Tascam Digital Audio Production Environment SX-1 Reference Manual

							Part VII–MIDI Sequencing
 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 141
Releases When enabled, notes are moved so that 
their end times align with the quantize grid.
Adjust Durations When enabled, the duration of 
the notes change to conform to the attack or release 
quantize settings. If both attacks and releases are being quantized, the notes will be stretched or shrunk 
to fit into the nearest quantize grid.
Record Quantize Check this box to have the 
quantize settings applied to all incoming MIDI notes. This results in a recorded performance that is already 
quantized. 
						

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Swing The swing parameter causes every other 
note to be delayed by a specified amount to produce 
the “swing” effect. As the parameter value increases, 
the delay amount increases. At 100%, the delay 
amount is equal to one quantize grid length interval (for example, a 1/16th note (semiquaver) at a quan-
tize grid length of 1/16th note).
The figure below shows the effects of applying swing 
and quantizing attacks:
Randomize When Randomize is any value but zero, 
the amount that notes are quantized is randomly var-
ied. This produces a more natural effect (sometimes 
called a “human feel”) because notes don’t always start or end exactly on the quantized values. Lower 
Randomize settings move the notes to random positions 
closer to the quantize value while higher settings pro-
duce more variation.
swing interval 
						

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 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 143
Sensitivity Sensitivity defines the region where 
notes will be moved to the grid. If 
Sensitivity is set to 
100%, notes will be moved to the nearest grid line 
regardless of where they originally play. If 
Sensitivity 
is less than 100%, only the notes within a certain dis-
tance of a grid line will be moved. For example, at 50%, only notes that are within 1/2 a grid interval 
will be moved. At 0%, no notes will be moved. 
The figure below shows the effect of 50% sensitivity. 
Since only the first note falls in the shaded “sensitiv-
ity zone”, it is the only note that is actually quan-
tized.
Strength The Strength parameter determines how 
much each note is moved towards the nearest grid 
line. When set to 100%, the notes will be moved 
exactly to the grid line. At 50%, the notes will only be moved halfway towards the nearest grid line. This 
is also a “humanization” feature that can be used to 
make quantized music sound more natural. 
						

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Offset The number of ticks added or subtracted to 
the start time of selected notes is the 
Offset. Use this 
parameter to add a set number of ticks to notes for a 
delay effect, or subtract a set number of ticks to cause 
notes to play earlier in time (for example, “ahead of the beat”). This field will accept ±960 ticks (in 4/4 
time, this equals one quarter note (crochet)).
The figure below shows the result of attacks quan-
tized and a small offset applied:
Transpose
The SX-1 sequencer supports non-destructive trans-
pose. This parameter can be applied to tracks individ-
ually.
Transpose Mode Opens the Transpose menu 
from which you can select the following scales:
Interval When selected, transposition is based upon 
steps and octaves.
Diatonic When selected, notes get transposed to a 
specific key and scale as specified in the 
To Key/To 
Scale
 field (see below). Using this setting will cause 
notes to be moved to the nearest note in your chosen 
scale.
Key and Scale For Key and Scale, the track can be 
transposed from a specific key/scale to a new key/
scale. Use the 
From Key setting (described here) to 
make the sequencer treat the selected notes as being 
in a specific key. Then use the 
To Key settings to make 
the sequencer transpose to a new key from the 
From 
Key
 scale. In short, the Key and Scale setting allows 
notes to be shifted up or down to a new key before 
the actual transpose scale is applied.
Resolve Mode If set to Upward, notes are always 
shifted upwards to the next nearest key/scale note. If 
set to 
Downward, notes are always shifted lower. If set to 
Nearest, then the note will be shifted to the nearest 
scale note regardless of proximity. If set to 
Random, 
the sequencer will randomly shift notes up or down 
to the nearest scale notes.
Steps In this field, enter the number of chromatic 
steps (semitones) by which you want the track trans-
posed. This is used before any keys and scales are 
applied and can be active for any Transpose Mode.
Octaves In this field, enter the number of octaves 
you want the track transposed. This is used before 
any keys and scales are applied and can be active for 
any Transpose Mode.
From Key This parameter specifies the track’s cur-
rent key. It is only available when Transpose Mode is 
set to 
Key and Scale.
From Scale This parameter specifies the track’s cur-
rent scale. It is only available when Transpose Mode 
is set to 
Key and Scale.
To  K e y  This parameter specifies the track’s target 
key. It is only available when Transpose Mode is set 
to 
Diatonic or Key and Scale.
To Scale This parameter specifies the track’s target 
scale. It is only available when Transpose Mode is 
set to 
Diatonic or Key and Scale.
offset value 
						

