GUId Machine
The
Guid Machine is a Step Sequencer combined with a sample player.
The
Step sequencer has 4 X 16 steps while the sample player can load 4 samples
simultanuously.
Nothing
new so far, but what makes the GUId Machine special are a few unique features.
First
of all you can easily shift any of the sequences up and down by any number of
steps and you can decide the length of each raw.
But
even this is not news. What’s special about it it’s that you can
randomize this modifications and so the beat will never be constant if you
want.
The
velocities can be randomized too so the accents will also change during time
and make the loops more interesting.
But
the most unique feature is that the 4 sequences can play at 4 different BPMs!
The
Sample Player section is a pretty straight forward 4 voices sample player with
a good envelope section and the possiblitly to change the pitch , the length ,
the start point all on the fly.
It
also features a 4 tap delay section, a master Vst insert and obviously the
possiblity to record audio files of what you are doing.
Check
out the screenshot of the 2 main windows.
sequencer
window
sample
player window
**QUICK START**
I.Launch the GUidMachine
and go the sample player window (4 samplexters) which is hidden behind
the sequencer window. You can also access
that page double clicking on p 4 samplexters on the left hand side of the sequencer
window.
II.Load the 4 samples using
replace which is located on the top end of each sample player. You can load
pretty much any audio file type (AIFF, SDII, WAV and so on).
III.Press Start on the bottom right side
of the sequencer window. This will
start a simple pattern.
IV. On the sequencer window
start manipulating the pattern clicking on the little white boxes in each raw.
V. Change the BPMs in the
BPM selector section
You
can have 4 different BPM for each row but please note that the master BPM
[1] needs to be higher then the other ones.
VI. To sync all the
sequences press tight on the timing control
section.
All
the bpms will return to the master sequence [1] value.
VII. For all the other
features I suggest you to read the rest of the manual...
----------------------------------
SEQUENCER WINDOW
STEP
SEQUENCERS
You
decide the pattern by clicking on the little white boxes and the red leds will
show you where you are in the beat.
The
5 buttons on the left will allow you to quickly Clear, play 1/4th
, 1/8th
or
1/16th note or even Randomize the pattern.
The
solo and
on/off
buttons will allow you to solo or switch off the individual sequence.
The
box cointaning the midinote number will allow you (in case you want to trigger
an external midi source) to decide which note to play.
VELOCITIES
You
set the velocities for the 16 steps using the black and white controllers. The
red leds will show you where you are in the beat.
Note: this velocites
refer to the fist raw [1] but will affect also the other 3 even if they run at
different tempos. You’ll have to try this one to find out what it sounds
like.
The
velocity randomizer will randomize periodically all the velocities and you can
fine tune the amount of randomization using the black and white fader.
Pressing
R you
will quickly change all the velocities and pressing 127 you will get all the
velocities at 127.
BPM
CONTROLS
In
this section you can set the velocities for each sequence and set the length
and shift amount individually.
The
resetatbeat1 function will reset the position of each sequence every time the master
sequence (raw [1]) will loop. This is very good if you want to have a good
timing because it will make sure that every time the pattern loops it gets
synchronized.
The
masterdipendente function will allow you to desync the sequence and play it at a
different BPM.
Please note that the
master sequence [1] has to be at a faster bpm then the other ones otherwise the
speed will not be correct.
On
the sequence [1] there’s rndm shift enable function that allow you
to affect the master sequence too when you enable the shift randomizer (RNDM
shift).
TIMING
CONTROLS
The
timing controls let’s you decide whether you want the beat to be in time
(tight)
, totally out of sync (untight) or have different bpms for each row but have the
start of each sequence in sync (mezzotight).
For
example: you can have the master sequence at 169 and the other 3 sequences
respectevely at 150, 105 and 135.
If
you set untight you will have those 4 sequences running totally
independently, if you set mezzotight every time the master sequence loops the
other 3 sequences will start again but always keeping the slower bpm.
If
you then set tight all the tempos will jump to the master bpm value ,
in this case 169.
RANDOMIZER
The
randomizer section has 4 controls.All of them can be tweeked using the black
and white faders.
The
BPM mover randomically moves up and down the master tempo.
The
RNDM maxsteps randomizes the length of the sequences. If you use a maximum value the
sequences lenght will randomically change from 1 to 16 steps. The lower the amount
the fewer the steps are going to be.The white box below enable or disable this
function.
The
RNDM shift randomizes the shift parameter of the sequences. By default this
function does not affect the master [1] sequence. To make [1] shift as well you
have to enable the rndm shift enable function in the bpm controls section.
The
RNDM ratio is the randomization ratio. The minimum value is 250 ms. This parameter
does not affect the velocities randomizer.
TRANSPORT
CONTROLS
..well..
this doesn’t need much explanation.
USER
PRESETS (sequencer window)
Use
this section to store and recall all the window settings. To store Shift+Click
on the boxes; to recall just click on the boxes.
This
settings are for this window only and will disappear when you quit the program.
SAMPLE PLAYER WINDOW (4 SAMPLEXTERS)
MASTER
SECTION
You
can switch off the sample player
using the ON/OFF button.
