Steinberg Sequel 3 Operation Manual

							71
The Arrange ZoneOverview
The Snap to Grid Function
The “Snap to Grid” function can be activated by clicking the button at the far right of 
the ruler.
When “Snap to Grid” is activated, all editing you do snaps to the grid. The grid 
resolution is determined by the zoom factor.
When “Snap to Grid” is deactivated, events can be moved and performed freely 
without snapping to the grid. 
The Zoom Commands
Clicking the “+” button zooms in, clicking the “-” button zooms out. At the bottom 
right you can find the “Zoom Commands” pop-up menu with three quick zoom 
settings:
The Scrollbars
The scrollbars allow you to get to a specific position in your project.
•The vertical scrollbar on the right side of the Arrange Zone allows you to scroll your 
project up and down.
•The horizontal scrollbar at the bottom of the Arrange Zone allows you to scroll your 
project left and right.
OptionDescription
Zoom FullZooms out so that all events in the Arrange Zone are visible.
Zoom PartZooms in and centers the event that you have selected in the Arrange Zone.
Zoom LastReturns to the last zoom setting you used.
Horizontal scrollbarVertical 
scrollbar
ÖYou can also use your mouse wheel to scroll up and down or use [Shift]-Mouse wheel 
to scroll left and right. 
						

							72
The Arrange ZoneOverview
The Track Controls
Each track includes a set of track controls. These are described in the following 
sections.
•To display all the available track controls, you may have to adjust the track height.
Mute
Clicking this button for a track stops the output from the corresponding track.
Solo
Clicking this button for a track stops the output from any other track.
Record Ready
Clicking this button enables recording on a track. You can record on up to 8 tracks at 
once.
Convert to Instrument Track (Beat Tracks Only)
Clicking this button converts the beat track into an instrument track and replaces all 
pattern parts with instrument parts. 
This is useful if you want make finer adjustments, for example, enter 32th notes or edit 
the note lengths. Instrument tracks also allow you to use MIDI controllers.
Automatic Fades (Audio Tracks Only)
Clicking this button applies a short fade to the edges of all the events on the track. 
This is useful to eliminate pops or clicks that can occur when playing over event 
boundaries.
Open/Close Instrument Window (Instrument Tracks Only)
Clicking this button opens the control panel for the instrument that is assigned to the 
instrument track. Here, you can make settings for the instrument. For a description of 
the available VST instruments and their parameters, see the chapter 
“Effects and 
Instruments Reference” on page 119.
Freeze
Effect plug-ins and instrument track presets sometimes require a lot of processor 
power. If you are using a large number of these tracks, you may reach a point where 
the computer cannot play back the track properly (the Computer Usage indicator 
lights up, you get crackling sounds, etc.). To remedy this, you can freeze the track by 
clicking the Freeze button. After freezing, you hear the track play back as before, but 
the insert effects or instrument track presets do not have to be calculated in realtime, 
easing the load on the computer processor. 
Typically, you freeze a track when it is finished and you do not need to edit it anymore. 
						

							73
The Arrange ZoneOverview
When you freeze a track, the following happens:
•The program renders the output of the track, including all insert effects or 
instrument track presets, to an audio file.
•On playback, the rendered audio file is played back. You can still adjust level and 
panning, make EQ settings, and adjust the send and output effects.
•Frozen tracks cannot be edited or removed.
•To edit the events on a frozen track or make settings for the insert effects or 
instrument track presets, unfreeze the track by clicking the corresponding Freeze 
button again.
This reactivates the frozen track and the freeze files are deleted.
Track Volume and Pan
The track output volume and pan can be controlled by dragging the corresponding 
sliders in the track list. You can also double-click the values and enter new values 
manually. To reset a fader to its default position, [Ctrl]/[Command]-click in the fader 
area.
Input Selection (Audio Tracks Only)
Clicking the “Input Selection” button opens a pop-up menu, where you can select an 
input on your audio interface. For more information on setting up your interface, see 
the chapter 
“Setting Up Your System” on page 9. 
Track Pictures
For each track, you can set up a track picture. This is described in detail in the section 
“The Track Picture Page” on page 94.
Track Meter
The track meter is a visual representation of the output level of audio and instrument 
tracks.
Color Selector
Clicking the Color Selector shows the color palette that allows you to select a track 
color. All events or parts on that track change their color accordingly. A Color Selector 
is also available on the Mixer Page, see 
“Setting the Track Color” on page 95. 
						

