Roland Musical Instrument User Manual

RedMoon Music

evolutionary electronica

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

RedMoon's

maxWerk

~ mad scientist's music composing tool ~

Users' Guide

Revised March 2007

Application and documentation by

Çikira -- Amanda Pehlke

www.redmoon-music.com

This document uses the Arial font.

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

2

Meet maxWerk

maxWerk is a from give endless musical original ideas. Using tracks set up in GS set of environment, becoming mixing. Using different setup that suits your creativity. maxWerk lets you compose, without can formal

maxWerk can tracks along with maxWerk the following

the Max

standardized

devices if you

disturbing

produce

training,

loop-based

programming

and

preoccupied

making

widely

composition

compone

prioritize

normally

changes

or

divergent

instrume

incorporate

generated

MIDI

suggestions,

but

with sound design and

enabled

prefer

changing

nt "chops", or

your

develops,

nts:

composition

language

editable

the c

tracks, you can include up to 16

to

to various ways of

aspects that you

flavors of music in maxWerk without

recorded

ideas and

you can

with which it was built. It can

but it also

mode,

sounds in a

onstruction

address

knowledge

MIDI input to its looping on-screen create

tool that gets its name

you can work with a

of your Werk

a

structuring

encourages

single-device

multiple-device

favorite

experiment

already

of music

and

synthesizer

your music

notation.

edits. As your

change

entirely

before

as you

like. You

any of

* *

* * * *

* *

•

A note pattern: one to four bars long, with a selectable number of steps per bar A corresponding velocity pattern, randomized in groups A pattern of octave shifts per step A pattern of wrap steps (octave cutoff points) per step A harmon A mode of note duration (various types), including a random treatment of durations A loop timing offset relative to global bar lines Up to three parallel note lines. You can offset the above elements independently in each one, and you can reassign each to play through any other Basic Loop instrument. A pattern of play direction

y pattern (several types are available)

4

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•

Two control patterns and pitch bend. Control destinations are freely selectable, and pattern choices include various generated or hand-drawn sweeps, which can retrigger with new notes. You can enter step-synced patterns, and you can have patterns dynamically creep or randomize.

*

A pattern of progressively mutating the core note-pattern and reverting to the original, with adjustable parameters

Eleven features

completely

listed

above. Loop tracks with a purpose Melody the

Improv

For

tracks, for a total of sixteen. Specialized tracks include the

engine,

the Noodle track, and

player.

a full "Werk", you can

data for each bar: *

* Patterns * * * * * * *

Patterns of chord (triadic) transposition change

of transposition of an independent fourth chord note

Patterns of scale change underlying the chordal notes Patterns of key change underlying scales and chords Mid-bar changes to any of the data above Global key offsets underlying the other transpo Patterns of track muting Tempo changes Linear or parabolic level fades for each track

independent

Besides these,

pattern

generator,

create

Basic Loops

there

and

maxWerk's

incorporate

are two

three

dedicated

more

eager

volunteer,

all the

Drum

special-

and store the following kinds of

sitions

You can save and copy individual loops, move them current Werk or a Melody

While you are working on disable computer's live while you add your own Comprehensive using only the

Werk, and you can

single-loop

patterns

from

Transposer

keyboard,

key

computer's

file. You can also

a saved Werk.

information

or a

commands

QWERTY keys.

import

from

progression

and use a

hardware

fader

accompanying

let you play and Werk effectively

a

completed import

or melody ideas, you can

controller

box to "play" maxWerk

around

in the

and saved

Transposer

keyboard,

or

your

part to the mix.

5

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You can use or

destination.

it

records sequencer. MIDI

controller

external

its

output

Support

hardware

Your finished Werk plays in a

to a

standard

for an

unit is included.

or

midifile for

optional

software

Peavey PC-1600 or PC-1600x

as a MIDI clock source

locked-tempo

export

to a

mode

full-featured

as

What maxWerk Doesn't Do

maxWerk contains no music at all when you begin a new Werk, except for is not an huge

maxWerk is not a n of reference you need to know you may use fewer than seven scale pitches (as in the Pentatonic scale, for more.

array

information

arpeggiated auto-accompaniment

of possibilities begins with choices

about

text you can save and print that shows, by bar,

about

example),

However, it does let you store a custom scale for each Werk.

chords

otation

your

the

maxWerk does not

that help you

program

composition

structure

either,

audition

with

but it saves all the types

listed

of your

support

progressions

canned

made

above,

composition.

by you.

and it

scales that have

patterns!

creates

everything

Although

. It

Its

a

maxWerk does not directly with MIDI data, a world of possibilities music you begin production

environment,

here.

produce

maxWerk is not a

but it can be a

audio files. Because it deals

System Requirements

• A Power through install this MIDI studio setup

• At least 5 MB of free

• 40,000K of free RAM

• A MIDI

Macintosh

9.2. See the OMS document.

interface

running

management

hard

OMS, with

manual

system and how to

disk space

remains

full-featured

partner

for

instructions

for

developing

to your

operating

sequence

favorite

system 8.5

on how to

one.

create

the

a

6

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• A MIDI sound is highly multiple

polyphonic

mind that maxWerk allows up to sixteen

module

compatible

recommended.

and

with the Roland GS

Alternatively, you may

multi-timbral

synthesizers.

polyphonic

standard

address

Bear in

parts,

and

you are likely to think of uses for all of them!

This fully comments

functional

and

feedback

version of maxWerk is

are sincerely

appreciated.

freeware,

Being in touch

and your

with users who are enjoying maxWerk and finding it useful is the author's

An

“untitled.mWk” “maxWerk”

reward

important

application

for making it available to others.

note: The files

should

remain

"maxWerk_default_setup"

in the same

file.

folder

and

as the

7

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I. Concepts and a Tour

It's fine to simply a voyage of everything descriptions the window-opening they simply involve the shift key and the first letter of the window name. because your own style or

Many play this section, but you can often easily look for to the parameter is to show how even if you have little keyboard rewarding

entering

terms

composing

explore

discovery.

you'll find out this way, and listed later on are

of

maxWerk's

you'll see in the Key

Reading

it can give a p

functions

descriptions

labels

playing skill, with maxWerk you can set up

experiments

maxWerk without first

some notes and playing with its various

The

Key

Commands

through

erspective

approach

and

in the second part of this Guide. If you are used

process,

informative

in

song-design.

material

key

commands

Commands

are easy to

this first section is

to help you

to

composing

parameter

you will find many of the

enough.

settings are not discussed in

figure

The

knowledge

reading

that follows covers almost

that

expand

reference

remember

consider

complete

them out. If you can't,

primary

this Guide, by

functions

on some of

window. Most

valuable,

and develop

Werks.

function

aim of this Guide

of music

ambitious

as

because

however,

and

theory

or

and

1.1 Global Setup

On first "maxWerk_default_setup" prepares When you set tracks to GS range synthesizers, provide

The remains Global Setup window, which Screen for each OMS device you want to use, and

launching

the

of Roland Sound Canvas

the

correct

maxWerk_default_setup

separate

“Globals”

maxWerk,

file that lives in your maxWerk

program

this setup file,

from

button,

to talk to your

alphabetized

Werk

you can

you will need to modify and save the

synthesizer

mode,

among

set of

(.mWk-suffixed)

appears

which is

modules

other

patch list for your

customized,

when you press the Main

enable

folder.

setup

tailored

or

other

things, lets maxWerk

particular

user-created

song-data

GS or

confirm

normal

which one is to

thereafter.

to one of the

GS-compatible

files. In the

MIDI mode

This

model.

data

8

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be the play. maxWerk use You can find the GS in the "Werk Files" section

Checkboxes midifile of

and clock

can make click to beat clock. You can map mode settings for MIDI input Part II of this Guide,

After you have desired, MIDI defined progress" quickly enabled

target

according

normal

sound

source

send

transposer

you must

information

setup. A useful trick to know is that the "Back to Werk in

re-transmit

set of

for each of

creates

to the GS

let you

banks/program

settings. Other

and

settings

prepared

reload

it contains to be

command

sound-generating

a list of available

mode

transmit

clock

notes

read

"maxWerk

under

the

current

maxWerk's

module

MIDI

near

enable

for the

to an

about

a Global Setup for the

any

model

channel

the end of this Guide.

or

suppress

Global Setup

QWERTY keys and the

in Depth".

already-open

the Panic

Werk's MIDI settings to the

tracks and your live

preset

parameter

layout of

sending

changes

parameters

for driving

metronome,

external

from

devices.

your

Werk file in

directed

menubar

“Noodle”

names

as well as GS

external

and

device along with MIDI

controller

properly

for GS mode

setting in this file.

maxWerk's

and

recor

include MIDI

devices. You

there

heading

are options

at the start of

device/channels

order

to the newly

tracks

ding to

patches

keyboard

for the

lets you

currently

maxWerk opens one of your choice, and then track, which is this track to make basic settings for MIDI input These shift Noodle allow along with

from

launches

dedicated

include an offset for

center. Other

optional

forward

with an untitled

to your live playing. Open the window for

settings for your live play

automatic

or

reversed

incoming

mod wheel or

ramps

(default)

routes

note velocities and an octave

of GS sound

MIDI thru to the

1.2 Menu Items

Whenever 8-count of which resides in the maxWerk change

you choose New

meter

this locked file. While it's possible to

Werk file of

from

default

the File menu, maxWerk loads an

data called

application

untitled.mWk

folder.

change

Werk

from

aftertouch

shaping.

template

your

directed

You should not

the

Meter

or

Noodle

controller.

through

ramping,

, a copy

of an

9

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existing file, you will find copies of alternative "maxWerk many tedious used to creating loops

longer save! It's a good idea to use a save each automatically

maxWerk menus, to work for your assigned upper

Filing Cabinet"

associated

maxWerk,

your own

you might wish to use these as a basis for

template

than one bar. Be sure to

folder

editor

that can save you having to make

window

files, especially if you find you often use

rename

sequential

update;

appends

doesn't

and you should leave "All

properly. controller

for

example,

the suffix .mWk when you

use the

The

MIDI-thru

keyboard

"TuesdayTune_03".

standard

Macintosh

Windows

menu lets you

input to any of the

to tracks. Note that when the

left section of the Main Screen is

Auto-thru

enabled, each track visited for editing. At the top of the item THRU-ENABLED, which disables and play. This does not disable MIDI notes

triggered

template

changes.

Once you are

Werk files you wish to

numbering

name

Edit and Windows

Active" checked for it

change

instrument/channels

checkbox in the

MIDI thru will follow

menu

enables

is a switchable

keyboard

by the QWERTY keys. You can quickly check the state of this the

presence

external

MIDI input is against which the LED flashes yellow on When it is computer

or

absence

disabled,

keyboard

of color in the MIDI

enabled,

the LED

continues

play, but the

you will see a

incoming

to flash yellow in

background

color is gray.

indicator

green

MIDI signals.

files in the

scheme

maxWerk

your file.

the

target

thru

computer's

function

LED. When

background

response

to

by

to

The auditioning default

The Panic menu includes a Stop Play sends an All second Panic a last

Arp-thru

Arpeggiator

Noodle.

procedure,

resort

menu lets you

to any

Learn

about

which resets several

Notes

menu

in case of

Off

item

command

triggers

intractable

redirect

pitched-note

this

feature

manual

the

notes

track

under

trigger

"The

for

internal

to all MIDI

notes-off

message

behavior

from

other

Transposer".

maxWerk's

functions

destinations.

from

a GS

the

chord-

than the

normal

and

The

by itself. As

module, choose the item GS reset to initialize your device. Built into this system exclusive 11 as well as the

Controllers message

message

default

addresses

is the GS

command

10 to Drum Kit

all

targets.

assigning Channel

instruments.

The Reset

The Back to Werk in

10

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progress command

the

current based settings and to last save lets you go back to your

The Commands menu simply lets you bring up an reference the same. The Key describes using are no

The Extras menu controlling engaged. command. quick midifile access brings up a Idea track in Part II, and "Werk Files".

maxWerk,

state, saved or

list in the Key Commands

each in detail. Since

longer

buttons

necessary.

play of multiple tracks

It also has handy

From

recording

in the Note and Drum Editors. The last

complete

restor

patches,

Commands

it's a good idea to

offers Quick

this

menu

es your sound

unsaved,

according

you can also open the Idea window for

from

Werk text

about

your

Reference

keystroke

editor

Leadsheet

the

generating

of

maxWerk's

to the Global Setup. Revert

last-stored

window. Typing

at the end of this Guide

shortcuts

refer

Mutes

manually

controller

Leadsheet

to this list until

, a handy window for

when

window

buttons

keyboard,

. Read

in the closing section

setup to match

MIDI

set of

information.

[shift-k] does

greatly

Automute

more

message-

important

speed

reminders

is not

and a key

which has

menu

about

item

the

1.3 The Main Screen

Music is them bars for brevity of labeling. maxWerk can store data for up to 128 bars. An eighth-note Meter your the Main Screen, which the

eighth-note guidance you can switch in and out with a key determines special-purpose other that you can

comprised

important

beats or counts you want in a bar, and

can be set at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 12 beats. You can make

desired

is

Improv,

choice in the meter menu in the

click of the

as you

the a

impose.

of time

enter

tracks. One of these is the Melody line, and the

where maxWerk

data while listening to your tracks, and which

utomatically

We won't cover

segments

first decision in

defaults

metronome,

to 8

computed

"expresses

eighth-counts.

everything

or

measures,

composition

upper

which is

command.

step

itself" given

now

and we'll call

is how many

maxWerk's

left section of

Meter

provided

Meter

resolution

constraints

about

governs

purely for

of two

how

also

11

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these work, but using them comes easily once you get a feel for making looping tracks.

While maxWerk tracks based on step are

compatible

Meter.

In

other choose step Similarly, besides 12, 24, and 48, the or 32 in a Meter, Meter,

6-count

you can save a Werk to

edit as that at a later time you can paste midifiles of each. You should take into number

of counts may

that notes may be lost, and

supports

numbers

only one

Meter

choice per Werk, but

that are multiples of 6 and 8 counts

in the same Werk, and may be included in either

words, besides steps in multiples of 8, you can

numbers

necessary,

of 12, 24, and 48 in an

number

Werk. To

create

become

a piece that has

a midifile

and save it again

together

of steps can be 8, 16,

under

music

account

shorten

some loops and Melody lines such

increasing

the count will of

empty steps. Tempo

slider. You can adjust it by using key c not in Tempo

in BPM

(beats

Performance

slider is the

per

mode,

tempo

minute)

which

refers

map

is set

ommands

button

from

to a

a Main Screen tempo

Tempo

, which is the "Main Settings" section of Part II. Briefly, the effect when you change

at each bar. When you open Werk file, the

saved for bar 1

engage

appears

Perfo

as the

rmance

default.

mode

and allows a

8-count

Werk.

changes

source,

a new

segments

that

decreas

change

name,

ing the

course

from

add

as long as you are

Map. Next to the

described

Tempo

fully in

Map takes

tempo

Tempo

setting

in

so

The

round

start/stop

play. Play always starts at the

play status

indicator

button, though

below the

it's easiest to use the sp

beginning one that was in play when it was command while editing. This lets you think example,

you can switch playback

you are working with a

higher

about swing feel. Below the

bank of equivalents.

play-status

function

These

always reflect the status of their

section of the

switch-buttons

Tempo

indicator

acebar

of the next bar

stopped.

from

full

By

means

tempo to

half-timed

exact note positions if, for

resolution

information

that have key

pattern

panel

that has a

there

command

respective

is also a to toggle after

the

of a key

is a

12

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contributions. of the Main Screen show the four maxWerk's through

name, a chord

A panel of maxWerk's equivalent Automute function,

A vertical row of blue LED's lies to the left of the track

buttons volume

LED's are also window. A described hardware, PC-1600

11

quality

and the left panel

on the Main Screen, across

knobs

Important

transposition

representing A though

Tonic

window-opening

Main Screen. When you use one of these key

windows, maxWerk

“maxWerk”

in detail in Part II,

along with a set of

fader

note

. We explain fully the significance of these below.

command

for each. Besides showing track play status, the

mute/enable

is

reserved

dynamic

status at every bar: a Key number

number, a

to open the

function

preset for Peavey’s PC-1600 MIDI

to echo the bar scrolling key

indicators

elements

G# with an

(+)Note

buttons

automatically

switches

provides

faders

fills the lower right section of

switch-button

from like those in the more

that

in the lower left section

offset

number, and a triad

Transposer,

enables

sets of virtual

mute/enable

control

track

that

reflects its state.

contribute

flag

, a Scale

buttons

Melody,

the

associated

Quick-Mutes

controller

buttons

volumes.

command.

from

or an

access

pan

to

0

or

and

,

in

One

1.4 Features to Note

A

display

larger Melody Editor. This displays, and is included to damaging lock frontmost, this

Also let you move quickly to edit Scales window, where you also

re-activates

feature,

shared among

lock

editor

data until you are

but you can

locator

switch appears

screens,

when the window that includes it

which affects the displays in all three windows.

bar

numbers,

the

Automute

feature

these windows is a row of

between

locks out

ready

un-check

sections of your Werk. When you go

you will find this

at the

window, the

prevent

to

change

an

accompanying

audition

bottom

manual

errant

various scales or

of

maxWerk's

Transposer

edits to the

mouse clicks from

it. By

locator

function

default,

control

residing

and the

graphic

display

becomes

box for

buttons

modes.

three

that

in the

13

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Pairs of windows. Some edit last arrow press one of the

arrow-shaped

"go-to"

button

bar you

"Go-to"

functions

manually

or one of the co

locator buttons

bar

buttons appear

take effect set. To go to any bar quickly, hold an

mmand

and then

beginning

keys for bar scrolling, or simply

fine-tune

in many edit

at or only on the

the bar location.

