Steinberg Sequel 3 Operation Manual

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The Pilot ZoneThe Edit Menu
Duplicate
This option allows you to create copies of an event that are aligned directly behind the 
selected event in the Arrange Zone.
Split at Cursor
This option allows you to split the selected event at the cursor. If no event is selected, 
all events that are intersected by the project cursor are split.
Bounce Selection
This option allows you to combine various selected audio events or instrument parts 
into one audio event or instrument part. For example, this is useful if you have 
recorded several takes in a cycle recording and want to combine the best pieces of 
your recording in one take, see 
“Recording Multiple Takes of your Audio” on page 25 
and “Recording Multiple Takes of an Instrument Part” on page 27.
Select All
This option selects all events and parts in the Arrange Zone. This is useful for 
performing large scale editing.
Select None
This option clears any selection you have made in the Arrange Zone.
Add Track…
This option opens a dialog that allows you to add tracks to your project.
Remove Selected Tracks
This option removes any tracks that are selected in the Arrange Zone. To select 
multiple tracks, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] and click on them.
Reset Instruments
This option allows you to send out note-off messages and reset controllers on all 
instrument channels. Use this if hanging notes or a constant vibrato occur after 
loading an instrument preset and hitting a key on your keyboard, for example. 
						

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The Pilot ZoneThe Edit Remote Control Assignment Button
The Edit Remote Control Assignment Button
You can remote-control certain Sequel functions using external controllers. For this, 
you need a mixer or keyboard controller with USB or MIDI connection and the ability 
to send MIDI messages.
If you activate the “Edit Remote Control Assignment” button, the main user interface is 
dimmed. The elements that can be assigned to remote controls are indicated by green 
frames. Click the button again to switch back to normal mode.
For further information, see “Remote-controlling Sequel” on page 110.
The Tuner
Sequel features a built-in tuner that can be used for tuning a guitar or a bass before 
recording, for example.
When the Tuner is activated for a track, this track is soloed. All insert effects are 
bypassed, and sends are disabled.
Sound Input Activity
This indicator becomes visible when any input activity of connected audio sources is 
detected.
ÖSee  on page 23 to find out how the Tuner works.
Sound Input Activity indicator 
						

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The Pilot ZoneMusical Keyboard Input Activity
Musical Keyboard Input Activity
This indicator becomes visible when any input activity of connected USB/MIDI 
keyboards, including controller activity, is detected.
The Transport Controls
The transport controls are similar to those you would find on a VCR or DVD player.
The Play Button
The Play button allows you to listen to your project.
•To start playback, click the Play button.
•To stop playback, click the Play button again.
The Record Button
The Record button allows you to record audio events or instrument parts.
•To start recording, click the Record button at any time during playback.
•To stop recording, click the Record button again.
The Locate Buttons
The Locate buttons allow you to locate marker positions or to go to the beginning or 
end of your project. 
•To locate the previous marker or go to the beginning of the project, click the “Jump 
to Previous Marker” button.
•To locate the next marker or go to the end of the project, click the “Jump to Next 
Marker” button.
The Cycle Button
Cycle mode allows you to repeat a section of your project so that you can hear it again 
and again. To create a cycle region, click and drag in the upper half of the ruler.
•Click the Cycle button to activate/deactivate Cycle mode.
The Musical Keyboard Input Activity indicator 
in the Pilot Zone
The Musical Keyboard Input Activity indicator in the track list (for instrument tracks).
PlayRecord
Jumps to previous/next markerCycle 
						

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The Pilot ZoneThe Metronome
The Metronome
Activate the Metronome On/Off button to add a click sound to playback and/or 
recording. The metronome follows the project tempo and time signature. For more 
information on the metronome and its settings, see 
“Activating the Metronome Click” 
on page 21.
The Performance Mode Button
By clicking the Performance Mode button, you enter a mode that allows you to create 
performances. For more information on the Performance mode, see 
“Performances” 
on page 97.
The Pilot Zone Display
The Pilot Zone display shows the project position, the tempo, the time signature, and 
the project root key.
The Project Position (POS)
The project position displays the current position of the cursor in bars and beats or in 
seconds. To set the time format, click in the top right corner of the project position 
field.
To change the project position, you have the following possibilities:
•Double-click the project position field and type in a position.
•Click in the project position field, keep the mouse button pressed, and drag up or 
down.
•Click in the lower half of the ruler at the new position.
The Tempo (TEMPO)
The tempo display shows the current project tempo at the cursor position.
To change the tempo, you have the following possibilities:
•Double-click the tempo field and type in a tempo.
•Click in the tempo field, keep the mouse button pressed, and drag up or down.
•Select a loop within your project and drag it onto the Tempo field.
This changes the project tempo to the tempo set in the loop file.
ÖOn the Settings Page, you can specify if you want to hear the click during playback or 
recording, see  on page 99. 
						

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The Pilot ZoneThe Pilot Zone Display
Using Tap Tempo
The Tap Tempo function allows you to specify a tempo by tapping.
1.Click the Learn button in the upper left corner of the tempo display to activate the 
Learn mode.
The button turns red to indicate that you can tap the tempo.
2.If you want to tap the tempo of some recorded material with unknown tempo, 
activate playback.
3.Tap the tempo on the space bar of the computer keyboard or on a connected MIDI 
keyboard.
4.When you stop tapping, the program calculates the average tempo of the taps and 
displays it in the Tempo field.
Using the Rehearsal Tempo
If you are recording an instrument with Sequel and you cannot keep up with the 
project tempo, try activating Rehearsal mode. This reduces the project tempo, making 
it easier for you to record even tricky parts with Sequel.
•To activate Rehearsal tempo, click in the top right corner of the tempo field.
Rehearsal tempo is activated.
•To deactivate Rehearsal tempo and use the project tempo again, click the button 
again.
The Time Signature (T.SIGN)
This shows the current time signature of the project.
To change the time signature, you have the following possibilities:
•Double-click the Time Signature field and type in a time signature.
•Click in the time signature field, keep the mouse button pressed, and drag up or 
down.
ÖIf the tempo track is activated, clicking the Learn button and tapping the tempo 
removes the existing tempo curve and sets a single constant tempo according to your 
tapping, see 
 on page 37. 
						