							74
The Arrange ZoneWo r k i n g  w i t h  Tr a ck s
Working with Tracks
Selecting Tracks
To select a track, click the track name. To select multiple tracks, hold down 
[Ctrl]/[Command] and click them.
Renaming Tracks
To rename a track, double-click the Track Name field and type in the new name.
Numbering Tracks
Tracks are automatically numbered according to the order in which they are arranged. 
You can rearrange tracks by clicking and dragging it up or down. When you move a 
track, the track number changes according to its new position in the track list.
Automating Tracks
Track automation allows you to automatically adjust volume, panning, and various 
other settings while the project is playing. For example, if you want the drums to be 
quieter at the start of the project and then get louder at the end you can make Sequel 
do this automatically.
The Automation button switches between three different states:
Track automa-
tion controls
Master 
automation
OptionDescription
HideThe Master automation track and the automation controls are hidden.
EditThe Master automation track and the automation controls for the tracks are 
shown, allowing you to view and edit the automation data. Click the upper field 
to select which parameter you want to automate. 
You can automate multiple track settings simultaneously, but you can only 
view one automation parameter at a time. For more information on creating 
and editing automation, see 
“Adding Automation” on page 44.
ShowThe Master automation track and the other tracks show the automation data 
for the selected parameters, but you cannot change the automation settings. 
						

							75
The Arrange ZoneWorking with Parts and Events
Working with Parts and Events
For a description on the editing functions in the Arrange Zone, see “Common Editing 
Functions” on page 28.
Working with the MediaBay 
The MediaBay allows you to search for media files on your computer. Here, you can 
also define so-called tags or attributes for media files that allow you to filter the search 
results. 
The MediaBay is divided into two sections: the filter section and the results list.
Selecting the Browse Location
At the top of the MediaBay, you find the Select Browse Location pop-up menu. Here, 
you can specify which content is shown in the MediaBay. You can also add your own 
content files, see 
“Adding User Content” on page 78.
Selecting the Media Type
The “Select Media Type” pop-up menu lets you select which media type is shown in 
the results list.
Filter 
sectionResults list 
						

							76
The Arrange ZoneWorking with the MediaBay
Filtering Media Files
Filtering by Attributes
If you click the “Show Filter” button, the filter section is displayed. Here, you can filter 
the list according to the attributes that are defined for the content, like Category/Sub 
Category, Style/Sub Style, and Character. This makes it easy to find files of a certain 
sound or style.
If you click one of the items in the attribute columns, the files containing this attribute 
are shown in the results list to the right. All other files are grayed out. The number 
displayed before an attribute indicates how many files match this criteria. 
•To change the attributes that are displayed in a column, click the column header 
and select another attribute from the pop-up menu.
ÖIf the filter section has the focus, you can use the arrow keys to step through the 
columns and press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Space] to select or deselect the current item. 
						

							77
The Arrange ZoneWorking with the MediaBay
Filtering by Family
When you select a factory content file that is tagged with the Family attribute, the 
“Show Family Items” button becomes available. Activate this button to display only 
files that are part of the same family. The Family Name column in the filter section 
allows you to browse all families. Click the “Show Family Items” button again to return 
to the previous unfiltered view.
Filtering by Text
At the top of the results list, the “Text Filter” field is displayed. Type in a name to 
search for, and press [Return] to show the results.
Filtering by Rating
You can use the rating filter to filter out any files with a lower rating.
Shuffle Results
If you click the “Shuffle Results” button, the results list entries are listed in a random 
order. 
Reset Filters
To reset all filters, click the “Reset Filters” button in the top left corner of the results 
list.
Previewing Media Files
You can preview files by activating the “Activate Preview Mode” button and selecting 
a file. You adjust the volume using the value field to the left. If you preview a file during 
playback, the project tempo and key are used. If you preview in stop mode, the media 
file is played back with its original tempo and key. 
Show Family ItemsFamily Name 
						