1.5 Automute

In

order a preview of you have making level.

maxWerk plays looping counting Automute mute or information window. The graphs track stores a value of 0 or 1 for each bar. Values of 1 colored enabled state is that all tracks are enabled command. able to into your composition in

to

offer a perspective

Automute

created

the Melody track, which we will discuss

active, you can have Basic Loop and Drum tracks either

continue

that

Automute

of 128 bars that have a vertical range of 1, so that each

bars in the strip and 0's are

strips

or

bypassed

Bear in mind as you

introduce

a few tracks.

controls

appear

creative

- a

playing as they

track strips are essentially

entirely filled-in in a new file, for the default

for all tracks at once by

whatever

of a full Werk, we'll jump right away to

function

patterns

this

appears

enabled

track

muting

that is

Then

create

way suits your

we'll zoom in to the

on

reach

empty,

all the time.

and

normally

thirteen

for editing in the

track

interweaving

not used until

of its tracks, not

separately.

each new bar. The

horizontal

and the

Automuting

material

creative

thirteen

means

that you'll be

pattern-

With

Automute

appear

may be

of a key

of

patterns

style.

bar

as

fully

The first of the individual (toggle) system exclusive MIDI provides stored

You can the track bars easier. A single click of the label brings up a small window

box to

a handy

data, even

enter

label

temporarily

Automutes

switch-button

temporary

though

Automute

mute GS

commands.

way to silence parts without

the

Automute

by

hand,

make the job of editing across many

track strip

instrument

For

tracks in GS

function

but two

different

controls

parts by

may be

ways of using

is a check

means

mode,

affecting

enabled.

of

this

14

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where you can any point in the Werk, control

entry

zeroes

button.

dialog

that will apply

At each bar where a track is plays to its pattern pattern

muted

restarts having played its third bar. With multiple your intent if you mute and dynamically

Say for has a function

example

two-bar

is bars of listening are automatically

enable

or mute all 128 bars of the track at once from

Double-clicking

, where you can

starting

beginning

after

state.

two bars and

at the head of the loop on being

updating

feature

that track 1 does its looping job over four bars. It

graphic

triggered

editor

that

required

displays the

depending

the track label brings up a enter

with the last set

muted,

For

example,

enable

of

Automute

pattern,

produces

to

number

on the status of the window's

pattern-

a binary

pattern

"go-to"

of ones and

bar.

maxWerk also resets the loop it

enabled

patterns

if you play a

several bars later, the

enabled

in play, it may spoil

three-bar

without

at the wrong places; so a helpful

is

but on

changed

appreciate

provided

alternate

note values, so that four

the effect. maxWerk

as follows:

repetitions

of bars in one pitch cycle by way of the small number tag located to the right of the track label. The gradual

'mutate'

function

is an

exception

not

reflected

this way.

a

Noting the

001111

a

repeating last. This full

function

then the play On its own in the

song

in its

under

settings automatically

maxWerk's

end

bar of your Werk and optionally applies it to all the loops.

reminder

into the dialog

sequence

particular

pattern

cycle. After it plays you'll

pattern

upper

entirety,

the bar

locators

bonus strolling musician.

in this case, you might

presented.

starting

from

This

the

"go-to"

enter a pattern

appears

causes two bars of silence followed by a

of ones

left window

hear

repeats.

corner

two

is a setting to

and across the top of the

is a set of editing

buttons. Enable

bring in and silences one

Another

such as

in the track strip as

bar all the way to the

more

silent bars, and

loop

Automute

window

the

improv

interlude

from

setting specifies the

You can move mutes, shifting them by several bars in either direction.

You can

randomize

mutes or copy and invert mutes

15

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

relative to data processing

Automute found you'll find a determines plays not follow the designed and leave your mix, and, like end bars, the when

Another function Automute button all bars of the last edited Basic or Drum Loop track. A track-

switching track strips store an Expression

0 out of your Werk in a subtle Autofade creatively layer the two levels are down, you may not be able to enabled (polyphony)

for each track in the lower panel of the Note Editor.

before

Automute

brings up a single bar graph display at a time that

through

always begins

has a global

16ths

the

to allow

window can lend

menu in 127 at each bar, giving you a way to bring tracks in and is always active along with

by

of the

present

sustain

number

automuting

transpositions

creative

is

enabled.

Automute

targeted

in any

from

end

bar

on mute menu setting for each loop that

of

sixteenth-note

cuts notes off.

overlapping

to

Automute

interest

functions.

still

consume

sound-generating

other

the

"go-to"

setting

of

succeeding

does the obvious.

Controller

manner

Be aware that when Autofade

track. Keep in mind that

bar.

, a

refinement

durations

These

of sounds as tracks enter

and accessible only

to your mix. The

over any

Automute,

the available MIDI notes

delayed

bars. This

function

11 value with a

hear

device.

the last step

note-offs

applies only

These

number

anything,

switchable

and you can

to which is

feature

from

Autofade

represents

range

of bars.

but notes

There

do

is

the

of

1.6 Basic Loops

Let's go back to the Main Screen to begin making some looping tracks. A click on the opens the Note Editor window (as does a key loop you are editing is

indicator

Automute suspends

The first items at the top of the window, the and

loop

LED/button

is

enabled

muting

length

(enables

menu, set the event

number

temporarily at the

and this track is

ed panel

bottom

the

track)

solo'ed,

while the Note Editor is open.

resolution

button

of the Note Editor. Even if

currently

for any one of them

command),

as shown by the

muted,

steps

number menu

for this loop and

maxWerk

and the

enable

16

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the

number with no order

to be able to tell what is going in a able to edit loops easily, it is a good idea not to number by the style step stored

midifile motif may

of bars it

change

of play

contains.

direction

The length of a Basic or Drum Loop

can be

of steps; that is, the steps per bar

number

sequencer.

of bars.

Instead,

think of maxWerk as an

Step-entering

sometimes

notes to match a previously

call for a

from

one to four bars. In

multi-track

menu

number

higher

Werk and to be

overdo

the total

multiplied

analog-

step resolution so that the results can reflect as well as possible the timing of the original. doing that easy. We'll talk

(There

are window

about

buttons

them later

and key

under

commands

"Keyboard

that make

Entry".)

Each previously Meters an even multiple of the

Meter

offers

mentioned,

are

interchangeable.

appropriate

several levels of step resolution, and as we have

step

Meter

choices, and the rejected

number

choices for 6 and 8 count

If you pick a

count, a dialog

number

appears

menu

of steps that is not

reminding

you of

selection will not "stick". (If the total steps were out of sync with bar starts on playthrough, end steps would cause discover

If you are of bar offers a fundamental begin making musical seven pitches values 1 rest or silence. When you computer's for each bar, maxWerk displays to play over any of the seven positions in the patterns not as

the

resulting

maxWerk's

much

unfamiliar

graph

data in the Note Editor, the

found

through

in most

7. As you might expect, a value of 0

QWERTY key

current

you

enter

here

representations

repetition

confusing better

with music

maxWerk

patterns,

western

enter

board

transposes

Scale. This

as

patterns

of fixed ones.

of

beginning

track

steps or skipping of

behavior.

Read on to

ways of creatively shifting loops.)

theory,

concept.

using as your

the first of the four sections

nine-value

notes

display

Here is where you can

components

musical scales,

represented

represents

a

number

or play back

all the

patterns different

means

of

relationship

0

through

numbers

made

triadic

7 on the

that you store

in the note

chords

that you should view the

between

pitches,

the

by

or

,

a

Value 8 in note variable.

In

patterns

order

are not part of the

is a

more

to allow musically

current

chord

triad, 8’s

elusive symbol for a pitch that is

sophisticated

trigger

leading tones that

notes

(again,

17

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either stored separate

and

7. Although an other

values in the display

or played live)

independent

8-step

has the

Scale pitch value that it and it is always value 8

If the

together

description transposing stepped

pattern), Transposer". make tonic patterns

that contain experience to make your

A

nine-value

a

range

To

accomplish

of 0

randomizes value 8 entered

triggers a constant

as value 7 actually floats and 127 as 127, and the of offset in turn

mapped

with a 1, 3, and 5 sounds a

above was

disabled,

simply

leaving out

With maxWerk in play, try out the key

transpositions

first-hand

patterns

a sense of this

sound pleasing and musically useful!

velocities

through

8, and

this, steps 1

at the start of each bar within

repetitions

progress,

minimum

rotates

from

of the one

appearance

because

represents

to

correspond

hard

enter

a

transposition

triggered

its vertical bar is

can in fact

to one of the

to follow,

some notes

8-steps

engine

by values 1

of being

“larger”

longer,

change

at each bar,

other

four-note

don't

worry

chord.

about

(perhaps

until we get to "The

comma

happen.

primarily

display

, the second in the Note Editor, has

produces

though 7 trigger

value of 127. As an

Do some

experimenting

1's, 3's, 5's and 0's

explanation.

values

It's

maxWerk's

from 0 through

values that maxWerk

subgrou

ps of 16, while

example,

around

somewhere

between

but value 8 is always the

value 0 is always velocity zero. The

dynamically

between

all tracks at each bar.

that is

through

than the

the

seven. A

it. With

a stair-

nds that

with

(rests)

to

job

127.

a velocity

112

maximum

amount

When the relationship displays. Velocities that cycle by one variable notes devise an int such that respect with each loop

velocities

menu in the lower panel is set to normal, the

of velocities to notes is always just as

become

increment

note-gating

pattern

eraction

certain

with the start of each new loop. This

effect when

or the velocities

of

arpeggiating

pitch

patterns

pattern.

kick in and out. Velocities that

existing rests, but values 1-8

repetition,

and can be used to fade a loop in and out.

offset in time relative to notes

0-values

notes lined up with velocities

increment

Try the 2 ways setting that activates both

are

encountered

In

other

functions

depicted

in the

creates

in the

words, you can

rotate

and wrap

around

at once!

a

18

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The data in the value of 4. This initially places all the notes you

octaves

display

, the third of the set,

enter

into the octave

defaults

to a

that includes middle C. While maxWerk stores Basic Loop pitch step information according range

from 0 through like note and velocity data, so by making you can easily

in the

to

changing

construct

default

middle sound

data that comes

8, and they are

wide-ranging

range,

from

read

this set. Octave values

on a

patterns

arpeggio

notes'

per-step

of octave steps

loops.

octaves shift

basis just

You can also specify for each step an octave cutoff point, or the scale step above which maxWerk will result of any desired Editor

range.

graphic,

transpositions,

This is a

the wrap

function

steps

so that you can keep loop notes in a

display

wrap values only when your loop is playing over transpositions. maxWerk uses a bar. Value 8 tells it to use the repeating

figure

When you set any or all wrap steps to value 0,

random

wrap step value that

current

takes on craziness with

bump

down by one octave the

of values in the

. You can

hear

changes

(+)Note

creative

value as wrap step. A

octave

fourth

and last

the effects of

changing

once per

wrapping.

tonic

Four refresh desired octaves display

dedicated

buttons

display

set all note, velocity, octave, or wrap steps to the

value at once. The

mirrors

setting, to quickly shift the To spark your

options of

heavier

starting

found

step step that is add

random

In the lower panel the plays forward, causes repeating the loop strictly a

forward-backward

both

length.

direction

imagination,

in the Note Editor window

stuff. Using

other

counted

menus

than 1, or opt instead to

as 1 with each loop pass. Here you can also

note-re-triggers

direction

backward

beginning

A

fourth

parameter.

reset

the Noodle track window's

incoming

controls

controller

notes

we'll

describe

with

menus

THRU menu above the

octave

from

your MIDI

just a few of the play

before

going on to a taste

along the top, you can choose a

to any

step-starting

menu

determines

, or in a reversing

pendulum-like

readout

rotate

fashion.

or

randomize

style.

whether

Reversing

of all step data,

and end values and effectively

menu

item called

alt-scrambles

This option allows all data to play in a

and quick

offset

controller.

the

the loop

play

doubling

is not

19

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forward

direction,

but applies a

note-scrambling

function a fresh shuffle of existing step values at each new leaving rhythmic

inward and two ends-in.

next-to-last, pattern. an inward pass begins at the middle. behavior

With the a note sounds until is given a note-off wrap data at the same step note off,

unchanged

feel. The next play

These

and so on, working toward the middle of the displayed

The 'alt'

ends-inward

mixes with

play

mode menu set to its

companion

of the last, and uses by

whatever

the

pattern

variations

of

durations

direction

of this

that gives the loop its

is random, followed by

pattern,

alt

ends-in

play the first step, then the last, the

variation

pass, plays

begins with

normally

normal

forward

again, and on the next ends-

Randomized

normal

another

velocity of 0. Each

play for the final

default

of a

different

value

changed

default

number.

A note value of 0 turns the last

the velocity, octave, and

menu

first item

replaces

the velocity at that time.

that causes

loop-start,

and rdm

second, play, makes ends-inward

option.

play

changes

it, or until it

note

triggers

while

ends-

the

,

a

When you choose the second item triggers the of the

The third maxWerk to

a new note at each

manner

changing

of older

state of note values or step

menu

item is

trigger

non-zero

analog

hardware

sustain

and sustain all

added

play

step in a

step

all

robotic

sequencers,

resolution.

note-groups

pitches until the next note

steps

. This

, maxWerk

manner

after

regardless

mode

tells

(not velocity!) value of 0 in the Editor, or until the end of the loop, whichever difference ignores and move with note value of 0 in the loop, with the only

changes When you try out this alongside Leave it modes. than a full step, albeit with high. Read

occurs first. The only velocity values that make a

are those that begin notes; in sustain

velocity values of 0. You can make a

transpositions

for up to four bars, for if

transposing

in pitch cause the notes to cut off and

the

there

In

modes

mode,

mode menu

or at its full right position while you

about

other

gating possibilities

than sustain, you can store a setting

the

color-changing gate

automatically

coarse

resolution

under

resets to its

when step

"Loop

mode

multi-note

maxWerk

pad hold

there

function

re-trigger.

time slider

default

investigate

resolution

Magic 1" in Part II.

is no

enabled

value 0.

play

shorter

is

20

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The zero

fourth

produce note-offs

item is random retrig, and at this setting note values of

as always, but which would tie notes in notes a

randomly,

degree

so that each

of

unpredictable

repeating

play-changes

repetition

rhythmic

interest.

values 1

mode,

instead

of the pitch

through

trigger

pattern

8,

new

is given

The final six Each set includes mode These

variations,

settings loop. This effect, note

pattern

tones. Note filtering is an effective and

modes

of play are sets of alt1 and alt2

all-steps, changes

, random, and retrig play

which differ only in their switched state on

remove

therefore,

contains

passing tones on

can be

heard

even-numbered

alternate

only when the

scale steps, not just triadic

entertaining

passes of the

function

you apply it to busier loops that have many passing tones. In the

the differentiated window shortcut. Split Tricks" in Part II, as are opening

Below the four

generate

parameters, maxWerk's Part II, but the basics can be fun to discover experiments. of the Note Editor for the keep you

upper

right

step-split

button

The

button

patterns

most useful

oriented

margin

window

between

is a

step-split

labeled

graphic

, to

of the Note Editor, the

, where you can make note

several

split-status

function

target

LED that is also a disabling

is

described

features

loops all at once. Below the

lying

<-expand-pattern->

displays are various

add

offset

note

and to direct these lines to

features,

Take note of the handy

metronome

and clear

about

these are also

checkboxes

click and for track soloing, to

what's going on in the loop.

split

button

pattern

in detail

behind

under

the window-

in the top left section.

additional

lines

with a variety of

other

tracks. Perhaps

covered

through

in the lower panel

notefilter

starting.

entered

when

opens

entries

"Step-

controls

in detail in

your own

s.

to

It

doesn't

form

the basis for a Werk. You might feel like crazed useful results by applying one or two

take much doing to make a set of

pianos at first, but

remember

that you can achieve the most

functions

interesting

creating

to a few notes. Try making loops that pair complex (more

on these follows) with simple,

sustained

pads. Simpler note

a swarm of

pattern

controller

loops that

of just a patterns

21

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patterns that have a lot of

In the Note Editor's lower panel you can give your loop a track name of up to 12 c update track labels in destination Leadsheet. between

are best if you intend your final MIDI tracks to play patches

programmed

haracters.

track lists displayed in the Global Setup window as well as

Automute,

menus,

You can visit

Werks

and the text

however

Copy/Import

you please.

movement!

