Basics of a Multi-Track MIDI Sequencer

If you are new to computer music or have yet to buy a Sound Blaster AWE32, this article is for you. In this first issue, we are going to get you acquainted with the main functions of a sequencer. In order not to confuse you, we have tried to make it as basic as possible. In future issues, we will cover this in greater detail.

WHAT IS A MIDI SEQUENCER AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

A MIDI Sequencer allows you to sequence music tracks.
As the name implies, a MIDI sequencer allows you to put together a sequence of MIDI music tracks. It is very much like a multi-track recorder except that it uses MIDI technology. So what we are saying is that in desktop music, it is the sequencer that helps you become a one-man band on the PC. You simply pick your MIDI instrument, play a melody and record it onto a track.

For example, to put together a piece of music, you need to record the bass line, guitar and piano accompaniment and the melody (which can be recorded by any MIDI instrument such as a flute) into various tracks. You can play all these tracks using a MIDI-compatible instrument such as a MIDI keyboard.

Cut, copy and paste MIDI data
Besides its primary function of allowing you to sequence your own music piece, a music sequencer allows you to edit, copy and paste MIDI data very much like how you do so a word processor. For example, you can record a song that consists of a verse and chorus, and by using the copy command you can duplicate the piece such that it plays two verses and choruses.

Change instruments in any MIDI track on the fly
Because MIDI consists of instructions (of musical notes) being sent to the built-in synthesizer on your sound card which plays the appropriate instrument, you can change or switch instruments while the music is being played. You can take any existing MIDI music file, load it into a sequencer and do this. For example, if you don't want the melody of a song to be played by a piano, you may want to modify it and use a Vibraphone instead. The melody will sound the same but it will be played using the instrument that you have picked. It can be real fun "rearranging" a piece of music. You don't have to be a qualified musician to do this.

These are just some of the very basic functions of a music sequencer.The sequencer can do many other things that have not been mentioned here. However these will be covered in future issues.... that's a promise!

OVERVIEW OF MIDI ORCHESTRATOR PLUS (Bundled with Sound Blaster AWE32)
To get an overview of what Voyetra's MIDI Orchestrator Plus can do as a sequencer,
GET THE DEMO HERE.

For your convenience, we have prepared this tutorial file using Lotus' ScreenCam so that you can both hear the instructions and watch the screen display of the software.

Please bear in mind that this file has been compressed and recorded in 8-bit 11 Khz and that this is NOT a representation of the quality of the Sound Blaster AWE32.

And for those of you who are simply too impatient and can't wait any further to find out how a MIDI music piece is recorded with a MIDI sequencer,

HERE'S A DEMO ON HOW A PIECE OF MUSIC IS PUT TOGETHER using the MIDI Orchestrator Plus from Voyetra.

Additional instructions can be found in the software manual that comes with your Sound Blaster AWE32. See ya' in the next issue.