SWEET SIXTEEN DEMO / SWEET SIXTEEN LITE 

This version of SWEET SIXTEEN DEMO / SWEET SIXTEEN LITE is Public Domain.


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SWEET SIXTEEN is also available for PC/Windows!

For more info, read the other text files on the disk.


COPYRIGHT NOTICE

The author and publisher
make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied with the regard to this program or
contents of this manual. Whilst the author and publisher have taken every care in the
preparation of this product they shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damages
arising out of, or in connection with, the supplying, performance or use of this program
and manual.


ABOUT SWEET SIXTEEN

SWEET SIXTEEN is a sequencer program that allows you to record, edit and playback all
types of MIDI events and store them to disk. The resolution of the sequencer is 192 PPQN
(ticks per quarter note) and thanks to the multitasking capability you can use almost every
command while SWEET SIXTEEN is running.


Thanks to the multitasking capability you can
use almost every command while the sequencer is running.
Works on all ATARI ST(E)/TT/Falcon 030 in all screen
resolutions with at least 640 * 200 pixels. The program has a
very economic way of storing the MIDI events (120000 free
events on a 1040, 40000 on a 520) and the resolution of the
sequencer is 192 ticks/quarter note (PPQN). SWEET
SIXTEEN will store all types of MIDI events including
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE. Since the program is based on GEM
(the computers operating system), please read your ATARI
manual if you're not used to it.


GENERAL HANDLING

The main screen in SWEET SIXTEEN is made up out of three boxes in a window. To the
right the PATTERN BOX with the sixteen tracks. To the left the ARRANGE BOX with
the settings for Song Mode and below, the CONTROL BOX with the transport controls
and some global settings.


A word ICON is sometimes used for smaller boxes/symbols. You can control SWEET
SIXTEEN entirely with the mouse.

Here's an explanation of terms used for the mouse.

'MOUSE CLICK' OR 'CLICK'
Click the mouse button with the mouse cursor over the specified event.

DOUBLE CLICK
As for single clicks but two clicks close together. Refer to the  manual for
information on adjusting the double click speed.

CLICK AND DRAG
As for single clicks but hold down the LEFT mouse button and drag the selected item to a
new position on the screen.

SCROLL
'Left click' on the specified object and the value will INCREASE one step, 'Right Click'
and the value will DECREASE one step. If you keep either button held down the value
will start increase/decrease as long as the button is held. This is called scrolling. Adding
the other button during scrolling will speed up the process.
NOTE: In the OVERALL SETTINGS feature you may swap the function of the right and
left Mouse Buttons. i.e. Right to INCREASE and Left to DECREASE.



FIRST STEPS

This is a short introduction to SWEET SIXTEEN and it assumes that you have a working
knowledge of your ATARI.

MIDI CONNECTIONS
1. Connect the MIDI Out from your keyboard to the MIDI In of your MIDI interface.
2. Connect the MIDI In of your keyboard to the MIDI Out of your MIDI interface.
3. If you have an additional module, connect it's MIDI In to MIDI Thru of your keyboard.
4. Set your synthesizer(s) to receive/transmit on your chosen MIDI channels. If possible,
set the synthesizer to Local Off which will disconnect the keyboard from the sound
source in your synthesizer and thereby avoiding the voices being triggered twice. If you
have an old synthesizer without Local On/Off (e.g. an old DX-7), you must disable the
MIDI Thru function on the receive channel of your synthesizer. Use MIDI Thru 'Off' in
Overall Settings (See MENU section).

Most manufacturers provide excellent diagrams and information about setting up their
particular equipment. Refer to your synthesizer USER MANUAL as it will help you to get
things right first time.


RUNNING THE PROGRAM
Double click the SWEET SIXTEEN icon in the Program Manager. You will see the main
screen of SWEET SIXTEEN and in the right half of there is a big box called the Pattern
Box.



MAIN SCREEN
The Pattern Box is divided into sixteen smaller sections, the sixteen tracks. Clicking in the
centre of a track allows you to select the chosen track.
Every track has a MIDI channel (1- 16) displayed to the far right. The events on a track
will be sent on this channel and if it is the selected track, this channel will be the MIDI
Thru channel.

PLAY THE KEYBOARD! 
If you don't hear anything, check that your synthesizer is receiving on this channel. If
this is OK and you still don't hear anything, check your MIDI connections.

STORING MIDI EVENTS
When a MIDI event arrives at the MIDI In port, it is stored in the computers memory
together with time information. To organize messages that belong to each other they are
stored together. We will call this a "track". A track can hold any number of MIDI events,
be of any length and store MIDI events on one or several MIDI channels.