Newly

the

Copy/Import

recap

assigned

of Werk

to mix and match loop data

track

window's

names

information

always

source

and

in the

1.7 Drum Loops

The Editor for the two Drum Loops lacks some of the Basic numbers necessary

generator

right of the Drum notes display, and it will of hits into the down one of the slider-selected through remove place them again more

Loops,

the kit with

all beats at the

about

but has tricks of its own. It displays a

compatible

to

trigger

lets you choose a note

remainin

kit

looping

with GS

the sounds in a non-GS device. The

g available steps

test

buttons

instrument,

button

last-selected

differently

percussion,

drums,

, you'll

and you can

presses.

until you like your

see

but you can offset these as

number

drop a selectable

randomly.

hear

Using

note

"Deeper

number

using the slider to the

repeating

rotate

another

Drums" in Part II.

button,

and let maxWerk

groove.

features

range

When you hold

beats of the

up or down

of note

number

you can

To learn

of

beat

1.8 Controllers

In

maxWerk's add two messages. one called 96 for

sync

at a rate of 96 steps per loop, creates one step time accompanying

different

. By

default,

denser

generates a control

duration.

Control

There

control

Sync

message

A,

Control

controller

are

three

control

maxWerk sends Control and Bend MIDI

data, as each

mode

patterns

play

sweeps, one called trig, and one called

pattern

pairs each Note Editor step with a single

of your choice for

B,

and

to each loop and pitch bend

modes

whatever

Bend

to choose

the loop

changed

modified

controller,

windows

from

note of

to fit into its allotted

bend,

for each:

messages

length.

more

you can

Trig

than

or GS

22

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sound-shaping, create

distinct

The Control and Bend windows differ that once you MIDI

output display. This lets you block and unblock while you values

consider

here

It's best not to move open you can

positioned

conveniently notes. While you can draw in values by and the Bend Editor pulse, generate

triangle,

one to four can compress values on quickly the

generate

desired a series, and dialog box

sending

rhythmic

enter

via the

values, to have them

values just

changes

activation

patch selections. You can invert

too, and maxWerk

Controller

over the Note Editor on your

compare

or

offer

either

generated

of two

cycles

entry.

repeating

set

beginning

enter

the

presented.

sequences

at step 1. Press the

number

You'll find the same

or

stepped

ahead

from

of note

effects. the main Note Editor in

transmit

menu in the right

controller

remembers

the activation setting.

and Bend windows

their

patterns

against your pa

hand,

patterns

parabolic

curves. You can

of any of these

As an

alternative

by

entering

of steps to be

information

you must enable

margin

and bend effects

because

computer

both Control Editors

of

sawtooth,

waveform

approach,

one instance of

button

labeled repeat

repeated

function

available for

each of the displays in the Note and Drum Editor windows.

to

of the

transmit

ted

they

screen,

ttern

so

of

sine,

auto-

s, and you

you can

into the

You can shift vertical arrow patterns Instead a

control

vertically, all values

of a

to set the using the loop play

The

direction

randomize/latch button

When you use the single set of When you check the

entered

buttons

function

starting

direction

changes

step-synced

values up or down all at once by using the

to the right of the displays. When you adjust

to

horizontally

step

optio

ns menu you can

0-127

of the displayed

wrap

rotate

displayed values,

called for by the Note Editor.

always

randomizing

random

function,

values that you can keep or edit.

engages

random-latch checkbox,

a new set of step values each time the loop sample-and-hold

style

function

is

particularly

around

in the display.

sequence.

control

step-sync

maxWerk

repeats.

interesting

there

is

Finally,

response

to

mode.

generates

This dynamic

when you

a

23

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apply it to filter cutoff, latching because window's step patterns in the display. Part II the Control A, Control B, and Bend Editors.

checkbox,

maxWerk

mode

are not

editable,

creates

resonanc

there

indicator

describes

is no need to

a new one at the start of each loop. The

the

e or pitch

changes

changing

in detail these and

to

sets of values

1.9 The Transposer

The Werk can chord maxWerk is in play and the chordal itself do to patterns

Transposer

change

changes

transformations

according

competently

emotively on the white keys in C.

contains

Key and Scale

within both Key and Scale. As a fun

to Key and Scale as you play, so that all you have to

noodle

maxWerk's

Transposer

to

stored

a live line over tracks is

pitch-filtering

automatically

patterns,

enter

read

is

your

bend.

rdm, but since these

enabled

If you use the

a

starting

don't

more

system. Your

as it makes modal

bonus,

and making

keyboard

repeat

pattern

appear

features

while

re-maps

simple

of

The

Transposer for 128 bars. The values that you see in the Transposer

window

buttons window reflects the state of any 16 bars of Werk that you wish to bring into focus. bar scrolling becomes

A

more which Map, accessed by a window. Here you can shift the root pitch of your Werk and your MIDI from overall shifts in the making form Screen. Global Offsets work

, which is accessible via one of the

along the

the first shown in the Patterns display.

fundamental

there

controller's

the

default

further

of a

semitone

has

bar-graph

appear

function

is no

again in the smaller displays of the Patterns

bottom

Whenever

with

buttons

form

graphic

button

input up or down by semitones up to a full octave

C (key

mood

offsets at any bar. The offset flag

number

signature

of your piece when all is said and done by

displays of four

edge of the

it is

opened,

or key

of

transposit

display, comes

at the top of the main

3). You can use it to

following the Key display on the Main

behind

the scenes, along with all the

Transposer.

and

commands,

ion

different

primary

secondary-window

whenever

underlying

from

the

sets of data

window of the

The Patterns

you use the

the

current

Global

Transposer

appears

bar

these, for

Offset

create

in the

24

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

graphically information

displayed

in the

Transposer

Leadsheet

values, to

and the displayed on the Main Screen. Unlike that can be

To make the types

starting

window. We'll move

4. Key -

western musical Scale in use. partly

determine combined I-chord notated tagged You may wish to for

emotional values progressions. information to your Werk. Of not

harm

disabled,

clearest

with the

Transposing

octave. Values 0

music, with the

with its own

Global Offsets are always in effect.

explanation,

bottom-most

upward,

and then mix them up. They are:

we'll

of the four in the

Keys cover the twelve

through

the

These

chord

pitches,

names

result tells the "key

difference

Transposing

change

Key only once or twice

11 set the Tonic pitch for the

shown on the Main Screen.

signature"

that in maxWerk each bar is

Key

effect, or you may wish to let maxWerk

automatically

many times to

accommodate

You may elect not to use

at all, if you are feeling entirely modal in your

course,

any of the

others.

doing

experiments

chord

other

describe

summed

number

changing

with one data set will

arrive

Transposer

at the chord

names

you see

elements

the displayed data

Transposer

semitones

of the

with Global Offsets,

Their

as in

conventionally

and Global Offset.

during

your song

change

complex chord

Transposing

approach

Key Key

3. Scale - Scale values seven pitches out of twelve that are entered before Scales, also called

in

maxWerk.

any

further

transposing

modes, They include the seven familiar

names

Natural-Minor,

Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and

determine

These

have values 0

traditional

the selection for each bar of

represented

values take effect

you do in the

remaining

through

ones at 1

Locrian,

Mixolydian.

Major

The

by the note values

after

11 in the display.

through

(the

default

Harmonic-Minor Blues scales are given values 7 and 8, and the Diminished, and chord

changes,

In case you scales have to do with the found

between

Augmented

have values 9

hadn't

thought about

scales, often used for speci

through

patterns

11.

it

before,

differences

of whole and

half-step

the notes of each set, and maxWerk has

Key data, but

two displays.

7, with the

scale),

and

Suspended,

al-purpose

between

intervals

memorized

25

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the h value 0 is for the definable can

With the Scales data. If you want to base your Werk

armonically

intervals that you can add as part of your Werk file. You

repeat

or

transposing

from

the Scales window

useful ones for you. The user scale available at

re-order

adventurous,

the pitches in this scale any way you please.

function

disabled,

offering

before

a

seven-pitch

you can test the sound of

you

enter

patterns

new

Transposer

on one

particular

set of

Scale, be aware that Scales at values 8 and above may not produce normal Major, Minor, notes, and instead you may new to music

theory,

out how maxWerk can make many helpful scale

1.

Tonics

two bar

– The values for Tonics and

graphs

determine and Scale that maxWerk applies to Note Editor values. The of Tonic shifts modal

chord

from

progression. includes values 1, 3, and 5. A Tonic values default

trigger

Scale notes in positions of the same

Key is C, as 1's, 3's, and 5's play you

Diminished or

hear

bear

with us a

the

degree

Augmented

some quirky

minute

about

(+)Notes

of

transposition

triads on all their

chords.

If you are

this, and you'll find

changes

for you.

you see in the first

within Key

pattern

bar to bar by itself forms the basis of a scalic or

Consider

a Basic Loop note line that

transposition

hear

of 1 makes those

number,

the

root,

so if the

the third

and the fifth pitches, or notes C, E, and G. If we first

tracks) the note value at position 1 now Scale. Value 3 now

hear

a note line

(along

with any notes on

based on a Tonic of C, and the Tonic

refers

triggers

to the third above that, and so on; so that

the fifth note of the

pattern

other

enabled

then shifts to 5,

current

1, 3, and 5 values now sound the pitches of the triad on 5. As a result, we transposition changes (in the

hear

Major

G

Major

to 7, it moves the pitches to the

Scale the

produced

diminished).

by values 1, 3, and 5. If the

Each

seventh

transposition

gives us a

triad

valid triad on 1, 3, and 5, and values 2, 4, 6, and 7, when and if they appear

When you disable playback of keys 1 they play in tracks

in the Note Editor, sound the passing tones of the pattern.

through

Transposer

7 let you make Tonic

enabled

for

transposing.

data, the

changes

Be sure you disable the

numeric

over all

keypad

patterns

as

26

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Transposer will find that bar. The

before

stored

spacebar

you try out

values

real-time

override

toggles the timing

transpos

ing.

Otherwise,

your input at the start of each

engine

that stops and starts play. You can stop and reset the whole Werk with the left at the same time default

value 1.

Both? Yes, the the data you see in the second display of the Patterns windows, and

2.

(+)Notes

- The word “added-note”, tone to one of the simple triads. The second specifies the encounters

a value of 8 in the Note Editor. It lets you add a pitch to the Scale triad different added

qualities of

to it (the second scale pitch) by transposition 1 stays the same, but the new bar has a the same Tonic triad with an Major experiment

Scale)

with this, you will notice that the seven possible (+)Notes follow (i.e. are shifted to through E-R-T-Y-U

7, but they

keys. If you are Werking within a say, modally, you can leave make a slow value 8, and using Tonic chordal

movement.

restoring

transposition

both

type we

operates

(+)Note

and is variable

maxWerk's

Scale step you

created

chords.

of 2 at the bar in

A Tonic 1

question.

added

wherever a pattern

match)

change

independently

(+)Notes

melody,

devoting a pattern

transpositions

forms

of scalic

describe

transposition

here

last derives from

Transposer

in

tandem

is

read

term

with Tonic

aloud as

for

adding a fourth

transposition:

“plus-note”

Transposer

hear

whenever

by values 1, 3, and 5 to

chord

might have a 9th

means

of a (+)Note

If the Tonic value in display

(+)Note

sixth (an A if

value

appears

value of 6, we hear

we're

at 8. When you first

the Tonics when you press keys 1

when you press the Q-W-

certain

scale, that is to

alone, or you can use them to

or pad to heavily

to highlight this

independent

you

arrow

key,

to their

and

or

chordal

display

maxWerk

fourth

create

using the C

feature

To

experiment

to

create

chord

audition you can

buttons

Tonic and

fine-tune combined right

corner

with

16-bar

transposition

in this window use the

control

of the main

transpositions,

(+)Note

the

behavior

changes

and window

Transposer

you can use the Patterns window

sequences

for modal

of the

button

window. Two

in bar dedicated

composing.

arpeggiator

labeled arp

graph

form.

arpeggiator

if you toggle the

settings

horizontal

Quick-

to

Note that

in the top

scroll

27

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buttons maxWerk is not in play, always cause the from

in the Patterns window

Arpeggiator

all four value sets. By

advance

mouse

to

means

clicks that

report

of a top of the Patterns window, you can editing by the

current

The

chord

Transposer. Arpeggiator entry diagram and

creating permission Mugglin

http://members.aol.com/chordmaps

repeat-entering

bar

onwards

map is a second Like the Patterns window, this one makes use of the

and contains specialized

buttons

of

that are active

chord

names

pleasing

from

the music

progressions.

at his website "Music

sixteen-bar

into the main displays.

composer's

whenever

is also an active

This

instructional

Theory

.

the

edit

the

repeat

spare

segments

locator, and when

change

combined

control

display values

information

switch

at the

yourself much hand

of

information

tool available in the

audition

buttons

as well as

maxWerk is not in play. Its

button

diagram

graphics

for

panel for

was a

presented

Songwriters",

exploring

dapted

by Steve found

from

by

at

You can work with the must make a mode menu choice at the top. If you select by shifting and the map along with

triads',

only the seven

triggers

(+)Notes that make sense musically in modal traditional

scale. When you select the second and scales', the triggering as

"home". and Keys progressions complex transposition pitches, (for

maxWerk)

combinations

The

remaining

mode,

in the

chords

mode allows for

because

variations

accomplished

chord

combinations

defaulted

map in

colored

either

chord

of two ways. First, you

of Tonics that sound scalic triads

to echo the Tonic.

composing

mode

colored

buttons

achieve the same result by

of Scales and Keys that use the

chord

buttons

become

so you can add complex

form

involve all four

of Tonic and

transposition

progressions

that use

by

non-scale

changes

(+)Note

that digress

in key, scale and (+)Note

'modally

buttons

These

are active,

are chords

and work in any

'by shifting keys

Major

scale

active in Scales

variations

changes.

to your

Some

types. This

from

scalic

notes can be easily

values over a fixed Tonic value of 1. In the Chord Map, as in the Patterns window, bottom you have

that use the

already

there

are rows of

Arpeggiator

entered

in the

audition

buttons

along the to let you review one by one chords current

16-bar

group.

Toggle

boxes

28

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

in both button the When

The main have mid-bar all four data types can be the effect. copied, changes beat 3 of a

The main labeled Transposer of bars, and then apply them can also save a entirety.

Transposer

mode

current

1-bar

Werk bar

looping is

Transposer

absence

Mid-bar

pasted,

begin at the middle beat of odd

5-count

Copy

& save

Transposer

copy/paste

information,

Be sure to give your saved Chord files

sub-windows

that disables the

repeating

disabled,

and the Patterns and Chord Map windows

change buttons.

entered

of

mid-bar

change

and

change

data is not

stored

along with the rest. You'll

Werk.

progressions

and

from

the Patterns window, where its

. Here you can select one or

copy a

transposit

ions-only

anywhere

you how many bars they cover!

enable

arpeggiator

1-bar

looping

and lets you

as long as you hold the

the

Arpeggiator

These

open a small window where

or

removed

works again.

at the

data the original bar data

graphically

Meters;

displayed,

for

window is accessible

sequence

of values for any

else in the

Transposer.

data file for later

names

buttons

hear

button

current

remains

hear

example,

more

import

that

, a

instead

down.

bar. In

but it is

mid-bar

from

the

button

types of

number

You

in its

remind

in

at

is

To focus on editing a key

command

to windows including the the

number

of bars you want to loop and any bar song. Keyed again, this and linear play is

particular

loop

bars or a

Transposer.

restored.

section of your Werk, you can use a

button

It brings up a dialog for

section-looping

maxWerk

status just below the Main Screen bar To

summarize lets you build music on refer

to the passing tones of the scales you use in your their key. You can changes

to the various

them consistently and

important

chords

arrive

forms

correctly

Transposer

that consist of up to four pitches and

at exotic

of

transposition,

on your MIDI

to do this

found

in several

entering

reports

starting

function

the

bar in the 128-

switches off

loop-bars

function

counter.

points, this maxWerk function

chord

sequences

patterns

by layering

and

without having to play

keyboard.

