Steinberg Sequel 3 Operation Manual

							Operation Manual 
						

							Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Marion Bröer, Sabine Pfeifer, Heike Schilling, Benjamin Schütte
This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity 
and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a 
commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this 
document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as 
specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, 
or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg 
Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one 
copy of this document for their personal use.
All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners. Windows 7 is a 
registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. 
The Mac logo is a trademark used under license. Macintosh and Power Macintosh are registered 
trademarks. MP3SURROUND and the MP3SURROUND logo are registered trademarks of Thomson 
SA, registered in the US and other countries, and are used under license from Thomson Licensing SAS.
Release Date: August 03, 2011
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2011.
All rights reserved. 
						

							3
Table of Contents
5Introduction
5Welcome
6Key Command Conventions
7System Requirements and 
Installation
7About this Chapter
7Minimum Requirements
8Installing Sequel
9Setting Up Your System
9About this Chapter
9General Notes on How to Set Up Your 
System
9MIDI Requirements
9Audio Hardware
11Setting Up Audio
15Setting Up MIDI
16Optimizing Audio Performance
17The Sequel Window
17Overview
19Recording
19Recording Audio
26Recording Instrument Parts
28Editing
28Introduction
28Importing
28Common Editing Functions
32The Draw Tool
33The Sample Editor
33The Key Editor
37The Beat Page
37Adding Tempo Changes
39Mixing
39Introduction
39Setting Levels
40Setting Pan
40Mute and Solo
40Adding EQ
42Audio Effects
44Adding Automation
47Exporting
49Live Pads and Chain Play Mode
49Introduction
49Performance Parts
50Live Record Mode
50Playback Mode
51Step Input Mode
53The Beat Page
53Introduction
53Adding Pattern Banks
54Editing Patterns on the Beat Page
55Editing Pattern Parts
56Assigning Audio Samples to Pads
57Saving your Pattern Bank
58The Pilot Zone
58Introduction
58The Sequel Menu
59The Project Menu
60The Edit Menu
62The Edit Remote Control Assignment 
Button
62The Tuner
62Sound Input Activity
63Musical Keyboard Input Activity
63The Transport Controls
64The Metronome
64The Performance Mode Button
64The Pilot Zone Display
66The Virtual Keyboard
68The Arrange Zone
68Overview
74Working with Tracks
75Working with Parts and Events
75Working with the MediaBay
80Output Effects
81The Multi Zone
81Introduction
82The Track Inspector Page
85The Editor Page
94The Track Picture Page
95The Mixer Page
96The Performance Page
99The Settings Page
100Computer Usage 
						

							4
Table of Contents
101Advanced Features
101Introduction
101Adding Silence
102About Time Stretch and Pitch Shift 
Algorithms
103Audio Quantization and Free Warp
105Step Envelope Editing
107Detecting the Tempo of an Audio File
108Smart Transpose
110Remote-controlling Sequel
114Quick Controls
116Key Commands
116Introduction
116The Available Key Commands
119Effects and Instruments Reference
119Introduction
119Effects Parameters
122Instrument Parameters
123Index 
						

							5
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome and congratulations on purchasing Sequel 3. With Steinberg’s latest version 
of Sequel you are now able to create, record, mix, and perform your own musical ideas 
within one powerful music production center – in the most intuitive way.
It’s your idea. Let’s hear it! Sequel 3 is designed to support you in turning your ideas 
into reality. Whether it’s a melody stuck in your head, a rhythm that will not let you go 
or a synth sound that keeps you up at night, Sequel is the perfect tool to capture your 
ideas and make them last. And you don’t necessarily need to have musical skills or 
play an instrument. You are now equipped with thousands of pre-recorded loops, 
hundreds of instruments sounds, and a massive load of effects and tools to make your 
creative ideas come true and add your own sound to your mix. 
You’ll be surprised how easily you’ll earn your first achievements and create tracks that 
feel and sound just like you want them to – there are no boundaries to your creativity. 
Combine different styles from rock to R’n’B, techno and hip hop or electro and jazz, and 
develop your own sound by experimenting with the included sound library.
Sequel 3 is the perfect tool to record your instrument or vocals. Plug in your guitar or 
microphone and start your recording session instantly. With the technology of a 
professional recording system built on the same engine as the award-winning Cubase 
audio production system, Sequel meets the highest requirements for modern music 
production. 
And Sequel takes it a step further by breaking the barrier between creation and 
performance and building the bridge from music production to live experience. Let 
your ideas be heard and perform your tracks live with the included performance mode. 
After you have registered Sequel 3 online, take some time to explore the community 
section at www.steinberg.net/forum. You will find lots of useful information and get to 
know other users in our discussion forums. Registering at 
www.steinberg.net/mysteinberg also gives you access to special offers from 
Steinberg in the future.
Have fun making your ideas come true. 
The Steinberg Sequel Team 
						

							6
IntroductionKey Command Conventions
Key Command Conventions
Many of the default key commands in Sequel use modifier keys, some of which are 
different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key command 
for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] under Windows and [Command]-[Z] under Mac OS X.
When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown 
with the Windows modifier key first: 
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]
For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] under Windows or [Command] 
under Mac OS X, then press [Z]”. Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] under 
Windows or [Option] under Mac OS X, then press [X]”. 
						