To organize it further, we can record up to sixteen tracks. We can now call this a
"pattern". SWEET SIXTEEN has 17 patterns.
The first sixteen patterns can be assembled in any order and length with the help of an
"Arrangelist". One pattern might be the intro, another the verse, a third a chorus and so
on.

Pattern 17 has a special function. It will run in parallel alongside the other patterns in the
Arrangelist. This means that SWEET SIXTEEN is actually a 32 track sequencer.


Now let's look at the Barcounter, how it is displayed and what it means. In SWEET
SIXTEEN all time and length indications are displayed as follows:


THE FIRST COLUMN
Displays the bar number. The first bar is called BAR 1, the previous bar, BAR 0 and the
bar before that, BAR -1.

THE SECOND COLUMN
Displays the beats and the value shown depends on the meter. In 4/4 this column shows
what quarter note is currently playing, in 7/8 what eighth note is currently playing.

THE THIRD COLUMN
Displays the division of the beat. All kinds of music have some kind of subdivision of the
beat (pulse). Musicians often call it "GROOVE". In a 'JAZZGROOVE' every beat can be
divided in three parts (12 eight note triplets in 4/4). In a funk groove the beat can be
divided in four parts (16 sixteenth notes in 4/4) and a 'HIP HOP' groove in six parts (24
sixteenth note triplets). In SWEET SIXTEEN this subdivision of the beat is called the
"GROOVE" and is displayed to the right of the Time Signature value. The groove value
does not in any way affect the way the music sounds, only how it is displayed.

THE FOURTH COLUMN
Displays the clockticks (clockpulses), the smallest time unit in SWEET SIXTEEN. You
can think of it as a subdivision of the third column. If you choose groove value 16 there
will be 48 clockticks per sixteenth note. The number of clockticks per quarternote (PPQ
or PPQN) is usually used to indicate how precisely a sequencer is able to reproduce a note
ie. (it's resolution). The PPQ value of SWEET SIXTEEN is 192 which is a very high value.

THE BARCOUNTER IN USE
To the right in the "Control Box" you will see the "Main Bar Counter". It gives the
current song position in bars, beats, subdivisions of the beat and clockticks (clockpulses).
You can click and scroll the value with the mouse, during PLAYBACK and RECORDING.
You may also use [+] and [-] on the computer keypad.
You can store and recall four bar counter positions with the help of the function keys
[F1]...[F4]. Press [Shift] + [F1]...[F4] to recall your settings.

Below the "Main Bar Counter" there are boxes for the "Time Signature" and the
"Groove" value. If your song doesn't change time signature you may enter the time
signature here. But, if your music DOES change time signature you will have to activate
the "Time Signature Box" in the Control Box, OR press [W].

To control the transportation SWEET SIXTEEN uses a number of icons situated at the
bottom of the screen: PLAY, STOP, CONT, RECORD, FAST FORWARD and FAST
REWIND. These controls work in the same way as a normal tape recorder.

THE "PLAY" ICON
([0] ON THE NUMERICAL KEYBOARD).
This icon starts the playing of the sequencer. In "Pattern Mode" the sequencer starts from
bar 1 (1 1 1 1). In "Song Mode" the sequencer starts from the beginning of the current
arrange list position. In "Cycle Mode" the sequencer starts from the left locator position.

THE "STOP" ICON 
([ENTER] ON THE NUMERICAL KEYBOARD).
This STOPS the sequencer. If the sequencer was in "Record Mode", the recording is ended
and the recorded data will be stored in the current track. If the sequencer is already
stopped, the "Main Bar Counter" will be reset to BAR 1 (1 1 1 1). At the same time some
MIDI events like, All Notes Off, Reset Controller etc. will be sent out provided the menu
item "Flags / Reset On Stop" is ticked. (See section on MENU).

THE "CONT" (PAUSE/CONTINUE) ICON
([.] ON THE NUMERICAL KEYBOARD).
If the sequencer is stopped it will start playing from the current position of the "Main Bar
Counter". If the sequencer is playing it will stop. If the sequencer is in "Record Mode" it
will remain in record mode. This makes it possible to forward or rewind the program
(click the "Main Bar Counter", use the "Fast Forward" or "Fast Rewind" icons or use the
[+] or [-] buttons on the keyboard) and then continue the recording with a new "Pause/Cont" command.


RECORDING MODES
SWEET SIXTEEN has two different record modes, "Replace" and "Overdub".

A left click on the "Record" icon ('*' on the numerical keyboard) starts a recording in
"Replace Mode" (any previous recording on the track will be deleted).
A right click on the "Record" icon ( '/' on the numerical keyboard) starts a recording in
"Overdub Mode" and any previous recording on the track will be overdubbed (useful for
creating drum tracks). A one bar count-in begins, during which it is possible to start a
recording.

In "Pattern Mode" the recording will start from BAR 1 (1 1 1 1).
In "Song Mode" it will start from the start bar of the current arrange list position.
In "Cycle Mode" the recording starts from the left locator position.