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 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 145
Track Offset
Use the Track Offset field to apply a fixed offset to a 
whole track. The offset value can be up to ±10 sec-
onds.TIP
The Track Offset feature is useful for adjusting a track’s 
overall “feel” against the other tracks, and compensat-
ing for external MIDI gear with long latency times. 
RELATED LCD screens
There are several LCD screens that reflect the MIDI 
parameters found on the 
MIDI Track tab of the VGA 
Track screen. These related screens are pictured on the 
following pages. All of the parameters found on 
these screens are identical to the parameters in the 
MIDI Track tab and are explained on the previous 
pages.
LCD Non-Destructive Quantize Screen The 
parameters on this screen apply to the nondestructive 
Quantize feature.To reach this screen, from the 
LCD ACCESS section, 
press 
MIDI TRACK and then the OFFSET/
QUANTIZE
 soft key.
LCD Non-Destructive Transpose Screen 
The parameters on this screen apply to the nonde-
structive Transpose feature.
To reach this screen, from the 
LCD ACCESS section, 
press 
MIDI TRACK and then the TRANSPOSE soft 
key. 
						

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146 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
Step Record Mode
Step Record allows you to enter MIDI notes one at a 
time. The MIDI parameters for each note can be 
determined before entry, including velocity, duration, 
and offset. Then, with the SX-1’s sequencer in Step 
Record, each MIDI note received is dropped at the 
playhead’s position. The sequencer can also be set to automatically 
advance to the next beat in preparation for the next 
note. The following definitions cover the Step 
Record mode’s parameters and operations.
Step Parameters
The Step Record mode operation is accessed from 
the 
Edit Operation menu in the Piano Roll tab (of the 
VGA’s 
Tracks screen), the SELECT EDIT OP soft knob in the LCD 
MIDI TRACK screen, and the front panel’s 
STEP key in the MIDI REC MODE section.
The parameters listed below become available when 
Step Record Mode is enabled:
Step Length This determines the time value of the 
note (or notes) to be entered. Values are given in 
standard rhythm notation form and range from whole 
notes, to fractional (like 8th and 16th notes (quavers 
and semiquavers)), triplets, and dotted values.
Offset Ticks With a value of zero selected, 
stepped notes will always fall exactly on the beat (as 
determined by the note’s Step Length). Set the slider 
to a number greater than one, and the stepped note 
will fall after the beat (from 1 to 3840 ticks).
Offset Rand % This parameter randomizes the 
Offset Ticks parameter. The greater the value, the 
more random the Offset Ticks effect (as determined 
by the 
Offset Ticks slider) is.
Duty Factor % This setting modifies the Duration 
setting. At a setting of 100%, a note entered with a 
duration setting of a quarter note is written to the 
track as a quarter note. However, at a setting of 85%, 
the note written to the track would be only 85% as 
long as a quarter note. This makes it relatively easy 
to enter a staccato performance, or, with percentages 
larger than 100%, a legato performance where notes 
blend into each other. Note that, even though the duration of the new MIDI events are modified with 
this setting, the duration of the Steps is always a con-
stant note value.
DF Random % This parameter randomizes the 
Duty Factor % parameter. The greater the value, the 
more random the Duty Factor effect (as determined 
by the 
Duty Factor slider) is.
Extend Ticks This setting is somewhat like Duty 
Factor
, in that it modifies the Duration value. However, 
instead of adding or subtracting a percentage of the 
new note duration to the new events, 
Extend Ticks adds 
or subtracts a constant number of ticks to/from the 
duration of the new events, depending on the setting 
of this field.
Extend Rand % This parameter randomizes the 
Extend Ticks parameter. The greater the value, the 
more random the Extend Ticks effect (as determined 
by the 
Extend Ticks slider) is.
Record Velocities Check this box to record the 
velocity values of your stepped notes as they are 
played. 
Base Velocity Sets the velocity floor for step 
recorded notes. For example, with a value of 100, all 
notes generated have a minimum velocity of 100.  
						