							7
System Requirements and Installation
About this Chapter
This chapter describes the requirements and installation procedures for Sequel.
Minimum Requirements
To use Sequel, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:
Windows
-Windows 7
- Intel or AMD Dual Core CPU
-2 GB RAM
- 9 GB of free hard disk space
- Windows compatible audio hardware; ASIO compatible audio hardware 
recommended for low latency performance.
- Display resolution of 1280x800 pixels
- DVD ROM drive required for installation
- Internet connection required for license activation
Macintosh
- Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.7
- Intel Dual Core CPU
-2 GB RAM
- 9 GB of free hard disk space
- Display resolution of 1280x800 pixels
- CoreAudio compatible audio hardware
- DVD ROM drive required for installation
- Internet connection required for license activation 
						

							8
System Requirements and InstallationInstalling Sequel
Installing Sequel
Depending on your system, the Start Center program on the DVD may start 
automatically. If no interactive start center appears, open the DVD and double-click 
the file “Start_Center.exe” (Win) or “Start_Center.app” (Mac). From the Start Center 
you can initiate the installation of Sequel and browse through the additional options 
and information presented there.
In case you do not want to install Sequel via the interactive Start Center, follow the 
procedure below.
Windows
1.Insert the Sequel DVD into the DVD drive of your computer.
2.Locate and double-click the file called “Setup.exe” on the Sequel installation DVD.
3.Follow the instructions on screen.
Macintosh
1.Insert the Sequel DVD into the DVD drive of your computer.
2.Double-click the file called “Sequel.mpkg”.
3.Follow the instructions on screen.
Activating Sequel
The process for license activation is described in detail on the Steinberg web site. To 
open the corresponding page, follow the “Activation & Registration” link in the Start 
Center. 
						

							9
Setting Up Your System
About this Chapter
In this chapter, you will find information on the basic computer setup and on more 
advanced audio and MIDI system setups.
General Notes on How to Set Up Your System
•RAM – There is a direct relation between the amount of available RAM and the 
number of audio channels that you can have running.
The amount of RAM specified in the minimum requirements is a must, but as a 
general rule, the more the better applies.
•Hard-disk size – The size of the hard disk determines how many minutes of audio 
you can record.
Recording one minute of stereo CD quality audio requires 10 MB of hard disk 
space. That is, eight stereo tracks in Sequel use up at least 80
 MB of disk space 
per recording minute.
•Hard-disk speed – The speed of the hard drive also determines the number of 
audio tracks you can run.
That is the quantity of information that the disk can read, usually expressed as 
sustained transfer rate. Again, the more the better applies.
MIDI Requirements
If you intend to use the MIDI features of Sequel, you need the following:
•A USB MIDI keyboard or a MIDI instrument and a MIDI interface to connect 
external MIDI equipment to your computer.
•Any audio equipment required to listen to the sound from your MIDI devices.
Audio Hardware
Sequel runs with audio hardware that meets the following specifications:
-Stereo
- 16 bit
- Sampling rate: 44.1kHz
!On the Steinberg web site, under “Support–DAW Components”, you find detailed 
information on what to consider when setting up a computer system dedicated to 
audio work. 
						

							10
Setting Up Your SystemAudio Hardware
Using the Built-In Audio Hardware of Macintosh Computers
All current Macintosh models provide at least built-in 16 bit stereo audio hardware. 
For detailed information, refer to the documentation describing your computer.
Depending on your preferences and requirements, using the built-in audio hardware 
may be sufficient for use with Sequel. It is always available for selection in Sequel – 
you do not need to install any additional drivers.
About Drivers
A driver is a piece of software that allows a program to communicate with a certain 
piece of hardware. In this case, the driver allows Sequel to use the audio hardware. 
For audio hardware, there are different cases, requiring different driver configurations.
Specific ASIO Drivers
Professional audio cards often come with an ASIO driver written especially for the 
card. This allows for communication directly between Sequel and the audio card. As a 
result, audio cards with specific ASIO drivers can provide lower latency (input-output 
delay). The ASIO driver may also provide special support for multiple inputs and 
outputs, routing, synchronization, etc.
Audio card-specific ASIO drivers are provided by the card manufacturers. Be sure to 
check the manufacturer’s web site for the latest driver versions.
DirectX Drivers (Windows only)
DirectX is a Microsoft package for handling various types of multimedia data under 
Windows. Sequel supports DirectX, or to be more precise, DirectSound, which is a part 
of DirectX used for playing back and recording audio. This requires two types of drivers:
- A DirectX driver for the audio card, allowing it to communicate with DirectX. If the 
audio card supports DirectX, this driver should be supplied by the audio card 
manufacturer. If it is not installed with the audio card, please check the 
manufacturer’s web site for more information.
- The ASIO DirectX Full Duplex driver, allowing Sequel to communicate with 
DirectX. This driver is included with Sequel, and does not require any special 
installation.
Generic Low Latency ASIO Driver (Windows 7 only)
On Windows systems you can use the Generic Low Latency ASIO driver. This is a 
generic ASIO driver that provides ASIO support for all audio cards supported by 
Windows 7, thus allowing for low latency. The Generic Low Latency ASIO driver 
provides the Windows Core Audio technology in Sequel.
Mac OS X Drivers (Mac only)
If you are using a Macintosh computer, make sure that you are using the latest Mac 
OS X drivers for your audio hardware. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install 
the driver.
!If your audio hardware comes with a specific ASIO driver we strongly recommend that 
you use this.
ÖThis driver should be used if no specific ASIO driver is available. Although the Generic 
Low Latency ASIO driver supports all audio devices, you might get better results with 
on-board audio cards than with external USB audio interfaces.