"Cycle Mode " is activated by 'clicking' on the CYCLE box, the music will, when it
reaches the "Right Locator" position, jump to the "Left Locator" position and continue
playing or recording.
You can store and recall four locator positions with the help of the function keys
[F5]...[F8]. Press [Shift] + [F5]...[F8] to recall.

THE "FAST FORWARD" AND "FAST REWIND" ICONS
([+] and [-] ON THE NUMERICAL KEYBOARD).
This as its name suggests, Fast Forwards and Rewinds the main bar counter.



THE FIRST RECORDING
Click on the "Record" icon and you will hear a ONE BAR count-in. (If not, check the
MIDI Click settings in Overall Settings). The one bar count-in starts the recording.
 
Play something on your keyboard in time with the metronome. When finished 'Click' on
the "Stop" icon. The sequencer stops and you'll see 'recorded' on the track. 'Click' on the
"Play" icon and the sequencer will start playing from bar one and you will hear what you
have just played.

If you don't hear anything, check the connections, the synthesizer etc.
 
When all is satisfactory it is a good idea to 'Name' the newly recorded track with its
designated 'Voice'. If say you recorded a piano track then make sure your recorded track
is highlighted (inverse video), press [ESC], type in "PIANO" then either press [RETURN]
or 'click' the OK box. Select another track and continue in the same manner.

If you are not happy with a track, click and drag the track to the left of the Pattern Box,
release the button and it's deleted.

You may also start to re-record on a track without first deleting it. This also deletes
previous data.



DO SOME EXPERIMENTING
Now try to change some of the track parameters. A Loop value other than zero will loop
around the first beats according to the loop value. Quantize will tighten up the music and
you can set various Transpose, Velocity and Delay values (see section on TRACK
EDIT).All the mentioned track parameters are playback parameters i.e. they affect the
music as it is played back without changing the data in the memory.


ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

We will now look more in detail how a track is organized and can be 'Fine Tuned' after
editing.

Every track has a number of parameters (values) that decide how the MIDI events on the
track will sound. Whenever a MIDI event arrives at the MIDI-IN port it will also be sent
to one of the MIDI-OUT ports. This is called MIDI Thru and the current track
parameters will decide how it will sound.

It is possible to disable the MIDI Thru function. Click in the MIDI Thru activity area
down in the right corner of the screen.

The beauty of the trackparameters is that they are "non destructive". This means that it is
possible to change the values any way you want and still be able to return to the original
settings. This is because the trackparameters do not change the events in memory of the
computer. The changes are made in "real time" when the MIDI events are sent out to the
MIDI output. This means you cannot see the effect of the trackparameters in Edit Mode.
To do so, (thus making permanent changes) you have to 'FREEZE TRACK
PARAMETERS' in the EXTRA Menu. The exception is the quantization which will be
seen in the editors (it is still possible to go back to the unquantized values). The
corresponding function is 'FREEZE QUANTIZE' which will freeze the time position of
the events.


Since you have 16 tracks you will have to choose one of them. Either Click the area where
you name the track (between the transpose and loop values) or press [Arrow up] / [Arrow
down] to choose your track. The chosen track area is displayed in inverse video. Double
clicking in the same area, or pressing [Esc], opens up a dialogue box where you may enter
a name for the track, then by either pressing [RETURN] or 'clicking' the OK box the
track is now named. This is also the way to create a track without recording.

To copy, delete or merge a track, click on a track and drag it-:
1. To the left to erase it.
2. Over an occupied track to merge it.
3. To a blank track to copy it.

We will now look at all the parameters of a track.

TRACK NUMBER
To the far left you see the track number.

MUTE
The next column is the mute column. Clicking in this area mutes the track. This area also
shows small beams that imitates a recording desks "level meters". The length of the beam
corresponds to the velocity value of the note. Mute does not affect the MIDI Thru
function.
TRANSPOSE
The next column is the transpose column. With this you can transpose the track, plus or
minus 64 semitones. Transpose affects the MIDI Thru function.

LOOP
This column to the left of the track name area is the loop column. A loop means that a
part of a track, beginning from bar one of the current pattern, will be repeated. The value
expresses the length of the loop in beats (depends on the time signature). If the value
entered is not evenly divisible with the beat-value of the current time signature, an
exclamation mark is shown. Loop does not affect the MIDI Thru function.

DELAY
The next column is the (Del)ay column. This parameter moves all events on a track
forward or backward. The value is in clock ticks. A positive value will play the events later
(delay), a negative value earlier (advance). This parameter is often used to compensate for
the difference in response time between different synthesizers. If you move the track
earlier, events that have a time position of 1 1 1 1 will be moved before bar 1. This means
you will not hear them (as Sweet Sixteen ALWAYS starts from 1 1 1 1). You must therefore
start the current pattern somewhat earlier. In Song Mode you use the Pre Start function.
Delay does not affect the MIDI Thru function.