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Vel Random % This parameter randomizes the 
Base Velocity parameter. The greater the value, the 
more random the 
Base Velocity effect (as determined by 
the “
Base Velocity slider) is.
Auto Advance Check this box to have the 
sequencer automatically advance to the next beat 
after a note is played (as determined by the note’s 
Step Length). With this box unchecked, you will not 
move to the next grid line until you have pressed the 
STEP key.
STEP This key advances the sequencer to the next 
beat, as determined by the 
Step Length field. You can also think of the 
STEP key as a rest whose value is tied 
to the 
Step Length field.
Whole Note Forward & Back Use these keys 
to advance the sequencer forward or back by whole 
note (semibreve) beats. You can also think of the 
Whole Note Forward key as a whole note rest.
Quarter Note Forward & Back Use these 
keys to advance the sequencer forward or back by 
quarter note beats. You can also think of the 
Quarter 
Note Forward
 key as a 1/4 note rest.
Step Recording
Follow these directions to perform a Step Record 
operation:
1From the front panel, press 
STEP in the MIDI 
REC MODE
 section. The LCD screen will dis-
play a prompt asking you which MIDI track 
you would like to record on. Use the 
SELECT 
TRACK
 soft knob to choose your track and 
press the 
OK soft key. If you do not already 
have a MIDI slot ready, Step Record will 
make one for you.
After pressing 
OK, the selected MIDI track is 
automatically record enabled and waiting for 
your first MIDI note.
You can also enable Step Record by choosing 
Step Record from the Edit Operation pull-down 
menu on the 
Piano Roll tab on the VGA
2From the 
Piano Roll tab on the VGA, or the MIDI 
TRACK
 screen’s Step Record operations screen on 
the LCD (or the duration keys on the key-
pad), choose a Step Length for your first 
stepped note. At this point, also enter any 
other attributes you would like your first 
note to have (such as velocity or offset).3Enter a note from your connected MIDI con-
troller. If the 
Auto Advance box is checked, the 
sequencer will record your note and auto-
matically advance to the next beat. If the 
Auto 
Advance
 box is not checked, press Step to move 
to the next beat.
4If you would like to insert a rest or just skip 
ahead a few beats, press the 
Whole Note Forward, 
Quarter Note Forward, or STEP keys the appropri-
ate number of times.
5Repeat from Step 2 until your passage is 
complete. Press the 
DONE button in either the 
VGA or LCD screens. You will automatically 
be taken out of the Step Record mode.
TIP
To add stepped notes to a track that already has data, 
use the Merge function. Before beginning the Step 
Record operation, simply press 
MERGE from the MIDI 
REC MODE
 section. This puts the sequencer into 
Record Merge instead of Record Overwrite Mode. Then 
perform Step Record as usual, and your newly stepped 
notes will be added.to the track’s existing MIDI data. 
						

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TIME/TEMPO Management
The SX-1 sequencer has screens for setting your 
project’s meter, tempo, and click track. These set-
tings are saved with your project.
VGA Control
Most of your project’s click track settings are made 
in the 
Time/Tempo tab (described here).
In order to record the initial tracks for a project, you 
often need some sort of click track to follow along 
with the project’s selected tempo. The SX-1 can gen-erate its own MIDI click track for just this purpose. 
The MIDI click track’s operation is determined by 
the settings in the 
Time/Tempo tab. This tab is part of 
the VGA 
Track screen.
Metronome Enable Check this box to enable 
the metronome/click.
Accent Choose the output port and channel that the 
accented click (a bar’s first downbeat) is sent to.
Note Select the MIDI note for the accented click.
Octave Choose an octave for the accented click’s 
note.
TIP
Many popular units put a click sound on C# 1 for a drum 
instrument.
Velocity Choose a velocity value for the accented 
click’s note.
Length Select a duration (given in note values) for 
the accented click’s note.
Non Accent Choose the output port and channel 
that the non-accented click (all beats following a 
bar’s first downbeat) is sent to.
Note Select the MIDI note for the non-accented 
click.
Octave Choose an octave for the non-accented 
click’s note.
Velocity Choose a velocity value for the non-
accented click’s note.
Length Select a duration (given in note values) for 
the non-accented click’s note.
Accent First Note When enabled, the metronome 
will play a bar’s first note (or click) with the 
Accent 
metronome settings. All of the bar’s following met-
ronome notes are played with the 
Non Accent settings. 
When disabled, the 
Accent settings do not apply and 
only the 
Non-Accent settings are used for the metro-
nome notes.
Countdown Check this box to have the metro-
nome perform a countdown. When enabled, the 
countdown plays before entering record or play. 
NOTE
The transport will move during the countdown.
Beats Select the number of beats you want for the 
countdown.
Countdown Only Check this box to have the 
metronome play only during the countdown. Then,  
						

