INDEX

1.Power Supply
2.MIDI-Interface
3.Controls
4.Operation
4.1Switching the Sequencer ON
4.2Menu Structure
4.3Description of Menus
4.3.1EVENT
4.3.2CHANNEL
4.3.3FIRST/LAST STEP
4.3.4PRESCALE/TIME
4.3.5MODE
4.3.6SINGLE STEP
4.3.7PRESET
4.3.8START/STOP



INTRODUCTION

The software presently included with the MAQ16/3 is the initial
version 1.00. It was thoroughly tested by our firm as well
as several beta-testers and found to be free of bugs. Nevertheless,
it has been our experience that the initial version of
a software package will eventually reveal some hidden bugs after
all. We would therefore appreciate it if our customers
would notify us in the event of their encountering a bug. We will
then immediately attempt to correct the problem as soon
as possible and to release a free software update to our customers.
In order to take advantage of our free software
updates customers will have to send in their EPROMs. Please note
that software updates which introduce new features
not initially included with version 1.00 will NOT be free of charge.

While studying this manual one may occasionally get the impression
of slightly awkward and/or complicated operating
procedures. In some instances the inscriptions at the controls
on the frontplate is also somewhat behind the actual
software capabilities (for example in Menu 6: SINGLE STEP). The
reason for this is the fact that the MAQ was initially
designed as a simple analog sequencer. However, in the course
of software development we found that MIDI allows
many more functional possibilities than would be the case with
conventional analog sequencers. In particular, we also
incorporated a number of features which had been requested by
the well-known German band KRAFTWERK and
which had not been planned for originally. Consequently our original
concept of a simple analog sequencer turned into a
rather sophisticated device which will hopefully satisfy even
the most demanding users. Unfortunately the increased
sophistication of the MAQ had to be purchased at the expense of
user-friendliness. We nevertheless hope that the
broad range of functions and features will compensate our customers
for this.

At this point we would also like to express our gratitude to the
band KRAFTWERK for their cooperation and input during
the development of the MAQ.
1. POWER SUPPLY

The MAQ16/3 does not have a built-in power supply. Instead it
uses a plug-in type external power supply (AC adapter). The
primary reason for this feature is the fact that line voltages
and plug types vary considerably from country to country. Using
a plug-in external supply the MAQ16/3 can be used any where with
a locally purchased power supply, thus keeping the
retail price down. The power supply must be able to deliver 7-12
VDC unstabilized, as well as a minimum of 300mA. The
MAQ16/3 is switched ON by plugging the AC adapter into a wall
outlet and connecting it to the appropriate jack on the back
of the case. There is no separate ON/OFF switch.
If the polarity of the power supply is incorrect, the MAQ16/3
will not function. However, there is no danger of damage to the
circuitry since it is protected by a diode.
The power supply is NOT included with the MAQ16/3 and must be
purchased locally by the user.

Note: MAQ16/3 sequencers sold in the USA do include an AC adapter.


2. MIDI-INTERFACE

Connect the MIDI-OUT jack of the MAQ16/3 with MIDI-IN of the device
to be controlled (Expander, Synthesizer, etc.) via a
suitable MIDI-cable.
The MIDI-IN jack of the MAQ is needed only if the device is to
be synchronized via MIDI-IN or if sequences of notes are to
be transposed. Otherwise the MIDI-IN jack remains unused. It should
be emphasized that the MIDI-IN jack has no merge-function, i.e.
incoming data is not passed on to the MIDI-output.


3. CONTROLS

The MAQ16/3 features the following controls and displays:

3rows of 16 potentiometers (dials) and LEDs each
13-digit LED-display
8MENU-buttons in 2 rows of 4 buttons each
8LEDs (serving as indicators for the MENU-buttons)
1Data-entry dial

The three rows of dials serve to adjust the sequences. The LEDs
above the dials indicate the active step in each row. The
8 MENU-buttons and their indicator LEDs are used to activate the
various operating modes. The data-entry dial allows
rapid input of the desired parameters.


4. OPERATION

4.1. Switching the Sequencer ON

After the sequencer is plugged-in the 8 LEDs should briefly flash
and a message should appear on the display. The
message should switch back and forth between an indication of
the software version (e.g. 100 for version 1.00) and the
tempo in beats per minute (BPM) approximately once per second.
The tempo indication should change when the data-entry
dial is turned. The 8 LEDs above the MENU-buttons must remain
off (i.e. no menu is selected). If this is not the case the
MAQ16/3 or the power supply is defective. Please first check the
power supply before you return the MAQ. May be the
polarity of the power supply used is wrong (ring must be GND,
pin must be +7...12V).

4.2 Menu Structure

There are 8 different menus which can be selected via the 8 MENU-buttons
by pressing the appropriate one. The LEDs
above the buttons will indicate which one is active at any given
time. One can exit a menu at any time simply by pressing
another MENU-button. If no menu is selected all 8 LEDs are off
and the display toggles between the TEMPO- and EDIT-displays (see
section 4.3).

The following menus are assigned to the 8 MENU-buttons:

Upper row1: EVENT2: CHANNEL3: FIRST/LAST STEP4: PRESCALE/TIME

Lower row5: MODE6: SINGLE STEP7: PRESET8: START/STOP

Menus 1-5 always refer to one of the three rows of dials. Menus
6-8 are global, i.e. they refer to the whole sequencer rather
than a specific row.
In the following paragraphs we shall briefly discuss the function
of each menu. A detailed description of the individual menus
can be found in section 4.3.

