Every sequencer step (1 through 16) can be freely assigned to a pad (i.e. instrument) in Drumaxx. Manual control and randomization allow for rapid creation of beats, grooves and fills.
Trigger Threshold Sequencer: Whether or not a step is triggered is determined by the comparison of two parameters: the Trigger Level of the step and the global Trigger Threshold. A trigger occurs only if the Trigger Level is greater than the Trigger Threshold. If below, there is no trigger (i.e. a pause, audio remains silent). Trigger Level and Trigger Threshold can be altered with sliders, which allows for easy dynamic morphing of drum patterns. In addition, each sequencer step can be turned on or off by a designated button.
A lower Trigger Threshold will usually result in more triggers, making the beat busier. Increasing the Trigger Threshold will make the beat thinner, in its extreme down to complete silence. Find a good balance!
Instrument/Pad Selection: Instruments can be chosen for each sequencer step using the number dials.
Velocity: Can be set individually per sequencer step. In addition, a global velocity knob sets the overall range. Keep in mind that in Drumaxx velocity controls volume, but can also direct other parameters depending on velocity settings in the Drumaxx GUI.
Randomization: Some values (Trigger Level, Instrument, Velocity) can be randomized with Base and Amount control. Also, fixed values (0% and 100%) can be bulk set for those, as well as for the On/Off buttons (None or All).
Visual Monitoring: Open Drumaxx from the Map tab to watch the pads being triggered. Change settings inside Drumaxx as desired to design sounds for the instruments/pads.
Automation: All knobs, sliders and buttons can be automated as usual in Patcher, which adds an additional level of movement and variation.
Template: The Drumaxx module has been pre-loaded with a default preset (an expanded 909 drum kit). However, any drum patches (.dmpatch) can also be used in the 16 pads. Loading Drumaxx drum kits (.dmkit) is possible, but will likely have different trigger notes assigned. Therefore, these usually need to be re-allocated. You can use the Learn function within Drumaxx. In Drumaxx-Zeq^16, triggered pads respond to notes C3 through D#4 in semitone steps. Also, observe whether any of the pads are set to a custom Output and correct if necessary. Once you have the setup to your liking, save the Drumaxx Drum Kit (.dmkit, 'preset') for later re-loading it into Drumaxx-Zeq^16.
MIDI Burn: The preset is ready for 'Burn MIDI to' from the Channel Rack. This will require a long note to be placed in the Piano Roll as usual for the feature.
The sequencer is driven, i.e. started and stopped by the FL Studio Clock/Transport. There are no notes required on Channel Rack or Piano Roll, except if 'Burn MIDI to' is used.
ALT+Click sets default values for knobs, dials and sliders.
FPC-Zeq^16 uses only FL Studio-native components.
171 presets for Drumaxx can be found in a separate post below.
Features:
Seq Control Tab
- 1 Step sequencer engine
- First Step selection: 1 through 16
- Sequence Length selection: 1 through 16, with rollover
- Step Length selection: straight, dotted, triplet in the range of 1/16T to 1/2D
- On/Off button: 'Off' stops the sequencer
- Blue buttons: On and Off per step
- Orange indicators: Shows the currently processed sequencer step (but is no indicator for trigger!)
- Orange sliders: To set the Trigger Level of each sequencer step
- Purple slider: Trigger Threshold, global. A trigger is created if the Trigger Level (orange) exceeds the Trigger Threshold (purple)
- Yellow dials: Instrument selectors (1 throug 16)
- Green knobs (small): Step velocity selection
- Green knob (large): Global velocity selection
- Separate randomizations of Trigger Level, Instrument and Step Velocity
- Randomization is triggered by the R-Trigger button, applying the selections of R-Base and R-Amount
- R-Base knob sets the base level for randomization
- R-Amount knob sets the randomization range. The default value is zero. Increase the R-Amount value for increasing the range of randomization. To set all values to a specific number (e.g. 50%), set the desired value on the R-Base knob and the R-Amount to zero, then press the R-Trigger button
- Fixed setting quick buttons for 0% and 100% values
- Optional: Assign knobs and buttons of the Randomize tab to a hardware MIDI controller, so that you can view the Trigger Threshold Tab tab to visually monitor the randomization while playing the hardware controller
Other members in the ParaZeq^16 family:
- SVF-Zeq^16x5 — Parameter Sequencer Filter (viewtopic.php?f=1952&t=285270)
- FPC-Zeq^16 — FPC Sequencer (viewtopic.php?f=1952&t=285809)
- Slicex-Zeq^16 — Slicex Sequencer (viewtopic.php?f=1952&t=285902)
Have fun!
- Seq Control_Drumaxx-Zeq-16_20220819s.jpg (37.92 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
- Trigger Threshold_Drumaxx-Zeq-16_20220819s.jpg (83.39 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
- Randomize_Drumaxx-Zeq-16_20220819s.jpg (62.67 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
- Drumaxx_Drumaxx-Zeq-16_20220819s.jpg (174.15 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
- Map_Drumaxx-Zeq-16_20220819s.jpg (52.71 KiB) Viewed 1716 times