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The Pilot ZoneThe Virtual Keyboard
The Project Root Key (KEY)
This shows the project root key. 
To change the root key, you have the following possibilities:
•Click on the value and select a key from the pop-up menu.
•Select a loop in your project that has the key that you want to use and drag it onto 
the key field.
This works only if the key information was saved with the original file.
The Virtual Keyboard
The virtual keyboard allows you to play and record MIDI notes using your computer 
keyboard or mouse. This is useful if you have no external MIDI instrument at hand and 
you do not want to draw in notes with the Draw tool.
1.Create or select an instrument track and activate its “Record Ready” button.
Which type of sound is played depends on the selected preset.
2.Activate the virtual keyboard by clicking the “Activate Virtual Keyboard” button.
You can choose between two keyboard display modes: computer keyboard and piano 
keyboard.
•To switch between these two modes, click the “Change Virtual Keyboard Display 
Type” button.
The virtual keyboard in computer keyboard display mode
The virtual keyboard in piano keyboard display mode
3.Play one key at a time to enter single notes or several keys simultaneously to enter 
polyphonic parts.
The maximum number of notes that can be played at one time varies between the 
different operating systems and hardware configurations.
•In piano keyboard mode, you have a wider range of keys at your disposal, allowing 
you to enter two voices simultaneously, for example bass and lead voice or bass 
drums and HiHats.
In computer keyboard mode, you can use the two rows of keys that are displayed 
on the virtual keyboard to enter notes. In piano keyboard mode, you can also use 
the two rows of keys below these.
ÖWhen you create a new project, the first audio event that you drag into your project 
defines the key, provided that the audio event data contains key information.
ÖWhen the virtual keyboard is active, the usual key commands are blocked. The only 
eric keypad) for recording, [Space] for 
start/stop, and [Home]/[Command]-[Home] to jump to the project start. 
						

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The Pilot ZoneThe Virtual Keyboard
4.Use the “Note Velocity Level” fader to the right of the virtual keyboard to adjust the 
volume. 
5.Use the “Octave Offset” icons to the left and the right of the virtual keyboard to 
offset the octave range of the keyboard. 
ÖYou can also use the virtual keyboard to preview instrument presets in the MediaBay. 
						

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The Arrange Zone
Overview
The Arrange Zone displays the parts and events of the project along the timeline. In 
the Arrange Zone you can record, edit, and arrange your project. On the left, the track 
list is shown, and on the right you can display the MediaBay or the Output Effects 
section.
•To resize the Arrange Zone, move the mouse pointer over the bar at the bottom of 
the Arrange Zone until it turns to a double arrow, click and drag up or down. To 
reset the Arrange Zone to its default size, double-click the divider. 
						

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The Arrange ZoneOverview
The Track List Buttons
Toggle Automation Mode
Clicking this button toggles between the automation modes. You can show, edit, and 
hide the automation for your project. For more information about automation, see 
“Adding Automation” on page 44.
Show Performance Track
Clicking this button shows/hides the performance track. For more information, see the 
chapter 
“Live Pads and Chain Play Mode” on page 49.
Show Transpose Track
Clicking this button shows/hides the transpose track. The transpose track allows you 
to set global key changes. 
•To add a global transpose change, select the Draw tool, and click on the 
transpose track.
•To change a transpose value, click the transpose value on the transpose part and 
drag up or down.
•To restore the original tuning, delete all transpose parts on the transpose track.
Show Tempo Track
Clicking this button shows/hides the tempo track. For more information, see “Adding 
Tempo Changes” on page 37.
Show Transpose 
TrackShow 
Performance Track
Draw Tool Show Tempo 
TrackToggle Automation 
Mode
Unmute All TracksAdd Track
Reset All Solo StatesReduce/Increase Track Size
ÖEven when hidden, the performance track affects playback.
ÖEven when hidden, the transpose track affects playback. 
ÖEven when hidden, the tempo track affects playback. 
						

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The Arrange ZoneOverview
Draw Tool
Clicking this button activates the Draw tool that allows you to draw elements in the 
Arrange Zone. For further information, see 
“The Draw Tool” on page 32.
Unmute All Tracks
Clicking this button unmutes all tracks in your project.
Reset All Solo States
Clicking this button deactivates all Solo buttons in your project.
Reduce/Increase Track Size
The buttons for resizing tracks allow you to reduce or increase the track height. The 
greater the size, the more controls are visible.
Add Track
Clicking this button opens the Add Track dialog, see “Add Track…” on page 61.
The Ruler
The ruler is located above the Arrange Zone. It displays the project timeline as 
numbers corresponding to the bars and beats of your project. Together with the grid, 
the timeline allows you to edit with precision and to lock events to time. The resolution 
of the grid depends on the zoom factor.
You can also use the ruler for editing:
•Start or stop playback by double-clicking in the lower half of the ruler.
•Move the cursor by clicking in the lower half of the ruler.
•Zoom in and out by clicking in the lower half of the ruler and dragging down or up.
•Create a cycle region by clicking and dragging the mouse in the upper half of the 
ruler.
The pointer turns into a Draw tool if you position the mouse in this ruler area.
ÖYou can also resize an individual track by dragging its border in the track list up or 
down.
Grid
Ruler