COMPRESSION
The next column is the (Comp)ression column. This parameter affects the velocity value
in such a way that the difference between the high and low value is evened out. All
velocity values are moved towards 64, closer the higher compression value you choose.


A compression value of 4 will give all notes a velocity value very near 64. Since notes
with high velocity value are decreased, you may have to increase the general velocity
value. Compression affects the MIDI Thru function.

VELOCITY
The (vel)ocity value of a note depends on how hard or soft the key was struck. The track
parameter Velocity adds to or subtracts from the velocity values the notes already have
(the values you see in Edit Mode). How it affects the sound depends on the sound of your
synthesizer. A positive value will usually give a louder and/or a brighter sound and vice
versa. Max velocity value is 127, Min velocity 0. Velocity affects the MIDI Thru function.
QUANTIZE
The next column is the Quantize column. When you click on the 'QUA' and keep the
button down you will see a "pop up" menu with a number of numbered boxes. When you
move the mouse (the button still down) the different boxes become black (chosen value of
quantisation). When you release the button, the track will be quantized according to the
value in the box. If you choose "NO", the track will be dequantized (return to it's original
unquantized value). If you release the button while the mouse pointer is outside the "pop
up" menu, no box is chosen and no action will be performed. Quantize does not affect the
MIDI Thru function.

CHANNEL
The last column is in fact two columns. The first to choose MIDI port (A or B) and the
second to choose MIDI channel. As well as the digits 1-16 which shows on which Midi
Channel the Track will be sent out on there is also the symbol "--". This shows that the
Track can be sent out on several Midi Channels. This means you can have more than one
MIDI channel on each track. These settings affects the MIDI Thru Function.

SOLO
If you click on the "Solo" icon, press [S], all the tracks except the current will be silent.
This simulates the solo function of a mixer in a recording studio. You can switch tracks
while in solo mode.


MORE PATTERNS
Choose another pattern and continue recording as before. When you have recorded all the
parts (patterns) of your song, it's time to arrange them in the order you would like to hear
them. To the left of the Pattern Box you'll see another box, the ARRANGE BOX. Here
you can form your arrangement by arranging the order and length of your patterns. Click
on the "Song/Pattern Mode" icon in the top of the Arrange Box to enter 'SONG MODE.



SONGMODE

To the left of the Pattern Box you will see another box called the Arrange Box. Here you
can arrange your patterns (1-16) and make various settings that affect the playback of
your song when in Song Mode.

Clicking in the top of the Arrange Box switches between Song and Pattern Mode.

These parameters function in the same way as the track parameters i.e. real-time
parameters which do not change the MIDI events in memory, they just affect the events
passing out thru the MIDI port to your sound source.
In Song Mode Pattern 17 runs parallel to the
arrange list of Patterns 1-16.

The arrange box contains a list of 32 entries
of which you can see 9 at a time. The
current entry is the second from the top
(displayed in inverse video). The idea of the
arrange list is, (after you have recorded the
different parts of the song: intro, verse,
chorus, bridge etc.), for you to arrange them
in any desired order.

You scroll through the arrange list with the
arrow icons in the bottom of the Arrange
Box, or press [Shift] + [Up Arrow] and
[Down Arrow]. If you 'Click' with the right
mouse button, the Left and Right Locators
will be loaded with the start and end values
of the current arrange entry. You can also
use the right window scrollbar to scroll
through the arrange list.

We will now explain the different settings for
each entry in the arrange list.

POSITION START BAR
The left column displays the starting bar for the arrange entry in question. You can
change this value by 'clicking' but you normally do not have to since changing the length
of the preceding arrange entries automatically changes the start position of all subsequent
entries.

PATTERN NUMBER
The middle column displays the pattern number and by 'Clicking' you can change this
value. Possible settings are 1-16. Pattern 17 can not be entered since it runs parallel to the
arrange list.

POSITION NAME
The rightmost column is the name column. To enter a name, double 'click'. If you enter
the name STOP the sequencer will stop when it reaches this arrange entry.

Below the arrange list you will see a number of boxes. The settings you make here apply
to the current arrange list entry (the black one). To enter values for a particular arrange
list entry you will have to make it the current one (the one you see displayed in inverse
video).
POSITION LENGTH
Here you enter the length of the arrange list entry. It can be any length so the same
pattern may appear in different arrange entries with different lengths. If you change the
length of an arrange list entry, the start position of all subsequent entries will change
accordingly.

