending of the fader, mute and solo changes
over MIDI. This may be used to control MIDI VCA's and MIDI mixing desks.

SET CONTROLLERS 
Allows you to select which controller numbers are used by
Trackman for mix automation. The usual controller assignment is General Purpose 5, 6 and 7. By changing them you can use the mix record/play facilities to alter other controllers like MIDI volume or pan. It is important to use different MIDI controllers for solos, mutes and faders.



* A NOTE ON AUDIO MIXERS *
---------------------------

A number of audio mixers are now available with MIDI controlled channel
muting. Although one might expect this to be implemented using
assignable MIDI control change commands, several manufacturers have
elected to use MIDI note-on commands instead.

In order to use these mixers with controller chasing, Trackman mute
controllers are mapped to MIDI note-on commands. A number of tracks
may be set aside for external mute automation, and the pitch and velocity
parameters can be set to suit various audio mixers.

Start Track 
selects the first track to be set aside for note-on automation. 
Decide how many tracks you wish to use and subtract it from 33. For 
instance, if you want to use 8 tracks set 'Start Track' to 25. Tracks 25 thru 32 
will then be used for external mix automation. If you do not want any tracks 
used in this way set 'Start Track' to 33 or higher.

Start Note 
sets the MIDI note pitch that will be sent for the start track. 
Subsequent tracks will use higher notes in sequence. The start note needs to be 
set according to the MIDI implementation of the audio mixer. For instance on the 
Tascam MM-1 the first mute is activated by MIDI note 36. You can add an offset to 
this number if you wish to automate a particular section of the desk rather than all of it.  

Off Velocity 
is used for a note sent when a Trackman mute changes to off. Check the 
MIDI specification of the mixer to determine this value. 
The Tascam MM-1 uses 32.

On Velocity 
is used as above when a mute changes to on. 
The Tascam MM-1 uses 96.

MIDI Channel 
sets the channel of the notes used for mute control. Set this to the 
same channel as the external mixer.

MIDI Output Port 
selects which port is used for mute automation.

Unless you specifically require it, switch off 'Broadcast Mix' as this will just 
generate unwanted MIDI data. Note-on automation is sent regardless of this.
Set the other items in the automation section of the 'Goodies' menu as required. Use 'Save Preferences' on the MIDI menu to remember all these items.

* The Tascam MM-1:
One of several audio mixers with MIDI controlled mute automation.

