Toolbar

Figure 512. Step sequencer toolbar

A. Pattern Length (beats per measure and steps per beat) B. Fit to Quarters C. Entry mode (monophonic or polyphonic) D. Play E. Step Record F. Position indicator

The Step Sequencer toolbar consists of the following controls:

Pattern Length. The pattern length is determined by the following settings:

Beats per Measure. This setting specifies the number of beats per measure. The value range is 1-64 and the default value is 4 beats. Changes are undoable.

Steps per Beat. This setting specifies the number of steps per beat. The value range is 1-16 and the default value is 4 steps. Changes are undoable.

Note: When changing the number of steps per beat, you can configure how existing notes are affected. By default, SONAR will preserve the original pattern whenever possible as you add or remove beats. Doing so ensures that notes retain their original position within each beat. If you prefer, you can instruct SONAR to instead append additional steps at the end of each beat. To toggle the behavior, click the Options menu and select Preserve Pattern for Step Sizes on the drop-down menu (enabled by default).

Fit to Quarters. Fit to Quarters will force the pattern duration to fit the specified number of quarter notes.

Note: When you adjust the Fit to Quarters value, the clip duration may change depending on whether or not the clip has been rolled out to expose additional pattern iterations: If the clip has a single pattern iteration. When you change the Fit to Quarters value (number of quarter notes), the clip duration will continue to equal the length of one pattern iteration. That is, the clip will not be rolled out. If the clip has multiple pattern iterations. When you change the Fit to Quarters value (number of quarter notes), the new clip duration will either equal the old clip duration or the length of the new pattern, whichever is greater.

Entry Mode Toggle. This button toggles between Monophonic mode and Polyphonic mode, which affects the behavior when entering new notes. In Monophonic mode, only one note (row) may be assigned for each step. Monophonic mode is useful for sequencing melodic lines. When you click in a column to enter a new note, any existing notes in the same column will be removed automatically in Monophonic mode. In Polyphonic mode, you can enter multiple notes in the same column.

Step Record. The Step Record button toggles step recording on/off. See To step record notes from a MIDI device.

Play. The Play button is used to start/stop the Step Sequencer when SONAR’s main transport is idle.

Position Indicator. The Position indicator shows the current measure and beat position in the step sequencer.

 

See:

Step Sequencer view menu

Rows

Notes pane

Controllers pane

Step sequencer interface

Working with rows

Working with steps

Working with Controller events

Working with patterns

Working with Step Sequencer clips

Keyboard shortcuts