POSITION TRACK MUTE
Between the Arrange Box and The Pattern Box there is a column with an icon named M
at the top and 16 small boxes displaying 1-16 underneath. Here you choose (by clicking
any of the boxes) which tracks should be temporarily muted in the current Arrange
Entry. A box displayed in inverse video indicates a muted track.

POSITION TRANSPOSE
Each entry in the arrange list may have a transpose value. With value 0 the current
pattern sounds the same as in Pattern Mode. With another value the pattern will be
transposed up or down. This affects all tracks in a pattern (including the drum tracks). It
is therefore possible to disable the transposition of the MIDI channel you use for the
drums. "Overall Settings" in the OPTIONS MENU contains facilities for just this,
"Disable Transpose".

PRE START
With SWEET SIXTEEN you may record during the count in i.e. before bar number one.
This means, that if one of your patterns has an upbeat, you begin to play during the count
in. The upbeat will then belong to the pattern. When you choose a pattern in the arrange
list this pattern will start to play from bar one of the current arrange list entry. But, since
your upbeat is before BAR 1, you will not hear it. That's when Pre Start comes into the
picture.
The Pre Start value you enter determines how much before BAR 1 the current arrange
entry will begin. This also means that the previous pattern/arrange entry will be
shortened with the same value.

Example 1
The chorus in a song starts with a sixteenth note upbeat. When the program is in Pattern
Mode and you press the Play icon, the music starts from BAR 1. You will not hear the
upbeat since it is before bar 1. Switch to Song Mode and enter a Pre Start value of one
sixteenth note (0 0 1 0) in all arrange list entries that contain this pattern. This pattern
will start playing a sixteenth note earlier and you will hear the upbeat.

Example 2
Suppose you have, with the help of trackparameter Delay, speeded up a "laid back" string
sound with value -5. This track will play 5 clock ticks ahead of the other tracks. If the
track has a note at 1 1 1 1, it will be before BAR 1 at the pattern change. You must give this
arrange entry a Pre Start value of at least  0 0 0 5 (five clock ticks) so the notes before
BAR 1 will sound.

Example 3
When SWEET SIXTEEN changes from one arrange entry to another, the program checks
if any notes are still sounding. If so, each note is switched off with a Note Off message. If
the next pattern/arrange entry starts with a lot of notes at bar 1, there will be a lot of
MIDI events to output at the same time. This will make some synthesizers 'Hiccup' and
either play the notes late or not at all. If this is the case you can make the next arrange
entry start a little earlier by giving that arrange entry a Pre-Start value of 5-10 clockticks.
This makes the previous entry end that much earlier and stop any 'sounding' notes before
sending out new ones.

DELETE
Click on the "Del(ete)" icon, [Delete], will delete the current arrange entry and all the
following arrange entries will be moved accordingly.

INSERT
A click on the "Ins(ert)" icon, [Insert], will move all arrange entries (from the current and
on) a step forward. You can now enter new values in the current entry.


A SMALL RE-CAP OF HOW TO ARRANGE PATTERNS
Suppose your song starts with pattern 1 (an INTRO of 4 bars ). Firstly enter PATTERN 1
in the first arrange entry with a length of 4 bars. In the next entry you may want to have
PATTERN 2 (say a verse of 8 bars ). PLUS, a Solo over the verse later in the song so
compose your PATTERN 2 to INCLUDE this Solo. Click on the right arrow icon in the
bottom of the Arrange Box to get the second arrange entry to be the current one (the
second arrange line from the top and displayed in inverse video). Set this to PATTERN 2
with a length of 8 bars. But, when this is played 1st time round you don't want the solo to
play so you MUTE this track by clicking one of the small boxes displaying digits 1-16
between the Arrange Box and the Pattern Box. This will mute the desired track in this
ARRANGE ENTRY ONLY. In the 3rd arrange entry you may want to have PATTERN 3
say a Chorus of 8 bars. Repeat the above procedure. In the 4th arrange entry you may
want PATTERN 2 but this time you want the SOLO track to play. You UN-MUTE this
track by clicking the small box where you 'Muted' the track before. You may also
transpose a whole pattern in an arrange entry. In the Overall Settings (see MENU
SECTION) you may disable the transposition of the drum Track/Channel. This method
of recording makes it so easy to build up a whole song. For example:

YOU MAY HAVE:
PATTERN 1. (Intro)
PATTERN 2. (Verse inc. Solo)
PATTERN 3. (Chorus)
PATTERN 4. (ending)


YOU CAN NOW MAKE YOUR ARRANGE LIST TO READ-:
PATTERN 1. 4 bars
PATTERN 2. 8 bars  Solo track Muted
PATTERN 2. 8 bars  Solo track Muted
PATTERN 3. 8 bars
PATTERN 2. 8 bars  Solo track ON
PATTERN 3. 8 bars
PATTERN 3. 8 bars
PATTERN 4. 4 bars
Now you have INTRO - VERSE - VERSE - CHORUS - SOLO - CHORUS - CHORUS -
ENDING and have constructed a whole song from just 4 PATTERNS.