29

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

If all of this seems like a lot to stay on top of, let's outline the possibilities of transposing can

trigger alter looping patterns in play. To matching

(+)Note, 3-4-5-6-7 over two octaves on key when you press and the keys and the

Q-W-E-R-T-Y-U,

(+)Note transmitted

composing

from

the

arpeggiated

use the

purely by

computer's

feedback

numeric

in the top row. The

presses

release

these keys are the same. Press one of

which

transposes

by the press of a

number

trial-and-error,

QWERTY

keyboard.

using live scalic

Transposing if maxWerk is not playing, or it can trigger

keypad or the

Arpeggiator

and key

represent

independently

Tonic

sounds

releases,

only

transpositions

number

with a

keys

chordal

and the tones

(+)Notes 1 though

from

the last value

key.

1-2-

tones

7,

Release the

(+)Note

key, and the

(+)Note maxWerk applies to it a step value that the

transpose trigger Tonics chord patterns

(+)Notes

from

changes.

with the maxWerk is not playing, a Arpeggiator

The up and down the Global Main Screen always keeps you (+)Note,

Scale, and Key, and any Global Offset With the Scale by Because of the tight timing running,

we once to do a live sends note

function

from

the nu

disabled and

the

mber

You can also do this while listening to your

Transposer

if you don't want to

keyboard

Offset)

Transpose means

don't

by

half-steps,

function

of the

buttons

recommend

MIDI-driven

patterns,

it may as well

stored

Q-W-E-R-T-Y-U

keys, and make

disabled and maxWerk playing. When

toggling

hear

arrows

it.

shift the

and the lower left section of the

informed

disabled,

in the Scales window if you wish. required trying to

performance.

handle

you too.

defaults;

matches

data

keys just

harmonious

in

other

words,

the last Tonic. With

bypassed,

after

you can

you

trigger

arpeggiated

entered

key

command

Transposing

about

the

you can make

turns off the

current

amount

changes

Key (not

Tonic,

in effect.

to do this with maxWerk

manua

lly shift

everything

As long as maxWerk

Transposer

patterns

of

at

for

We have seen now that an you build songs in a of any or all whenever

transposition

you please, with any or all types taking effect at once. It

preme

underlying

ditated

principle of maxWerk is to let

or

serendipity-driven

combination

types, slipping in a new set of

changes

30

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

lets you deal Automute,

Notice that you can with the single key engages further sequencer fully

automated standard beginning you want.

Melody, and

Performance

changes,

can be told to activate

midifile. Alternatively, you can

at any bar

separately

enable

command

mode.

but it allows Noodle play.

play-through

number,

and

Improv

functions.

playback of all

or the Main Screen

This

of your Werk in

having

independently

shortcut

Performance

activated

stored

record

1.10 Melody

Composition with a melody line as with a progression. melody and structure discover melody-making Main Screen that Melody play. The Melody track draws Blocks. Each of these can into the main Editor, or you can build a Block

in the maxWerk

If you use the

transposition

that inspires

maxWerk's

behavior.

opening

environment

sequence

traditional

data that you

supporting

Melody

Editor is by walking

You will see by the status

the Melody window

originate

of looping notes or a chord

develop

Basic

Loops.

from

can begin just as easily

notes you

with

data types at once

effectively locks out any

maxWerk's

mode

order

a midifile manually

only the functions

songwriters'

first can

The best way to

automatically

up to five

from

a seed Phrase.

loop-making,

button-press

internal

and initiate a

as it

buttons

records

appro

provide

through

enables

four-bar

enter

on the

directly

that

ach,

some

a

You can seed Phrases in a window resolution Werk's before narrowed follow the tracks, and you can set each of the five Blocks to its own time base.

maxWerk key

command

note

hand-enter,

is set

Meter

transposing,

range

count per bar. Melody notes have a two

in the Melody Sound window. You can ask each Block to

Transposer

continuously

is

represented,

auto-generate,

opened

automatically

and the

or a Phrase window

range

or

remain

loops the last Block that you selected by a

entered

to

or key in one of five

through

16th-notes

covered

constant

button-press.

note values do not necessarily

the Melody Editor. Step

totaling twice your

-octave

after

transposing

relative to the

While a

two-bar

range

can be

two-octave

other

31

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

represent default, in that they initially any

transposing,

Transposer To

explore Before protecting are

marked

definitive pitches unless you disable Block

they

entering

behave

like the values in the Basic

represent

and their played pitches are

data or by

value-changing

Phrases, press a

any notes you will need to unlock the

block

lock

switch

starting

numbered

of the

Scale note positions without

determined

real-time

window-access

corresponding

transposing.

Loops'

key

presses.

Block.

Note Editor

with an L, and are located to the right of each Block in

by

button.

By

stored

data-

These

the main Melody Editor and also in the Phrase window. In the lower part of the Phrase window,

pitch

this

order

two-bar

direction

and

Phrase. maxWerk applies both copies of your Phrase and stores them Editor, where they

We will

describe

let’s look at

comprise a four-bar

these full Phrase

Phrase-making symbol --> --> in the first play in pitch tone you will see them representation

order

variation.

direction,

and == == in the second

Add some notes into the first bar of the Phrase, and

transfer

of the main Editor's display of the full Block, located just below the Phrase display and labeled note

pattern

appears

identically twice,

main Melody Editor that lies

play

chordal

pattern

tone

menus

offer

variation

pattern

sequentially

choices for

for the values in

types to two

in the main

Block.

treatments

shortly, but for now,

functions, letting stand the default

pattern

automatically

beneath

menu

to indicate no

into a small

block

reflecting

this window.

menu

meaning

non-editable

view. Your

the state of the

changes

no

two-bar

A set of

expand

Phrase with a

edit 2nd

, and

variation

pattern

bar

edit, the full Block imposed two

corresponding

By selecting superimpose two-bar pitch

patterns

of pitch

different

functions similar to

Phrases in the context of their Block. The

order

direction

buttons

labeled repeat, reverse

let you quickly fill the second bar of your

to the first. With every new Phrase

its values

order

direction

according

and

places to reflect your input.

play

pattern

menu

second-bar

appear

as follows:

to the

variation,

pitch

changing

order,

currently

items, you can

edits on the pair of

menu

choices for

in

32

--> -->

--> <-<-- <-<-- -->

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

To give an when bars 3 and 4 of the contrasting pre-existing "reversing" original step order

reverses

preserved The

menu

example,

pitch

the second

order

direction

edits. This

direction

sequence

option

is simply

but the original

for a melodically

for

chordal

tone

four-bar

is

function

found

pattern

more

useful result.

variation

menu

choice --> <--

Block

imposed is notably

in Basic

read

backwards.

of note

offers

repeat

the seed Phrase, a

and

layered

different

Loops,

durations

these choices:

== == == var var var var ==

When you choose the second == var, the symbol == tells you that the remain

as originally

entered

menu

item, for

example,

Phrase's

in the first half of the Block, bars 1 and

2. In Block View you will see that bars 3 and 4 have now Scale note positions…

means

that

over any

from

the

in which the

Here, the pitch

and rests is

which reads

chordal

changed,

tones

and

1-2-3-4-5-6-7

…are

inverted

to

1-6-5-4-3-2-7

…in the second and

harmonically

expression

compatible

of the Phrase This

alternate

figure swap along with their passing tones, while the seventh that this type of tonal any

steps

chordal

remain

alteration,

the same.

inversion

as does the

Another

notable

around a mid-point

function

invert on alt.

creates

a pleasing

as thirds and fifths

root,

fourths

difference

and any

here

does not result in

Loops

is

33

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

that is

Since we

among

brought

the Basic Loop Note Editor's options.

up the subject: when you use the similar function in the Note Editor by value set:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7

…changes

1-7-6-5-4-3-2

…on a mapped to Editor’s play definition

lternate

value

Melody's

of the

repetitions.

pattern

"variation"

"inversion"

term,

and

The two types of play because edit by hand the might wish to Since any display, you should touches favorite variation Block

Phrase and Block

resulting

remove

further

edits to Phrases will

engage

to Block displays last. You can use

Phrase

patterns,

before

and then

editor.

enabling

the invert alt.

loops checkbox,

to

Note the

and the one

function

that inverts

function

changes

patterns

work

information

sequences

follows the

difference

previously

chordal

between

illustrated.

tones, the Note

In

traditional

the triadic

together

is

chord

stored

expressed.

on the Phrase, and

separately,

in the full Block display. You

some notes in the last Block bar, for

refresh

an

unlocked

the Block lock switch and make finishing

experimenting

repeat

any

copy block

with new

needed

finish-work

to clone a

direction

the

this re-

contrast

musician's

you can

example.

Block

and

in the

When maxWerk

generates

Phrases, it

doesn't since Melody transposing does not need to While any you

hear with-Offsets, two octaves plus one step, at Scale step 5. Even when range, has

constrain

of pitches allowed for all Blocks by around

transposition-enabled

derive

from

the

Scales, and Tonics. Melody displays have a

which by

default

to

scale

steps

points.

combined

beginning

transposed,

is

maximized.

settings that let you

Block is in play, the

pitch-determining

and

topping

Melodies

The Melody Sound window

adjusting

upper

provide

reference

for value 8,

(+)Notes.

pattern

notes

data of Keys-

range

out with the pitch

do not exceed this

narrow

the

range

and lower wrap-

of

34

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The Phrase four levels of complexity on a press of the creative in the main Melody Editor window are

generator

assistant and some

menu

offers

more

new

Block outp

starting

described

generate button.

ut-modifying

in Part II.

1.11 The Block Map

You can described on

different Phrase. While a Block is up to four bars long, you any Block all the way bars of the Block. In fact, you can consisting of versatility is possible you play any Block starting

create

above,

at any bar in the Werk.

up to five

and you can build each on a

combinat

portions

from

different ions of through,

read

because

patterns

from

its

beginning

four-bar

applied to copies of the same

or even have note data

create

the start of each of five Blocks. This

you can make a

(and

melodies

a melody using a

block

only

patterns

in the

different

don't

present

map that lets

from

its

at one of

This

features

manner

Phrase or

have to play

in all

pattern

beginning),

A Block's Map, which looks like yet values is Block with every a Block value 0, the Blocks. When the same Block four bars in a row, that Block will when a Block's value hear played and half of the next different is silence while the empty steps pass.

Melody Blocks can be Phrases, and Melody Sound windows. To preview Part II: velocities can each aftertouch. Block that let you disable harmony for the delay of all

number from 1 through

another

stored

only one of its

Block. If part of a Block in play has no

half-bar,

lines.

and

subsequently

changed

regardless

changes

and

The main Melody window has

there

There

harmony

value, and silences Melody when

of the lengths of the

combined

further

randomly

are options for

are also settings for octave

lines by

5 can be

bar

graph.

enabled,

number

repeat

after

before

transposing

three

direction

new notes are

embellished

walk within a

16th-note

stored

When a set of Block

maxWerk

is

entered

from

bars, for

and

automatic

or add various kinds of

the

inversion

entered

in the main Editor,

range

checkboxes

steps.

at each bar of the

triggers

patterns

for

beginning;

example,

read

notes,

information

you can set for

modulation

adjustments

a new

there

stored

more

you will

patterns

from

there

from

for each

is

in

than

but

or

and

a

35

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1.12 Improv

To

round

one

more and whose looks for can select up to four existing Basic Loops These be ones new sections of source applies Without asking your tune combination busier menu setting, you can stretch these over more

generated

after a certain

out this

specialty track whose settings

output

inspiration

sources

dedicated

different patterns, Melody-style

of

source

moderate

introductory

is

recorded

to your choices

may be

to

Improv.

phrases

step lengths

and

assembles

treatments

opinion,

number

direction

patterns,

and

relaxed

description

in midifiles.

important

Improv

or fills.

Improv

of bars you can set, filtering it

and

inversion

Improv

lines.

become

maxWerk's

from

motifs in your Werk, or they may

For

beginning

these into a new

to

develop

plays livelier tunes. Using the

source

can

combine

each new musical idea, it picks

indefatigably

functions.

additional

of

features,

menus, where you

and/or

from

and resolve the

we'll

part of a Werk file

Improv player

Melody Phrases.

them with default

the starts of its

phrase. composes When you select

bars to

describe

It then

material.

a new

through

style

produce

a

Once stereo impose a start options similar to those of companion

With and silence them for you at selected points for midifile. The setting for in/out bar oriented Improv's discontinue it holds its last note a little insight as to how about Melody track,

enabled,

field.

Automute

note

the similar, but relatively

by

default

Improv

while you try out

patterns

Improv

under

has a

delay

active, maxWerk can

window. However,

manually

Improv

"More

Improv

resolution

in 32nd note

other

will be. Alternatively, you can start up and

before

works and its

Melodizing"

chord

pops up

of

increme

tracks make

progressions

trigger

numbers

there

during

recording;

dropping

more

wherever

sixteenth

a section of

is no telling exactly what

out

other

predictable

in Part II of this Guide.

notes, and you can

nts. Several

Improv

or simply

is in the

on being dismissed,

gracefully.

parameters

it pleases in the

more

an

interesting

noodle.

Improv

recording

performance-

Get

by

and

play

bars

to a

more

reading

obedient

36

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1.13 Noodle

You may enjoy playing and with your Werk. A MIDI reserved phatWerk

In the live playing stand out amid the sound of your you have a MIDI keys. One is a menu shift

parameter and your Werk file setting

input Auto-modulation

to any NRPN option to invert the values it sends for fun and variety.

for this

settings.

Noodle

setting to

found

.

depth

controllers

you like as each new note is played. One of several GS

purpose,

More

window

controller

general

adjust

is the same one you see in Note and Drum Editors,

remembers

in the Noodle window only to

sends a

can also auto

recording

device/channel

complete

about

there

note

input

phatWerk

are two

keyboard

velocity adjustment,

MIDI by an octave shift. The octave

its last setting.

ramp

of mod wheel or

-modulate

your

parameters

controller

through

with basic

is coming up in Part II.

or are simply using

controller

that can help your

other

There

double

your

and

aftertouch

noodles,

keyboard

the

program

and GS

tracks,

computer

another

is a

companion

octaves

along

is

whether

is a

on

values

with an

1.14 Werksync

This the Werksync can messages second Werk sets up the slave to data, and you can slaved Werk has full

If to discover the many

collaborators'

enable

that are

maxWerking

you've

made

aid

deserves a heading

button

sending MIDI beat clock along with

it

in the lower section of the Noodle window, you

understood

computer

remotely

normal

through

more

of its own. By activating

continuous

as

transposition

setup. A reset

ignore

the Guide this far, you may be

features

its own

set the

control

tempo

"go-to"

when the

of maxWerk

bar. The

master

commands

from

map and

covered

your

operator

is not in play.

controller

by a

master

transposer

of a

interested

in Part II.

37

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II. maxWerk In Depth

We have seen that

Loops

three

Noodle

sixteen MIDI Idea layer that you can mix in with any track to make Werkmusic.

can play

special-purpose

track for

channels'

maxWerk's

patterns accompanying

up to four bars long. Add to these the

tracks -

worth of

Melody, automatic

eleven Basic

live play, and maxWerk gives you

creative

Loops

engines.

and two Drum

Improv, and the

There

is a bonus

2.1 Main Settings

After you have getting automatically the instrument

auto-thru

I,

from change incoming instrument/channel

started

upper

the

the MIDI

left section of the Main Screen shows the

chec

notes and

customized with maxWerk, you'll find the thru MIDI

switching as you move

and MIDI

kbox

MIDI-thru heading

channel.

is

target,

other

last edited or selected for thru play.

Global Setup and Noodle settings upon

between

Switching takes place

enabled

and if you disable the

information

by

default.

in the

menubar

remain

tracks. An

As we have seen in Part

directed

destination

indicator

current

because

you can manually

auto-thru

to the track

target

checkbox,

in

the

On the Main Screen, the KB map of those who one of two window. Both allow very

chords & scales

pitches of the adjusted starting keys above the split point for melodic lead line playing while you trigger keys in the remove scale step

on C, and the black keys are silent. You can use the white

Tonic

those

aren't

note

by any Global

transposing

left-hand

(+)Notes

accomplished

mapping

is

selected,

currently

group

triggered

non-traditional

selected Key and Scale, having been

Offset(s),

from

trigger

when they are

checkbox appears

keyboardists.

modes chosen in the Global Setup

keyboarding

above an

lock to the set of white keys

the

remaining

(+)Notes

by black keys are 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

adjustable

released.