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 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 149
when record or play is entered, the metronome will 
stop playing.
Mute During Countdown Mutes the metro-
nome during the Countdown period.
Metronome During Record Only Selecting 
this option will only play the metronome when the 
machine is in record mode. If not selected, the SX-1 
will generate a click when the transport is in motion.
Conductor This enables the Conductor Track (it 
works the same as the 
Conductor Track Key in the 
VGA’s Main Menu Bar). When checked, the Con-
ductor Track (which is visible from the 
Event List tab) 
is used to specify the tempo and time signature of 
your project. When not checked (disabled), the 
tempo and time signature settings in the VGA Main 
Menu Bar are used.
LCD TIME/TEMPO Screens
There are several LCD screens that reflect the time, 
tempo, and metronome parameters found on the 
TIME/
TEMPO
 tab of the VGA Track screen. These related 
screens are pictured on the following pages. All of 
the parameters found on these screens are identical to 
the parameters found in the 
MIDI Track tab and are 
explained on the previous pages.
LCD TEMPO Screen The parameters on this 
screen apply to the current project’s tempo and 
meter.
To reach this screen, from the 
LCD ACCESS section, 
press 
TIME/ TEMPO and then the TEMPO soft key.
LCD CLICK Metronome Screen The parame-
ters on this screen apply to the current project’s met-
ronome and countdown.
To reach this screen, from the 
LCD ACCESS section, 
press 
TIME/ TEMPO and then the CLICK soft key.
ACCENT The parameters on this screen apply to the 
current metronome’s accent and non-accent settings.
To reach this screen, from the 
LCD ACCESS section, 
press 
TIME/ TEMPO and then the ACCENT soft key. 
						

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150 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
Managing MIDI Takes
Several MIDI performances can be assembled 
(imported or recorded) to form a take. The SX-1 has 
a pool of MIDI takes associated with a project. The 
takes within this pool can be assigned to any slot of 
the MIDI sequencer for playback (they are not fixed 
to the track that they were originally assembled on). 
Takes can also be imported and exported between 
projects. They are managed from the 
Take Browser tab 
of the VGA’s 
Tracks screen.MIDI takes are loaded to track slots by clicking on 
the   icon to the right of the   key in the 
Tracks 
screen. Then, selecting the 
Load MIDI Take command 
from the pop-up menu reveals the takes that are 
available for loading.
TIP
For step by step instructions on loading MIDI and audio 
takes to tracks, see the 
Quick Start Guide.
VGA Take Browser Tab
Here you can manage your current project’s takes 
and import takes from other projects. You must load 
takes into slots by using the slot button on the VGA.
TYPE This allows you to toggle between viewing 
MIDI takes or audio takes.
Managing MIDI Files
The Philosophy When dealing with audio, the 
SX-1 names individual events Clips, and these may 
or may not have anything to do with a Take. How-
ever, when dealing with MIDI, one note is a single 
event, making a direct association impossible. On the 
SX-1, MIDI data exists on Takes only. 
For instance, in a live recording scenario, having 
only one audio event per Take is normal, while a 
MIDI drum track could have as many as 2000 indi-
vidual events. Thus, you will not be seeing MIDI 
data in the Clip browser. 
When you record or import MIDI on the SX-1, the 
data is placed onto a MIDI Take (just as Clips on a track are). From then on, the behavior is the same as 
an audio Take. 
The SX-1 can import and export both types of Stan-
dard MIDI Files: Type 0, which collapses all of the 
MIDI tracks down to one track, and Type I, which 
leaves the MIDI tracks separate. 
As such, it is important that you know how to man-
age your MIDI information effectively.
Use the 
Take Browser tab (found in the Tracks screen of 
the VGA and shown above) to manage takes and 
clips.
Here you can manage your current project’s takes 
and import takes from other projects.