Problem Sync – changing preset

[jeremyParticipant]

Hi,

I’m using the zaq to sequence 2 analog synth and a drum machine. My Master Midi Signal come from my software (Reason)

Reason (master) > Roland tr 707 > Zaq > Novation Drum station
> Arturia Microbrute
> Novation Bass station

The problem is that It’s impossible to change a ZAQ preset during a live because i lose my sync if i load a new preset…I don’t know if the problem come from Reason or from the Zaq…

[alien_brainParticipant]

a preset? im lost…

do you mean pattern? over midi cc? i use an mpc with jjosxl to trigger the patterns and the cc message is quantized. but i agree, it would be nice to keep the start relative to the original start command. i guess the idea is that with all possible pattern lengths, it makes for potentially messy problems calculating where the start should be… it only works well with patterns built from 16 steps.

[ChristianKeymaster]

Hi Jeremy,

we have spent considerable amount of time during the development to ensure stable sync at all times (master/slave – loading/saving). I have not heard of any problems in this regard in the last 9 months since release so I take a description like yours very seriously.

Can you please describe the behaviour further? In what way does the sync get lost? Between the Zaquencer and the computer? Between the single tracks of the Zaquencer? Does the sync change on each subsequent load? Does it stay the same if you reload the same pattern?

Are you talking about microtiming or that the patterns get reset if they are not of the same length, like alien described above?

I see that you have the Roland tr 707 hooked up inbetween your master clock and the Zaquencer. Can you try removing that and see if the problem persists?

Also, does it happen all the times, or only in certain times?
What happens when you save a preset, is it the same behaviour?

Which version of the Zaquencer are you using?

[jeremyParticipant]

Sorry I was not very clear but The problem came from the TR 707 !!! The Start point of the zaquencer was completely delayed when I loaded my patterns…Now I can change my patterns without any probleme of sync… Thanks for your fast reponse !

This Zaq is amazing !!!!

[FlavioBParticipant]

Hi Christian,
I want to chime in here because I’m experiencig one behavior you’re mentioning above, or at least a part of it: “patterns get reset”!
I have two identical patterns (I copied #2 to #3) on the same “pattern page”. When I switch from 2 to 3 or viceversa, the pattern starts from the very beginning. This is really annoying, but maybe it’s a default behavior or it can be configured or it simply is on your “to do list”.

Can you tell me more about this? I would like to have pattern change happening at the end of the pattern, without resetting to the beginning. In fact, like all TR-sequencers do…

Thanks in advance and kind regards,
Flavio.

[ChristianKeymaster]

Hi Flavio,

from what you describe it sounds like the Quantization parameter in the Global Menu has too a small value for your liking. Have you tried out making it bigger? It´s a global parameter that determines when it´s time to switch after a pattern load or reset command.

Cheers,
Christian

[FlavioBParticipant]

Hi Christian.
That was the “problem”!
I now set the Quantize value to “1b” and it works as I want it to.
Thanks!
F.

[ChristianKeymaster]

Good to hear, thanks for letting me know!

[FlavioBParticipant]

Hi Christian,
I need to chime in again here…
I’m quite happy with the quantize feature as I now configured it. BUT! And there’s always a lurking “BUT” somewhere

This “lower” quantize is now bad for enabling/disabling the single drum instruments – you know what I mean? I want to be able to enable/disable each single drum instrument whenever I want to, for example more than once in the same bar… well, now it’s not possible because of the lower quantization. When I enable/disable a drum instrument, it waits until the start of the new bar.

Thus, my question (which might be put on the wishlist as well): is it possible to have the quantize feature not interfere with drum instrument “enable/disable” (or call it “mute/unmute” as you wish)?

Thanks for your efforts in here!
BR,
Flavio.

[ChristianKeymaster]

Hi Flavio,

thanks for sharing your idea!

I´m happy to say that this is already included. There is an option in the Global Menu, called “Quant Mixer”, that can be turned on and off.
Basically it links the mute functions of the mixer (of both the tracks and single drum mutes) to the Quantization setting or not. To do what you wish you´d have to set this to “off”.

Cheers!
Christian

[FlavioBParticipant]

Christian – you’re way too kind in supporting users here, who (like me) don’t RTFM thoroughly!
Thanks! You really got it to the point! This software ROCKS!

BR,
Flavio.

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