Checked, it enables

white keys. The black

as you press

for the benefit

behavior.

split point the

Starting at C#, the

When

them,

and

38

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When maxWerk is not in play and the presses chordal remove Tonic value when you

When you select the

shifts

apply. chromatic

and

tone sets. The

their

releases

changed

of the left hand keys

(+)Note-triggering

chordal

release

keyboard

values and

them.

mapping

in the Global Setup window, the

Instead,

transpositions

maxWerk

enables

that are suitable for

The two lower letter rows of your are always in polyphonic MIDI note entry cover two and a half Scale, so that you can use the keyboard.

They

respond

adjustable

program

to the octave

Arpeggiator

trigger

black keys,

all

controller

restore

mode

stored

the

called

split point does not

keys to make simple

certain

computer's

mode

QWERTY

in

octaves of notes in the

without a MIDI

adjustment Noodle and Note Editor windows, and they are not MIDI

keyboard

split point.

is

enabled,

both

two-octave

however,

(+)Note

to the

global

musical styles.

keyboard

maxWerk.

They

current

controller

found

affected

in the

by the

key

When tracks and see their status by Screen.

Automute

Mute

and

is

disabled,

solo

you can selectively mute

means

switches

of the blue LED's on the Main

for the track you are editing are

and

enable

also in the lower section of the Note and Drum Editor windows. Notice that soloing in an Editor window automuting volume knobs on the Main Screen these

controls

You will see the green

when you that any the

Tempos button

window

values

transmitted bar. When you take maxWerk out of Tempo tempo

is according event timing for file

of the track. The positions you set for the pan and

become

automatically

Tempo

tempo-setting

enable Performance

map saved with the Werk is now in effect. Pressing

reset and when you save your Werk.

slider

change

mode.

next to the slider brings up the

. Here you can store

to

maxWerk's

changes

timing

Performance

Map out of service. While midifiles are being

temporarily

to a Global Setup

set to a

constant

60 or 120 beats per minute

parameter,

export.

temporarily

the

default

color

This

from

reminder

Tempo

to the

engine

beats-per-minute

with each passing

mode,

for the sake of

overrides

values when

reddish

to

tells you

Map

it takes the

prepared,

accurate

39

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2.2 Patch Changes

GS

patch

name and the two Drum and Noodle windows. A window. When a track is globally bears button opens lets you which may include one or

For window of sixteen GS general specific to the model of Roland GS Setup window. Across the maps for the there combinations the name for the later version of the sound has been used. For cross-reference,

Tone

and back

labels on the Main Screen for each of the eleven Basic Loops

tracks globally set up for GS use, the patch

variation

names selected for your Werk

Loops,

the label GS

is labeled program

enable

instrument

are some

of bank and

through

bank/varia. For

the

patch

2.3 User Scales

We have seen how various are available for Transposer Transposer

edit

user scale

Scale for your Werk by pitches Scale

Because the musical interval transpositions Phrases, and created on the Scales pentatonic Scale, and simply avoid the use of steps 4 and 7 when you step

information

patterns

is not

calls on one of the

from

harmonies,

Scales may

the set of twelve. maxWerk calls on the Werk's User

music, you can start

and when you

audition

overriding

button

at every

structure

if you make

of the Tonic, any

Improv

produce

numbered 1 through

scales

in the Scales window so long as the

lets you

auditioning

stored

patterns

transpose

, also called

your setting, and how the

stored

compare,

Transposer

of maxWerk

chordal

generated

which

more

7. Note too that in

from

scale sets at each bar. An

enter,

and

dissonances

either a Major

entering

changes

refer

Tonics or

modes

and store a custom

Scale value of 0.

depends

note pa

to

unusual than those based

(+)Notes.

or pitch sets,

seven

upon triadic

based simply on

tterns,

order

or

Natural-Minor

enabled

chromatic

or

to make

Melody

user-

create

2.4 Loop Magic 1

As

you've vertical bar a

repeating mouse. in the Drum Editor, and one in each of the Control and Bend windows.

Resetting note data to groups of bars or step windows section, each of the reflects the routings

seen, the displays

graphs

fashion,

There

for

convenience,

there

presence

and velocities. Use the clear all 3

that

represent

into which you can place values with the

are four such

default

resolution.

is a clear all

three

of settings for that line, and

referred

editable

values is

and this does not affect the loop's

At the top right

notes button.

lines has its own

to

data

displays in the Note Editor, two

throughout

patterns

differentiated

corner

In the Offset Note Lines

clear-button

offsets button

read

this Guide are

sequentially

by

parameter

of the loop editing

whose color

others

to reset all

to

in

number

restore

41

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the

default

values of all at once. A right window section serves to how you graphics.

hear

the displayed

Initializing is

therefore a three-step

play-defaults button

restore

patterns,

all the settings that

but it does not

process.

in the lower

determine

change

the

The Note Editor located along the top of the Note Editor window or rectangular

section

resolution independently

into their allotted time steps bar). 32nds, Meter, practice or

Whenever

loop

menu

is a multiple of the

The multiples listed in the steps

and in most

for

example,

making loops, it

count-multiple

you

length

, maxWerk resizes the four displays to the new total multiplied by a steps per loop. The assign make a note adding

number

pattern,

bars or

functions

nearest

Meters

14, 28, and 21 steps

you need for a

change

the

number

of bars

default

detailed below have settings that are

the

for each loop, and the

correctly

bottom.

You can set

program

so long as your choice

Meter

(the

menu

number

include

triplets, allowing in the case of

respectively.

becomes

parameters

easy to

particular

for

anticipate

effect.

either

step

of steps; that is to say, step

from

size is a

one to

one-bar

four,

up to a limit of 128

loop of 16 steps. If you

of steps and bar length to a loop, then

and

doubling

afterwards

the step

decide to

resolution,

lengthen

the existing bar

framed

in the

step

fits steps from

the

of counts per

sixteenths,

7-count

After a little

the

resolution

or

accommodate

resolution

proceed

to

the loop by

graph data shifts to the left, leaving some empty space to show the extra room loop by of the and

created

reducing

entered

disappear.

for

more.

the

values

If you

number

towards

reduce

of bars or halving its

the

number

of steps in the

resolution,

the end of the loop will be

some

truncated

The

button

length and step

that

reads

<-expand

number

menus

pattern->

, located next to the loop

at the top of the Note Editor window, opens a window that includes some of features. loop steps without You can patterns

Here are options for dealing with an

double

using the

disturbing existing note, velocity, octave, and wrap step

stretch function,

the

patter

ns you have

or you can

maxWerk's

increased

number

already

automatically

handiest

of

entered.

enter

42

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repeats

series' one the uniform time careful

You can adjust the horizontal contents number default.

of the

function

bar.)

how you

You can

pattern

in the

overwrite

interval

order

to fill

added

generator

or build a

edits

operations,

starting

display

rotator

buttons

in time without revising

and leave the start mode menu set to the on every

The second

menu

item begin playing the loop one step repetition. against a as Control and Bend starting unpredictable whatever of several musically useful note the

segments)

pattern choose the second or third is reset to 1. The into any of the above start occasional

You might set a

straightforwardly

steps, you can

the

and

number

interesting.

in the first loop bar. This has the effect of shifting

unpredictably

three

stuttered

note-starts.

percussive

repeating

patterns

contrive

When you choose random starts,

of bars, maxWerk starts each loop

Meter

in

relation

menu

remaining

modes

bars. (Use the

panel to

copy-paste

pattern

menu-and-button

so you

step

don't

for any loop by using the

if you want to

entered

rotating

further

data. To do so, set a step

starts tells maxWerk to

into the

sound to

Drum

have

interactions

counts

to your

Loop.

independently

between

(ones

other

items, the

menu

items let you

some random

editor's

patterns

from

scratch using

interface.

lose

entered

re-align

pattern

rotate

the loop's

with each

its start point

Since Note as well

adjustable

them that are

that mark

tracks. When you

starting

step displayed

incorporate

ratchets,

'repeat

within

data!

loop

from

one

quarter-

a

Be

or

In the lower

forward, alt-scrambles

area

backward

setting follows the original note plays loops in the bar it excluding the notes and rests order. particularly

re-shuffles

independent

remains

This setting can

with included in your menu

inward.

items are random and the

This one is followed by an alt

of the Note Editor, the

, and reversing

forward

the pitches

direction,

triggered

but at the start of every second

value 8. In

the same, but the original pitches

three-bar

pattern

produce

loops,

and the

a variety of

depending

durations

direction

accomplish

menu settings

the obvious. The

duration

by values 1

other

words, the

interesting

on the step values

of notes.

interestingly

More

repeating

ends-in variation,

pattern

through

rhythm

change

results,

direction

ends-

which is

and

7, of

43

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useful for that also

Next to the makes four principal options and six Loops' the

menu.

so they are

Play

new note with each value. This is the most for the notes different the chosen step length if the In this mode, of the loop without any You can make a

doubling

alternates

direction

behavior.

They

described

changes

the length of a loop, and a rdm

with

normal

menu,

passes.

the

Five selections have

interact

with the settings of the

together.

The

mode - maxWerk sends a

changed

"normal"

entered

in the displays,

note lengths as well as rests.

default

repeating

note values that wrap

transposition

persistent

drone

ends-in

note

triggering

variations

available for Basic

quick-access

gate

modes

of

triggering

note-off

step value or Tonic

sounding

monophonic

because

These

are all multiples of

it can

gate time setting

around

sustain without

sound by

entering

variation

modes menu

buttons

above

times slider,

are:

and

triggers

transposition

play mode

produce

(off)

is used.

to the start

retriggering.

a single value across your loop without any rests and disabling the "transpose" 'off'

for gate times are being randomizing. mode

and s

function. Leave the gate times slider set to its default

normal

horten

play-changes

imposed,

These

effects mask the tied notes in

the

durations

mode. A reddish

and the

of

single-step

green

slider indicates that

setting indicates

play-changes

notes.

a

Play all

steps

mode - maxWerk sends a

note-off new note with each step that is not a rest. Step as the setting, which is steps and decrease the available gate left setting turns it

Sustain

value 0 or the end of the loop, are cut off track. When you pick this

number

mode

produce

step

groups

of included rests

particularly

greatly

good for

affects the result of this

rhythmic

works well with gate times, for they affect all steps

staccato

durations.

patterns.

The fewer loop steps

resolution

green

and

Shorten

the gate times setting to

there

will be as shown by the slider. A full

produces

randomized

mode - new notes are held until the next note

after

the

duration

mode,

whichever

of any

sustain-on-mute

the gate times slider turns gray

occurs first.

and

triggers

resolution

figures.

are, the finer

gate

Then

set for the

a

as well

Play-all-

times.

they

44

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and

Random

Alt1 and alt2

on the principle of selectively tones. On last played triadic tone at each passing tone, passing tones while scale steps 2, 4, 6, or 7, pitches that are not part of a triadic chord built on the Tonic note value 1. The effect of alt1

changes

tones is that a musical and then The unfiltered step

automatically good for pads and special effects. Be Note Lines increase (notes times with the

at each step values. The timing of pitch there

is variety in the

difference

pattern

(described

the

that can sound at

retrig - maxWerk follows all pitch

alternating

, and alt1 random on any loop that contains passing

alternated figure

of notes that does not

moves to the

below) in this

demands

remaining

whether

notefilters

preserving

in the alt2

first. Obviously, these

on your sound

once).

modes

to sustain or

rhythm

- The last six

loops, maxWerk

statement

with, a

notefilter

gate-off

described

pattern

triggering

the basic

response

Experiment

in

chordal

set is that maxWerk plays the

already

position

careful

mode,

re-trigger

changes

of the notes.

menu

substitutes

figure.

with

modes

about

for they can greatly

module

with various gate

below!

changes

is

choices are based

passing or

thereby

Passing tones are

tones is followed by,

added

can't

include passing tones.

. This

adding

for

repeating

preserved,

or sustains the

all-steps

passing tones.

enhance

mode

Offset

polyphony

but decides

note

but

non-chordal

ignoring

any

, alt1

any

is

2.5 Loop Magic 2

To be with pitches of any through whatever trigger and their pitches wrap always maxWerk as a maxWerk

thorough,

added

Scale notes in the various

triggers

detail. The

8 in

patterns,

the value in the velocity display below. Values 1

triggers

we'll revisit

seven-step

a value of 0 (a

around

the

independently

(+)Note

the

current

explanations

notes

Scale. When you

. With a

display

modes

as you transpose the Scale. Value 8

transposable

transposition

Tonic as

of the

has values that

arrange

rest)

though

always causes silence,

of play

the step with value 8

pattern

these values 0

described

note,

of 1 set for value 8,

referred

graphics

represent

through

above,

to in

7

45

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has a value of 1. A checkbox at the you

defeat to disable shifts if you have a track

The Drum Editor n scheme percussion number allow for arrow presses causes a single

The

velocities

seven

all

forms

transposing

of

transposition

in

order

dedicated

otes

display

that works well for GS

instruments.

Each of the two Drum Loops saves a note

offset that can be useful in

differenc

test buttons

to locate

randomized

es in

percussion

to the right of the display let you use

desired

drum

display

kit notes by

sound to

has nine values that

values within

to

repeat

bottom

for a Basic

of the Note Editor lets

Loop.

produce a drone,

to a

percussive

by

default

drum

normal

sound

sound.

in

triggers

kits and many

(non-GS)

modules.

Holding

eighth-note

represent:

groups

of sixteen, and a

You may wish

or to avoid pitch

sound.

notes

MIDI

35-68,

other

Mode

MIDI

The vertical-

repeated

either

button

time.

0 (a

rest),

constant

to

value of 127. Velocity values of 0 cause silence even when they are coincident and they hold for no

with the start of a new note. Drum notes can't be tied,

more

than a full step's

duration.

a

The

octaves

notes,

covering values of the wrap allowable Scale pitch the

designated step. Values octave below. You can use wrap step settings in Offset Note Lines inversion your Werk’s

display

the full

octave; i.e. the octave

transposed

has nine available values to pair with

steps

after

range

display

the effect of

of MIDI note

below it

determine

transposing

wrap-around

numbers.

that will sound in

point for each

above the wrap step will sound in the

conjunction

(described

in the next

section)

to

fine-tune

effects as a finishing touch once you have

transposition

patterns.

For

randomized

unpredictable

entered

The nine

the highest

with

chord

established

octave shifting at each bar, use value 0 wrap steps. To have the wrap step follow step values take effect global

changes

Between the velocity and octave displays

switch

menu

for each track. Pan and volume setting knobs, as we earlier,

are on the Main Screen panel beside the track

changing

(+)Notes,

together

with

use value 8. Note that wrap

changes

of Key or the Global Offset map.

(control

65) and a

portamento

in octave, and

there

is a

time slider

buttons.

before

portamento

(control

5)

mentioned

46

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There displays that let you horizontal

are sets of

step

arrow-buttons

rotate

rotator

their

buttons

above and beside the Note Editor

contents

have a values in all four displays at once (the The vertical velocities of 0, so that rests Instead, among

notes and

values 1

mask value 0) also Under the four bar

there These method

is a field of settings labeled

let you build a loop in several ways

of clicking directly on the displays and as you listen to the result. You can with a

pattern

generated

type

your liking, a rests for your of

accompanying

data

remains interesting can have new ascending range

of

random-value

value

rotator

buttons

already

note-producing

through

8. Similar value

appear

graph

displays on the right side of the window

in the Control and Bend windows.

velocities

generate

jump-start

idea. After you choose

menu and adjust the

button

consideration.

press fills the loop with a

You can

note

velocities for existing notes. Octave and wrap step

unchanged

through

both of these

dynamics when the loop is in

and

independently

descending

groups

generated

stair-step

.

one step at a time. The

menu

default)

letting you shift

or just one at a time.

do not affect notes and

entered

rotator

from

density

generate

play-all-steps

are not

greater

buttons

notes

other

and

than the direct

amending

the

creative

the

menu setting to

pattern

alternative

procedures.

disturbed.

than 0

(that

rotate

do not

velocities

your edits

process

accompanying

of notes and

patterns

To lend

mode,

you

velocities appear

patterns,

covering

the full

.

in

As an styling and to

conveniently steps. maxWerk step 1 to fill the

There displays that this by having maxWerk velocity steps in

alternative

arpeggiation,

approach

enter

to loop making for lovers of techno

you can use the

patterns

automatically

through a dialog-entered

pattern

are four

without

menu

together

changing

settings located

set up

patterns

randomly

synchrony

each time a

of notes, velocities, octaves, or wrap

copies

entered

number,

the

accompanying

between

to

swap two adjacent note and

passes, while octave and wrap step data can

hear

these

mutation

swaps, but you won't see them

repeat

values

and

repeat-e

the note and velocity

mutate

certain

remains

a series

beginning

buttons

with

nters the set

data types.