							78
The Arrange ZoneWorking with the MediaBay
Adding User Content
Sequel comes with thousands of great loops, but you can also add loops from other 
libraries or content that you created yourself. 
Add User Content Location
To add a new library from hard disk, CD, or DVD, proceed as follows:
1.On the “Select Browse Location” pop-up menu, select “Add User Content 
Location”.
2.In the dialog that opens, navigate to the folder that you want to use, and click OK.
The Set Location Name dialog opens.
3.Enter a name for the new content location, and click OK.
The specified folder is now added to the “User Content Locations” submenu of the 
“Select Browse Location” pop-up menu. 
Adding Content Via Drag and Drop
To add content via drag and drop, proceed as follows:
1.Drag and drop your events, parts, or entire folders onto the MediaBay.
A dialog opens. 
2.Click in the Value column and select an attribute from the pop-up menu. 
This saves the selected attribute in the file. Attributes make it easier for you to 
organize and browse files.
3.If you import a single file, enter a name in the text field at the bottom of the window.
4.Click OK.
The file or files are added to your user content.
The User Content Folder
If you select “User Content” from the “Select Browse Location” pop-up menu, only 
files of your User Content are shown. 
The Folder View
When you select a User Content Location in the results list, the “Folder View” button 
becomes available in the filter section. If you activate the button, the user content is 
displayed in a hierarchical folder structure.
Delete Selected Media
To delete a media file, select it and click the “Delete Selected Media” button. Note, 
however, that factory content cannot be deleted.
!If you add new content to Sequel, the MediaBay has to learn about it and scan the 
added files. Under Windows, this happens automatically when the transport is 
stopped, so make sure Sequel is not playing when you add loops. Under Mac OS X, 
you have to restart Sequel after adding new content. 
						

							79
The Arrange ZoneWorking with the MediaBay
Setting Attributes
To set or change the attributes that are associated with the selected media file in the 
results list, you have the following options:
- To change the rating, click in the Rating field and drag with the mouse.
- To change the Tempo or Bars & Beats attributes, click in the corresponding field 
to highlight it, then click again, and type in the new value.
- To change the Key, Sub Style, and Sub Category attributes, click in the 
corresponding field to highlight it and click again to open a pop-up menu where 
you can choose a new value.
- To change the Character attribute, click in the corresponding field to highlight it, 
then click again to open a dialog where you can change the settings.
Using Drag & Drop 
You can drag files and presets from the MediaBay to various zones in the program. If 
you drag a loop or preset into an empty section of the Arrange Zone, a new track of 
the corresponding type is created. 
Audio Files
Audio files can be dropped in the Arrange Zone or the pad section on the Beat Page.
MIDI Loops
MIDI loops can be dropped in the Arrange Zone. This creates a new instrument track. 
Instrument Sounds
Instrument sounds can be dropped on an empty section of the track list. This creates 
a new instrument track that contains the instrument sound. If you drag an instrument 
sound onto an existing instrument track, the current instrument track preset is 
replaced.
Audio Track Presets
Audio track presets can be dropped in an empty section of the Arrange Zone. This 
creates a new audio track that uses this preset. If you drag an audio track preset onto 
an existing audio track, the current audio track preset is replaced.
Pattern Banks
Pattern banks, that is, track presets with a beat pattern, a drum kit, and track settings, 
can be dropped on an empty section of the Arrange Zone. This creates a new beat 
track that uses this preset. If you drag a pattern bank onto a beat track, the current 
beat track preset is replaced.
You can also drop pattern banks on the different zones of the Beat Page. Depending 
on where you drop it, only the patterns, only the sound (drum kit), or both are replaced.
ÖYou can select several files simultaneously and change their attributes all in one go 
holding down [Shift] or [Ctrl]/[Command]. 
						

							80
The Arrange ZoneOutput Effects
Output Effects 
You can apply three custom output effects to the Master channel. These effects are 
pre-fader. Additionally, you can activate the post-fader Maximizer effect. For details on 
the effects and their parameters, see the chapter 
“Effects and Instruments Reference” 
on page 119. 
To open the Output Effects panel, click the corresponding button in the bottom right 
of the program window.