PATTERN 17 - '16' NEW TRACKS
Pattern 17 has a special field of application. In Pattern Mode it works exactly as the other
16 patterns. In Song Mode however, Pattern 17 cannot be part of the arrange list but runs
parallel to it. This means you have another 16 tracks to use.


Example 1
A solo starts of in one arrange entry, continues in the next and ends in the third.

Example 2
A percussion track, with it's start in bar 1, plays a two bar rhythm that is looped
throughout the whole song.

Example 3
A track with all drum fills can be recorded in one shot while the whole song is playing.

Example 4
A track with all program changes and volume (Controller 7) events.

The possibilities are endless. It is advisable to hold back on all recordings in Pattern 17
until the structure of the song is finished. If you change a pattern number, pattern length
or transpose value in the arrange list, you will probably have to change things in Pattern
17 as well (move a track forward/backward with Push Track or use Delete/Insert
Measures, transpose a part of a track with Modify Track etc). Thus, as soon as you change
from Pattern Mode to Song Mode, PATTERN 17 is activated as a parallel pattern.
Sometimes you may not want to hear it: click on the "M" icon to the right of the
"Pattern/Song Mode" icon and Pattern 17 will be muted.

If you choose Pattern 17, this will be the current pattern until you choose another one. In
the arrange list you can see what other pattern is playing. In Song Mode, recording in
pattern 17 will start from the first bar of the current arrange list entry.



RECORDING IN SONG MODE

Recording in Song Mode works in the same way as in Pattern Mode. If you have anything
recorded in Pattern 17, recording in Song Mode is necessary. This is the only way to be
able to listen to both Pattern 17 and the current pattern in the arrange list.

If you choose Pattern 17, recording will take place there. Otherwise recording will take
place in the pattern of the current arrange entry.

As always, it is possible to record during the count in. However, even if the arrange list
jumps to the next entry, recording will still only take place in the pattern where it began
(you can only record in one pattern at the time). If you want to record something that
stretches over more than one pattern/arrange entry, this must take place in pattern 17.

Cycle Recording is also possible in Song Mode. If you enter values that are beyond the
current arrange list entry, you will get a warning. If you still want to proceed, you can do
so.



CYCLE RECORDING (not included in the LITE version)

With the help of the Left and Right Locators, you can enter two positions that the
program will cycle between. When the right position is reached, the sequencer jumps
back to the left locator position without leaving the recording mode. In every operation of
the cycle, any notes played will be added to existing notes and therefore can be called
"OVERDUB RECORD".

If you enter a quantize value, the quantization will be executed after each round without
interrupting the timing of the music. This is real multitasking!
Whilst recording you may, by pressing [B], erase each overdub, beginning with the last
one recorded. SWEET SIXTEEN distinguishes between the different rounds by assigning
each round to a different MIDI channel. Track parameter Channel will still decide what
MIDI channel it will be assigned to. This makes it easy, after the recording is finished, to
delete a round with the Keep/Delete functions.

Whilst not in Cycle Mode, recordings will always start from the start-bar of the current
arrange entry. If you want to start the recording from another position, you can activate
Cycle Mode and enter the position from where you want the recording to start from into
the left locator. The right locator can have a smaller value (or a much larger) so the
program doesn't instantly jump back to the left locator position.

Don't forget that you can store four locator positions with the help of the function keys
[F5]...F[8].

Before you turn off the computer, save your song (don't save anything on your program
disk). There is a separate section on Saving/Loading discs but for now, activate the FILE
menu. From the Drop-Down menus select SAVE SONG. When the file-box appears give
the song a name and 'Click' OK. Your song is now saved to disc.

Did you play any wrong notes? SWEET SIXTEEN has a lot of very powerful functions to
edit, process and modify your music. These will be explained in the EDIT section but
before we look at this section, lets run through the different Menus so you will be able to
see the capabilities of SWEET SIXTEEN. Here we go!


Sorry, everything is not included in the LITE version!!


FILE HANDLING

Your recordings in SWEET SIXTEEN may be saved to disk in a number of ways. 

SAVE SONG
The usual way and the way you will use in most cases is called 'SAVE SONG'. This saves
the entire content of the program i.e. ALL TRACKS IN ALL PATTERNS, THE
ARRANGE LIST AND ALL GLOBAL SETTINGS.

LOAD SONG
With Load Song everything is loaded back into the program (the old song is erased).

SAVE PATTERN
This saves the current pattern to disk.

SAVE TRACK
Saves the current track.

LOAD PATTERN / LOAD TRACK
These are the corresponding functions for getting the data back into the program. These
functions allow you to use sections of a song in other songs.