This
will only switch off this section while the sequencer will still be active.
It
could be useful if you want to use just the sequencer triggering an external
midi sound source.
The
CPU will
show the actual CPU engagement and the open dsp button will take you to
some advanced audio settings which get more into details at the end of the manual.
Using
the master fader you can adjust the level.
SAMPLE
PLAYERS
This
window has 4 sample player each of them respectively hardwired connected to the
4 row in the step sequencers.
To
load a new sample we use the replace button. With quicktime you can
preview the samples before you load them into memory.
The
writeaiff button is for saving the loaded sample with a different name and in a
different location.
This is useful if
you want to save a “sound kit”. For example you can create a new
folder and save all of the 4 samples as 1,2,3 and 4. This will allow you to
reload the same sounds afterwards.
speed
sets the
pitch of the sample. 1 is the original pitch, numbers between 0 and 1 are
slower , negative number plays the sample in reverse
smpl
offset set
the starttime of the sample. The original value is 0
envlenght
sets the
length of the envelope and is expressed in milliseconds
pitchmover
randomizes
the pitch of the sample. The box below show the actual pitch.
To
add points in the envelope just click on it and to remove them use shift+click.
Then
you have two faders representing pan and volume.
DELAY
SECTION
The
delay is a 4 tap delay and there’s not indivual sends for each sample.
This affects the whole groove.
You
set the amount of delay in the black box. Setting 0 will send no sound to the
delay.
The
top black window sets respectively delaytime and feedback for each tap.
Starting
from the left you have delay-time 1, feedback1, delay-time 2, feedback 2,
delay-time 3, feedback 3, delay-time 4, feedback 4.
The
bottom black window sets the pan value of each tap in this order: tap 1 ,
tap 2, tap 3, tap 4. The center value is in the middle.
RECORD
SECTION
Here
you can record an audio file (AIFF 16 bit) of what the Guidmachine is doing.
First
of all you need to set the file path using the open button. After you have
named the file, to start recording press the little grey box. To stop recording
press it again.
Remember that
everytime you start/stop record you will need to create a new audio file path
otherwise it will not record!
VST
INSERT
Here
you can put a vst fx before the master out. To do that press plug and select a vst fx to
load. on and off will resplectevely enable and bypass the effect.
Use
open to
edit the plugin.
USER
PRESETS (sampler window)
Use
this section to store and recall the sample player window settings. To store Shift+Click
on the boxes; to recall just click on the boxes.
This
settings are for this window only and will disappear when you quit the program.
MIDI OUT FUNCTION
double
clicking on patcher MIDI OUT will open this window
Here
you can enable the sequencer to play an external midi device using OMS. Select
the device and midichannel and check the white box to enable this function.
The
GUidmachine will trigger the notes that are set in the step sequencer section.
If
the midiout isn't working go the Midi Setup page in the File menu
and press Auto Setup. This should fix any OMS problem.
SUGGESTIONS TO SAVE
AD RECALL A KIT/SITUATION
The
best way to capture the Guidmachine is to record its output on an audiofile.
But
if you want to store some grooves and sound settings you need to do this:
1-
Create a new
folder
2-
Store one or
more presets on both the sequencer and sample player windows.
3-
Save those
presets using write which is located near the preset boxes.Do this for
both windows.
4-
Save each of
the sample (calling them for exampe 1,2,3,4) using the writeaiff button.
To recall a situation you have to:
1-
open the
presets file on both window using read which is located near the preset boxes
2-
load all the
samples individually for each player.
3-
Recall some
presets on both windows
Please
note that a situation on te Guidmachine is never the same so it’s always
a good idea to record on audio file when things are sounding good. Having said
that, this procedure is good to recall a favorite sound kit and then mess with
it again.
ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS
Pressing
the open dsp button will take you the more advanced audio settings.
Here
you can choose the audio driver which by default is soundmanager , ASIO (you
need to copy the ASIO driver in the ASIO driver folder), or rewire or direct
connect (not tested).
The
Clock Source is important if you are using ASIO and need to set if the digital clock
is internal or external.
The
I/O Vector Size and The Signal Vector Size are useful to improve the timing. The smaller these
settings are , the better. Just remember that small buffer settings are quite
demanding for the CPU and the computer may get overloaded.
If
you use a multimple output driver like ASIO you can select which phisival
output you want the GuidMachine to be with Output Channel 1 and 2.
You
can limit the CPU engagement using
Optimize and setting a CPU limit,
but I found that it works best you leave that parameter OFF.
ENJOY!
SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS
It
seems to work on any mac with G3 or G4 processor running mac OS9 although I
suggest at least a 333Mhz G3.
It
doesn’t need a lot of RAM but it all depends on what kind of sample you load
in memory.
To
be able to see the entire window you need a resolution of 1024 X 768.
It
also requires OMS downloadable at www.opcode.com
THIS
PROGRAM IS SHAREWARE. IF YOU LIKE IT AND WISH TO SUPPORT NEWER VERSIONS COMPATIBLE
WITH OSX AND WINDOWS PLEASE MAKE A DONATION OF $19.99 USING PAYPAL PAYABLE TO
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