. They accomplish

number

unchanged.

of bars

reflected

You

in

47

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

the displays. You can have every four bars via the tells

mutation-enabled after a certain track's mutating new

mutate

counts the

mutations, loop is set for mutating hear

does not exceed the

the

intended end of the pattern

data at the rate of one

number

function

you might

half-timed

mutation

are not affected by Automutes

At the of

bottom

menus selectable to the step Automute in

16th-note on-mute

to

gradually

of the Note Editor is a field of play

and

checkboxes.

number

resolution.

to switch off that part following a delay setting

durations.

setting of 2 has the effect of cutting off the last note one

count into the following

mutation

loops to go back to their original play

of bars. Make

in the remaining two

number

effect. Two

control

automuting,

introduce

of steps, the

The

For

muted

mutations

occur once every bar to once

control

menu. The revert menu

in/out

bar

settings

menus.

of bars, not loop

double

the

enabled

repetitions,

section length if the

play. Be sure too that the

frequency

alternative

menu

let you add in or

additional

of

reverting,

mutating

step-set

drop

per bar. but these are effective used with a loop or "devolve" its

controls

Steps

16ths

example,

delay

shifts the loop's onset by a

duration

sustain

muting

of which varies

on mute menu directs

a track with a sustain-

bar.

pattern

for this

Since

pattern-

between

frequency

or you won't

styles

out

at the

(mask)

Mutations

pattern.

comprised

according

measured

of

The

velocities

that can cycle

create

enabled,

note steps, so that you can

menu, normal by

changing

velocity step

effects with each loop

numbers

create a variable

default,

increment

offers

note-gating including velocity values of 0. The selection to increments around selection, these

The

pitch

inverts a subset of scale notes on for 1-7 up 2 causes triadic tones rotate

within their tone type, but values 7 and 8

all values

from

rotate

greater

8 to 1. Used

functions

are most effective in

menu shuffles pitches

than 0 with each pass,

separately

or

combined

play-all-steps

harmoniously. alternate 1-3-5

loop passes. The option

and passing tones

remain

velocity

repetition.

treatments

With

by one relative to

effect by

rotate

wrapping

velocities

them

via the 2 ways

mode.

flip

2-6

2-4-6

unchanged.

to

48

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A setting for the side of the play Automutes automatically set one bar However, once you have done this you can set individually by track in the Note Editor. At the end bar for a Basic Loop, You can apply with Automutes

The chordal playing. You can obtain effectively for function remains

maxWerk

delayed

window, to bring your Werk to a pleasing close.

transpose

changes

so that the

unchanged.

end

bar is next in line as we move

parameters

window

stops playing all tracks, and for

number

converts

coordinated

muting

menu

non-pitched instrument

determines

there

and an extra bar of play set globally in the

enables

driven by

defaulted

panel. A similar end bar setting in the

the point

that

all

pattern

end bar settings,

maxWerk's

droning

triggers

notes to the

loop

transposing

notes and use Basic Loops

state of

stored

patterns

transposition

after

convenience

ending

current

perhaps

by

data or by your live

if you disable this

toward

which maxWerk

behavior

earlier

in

default,

the right

you can globally.

end bars

tonic value.

combination

allowing

for the loop

The third processing whatever of 1 1 0 2 3 4 5 5 remain response exploit this as a pitch maxWerk's will

emanate

The track name subsequently panels, in and in the

transpose-menu

on

alternate

their play

unchanged.

to

transpositions

feature

rotating

options to defy analysis! If you use it along with

general

from

appear maxWerk's Leadsheet.

option

repetitions

direction.

becomes

This has the effect of

if it pleases your ear.

transposing

this track on every

button

lets you

the Editor window, on the Main Screen track

various

2.6 Step-Split Tracks

alt-loop

to Scale pitches 2 thru 7,

For

example,

1 1 0 7 6 5 4 4. Values 1 and 8

during

indicator

alternate

capabilities, interesting

other

enter

labels, in

inversions

a note and rest

changing

loops, and you can

Layer

loop.

up to 12

this

characters,

loop-copy

applies its

the

function

dissonances

pattern

chordal

with

which

menus,

maxWerk makes it easy to from

overlapping

patterns,

create

filling the empty spaces that are always

an overly dense

texture

of notes

49

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

necessary function values in the note across a selected set of pattern that's

already separate selected by note approach separate as we have seen, these are

Using

step-split, pattern changes step data that effectively you can

Use the window. any except the

to give

interesting

lets you direct individual scale steps of a single

graphic

you are

target

in the

normal

entered.

manner,

In a

conventional

out sets of notes into individual tracks, but they must be

to pitch

original

name

management,

pattern

or MIDI note

chordal

constant

you can give each scale step or set of steps in a

its

unique

and

sound and style, which will follow it

through

the effect of octave data

creates chordal

explore

split

There

tonal

button

is a

source;

hocketing

to access

menu

for each scale step.

that is, any but the one you are editing. Any scale step can be only in the the note corresponding filtered if you

enter

source

graphic

(replaced

loop. Once setup is

after

notes to

by

rests)

enabling

appear

according

into the following values into the

definition

to a mix. The

step-split

pattern

editing)

tracks. They will

or you can

number.

maxWerk can

separately

enter

re-dir

linear

sequencer

Thanks

offer

or in

as you make a

ect a

source

to its scalic

you a way to

steps by their tone qualities, and

through

chord

transpositions.

through

within note

target

track menus in the step-split

combined

inversions.

patterns.

Target

In

with wrap-

other

tracks may be

currently

excluded

in all

so that if

complete,

the split

destination

entered,

edits you make to

function

loops, allowed or

to your setup. As an

source

note

graphic:

example,

(the

groups

motif

you can

chord

words,

it plays

cause

1 1 1 0 3 3 2 5 5 0 5 4 3 3 2 0

…a loop that you have

designated

to be the player only of thirds

relative to the root will play and display, upon calling up its

0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0.

To

investigate

first

experiment

passing tones to

the

usefulness

by

sending

of

chordal

another. A step-split

step-split

loop

groups,

tones to one type of sound and

audition

subgroup

editor:

you might

of

50

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

setup-enabled function's handy even if you

Step-split track values parameters, add

more track, patch, and fragmentary imparted together original in any way to be part of the set.

When you target bars and steps in the setup window split is finished your Werk file, but activate it at any time avoid losing further original mouse-edit to

restore toggling behavior once. cleared and have disabled it, you can

status. It always reflects the

its cohesive

they

loops' note

enabled.

entering

edits only if the

editor

the if you want to clear and

Other

loops are not

Basic Loops is always available,

aren't

are dealt with

notes and Offset Note Lines, and you can make

controller

pattern

comprise a "meta-part".

enable

button

earlier

window or as a saved Basic Loop file. Making any

to the

their

function

types of

the split

graphics

Disable it by clicking the LED when you have

your pa

remains

source

filtered

using the

other

through

settings to lend

bits. Your original note

element

function,

and sizes them to match the available

source. A status

in the note

ttern.

in the setup window so that you can re-

during

work, be

source

loop's note

patterns.

button,

editor

affected.

step-split

than notes, as well as all

their

to the track

editor

The split setup is not

your

data and

After you are

re-use

composing

careful

pattern

graphic

By making a setup and simply

you can take

re-size a subgroup

the

regardless

current

respective

You can optionally

maxWerk always clears the

LED

window lights red when step-

to

is still available,

parameter

source

setup, and this can be

function

interest

immediately

re-activate

will cause

through

in your Werk.

editors.

to the

pattern

subgroup,

remembered

session. In

the setup for

either

target

advantage

of loops all at

settings in split-

using step-split

loop

normally.

of the

other

will have

adapt

below the

loop

You can

other

resulting

so that

the

order

in its

tracks

of this

in

to

2.7

You can add settings for each one to graphically interest line gives you an endless supply of new ideas for

Offset

value to any

Note Lines

offset

entered

note

create

notes.

form

lines

of music. The randomize

A, B,

various kinds of

These

and

counterpoint

C in the Note Editor, with

differences

patterns

button

consideration

add major

from

for each

the

51

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

within random

conservative

note

retriggering

delay and octave limits, initially using the

mode.

Once you add a note line, it uses the loop's gate time setting, but by can

route Offset Note Line is selected in its destination decorative motifs. At the

audition

loop in various ways: soloed, with a context of sure the the as automute last

audition

Parameters

its notes to any Basic

controlled

and

patterns

bottom

menu with

subgroup

automutes.

edit-audition

obey

Automute

of tracks as

auto

or

of the Offset Lines

associated

If you can't

setting allows for it!

automuted button

window on a

setting

made

for Offset Note Lines are as follows:

Loop's

by the

menu.

source

contrasting

shortcut

together

defined

has a

double-click--and

for each loop.

means

automute

These

let you

sonic

with one

in the

hear

hidden

of its thru part menu you

MIDI

a red

device/channel.

pattern

two

matrices

create

treatments

parameter

buttons

lets you

other

step-split

irected

For

editing

function--it

maxWerk

Each

of the track

for MIDI

interdependent

of parallel

panel an

edit-

hear

track,

together

setup, or in the

offset line, be

convenience

opens the

remembers

the

Line

original or a from choose for you note.

A, labeled “triadic”, can be set to sound in unison with the

constant

the

intervals

among

Another

Line A intervals interval as the offset the line can not

among

planning You can shift all

adjustment

interesting louder

than the steps, and choose additional

change

the

randomizer

to include value 8's when you

three

. A

velocity

effects

ranging

original.

from

note line to use

third or fifth

menu. A

these

from

each new note, so that the

with each bar. This

choices,

apart,

according

“random” harmonizing menu

item applies the active (+)Note

(+)Note

because

enter

to your selection

selection lets maxWerk

intervals with each new

menu

it calls for

primary

loop notes.

Offset Note Lines by an up or down

adjustment

from

You can set a

three

play

because

is available that lets you

faint echoes to

delay

of any

patterns

number

modes. Line A is the easiest

it

never

sounds

dissonant.

character

selection is

advance

octave

create

that are

of loop

of

52

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

You can assign transposition octaves relative to the original and adjust velocities. You can delayLine Line B intervals offset dissonances: before seventh

Line

chromatic transposing Line C’s tonics, fifths and Experiment also can be

Note that the choices of as Lines B and C base note values which is to sound This is useful for offset

C, labeled “

B by any

pattern

pitch is offset. Step 4 pitches

notes.

interval relative to the original notes, instead of

randomizer

Line

value

menu

of notes that does not by itself cause any

scale steps 2

chromatic

by a

with delayed

certain

(+)Notes, other

B, labeled “

different

number

item inv

conservatively

chromatic

by steps. It has no pitch

secondary

arpeggios

from

of steps, as you can Line A. The last

”, lets you

Scale step. This one is for the

but of

“unison”

note lines identical to the

scalic

the

original,

affords

through

unchanged

transpose

course

steps for

for Line A's base note value and 1

produce

that feature an

”, a base

and you can shift it by

an

interesting

6 are

sticks to a choice

you can

inverted,

dissonant

inversion

the same effect in all,

scale-step

contrast

i.e. flipped,

along with tonic and

the note line by any

adventurous!

change

interplay

the setting.

effects. Line C

option.

primary

of lines.

Tonic

to the

between

one.

You can minimize velocities of the original note line so that the displayed pattern bear three menu and C let you set any pair of Lines to

enable

is in effect

in mind the

lines may be set to play on items

prefixed

one, two, or all

merely a template

polyphon

alt1 and alt2 and the similar play settings for B

y limitations of your sound

three

Offset Note Lines. You can

for the

alternate

trade

others,

repetitions.

off on loop passes.

as long as you

module.

Line A's

All

2.8 Keyboard Entry

For

some, combination invaluable and would like to

keyboard

command

auditioning

with

randomized

creative

step

to

prepare

strategy.

entry

and editing of

Offset Note Lines may

But if you

enter

the displays of Basic and Drum Loops or

it

yourself

switch-button

maxWerk-generated

prove

already

via MIDI, you can use the

or its

have a motif in mind

associated

loops in

to be an

key

53

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

Melody Phrases to values

from

your long as you are and

remember

Keyboard

step entry for Melody Phrases uses a step is fixed for that track appear octave

To allow maxWerk Scale, and a

in the Melody display only if they fall within the available two-

range.

keyboard

necessarily

number

capture

controller careful to

to

repeat-enter

according

step-entry

activates

of other play settings When you switch off the keyboard use your Loops,

As each set of step progress incoming available steps. To can Phrases by another double

mapping

computer

maxWerk

bar

advances

values

overwrite

pressing

value.

press) to

to that displayed on the Main Screen. When you

keyboard

genera

information

to the next step. While the

overdub

enter

the

last-entered

any MIDI key below the split point and

Toggle

enter

the

notes again

incoming

or the

release

MIDI notes. You can

computer's

each note

notes in

to the

before

order

meter.

QWERTY keys, so

to

extend

Played note values

of notes to Basic Loops and Phrases,

function,

to

tes

random

keyboard

maxWerk

enter

notes to the Basic and Drum

accompanying

appears

mapping

revert

to their

restores

velocity values.

in the displays, the

function

existing ones with each pass

a rest, press the 0

[zero]

number

step of both Basic Loops and

function

button

from

the

or its

command

beginning

enter

step

playing the next

durations.

resolution

to the

that

current

defaults.

the status of

is active,

through

the

key. You

entering

key (by a

of the loop.

When you are making Drum disables MIDI that are 35 (B1)

assigned

through

Drum notes into steps with

drum

pattern

independently The

keyboard if you leave it automatically

keyboard mapping,

to or offset

68

(G#4)

imaginative

generator

for each

step entry

enabled

disables the

, which

drum

button

while your Werk is in play, and maxWerk

function

Loops,

keyboard

step entry

so that you can play any notes

from

on your

kit

the

range

controller

help

enters

and

instrument.

of MIDI note

keyboard.

from

removes

flashes yellow as a status

when you exit Editor windows.

temporarily

To place

maxWerk,

sets of beats

numbers

use the

reminder

54

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2.9 The Idea Track

An

alternative create recorded, and player of simple recording, designated material tempo any MIDI can quickly switch off Idea playback or triggering Phrase windows, making it for this

Basic and Drum Loops or Melody Phrases is the live-

no-frills Idea track. This is a

motif-entering

already

to the

messages

by

purpose.

to

keyboard

non-transposing

guide. Once you have

maxWerk will

bar

number.

present.

instrument

that this

means

of

step entry that you can use to help

non-editable

sequences

capture

Subsequent

Your Idea plays back with

selected in the Idea window,

checkboxes

unnecessary

live MIDI input

recordings

device/channel

in the Note Editor and Melody

to revisit the Idea window

midifile

that can serve as a

armed

clear and

already

ready

this track for

beginning

receives.

it for

recorder

at the

overwrite

adjustable

layered

automatic

with

You

Once you have starting certain your Idea play information. unstructured not Werk file. Instead, you can save any bearing

Once you subsequently saved it as a midifile. Ideas elements import

at any bar

selection of bars that includes the set

recorded

in mind that in maxWerk you can play only one at a time.

abandon

changed

saved Idea midifiles to

captured

number

repeat

You might even use a

part to your finished Werk. However, the Idea track is

into your Werk midifile, nor is it saved as part of a

an Idea

quit

maxWerk,

after

an Idea of any

you wish. If you set maxWerk to loop a

edly along with any

recording

the

material

cannot

they are

another

have

recorded,

2.10 Deeper Drums

length,

longer

number

by switching off playback and

in it is lost unless you have

tempo,

application

you can set it to play

starting

stored

Idea track to add an

of Ideas as midifiles,

but you can of course

bar, you'll hear

loop or Melody

notes or any for

further

work.

other

The d1 open an some similarities to the Basic

and

editor

d2 drum

dedicated

buttons

to the two Drum

in the top right Main Screen panel

Loops'

Loops.

Note Editor, but an obvious

Its layout bears

55

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difference the right with GS much wider value numbers can help you mark the right spots for hits note

entries.

menu

velocity

Drum since display space, the phatWerk

Each Drum track is works with only one note (kit involves setting buttons set the loop length and

is the much

default

rather

than scale steps, and a

larger

range.

drum

note

notes

numbers

Here, step values

note

display

and

represent

placement

before

. It is

accommodates

you make

As in the Note Editor, velocities have a set all to

with an

series

Loops,

transposition

associated

button.

refresh

button.

