Sequencing not audio recording.

Building Your Tracks, One Performance at a Time

Ever wondered how that modern pop song, bursting with intricate melodies and driving beats, came to life? The secret weapon in a producer's arsenal is often the sequencer. But what exactly is it, and how does it turn musical ideas into chart-topping hits?

The Mastermind Behind the Music

A sequencer is like a digital conductor. Imagine a recording studio filled with musicians, each playing their part. The sequencer lets you capture these performances, not as single audio recording, but as a series of instructions for each instrument being played (one per track). These instructions, often called "events," tell the sequencer what note was played, how long it was held for, and with what intensity was it played. These events are then stored in Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format, so that is can be used to reproduce the original performance of each instrument, by triggering exactly the same events, in exactly the same order, on one or more midi compatible devices. Ergo, a sequencer records everything you play in a special kind of musical notation, not the sound being played. 

Instruments on Individual Tracks

Think of each track in your sequencer as a dedicated musician playing a specific instrument. Each can be recorded simulateneously, or individually, making composition and music production, much more manageable, editable, and mixable, without having to rerecord everything something changes.

A typical song might have the following  recorded individually as a seperate tracks on the sequencer...

-  A Drum Track: This powerhouse lays down the rhythmic foundation. Programmed drum samples or electronic drum kits can be used here.

- A Bass Track: The low-end anchor, often played on a bass guitar or synthesized bass patch.

- Chords (Pads or Keys): This track provides the harmonic backbone, played on keyboards, virtual instruments, or even samples.

- Melody (Synths, Guitars, Vocals): The catchy top layer, played by a variety of instruments or even sung.

Capturing the Magic: Performance Over Perfection

The beauty of sequencing lies in capturing the essence of a performance. You can strum a guitar riff, hit the drums with feeling, or hone the phrasing of a passionate melody. The sequencer records these nuances, not just the notes themselves. This injects a human feel into electronic music and adds subtle variations to programmed parts.

Editing for Perfection: Shaping Your Song

Sometimes, even the best performances need a little polish and here's where the editing magic happens. Each track can be visualised individually or collectively to show what note and instrument was played. This really helps correct any off notes, timing issues, or ease the tidying or enhancement of an otherwise lacklustre performance.

Some of the track editing might involve:

- Trimming: Tighten up sloppy sections of a guitar solo.

-Quantizing: Fine-tune the timing of a drum track for perfect precision.

-Velocity Editing: Add dynamic variation to a programmed melody.

The Art of Synchronization: Keeping it Tight

With multiple tracks playing simultaneously, keeping everything in time is crucial. Here's how sequencers ensure a cohesive performance:

- Grid System: The sequencer provides a visual grid where each line represents a beat or fraction of a beat. This helps you align your edits and performances across all tracks.

- Markers and Loops: Set markers for specific sections of the song and loop them for repetitive parts, ensuring everything stays synchronized.

The Power is in Your Hands

By harnessing the power of sequencing, you can record and build intricate arrangements, capture expressive performances, and edit them to perfection. It's like having a full band at your fingertips, ready to play exactly what you hear in your head. So, fire up your sequencer, unleash your creativity, and start building your next musical masterpiece, one track (and performance) at a time!