FILE NAME
A file name may consists of a name of up to eight characters followed by a three
character extension that shows the filetype (the extension is added by the program). The
possible extensions are: SNG (songfile), PAT (pattern file), TRK (track file) and MID
(Standard MIDI File).

STANDARD MIDI FILES (SMF's)
These are created to enable the transfer of music between different manufacturers
Keyboards and sound modules. SMF's have been developed in two main formats known
as Format 0, and 1. Format 0 contains one track, multiple channels and Format 1 several
tracks, each track to its own Midi Channel.

In SWEET SIXTEEN you may save the current pattern as a SMF. If the pattern contains
only one track, it will be saved as Format 0, else as Format 1. SEE SEPARATE SECTION
ON STANDARD MIDIFILES.
AUTO LOAD
By saving a file with the name DEFAULT.SNG, this file will be automatically loaded every
time the program is booted. This way you can import your favourite settings, e.g MIDI
Click Channel, Input Filter, Disable Transpose etc, automatically into the program.
DEFAULT.SNG must be in the same directory as SWEET SIXTEEN.

In the File menu you'll will also find more functions.

CLEAR SONG
Clears all data in SWEET SIXTEEN and resets all settings.

ABOUT
Displays copyright info etc. and the number of free MIDI events.

QUIT
Ends the program.


THE OPTIONS MENU

OVERALL SETTINGS
With Overall Settings in the "Options" menu, [V], you can change settings that will affect the program globally.



INPUT FILTER
Here you can filter out MIDI messages that you don't want recorded or sent out via MIDI Thru. If your synthesizer does not respond to aftertouch (channel and polyphonic pressure) it makes sense to filter them out.
Some synthesizers (e.g. Roland) send out an All Note Off message every time you stop playing a key. Filter it out by choosing All Note Off in the bottom of the Input Filter Box.

DISABLE TRANSPOSE
Here you can disable the arrange list TRANSPOSE function on the MIDI channels you use for drum sounds.

MIDI CLICK
Here you choose:
1. MIDI output port, A or B.
2. MIDI channel.
3. Note number.
4. Velocity for the metronome click.

MIDI THRU OFF CHANNEL
If your synthesizer does not have a Local On/Off function, you may disable the MIDI Thru function on a desired channel.

REMAP CONTROLLER
Here you may choose to remap an incoming CONTROL message to a different one. With Control 7 (Volume) you can perform a tasteful fade-out of your music. If your synthesizer does not send out this Control Number, re-map the Modulation Wheel (Control 1) to Volume and you have a nice real time mixer function (if in Record Mode it will be recorded). Click on the "Remap" icon to activate.

LEFT/RIGHT BUTTON INCREASE/DECREASE
Normally a click on the left mouse button will INCREASE the value but by 'clicking' on the word "LEFT" it changes to "RIGHT" and the right button now INCREASES and the left button DECREASES.
THE FLAGS MENU

All items in this menu are either ON or OFF. If there is no 'Tick against the flag it is OFF.
To switch it on just 'Click' the mouse button. You immediately leave the menu but on re-entering you will see it 'Ticked' meaning ON. Similarly if the flag is ON (ticked) by 'Clicking the mouse it will be 'Unticked' i.e. OFF.

CLICK ALWAYS
Click Always means that the metronome is activated in PLAYBACK and RECORD.

MIDI CLICK
Midi Click means that the metronome is sent out via MIDI. (Choose a suitable click note, port etc in Overall Settings).
ACTUAL POSITION
When SWEET SIXTEEN is in Song Mode and you activate Actual Position, the time positions will be shown relative to the beginning of the arrange list. When Actual Position is off, time positions are shown relative to the start of the current pattern.

Example: You have a pattern where the first note starts at 1 1 1 1. If the pattern is placed in an arrange list entry that starts at bar 33 (33 1 1 1), and 'Actual Position' is activated, the time position of the event will be DISPLAYED as 33 1 1 1. Otherwise it will be displayed as 1 1 1 1.

CLOCK OUT
If Clock Out is activated, SWEET SIXTEEN will send out MIDI Clock, Start, Stop and Continue messages at port A. This allows you to synchronise SWEET SIXTEEN to other MIDI equipment. Read more in the chapter about synchronization.

RESET ON STOP
If this is activated, SWEET SIXTEEN automatically resets Pitch Bend, Modulation and Aftertouch for all tracks. It also sends out Sustain Off and All Notes Off messages. When this is turned on, it might reset things you don't want to be reset. In most cases you don't need it activated since SWEET SIXTEEN keeps track of which notes that needs to be turned off and if the sustain pedal is down.

SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE

System Exclusive (SysEx) are special types of MIDI events that are unique to each type of synthesizer. This means that SysEx from one synthesizer cannot be understood by another.