There

An octave display is not

and octave wrap step values

does not come into play. To maximize

buttons

to open the Controls A and B, Bend, and

is also a

necessary

aren't

needed

windows are placed along the top edge of the window .

three

in the right

monophonic,

menus

margin

that add and undo beats. Once you have

number

and the Drum

sound)

at a time. Pattern

pattern

below the note display and using the

of steps, the

generator

bordered

actual note

guide

bar

manual

value

repeat

for the

either

graphic

generator

generating

will decide

on

how many of up to six beats to give you, or it can try to give you exactly as many beats as you want, so long as the step locations it picks are not

beats

add

and specific options for one once you have upon the may

appear

already

occupied

by hits. The

menu tells maxWerk to pick a

through

number

than you

entered

of available loop steps

some beats into the display,

request.

default

random number

setting of the

of hits,

six of them follow. Note that

depending

remaining,

fewer new hits

a

The second setting, in the loop covers

that

repeats,

more

the

than one bar. When you direct new hits to 1 bar

pattern selection across all bars The third, in the generated resolution. note to add

hits fall on empty The

rhythmic

beat

alternate

pattern

is identical in all bars of the loop. The

spreads

placement

eighth-note

selection jogs

interest.

When you first make this selection, a

length

out the

menu,

placements

menu, takes effect if your

generated

defaults

steps,

new set of empty slots equal in size to the first maxWerk does not pick the

by the Drum

pattern

generator--it's

drum

instrument

up to you to select the sound

whatever

by a

becomes

number

pattern

field.

to letting new

the loop

sixteenth-

available.

to be

entered

56

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you want by indicating a step value the right of the display. As you move it up and down, you'll on each kit sound at the shaped each press. Drum hits sound as a test generator

button

generator. value, so long as you have not value at a later time, set the slider at their note value level, press the add button to

remove

Drum Editor are the same as those in the Note Editor. Along with the

button there

together, the displays is other

test

works by

before

to

Drum

buttons

button

to It lets you

you use it. To

re-target

all instances of that value.

controls

and one to

Loop,

is held down. Press the

enter

remembering

the display value, and then use the undo

is a drums 1&2

another

bypassing

corresponding

move the slider up or down one step with

repeatedly

beats at the

remove

for

hear

all

remove

normal

them as

to

switch

the Main Screen access panel.

(note)

slider-selected

the last note value placed by the

generator-plac

manually

all hits of a

play or for loop start point

button

automuted

drum parts directly to edit the

using the vertical slider to

hear

display position. The

in

eighth-no

add

to solo both Drum tracks

button

ed hits at that display

added

. To the lower right of

te time as long

to

trigger

note. The

a hit at any

certain

drum

a hit

arrow-

the

undo

other

sound

button

variation

solo

Track designations

names

are not given to Drum

"drum1"

and

"drum2".

2.11 Control Tricks

The MIDI side section makes available the full selection. If you are Werking in a GS instead scheme number

hence

GS

base number-box

default when the number

controller

from

for

sets (NRPN's)

maxWerk's

value to which maxWerk

assignments

the GS

real-time

controller

number in the Controls A and B windows' right

Control

sound

rather

separation

next to the GS Control

is

reassigned

for both

shaping

than

of

normal

menu in the lower section. The GS

uses

conventional

controller

reverts

or

disabled.

MIDI and GS

Loops;

range

mode

they simply have the

(1

through

track, select

non-registered

controller

assignments by type. The

menu

when you stop play and

You can

modes,

controllers parameter

numbers;

shows you the

enter

and

120)

control

for

57

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these are changes, messages

Creating to be sent using a row of these

buttons mode. per loop, an length of four bars. The trig loops, allows time

duration the set is note values that sweep.

stored

together

however,

appropriate

Control A and B

either

as

three

is a

status

The 96

button

amount

96-step

of any set of note steps of the same value, so long as

greater

than a single step. In a change

Controller

re-triggering

in your Werk file. As with

maxWerk

to each

track's

patterns

independent

buttons

in the

indicator

sets the step resolution for MIDI events to 96

that

remains

button

control

patterns

after

is based on the so it uses the same start points you use. To pattern, The actual retriggered subject to a that can be control

patterns

Offset Note Lines sent to this

hear

double

number

control

default

adjusted

sweeps

the

resolution

of MIDI

retrigger

to 16 and use

controller

sweep may be fewer than 96, for they are

20 ms. time grain for

in the Global setup window. Keep in mind that

designed

for a

primary

instrument

transmits

only the type of control

globally set

instrument

begins with a setup of

sweeps or

upper

left window

showing the

note-synced

current

fixed over the

, especially useful for

to

re-trigger

16-step

and occupy the

loop, for

only one step do not

entered

whichever

mode

of note

over each note of an

play-changes

events that

auto-modulation

loop motif will also affect any

and MIDI

channel.

program

mode.

messages

corner.

Next to

control

maximum

example,

trigger

note

a new

pattern,

triggering

eight-step

comprise

density

steps,

step loop

longer

mode.

each

The last of the reflect the total bars times the note step generator enter sweep You can

works in 96 or trig

a set of 96

pattern

repeat-enter a numeric

three,

number

controller

or

enter

the

sync

of note steps, i.e. to equal the

resolution.

modes

events. Alternatively, you can draw a

step-synced

velocity, and octave data. The section labeled just once at the loop's start to whichever

value

desired

of the 96, trig or sync

creep menu to

wrap

repeat

point

a series allows a value

repeat

increment

with each loop pass. If you want to

button

, sizes the

control

loop to

number

The

only, and lets you

waveform

automatically

pattern

values into the display by hand.

pattern,

button

modes

all by a

just as you can with note,

in the lower play control

filling the

sequence

entire

display, using

entered

was last set. Activate the

certain

amount

up to a

create

of

an

58

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unusual menus to your

pattern

create

freehand

by hand with

temporary

drawing.

perfect

timing, use the

evenly-spaced value

When you ask for one to four instances of a can choose of

parabolic controller, right of the display, which disabled, menu reason control

The

lets you stop

without losing

values,

direction

changes bend

pattern activation display of some from

right to left. Should you then choose to resulting will need to

between

sawtooth,

curves. Before you

you will need to

defaults

data in the display

effecting

entered

changing

options

that come

the

menu lets you disable any play

from

the Note Editor, so that the

always loops in one

menu's

waveform

re-enter

invert play option you can effectively flip the

control

by

the

waveforms

adjusting

waveform

sine, pulse,

hear

enable

any results

it via the

to off. When

appears

the

target

grayed

device's sound for

settings, and it also lets you invert all

background

color as a

direction.

horizontally

the

compression

to see and

entries

96-step

triangle,

waveform, you

and two types

from

activation

controller

guide

the selected

menu to the

marker

to help

output

out. The activation

whatever

reminder.

direction

controller

Note that by using the

so that they read

narrow

hear

vertically the

percentage

the result.

, you

is

or

When you press any of the

three

follow

buttons

for notes, velocities, or octaves In the Control A or B windows, steps are synced to note values, but vertically processes though

You can by

means

wrap

around

buttons

values to be

127, letting you tie a

rotate

of right side vertical arrow

to move values have a start Editor's similar that allow

GS

pattern

bend

expanded

range by

resolution,

stretched,

and a

pattern

appears

proportionate

controller

similar to the note

editor's

in the display. This function

within the

imaginatively

controller

to scale steps.

range

values up or down in the Control and Bend displays

buttons

the

step

range.

setting to

Instead

of including a second set of arrow

horizontally,

time-shift

the Control and Bend windows

set. The Bend window, with

entry

functions,

echoing

means

a system exclusive

but lacks the "follow"

of Note Editor

values relative to the Note

, and all values

default

values of 64, has

function

patterns.

You can set

message.

0-127

buttons

The bend

of 0

59

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range maxWerk.

In all set of

randomize/latch

this set not step-based in the Note Editor, and is most lower step

of non-GS sound

three

step-synced

function

behind

appear

of these windows, you can have maxWerk

, and these

via the

the scenes with each

in the display. The intensity of this effect, as with

functions,

resolution.

modules

random

associated

depends

must be

values by

appear

on the

dramatic

in the display. When you latch

checkbox,

repetition

adjusted

pressing

maxWerk makes a new

of the loop, which does

number

and useful at a

the

of steps per bar set

outside of

generate

button

16th-note

labeled

other

or

2.12 phatWerk

If you are Werking in a GS system exclusive and NRPN GS synth editing included in the program button the

Improv, knobs and several edited track. Your Roland GS explanation that

produce

and saved with Werk files. A

appears

in the Note and Drum

Melody Sound, and Noodle windows. An

menus

of these

them.

parameters

environment,

store GS sound and effect settings for the

product

and the types of MIDI

you can make use of the

phatWerk

pattern

manual

provides

window-opening

Editors as well as in

array

of virtual

an

in-depth

messages

a

2.13 Copy / Import

A key opens the location in the same Werk, or you can load a saved Werk file to a copy import maxWerk lists

destination menus,

the Phrases, Blocks, and play settings and the information

command

Copy/Import

to the

imported

set are available for

or the press of a right side main

window. You can copy Loops to

current

file

buffer.

buffer

Werk. To make these

track

as well as those of any

Besides individual loops,

to

names

import.

extract

in the copy

separate

You should save your Werk

complete

buffer's

source

screen

another

previously

components

procedures

source

Werk

separate

Transposer's

loaded

Melody

button

for

easy,

and

to

full

60

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before destination

copying or

data and can't be

importing

data, as these

undone!

changes

overwrite

2.14 More Melodizing

We have seen that therefore Phrases and Blocks. the top of the Melody window you can bring up a second window that lies over it. Here you can two-bar

In the Phrases window is a smaller the full Block you are editing, labeled immediately unless the Block's switches, located to the right of each Melody Editor Block and having a cor engaged background main Melody windows is a quick work with Phrases, unlock the Block you wish to edit first, in allow data to pass Editor. The main Editor allows partial or Phrase-entered sequences. edits, you the Block.

global

motif or Phrase as

by

ensure

Meter

reflected

responding

default

color of the full Block display in both the Phrases and

note lines by direct hand editing of the Block

When you lock the full Block

that

melodies

affects the total

From

here

lock

when you load a Werk file. The

through

further

2-bar

source

as you make them in the Phrase display,

switch

button

from

have

seed

material

is

in the Phrases window, are all

lock-status

the Phrase window to the main

Phrase window edits will not

16th-note

number

phrase

compose

for each

non-editable

block

activated.

complete

pattern

buttons

melodies

view.

indicator.

resolution,

of steps in Melody

four-bar

representation

The set of lock

departures

after

located at

zoom-in

that use a

Block.

Changes

changeable

When you

order

final

hand-

overwrite

and

of

are

to

from

The Melody track draws on eight random Block, one for each display beside Block View velocity data. The eight vertical bars have five corresponding randomized-value this display are

ranges change drawn occurs on the

between

to a

doesn't

for bar sections that may cover several notes! The

half-bar.

constant

ranges

depict velocities of single Phrase notes; these

two value

variable

An

editable

represents

maximum

between

groups

Transposer-stor

64 and 127. Keep in mind that

per bar

velocity

graphic

the full Block's worth of

value of 127 or one of four

from

ed

groups

below the Phrases

incremental

which velocities are

mid-bar

for each

steps

count.

61

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Like the window contains a Automute develop specialty track if you find them helpful, or add helpfully

You can maxWerk. for Basic about controller.) A difference is that

other

editor

is disabled to

your

Melody.

described

enter

Phrases using only the

Alternatively,

Loops.

entering

quantizing

windows, the lower

quick

The Idea window

mutes window

prevent earlier.

distraction

Engage the

button

MIDI-mapped

mouse,

keyboard step

(See the section

pertaining

notes into Phrases by

between

the Editors for Notes and Phrases

on entry to a Phrase step

portion

button,

by

other

lets you bring in the

Improv

without any help from

entry is available, as it is

to it above to

means

resolution 16ths is not possible. Melody lines are always changes

To have

Generator

Phrases window. A sparse, menu gives you a choice one-bar ask for a through disturbing pattern

existing

in various ways until you have a

mode,

maxWerk's

with

note-offs triggered help coming up with a

by

changing

Melody,

, which has a line of settings across the top of the

four-level

simple,

busier,

and complex choices. A

between

figure,

repeating

and lastly

there

motif, four instances of a

to the Melody Block. To

notes

already

present,

pattern

two-bar

complexity

figures

is an activation

one-bar

generate

be sure

new Phrase notes without

there

button.

slots) to be filled, and mark the checkbox option to

notes.

This lets you try

decorating

a simple Melody figure

keeper.

of the Phrases

useful when

tracks as you

and Idea tracks

Noodle input.

read

more

of your MIDI

higher

heard

in play-

pitches.

use the Phrase

menu offers

phrase

or a

length

repeating

When you

pattern

are rests

(empty

keep

than

pass

Generated

add

the

a random rest

two-octave transposed can repeat, reverse

Phrases occasionally include rests, and you can use the

range

button

structure

to

break

there

Scale note. Using the set of

pitch

order, or

cover two. Alternatively, you can s tone

A pair of imposes a

variation

pattern

two-step

notes for values 2

menus

sequence

below the Phrase displays

of pitch

through

up long tied notes. Because of

is no use for an

edit 2nd

expand

ubstitute

the first Phrase bar to

scale-inverted

independently

bar

buttons

you

chordal

6 in the second bar.

automatically

order

direction

to fill the

62

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currently

selected Block, followed by a discussed fully in Part I. When you make data for the full Block is main Melody Editor. operations imposed treatments sorts of

A

copy

capture play

pattern Rather experiment

to whole

on the first Phrase of a Block, by

to play in succession, you can bring

mirrored

block

Phrases,

musical

button

together

settings, and edit them

than risk losing a winning

on a copy to your melody line the play edit

Complex or Transposer

pattern

functions,

disabled,

functions

they can

"busier"

Like notes in the Basic constrained

cutoff found

octave parameters notes that

the by

in the

maximum

define the

transpose

upper

Melody

step

immediately

These

two-bar

behaviors

menus

Phrases. Since they may be optionally

re-processed

apply the

over a

below the Phrase window's displays lets you

with their

associated

differently

determine

preferred

operate

sometimes

which level of

effect. Note that

over and above

cancel each

melody lines are best

so that only

Loops,

changes

Melody notes

and lower settings for Scale-step

range

upper

out of

Sound

and lower step values

range

window.

before

transposing,

fold back into the

two-step

menu

variation

pattern

choices, the Phrase

and sent to the

second-bar

mapping

about

longer

time

velocity

in

combination,

frame.

other

it's best to

filtering

full Block

the same

groups

Blocks.

manipulation

because

second-bar

other

deceptively!

created

Phrase Phrase

with the

in global Key take effect.

transpose

rotationally,

octave

Melodies

have a two-

and these two

beyond

nearest

octave.

and

gives

which

Settings for each Block in the top panel of the main Melody Editor let you tell maxWerk to Block can is a parts,

timebase-shifted

add

harmony

base-octave

as well as an option to apply a harmony for

harmonies

In the and

Melody

phatWerk

You can

duck

to all Melody Blocks.

settings, and apply pan,

melody

allow

transposing

to fill 2, 3, 6 or 8 bars of the Block Map. You

lines

setting

of selected or

for each of the melody and

octave-double

velocity

offset

Sound window

velocities

and to

randomized

the main line. You can

and an

adjustable

you can make

volume,

by a

selectable

play

4 bars of the

intervals.

program

and

amount

There

harmony

steps

delay

changes

portamento.

when

63

Published by RedMoon Music - www.RedMoon-Music.com

Improv have maxWerk

modulation

wheel) or maximum

modulation

of the saved as part of your Global Setup file.)

To appear filtered direction direction

copy function

Block. Play settings and the Block Map maxWerk's

version of the Melody features. notes, and it will at the same time variation that it includes an option to play a

harmonizing defaults sound field and strolling across and back in steps of sixteen controller

plays, so that

Aftertouch.

level with each new note.

number

recap

important

twice in their

according

and

or

variation

You can tell

pattern

to

values taken at the start of each bar.

