osirus23

I am new to max programming, but I would like to turn a midi controller I have into a step sequencer.  Very similar to the presets that are already available for the APC40.  Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction to help get started doing this?

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CMD-LC-1.aspx

how-to-create-a-step-sequencer-for-a-midi-controller

A bit of clarification is needed here, I think: Do you "have it", or do you plan to have it? From what I can tell it isn't out yet?

Presumably it'll have midi specs that emulate "some other controller", which has a control surface implementation for Ableton Live - this leads me to believe that it'll be straight note on/off, velocity, and controller values that run back and forth between computer and controller.

there's no manual yet that'll let me check it.

If this is true then it'll be a snap to interface with it from Max, and building a step sequencer for it looks ideal.

Okay, so you say you're new to Max programming. what does that entail? have you done the tutorials yet? Many haven't, and I think that's quite a shame, since they're so very very good.

Presumably it'll have midi specs that emulate "some other controller", which has a control surface implementation for Ableton Live - this leads me to believe that it'll be straight note on/off, velocity, and controller values that run back and forth between computer and controller.
there's no manual yet that'll let me check it.

Okay, so you say you're new to Max programming. what does that entail? have you done the tutorials yet? Many haven't, and I think that's quite a shame, since they're so very very good.


Thanks for the info.  I won this in a contest that Behringer put on through Facebook. I havent done the tutorials yet, but I will.  I really would like to get into building Max devices, but haven't yet.  I have been using Live for about 6 years now, and just have started experimenting with Max.  I saw that there are presets for the APC40 built into Live 9, so I figured that I would reach out to the community here first to see if it could be done.

I can reach out to the Behringer and see if I can get the MIDI spec.  If I can get it, is there any pointers you could give me?

ah, cool stuff. Could you... could you snap a few cellphone shots of it in real life? I've yet to see it as anything but a render, I'm well interested - it's inexpensive and nice :)

So I gather you'll be building a maxforlive device that will run in sync with your project, then?

Anyways, here's my go-to for sequencing - what I'll do is name-drop the objects, and then you can scout through the respective help files to get the info you need to move from there, okay? But still do at least the first 20 or so tuts, it'll help you heaps in the long run ;)

a [metro 1 ticks @active 1] -> [transport] is the basic time keeper. Transport can be turned on/off, and it accepts a "tempo" message to control the speed, if you're not in Live.

from there I take the "raw ticks" output and divide it, typically by 120. This results in the [/]-object outputting 16th notes.

You'll need a [change] object after that to filter out repetitions, and then some sort of modulo ([%]) to give you a repeated loop of 16ths, in this case.

That's your basic count sorted out. From there you can feed into a vast array of objects for sequencing - the usual suspects:

Multislider is an old favourite with its "fetch $1" message

Another that some (not I) like is the [matrixctl] that takes a "getcolumn" message

and then there's [live.step], which is a little pandoras box of sequencing, too.

- not to mention all the "non-linear" methods you can apply.

Feed the result of that into [makenote]->[noteout] for the simplest conversion ever, and you're set.

a [metro 1 ticks @active 1] -> [transport] is the basic time keeper. Transport can be turned on/off, and it accepts a "tempo" message to control the speed, if you're not in Live. 

from there I take the "raw ticks" output and divide it, typically by 120. This results in the [/]-object outputting 16th notes. 

Multislider is an old favourite with its "fetch $1" message
Another that some (not I) like is the [matrixctl] that takes a "getcolumn" message
and then there's [live.step], which is a little pandoras box of sequencing, too. 

- not to mention all the "non-linear" methods you can apply. 

Feed the result of that into [makenote]->[noteout] for the simplest conversion ever, and you're set.


Thanks for all the great info.  I have attached pics of the CMD LC-1.  It really looks beautiful when paired with Ableton Live.  The 4 color LED's are bright and amazing!

I will look at the tutorials you recommended, and then will follow your instructions.  Thanks for the help!

After doing the tutorials, I looked into the code for the "APC Step Sequencer" device in Ableton.  I dont believe that we were talking about the same type of device.  Are you familiar with this device?  It turns the APC40 into a step sequencer.  Take a look below.  I would like to get the LC-1 to perform like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkjLwv5c_dQ

yes, I understand what it does, and the difference between this sequencer and a "normal" sequencer is that it acts directly on the clip. Other than that it's a pretty straight-forward device, really.

Well, if you want to use this specific device I think it'll be perfectly doable to wedge your behringer in there instead of the control surface things that are working for the apc.

yes, I understand what it does, and the difference between this sequencer and a "normal" sequencer is that it acts directly on the clip. Other than that it's a pretty straight-forward device, really. 

Well, if you want to use this specific device I think it'll be perfectly doable to wedge your behringer in there instead of the control surface things that are working for the apc.


So, I opened up the matrix, and adjusted the "Observe Button Matrix" through the inspector to match the size of the grid on the LC-1.  Where would I find the section which lets you adjust the MIDI feedback that is sent to the LC-1?

I think that's the bottom two green boxes; "translate" and "manage".

I am not sure if I am following you correctly.  Where are you looking?

Inside the apc40 sequencer live device, which has different coloured panels for each sections. Four of them are green. Two of those are the ones I think do it. Sorry, that's all I have in me for apc hacking though :)

How to create a step sequencer for a MIDI controller.