A SysEx message can be of any length and consequently may take a long time to transmit. This means you should have your SysEx events before the music starts and not inside your songs.

With SWEET SIXTEEN you have the possibility to record and playback SysEx messages. You may "dump" sounds, patches or the whole memory of your synthesizers into SWEET SIXTEEN (please read your synthesizer manual for more info on Bulk Dump).

It is not possible to edit SysEx messages in SWEET SIXTEEN.

If your main purpose is to recall desired voice numbers (patches), you should use program change events or the VPT, not SysEx.

To RECORD SysEx into SWEET SIXTEEN, do it like this:
1. Check that SWEET SIXTTEN does not filter out incoming Sys Ex (Input Filter in Overall Settings).
2. Click on the "Record" icon.
3. Send SysEx from your synthesizer - read your synthesizer manual.
4. Arrange for the SysEx events to be read before the start of your song, OR, save this Sysex as a separate track.

To TRANSMIT SysEx back to your Synthesizer, do like this:
1. Load your song or SysEx track into SWEET SIXTEEN.
2. Enable SysEx receive on your synthesizer.
3. Start playback.

DEFINING A LEFT/RIGHT LIMIT
You can define the left and right limit for part operations by pressing [L] and [R] on a cursored event. When entering functions like "Modify Track", the left and right locators will be loaded with these values. This way you can easily quantize or transpose just a part of a track.



SYNCHRONIZATION

Synchronization means that you can lock together two (or more) devices so that they follow each other exactly. One device will be the "Master", i.e. lead the process and the other will be the "Slave". Synchronization in SWEET SIXTEEN is done with MIDI Clock messages that are sent from the "Master" to the "Slave".

In the Control Box you'll see a box labelled "SYNC". It has two modes, INTERNAL and EXTERNAL Sync Mode.

In INTERNAL Sync Mode SWEET SIXTEEN will be the master. For SWEET SIXTEEN to send out sync pulses you must activate "Clock Out" in the Flags menu. SWEET SIXTEEN is now able to control other MIDI devices, e.g. Drum Machines, Data Filers, Midifile Players. It will also send the following MIDI messages: Start, Stop and Continue. However if your main purpose is to access the sounds in the drum machine, it's better to record the drum notes as MIDI events than synchronize the two devices together.

In EXTERNAL Sync Mode SWEET SIXTEEN will be the slave and follow the "master". SWEET SIXTEEN will respond to the following MIDI messages: Start, Stop and Continue messages, MIDI Clock pulses that control the TEMPO and SONG POSITION POINTERS that tell the exact position to start from. In spite of the low resolution of MIDI Clock pulses (24 PPQ) SWEET SIXTEEN is able to keep it's own high resolution (192 PPQ) even in External Sync Mode, by using something called "Interpolation between Clock Pulses".

To be able to synchronize SWEET SIXTEEN to a tape recorder you'll need a device called a "SYNCHRONIZER". This device is able to translate MIDI information into analogue signals that can be recorded on tape. One example of such a device is the JLCooper PPS-1. With this device you can control SWEET SIXTEEN (slave) from a tape recorder (master).

It's also possible to do recordings in External Sync Mode. Just click on Record to enter Record Mode. SWEET SIXTEEN will start the recording when it gets a Start or Continue command.


VPT

At the bottom left of the screen you'll see the Volume Program Transmitter (VPT). The VPT allows you to store and transmit your default volume and program settings.
Click on VOL/PRG to choose between volume or program mode, then choose port and MIDI channel and lastly 'click' or scroll to your desired value (the digits under the of the "SEND All" icon).
If you have a General MIDI (GM/GS) instrument, you may choose to view the program settings as instrument names rather than numbers. The MIDI/Memory Setup in the Options menu allows you to choose the channels that will use the General MIDI Sound Set names.
Clicking the "SEND All" icon will send out all settings on all MIDI channels in one shot. The settings in the VPT will be saved together with your song.


UNDO

The Undo function allows you to cancel the latest change you have made to a track. If you, by mistake, delete a track, record over a track etc, you can get the track back as it was before the change by clicking the "Undo" icon, keycommand [Backspace]. Another useful feature is that you can also toggle between the old and new versions for direct comparison.
The UNDO function will not work if the alteration involves more than one track, "Mixdown", "Merge" etc.


This is the end of the disk manual. The full version of the program includes 
a complete printed manual describing all functions of SWEET SIXTEEN.


Please look at the info in the program.


Roni Music 
Smafolksgatan 51 
S-212 38 Malmoe 
SWEDEN 

phone: int + 46 - 40494411 
e-mail info@ronimusic.com

Home Page URL http://www.ronimusic.com





SWEET SIXTEEN is also available for PC/Windows!