Improv

automatically generate

, which can take the

data, adjust the millisecond interval

stream

to the Block's last

chordal remembers

Improv

generate

for note values 2 thru 6.

line. Unless you set it to pan to

wandering

in the Global Setup window. This setting is

Melody track

corresponding

tone

act upon the latest state of the Phrase, and the

function,

Improv

choosing

takes the spotlight in your mix. You can

time-base-dependent

form

Values will

features:

variation.

the last Phrase version

described

engine

another

pan

and

how long to play each new set of

after

a new

(+)Notes,

, capriciously

of

either

ramp

(To

edits to

four-bar

loaded

Newly

further

earlier,

incorporates

the

number

direction

Improv

and

positioning

towards

thin

Melody Block display,

patterns

shape this Werk part.

pattern

there

auto-

Controller 1 (mod

an

adjustable

maxWerk's

between

two-bar

of pitch

loaded

uses a

a

is unlike Melody in

patterns

stored

number

of bars you set,

and a new

is no option for center,

itself in the

auto-

elements

Phrases

order

for each

modified

of its

Improv

of

2.15 PC-1600 Setup

The

"maxWerk" Command alternative can easily faders mode. you wish to set up a maxWerk,

to the Quick Mutes window. With

experimen

and

buttons

Note that the volume

simply

preset

Stations makes

route

for the Peavey PC-1600 or PC-1600X MIDI

t with

corresponds

different

knobs or

either

combinations

faders

external

of these a useful

to the

faders

channel

operate

hardware

to send

hardware

Automute

of tracks. The layout of

assignments

with

inverted

Controllers

disabled,

values! If

device to control

1

you

for GS

64

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through Changes 1 through

PC-1600 Faders 1-11 Fader 12

Fader 13 Faders 14-15

Buttons 1-11 Buttons 14-15 mute the remaining Basic Loops 10 and 11. Button 16 Fader 16

16 on MIDI

maxWerk-control

control volume of Basic Loops 1-9 and Drums 1 and 2. controls volume of Improv on MIDI channel 12. controls volume of the Melody track. control Basic Loops 10 and 11 (See the MIDI channel layout below). mute tracks 1-9 and Drums on Buttons 10 and 11.

switches all so one may then be muted or soloed. selects the "go-to" bar for playback or editing. The Noodle track on MIDI channel 16 has volume and other settings available in its own edit window.

channel

16 on any MIDI

16, and

layout:

buttons

channel.

to send

Program

2.16 Werk Files

Be sure to File

menu make a midifile automatically

There

drum

include all the Controls A and B and Bend. Take care to two types of loop when you set up file them single loop you may need to adjust the play it to make it need to as well as GS bend

loop

separately

name

commands,

recording.

added

are

buttons

files in their

information

from

double-check

stored

range

too if GS is your

and save your new Werk via

while it's

Werk files save with the

so the

to save and load individual

Werk files. Note that when you

compatible

program

respective

its THRU

changes,

under

in the Note Editor window as well as

with a Werk of a

assignments

instrument

development

can identify and load them.

Editor windows.

folders

number

controller

standard

and

extension

basic

Single-loop

differentiate

for

them,

import

of steps

different

for Offset Note Lines,

assignments,

mode.

Macintosh

before

loop

between

and store

before

Meter.

files and

a saved

and the

you

.mWk

files

the

you

You'll

65

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Chord files, which may be saved and

imported consist of data for any or all of the four transposition

types along with any

mid-bar

be up to 128 bars in length. maxWerk can make

sequencers.

Tempo

of disables the during

recording accurate sequencing stops

recording. recording the

Automute

Its

either

Tempo

possible event

environment.

a fully

window an bar played. Without after value

128 bars. When

stored

with your Werk, and maxWerk midifile. After you application, that

environment.

adjust playback

Standard

internal

recorder

midifiles (SMF's)

temporarily

60 or 120 BPM (a Global Setup

Map. maxWerk applies this

only, so that the

time-stamps

The

As an

automated

alternative

Werk Perf

automatic

either

setting, maxWerk stops

recording

import

a maxWerk midifile to a linear

tempo

resulting

on

spacebar

to

manual

ormance,

end

finishes,

and map

transfer

press that stops play also

bar

Tempo

to the

graphically

changes.

for

imposes a

Tempo

Transposer, represented

Chord files may

import

to

other

recording

parameter)

and

constraint

file can receive the most

to a

stopping,

full-featured

if you are

you can specify in

number

reverts

offers

to be the last

recording

to the initial

to save the

by itself

sequencing

tempos

to your liking in

In GS Loops,

mode,

Drum

maxWerk's

Loops,

Melody,

Basic Loops 1-9 Drum Loops 1 and 2 Improv Melody Basic Loops 10 and 11 Noodle

parts use the following layout for Basic

Improv,

and live

controller

play.

MIDI channels 1-9 MIDI channels 10 and 11 MIDI channel 12 MIDI channel 13 MIDI channels 14 and 15 MIDI channel 16

66

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The third type of data file you can save of your Werk is a

Leadsheet

the

Leadsheet

save to a

information

full-featured the Werk and a list of track by a listing of by its root diminished) with the pitches of number dynamically Transposer therefore, Performance,

file, which is a text file

window

from

the Extras

made

available when you call up

menu.

From that may be useful when your midifile is sequence-editor.

transposition

name

that

and

resulted

(+)Notes.

names

data by bar

chord

from

Mid-bar

This file begins with the

by MIDI

quality

all

combined

changes

channel.

number,

(for

example:

including each triad

transpositions,

are

indicated,

This is followed

is given of any Melody Block in play. The

overwritten

is

enabled.

is

immediately

perhaps

as each bar passes, so long as

The best time to save a

after

in the

you have played

process

of making a midifile

through

here,

you can

imported

name

major,

minor,

and the

Leadsheet

maxWerk's Leadsheet, a full Werk

recording.

of

along

is

67

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III. Key Commands Reference

(+)Notes 1-Bar Accent Added Apostrophe Arrows - see Key, Arpeggiator

[Shift 7] toggles a for

convenience computer whenever adjustable to the Noodle track, but you can direct it to any thru menu in the the

Transposer's

- see

Looping

- see

notes

keyboard's

Transpose

Buttons

Automute

- see

- see Click Mute,

-

function

when making

maxWerk is NOT in play, and its play in the main

menubar.

1-bar

- see

Transpose

Reset

to sound

transposing

Transposer

This key

Looping

Arpeggiator

chordal

Transposer

keys. Enabled by

window. The

command

Buttons.

notes over two octaves,

edits or when using the

Arpeggiator

also

default,

parameters

other

reverse-toggles

it works

defaults

via the Arp-

are

Automute

[Shift a] opens the and enabled records audition

Accent

apostrophe) Direction, beginning manually. the

Autofade.

Automute

These

by the

a midifile.

button

key [`] (lower case of the tilde key, not to be

inversion,

state each time a track is

Note that maxWerk

Performance

also opens the

manually

track

Automute

functions

Double-clicking

toggles

and triad tone

pattern

window and

shortcut

Automute

recognizes

entry dialogs.

enables

are

among

button

the as

window.

rotation patterns

enabled

only ones and

those that can be

automuted

and

both

before

loop editor

confused

Autofade

revert

automatically

Automute

maxWerk

with

together.

to their

or

zeroes

in

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BPM - see

Tempo

Bar 1 - see Reset Bar

locators

[Shift s] opens the Scales window, which includes the Bar Editor.

Bar scroll [ ] The

up or down

Beat

square

clock

bracket

through

the bar

- see Sync

keys, held down one at a time, move quickly

numbers.

Block Map [Shift b] recalls whereby

you can

up to four bars long using

maxWerk's

trigger

and loop five

changing

map of Blocks for Melody

pattern

Block values 1

sequences

through

pattern

Locators

play,

that are

5.

Block Chords - see

select

- see Melody Block select Arpeggiator,

Click The Setup, which sounds followed by an 12

[Shift

apostrophe

eighth-note

apostrophe

['] toggles the

according

optional

secondary

counts per bar.

] toggles only the

Clock - See Sync Close -

While most windows have [esc] and [ Commands

delete

] keys also close most open

window is one that

Copy & save

metronome

to the chosen

one indicates 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or

secondary

dedicated

remains

progressions,

click set in Global

Meter.

click sound.

close

buttons,

sub-windows.

open for

convenience.

Leadsheet

An accent click

the

escape

The Key

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Commands - see Key Copy

& save

progressions

Commands

This window has no key Transposer.

Copy/Import

[Shift c] opens the data types other

Drum

track of the same kind.

Loops

[Shift f] brings Drum Editor

[Shift d] toggles the together,

Effects

- see

-

Copy/Import

from

any track in the

-

forward

window-opening

mute/enable

unless their status is

phatWerk

-

command,

current

and is accessed through the

window for

transfer

of selectable

file or a saved Werk to any

the Main Screen to make accessible the

buttons.

status of both Drum Loops

overridden

by

automuting.

Entry - see Globals

Keyboard

-

step entry

[Shift g] opens the Global Setup window. See "Werk Files". Also see Key shift.

Go-to GS - see

bar - see 'Reset to

phatWerk

"go-to"

bar'

Idea [p] optionally toggles playback of the

Import - see

Copy/Import,

Copy & save

imported-midifile

progressi

ons

Idea track.

Improv [Shift i] opens and closes the [i] toggles

Improv's

pattern-generating

Improv

track settings window.

function

over

changing

transpositions.

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Increment

- see Bar scroll

Key Commands [Shift k] opens this

Key

shift

When the

Transpose

keys shift the Key Keyboard

mapping

[Shift 8] toggles

reminder

function

number

list window.

is

disabled,

(not the Global

–

keyboard mapping,

the up and down arrow

Offset)

enabling

by

the map mode

selected in the Global Setup window.

Keyboard

The

tab

Basic maxWerk another, override

step

key [tab]

Loop,

Drum

captures

and values

readies

Loop,

and displays

keyboard

step entry of MIDI notes to a

or Melody Phrase, or toggles it off.

entered

incoming

over successive loop

sets of values one after

data at the same step. Zero [0]

enters in the case of Basic Loops and Melody Phrases, controller entered.

note below the split point lets you

Toggle

[tab] to start over

from

the

correct

beginning

semitones.

repetition

a rest, and

pressing

the last step

of the loop.

s

any

Leadsheet

This window has no key

Locators Loop

bars

[Shift l] is a toggle of bars desired,

-

- see Bar

dialog

-

starting

command;

Locators,

control

that

from

Bar 1

enables

an

entered

access it

reset,

Reset to

looping play of any

bar

from

the Extras

number.

"go-to"

value 0 or 128 has the effect of canceling the looping does a subset of bars, the Main Screen status counter indicator

Loop

pressing

reads

editor

- see Note Editor

the

dialog's

cancel

"looping N bars".

"linear play".

button.

When maxWerk is looping

indicator

When you switch off

menu.

bar

number

Entering bar

command,

as

below the bar

looping,

this

71

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Main

Screen -

[Shift f] brings the Main Screen to the Map - see Markers - see Bar Melody

Keyboard

-

mapping,

Locators

Block Map

[Shift m] opens the Melody Editor and

Melody [Shift followed by a

block

select

number

1-5] sets one Melody Block to loop

continuously. [Shift

Melody play, which is in turn

Metronome

accent

- see Click

], i.e. the

tilde

key, toggles the

governed

front

enables

of

other

Melody play.

enable

open windows.

status of

by the Block Map [shift b].

Mute

The overridden mode Automute

[Shift d] toggles unless

-

right-arrow

by

key

enables

automuting.

This

(un-mutes)

command

also

Werk parts that were disabled via sys-ex

window

overridden

checkboxes.

mute/enable

by

automuting.

See

Automute.

status of both Drum Loops

See

Automute

all tracks unless

enables

commands

any GS-

from

together,

and Quick Mutes.

Note Editor [

Option

tracks 1-9. [Shift f] brings Editor-opening

Noodle

followed by a

buttons

-

number

1- 9 opens Note Editor windows for

forward

the Main Screen for access to the

for Drum Loops 1 and 2.

[Shift n] opens the Noodle track window, which contains various MIDI

Numeric keys - see Key,

controller

input

adjustment

Loop,

settings.

Transpose

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Play

The all

(and

spacebar

enabled

Stop)

-

starts and stops

functions.

maxWerk's

internal

MIDI clock and

After they stop, maxWerk flushes all held notes for each track and follows up with an All Notes Off The Ar is

peggiator

stopped.

for testing

progressions

works only when maxWerk

Performance mode [Shift p] toggles enabling

all

functions midifile. maxWerk functions off, and play

controls

Plus/minus

as well as the

Improv

- see

Performance

necessary

engages

Tempo

is initially

disabled,

mode,

to listen a finished Werk or

the

Automute,

Map.

that allow a section of

Tempo

which is a

Melody,

Metronome

subject to the

Improv

to switch in and out.

shortcut

and

clicks are switched

Automute

Pointer – see Bar scroll

command.

command

record

Transpose

window's

a

Quick [Shift q] opens the Quick Mutes window for

Scroll - see Bar scroll, Record

mutes –

notes

- see

Tempo

Keyboard

scroll

step

entry,

manual

Step

track

control.

Reset to Bar 1 The

left-arrow

key sets the

counter

to Bar 1 and resets all Werk tracks and Melody Blocks. Mod wheel and pitch bend values are reset to mode, values. Play bar

Reset to

[Shift Play

defaults

on all

assigned

sound settings for all parts are

automatically

counter

briefly

"go-to"

slash

] sets the Werk to

automatically

reads

bar

stops first, but track

stops

"resetting"

resume

MIDI device

restored

before a reset.

channels,

to their last

The main screen

while this takes place.

play

from

functions

the last

are not reset.

and in GS

phatWerk

"go-to"

bar.

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Scales [Shift s] opens the Scales window, which also contains a subwindow for User Scale setup and the Bar

Locators

Editor.

Scroll - see Bar scroll, Setup

- see Globals

Tempo

scroll

Spacebar - see Play Step - see

Keyboard

step entry

Sync [\] The and functions automatically

Tempo

[Shift h] switches play, which in turn

backslash

transposing

have been

syncs to

-

key toggles

sending

notes are sent to an

enabled

incoming

between

in the Global Setup window. maxWerk

start, stop, and clock

full

(at-tempo)

determines maxWerk displays the status of this indicator

in the Main Screen.

of MIDI beat clocks. Clock

external

device only if these

rate of play and

the MIDI sync

function

just

beneath

messages.

half-timed

output

the

tempo.

tempo

Tempo

[- / =] The decrement by

Tempo

Text Transpose

[Shift t] opens the (+)Notes, hand-entered sub-window

scroll -

- see

dash

and

Map activation in

key and the

increment

maxWerk's

equals-sign

Performance

Leadsheet

Transposer

window, where values for Tonics,

Scales, and Keys can be

into a set of bar

access

buttons

graph

for

displays. This window includes

pattern

play

tempo

mode.

generated,

editing, the Chord Map, the Global Offset Map, and the 'Copy & save When the allowing

Transposer

stored

data to take effect at each bar.

is

opened,

its

functions

keys

unless

respectively

overridden

auditioned,

progressions'

engage

automatically,

and

window.

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[Shift x] toggles the When the

operational, The number keys 1-7

the Tonic pitch, or (+)Note.

Any key in the set [ transposes keys assign data at value 8 without held key same as the

[0] (Zero) value of 1. During skipped step,

Transposer

enabling

value 8 i

current

restores

current

normally

creating

Transposing

is

manual

transpose

root,

Q-W-E-R-T-Y-U

ndependently

scale pitches

the

Tonic value.

restores

keyboard

a rest.

disabled,

changes

and the

changing

(+)Note

both Tonic and

function.

the following key

of

mode:

within the

equivalent

], for as long as it is

of the

from 1 through

the

current

to its

step entry it

default,

current value is

other

step values.

Tonic. Releasing the

which is always the

(+)Notes

temporarily

commands

scale by shifting

assigned

pressed,

7 to all the (+)Note

to their default

enters

are

to the

These

a

The up half-steps.

and

down

arrow keys

Contact Information

The

author as we do! To and

explanation,

hopes you find as much

inquire

or

comment

send email to:

lifeforms@redmoon-music.com

change

creative

about

the

Transposing

stimulus in maxWerk

maxWerk,

or for

Key by

further

help

Roland Musical Instrument User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Meet maxWerk

What maxWerk Doesn't Do

System Requirements

I. Concepts and a Tour

1.1 Global Setup

1.2 Menu Items

1.3 The Main Screen

1.4 Features to Note

1.5 Automute

1.6 Basic Loops

1.7 Drum Loops

1.8 Controllers

1.9 The Transposer

1.10 Melody

1.11 The Block Map

1.12 Improv

1.13 Noodle

1.14 Werksync

II. maxWerk In Depth

2.1 Main Settings

2.2 Patch Changes

2.3 User Scales

2.4 Loop Magic 1

2.5 Loop Magic 2

2.6 Step-Split Tracks

2.8 Keyboard Entry

2.9 The Idea Track

2.10 Deeper Drums

2.11 Control Tricks

2.12 phatWerk

2.13 Copy / Import

2.14 More Melodizing

2.15 PC-1600 Setup

2.16 Werk Files

III. Key Commands Reference

Contact Information