MENU 1 : EVENT

In this menu a certain type of MIDI-instruction (Event) is assigned
to each row. The most important instructions are Note
ON/OFF, Velocity, Controller, Pitch-bend, Program change, Monophonic
and Polyphonic Aftertouch. In addition a row can be
assigned time function (i.e. Duration of the step), dynamic switching
of the MIDI-channel or additional transposition of row 1.

MENU 2 : CHANNEL

This menu is used to assign a row to a MIDI-channel. The row will
transmit the MIDI-instructions entered in MENU 1 on the
channel selected in this menu.

MENU 3 : FIRST/LAST STEP

The length of each of the three rows of dials can be limited.
In this menu the user determines the first step in which the
sequence begins, as well as the last step after which the unit
jumps back to the first column. Since first and last step can
be
adjusted separately for each row, it is possible to generate rather
complex sequences.

MENU 4 : PRESCALE/TIME

For each row the time difference (in units of MIDI-Clock events)
between events (MIDI-instructions) can be predetermined.
The time difference is a tempo-divisor (always a whole number)
which refers to the MIDI-Clock or the internally generated
tempo, respectively. In case of NOTE-events one can also adjust
the time between NOTE ON and NOTE OFF (i.e. Note
duration). Among other things one can use this menu to cause different
rows to run at different speeds, although always
synchronous with the MIDI-Clock.

MENU 5 : MODE

For each row one of four modes - Forward, Reverse, Pendulum, Random
- can be chosen.

MENU 6 : SINGLE STEP

This menu is used to select single step-mode. It is used primarily
to adjust each individual step, for example in cases where
the desired sequence is not to be determined experimentally but
a prepared sequence is to be entered. This function can
also be used for interesting effects during live performances
("Scanning" of a sequence or single step-improvisation, for
example) since single-step mode also runs synchronous with the
MIDI-Clock.

MENU 7 : PRESET

In this menu the presets are managed. In addition to the present
settings at any given time one can also store 4 complete
sequences for subsequent retrieval. In addition the manual DUMP-function
can be initiated in this menu.

MENU 8 : START/STOP

This is not a menu as such, but rather a START/STOP/CONTINUE-button.
By pressing the button one alternately starts and
stops the sequence. The tempo in beats per minute (BPM) appears
on the display in this mode and can be adjusted via the
data-entry dial. If the data-entry dial is turned all the way
to the left then the synchronization of the MAQ takes place
externally via MIDI-IN (i.e. External trigger).4.3 DESCRIPTION
OF MENUS

The following general remarks apply to all menus and will not
be repeated in the description of each individual menu:

1. A menu is selected by pressing the corresponding MENU-button.
The menu selected is visually indicated by an
illuminated LED.
2. One can exit from a menu by pressing a different MENU-button.
3. In menus 1-5 one can select the desired row by pressing the
same MENU-button again, since these menus refer to one
of the three rows of dials. The process is circular, i.e. if the
button is pressed again while row 3 is selected the program
jumps back to row 1. The row selected is visually indicated by
one of the three decimal points of the digital display. The left
decimal point represents the top row, the middle decimal point
represents the middle row and the right decimal point
represents the bottom row.
4. The parameters within the menu selected are adjusted via the
data-entry dial beneath the control-unit.

Display-Functions

The display toggles between the parameter-display and the edit-display
in approximately one second-intervals. Parameter-display in this
case refers to the item which can be selected in the menu in question
via the data-entry dial (for
example, the various events of menu 1 or the channel number in
menu 2).
The Edit-display has the following purpose: If one of the 48 dials
in the three rows is turned to a new setting, then the new
value will be displayed during the next repetition of the sequence,
i.e. the next time the indicator LED above that dial goes
ON. Of course this display will only make sense if no more than
one dial has been changed during one sequence cycle.
Furthermore, there is unfortunately no visual indication as to
which dial has been changed, meaning that the user will have to
remember which dial setting was changed. Otherwise a triple display
would be necessary, which would be even more
complicated to interpret. The value displayed is the actual MIDI-value
being sent. Depending on the MIDI-Event the range of
values varies. For example nA1 will result in only 13 different
values (36...48), whereas Controller, Velocity or Program Change
can generate 128 different values on the display (0...127).
The Edit-display will only work while the sequence is running.
At first this type of alternating display may be a bit confusing,
but one becomes used to it quite rapidly.
Also, whenever the data-entry dial is turned the display immediately
shows the new parameter value, i.e. there is no need to
wait for the new value to appear. Whenever a dial is turned the
new value appears immediately.

Realtime Operation

All parameters in menus 1-5 can be altered during operation, i.e.
while the sequence is running. However, please note that
this may lead to undesired side-effects. In particular a change
in the type of MIDI-Event (Menu 1) can trigger unexpected
effects. For example, if the operating is changed from Note to
Controller during operation, notes can get stuck since a
NOTE ON-instruction may suddenly be missing its corresponding
NOTE OFF-instruction. Another example are undesired
Controller messages (e.g. Volume/Ctr. # 7 or Modulation/Ctr. #
1) while turning the data-entry dial in MIDI-event mode (Menu
1) while sequence is running.
It is therefore not recommended to make such substantial changes
during operation, especially since they would not make
a great deal of sense during live performances anyway.
On the other hand, FIRST/LAST STEP (Menu 3), TIME (Menu 4) or
MODE (Menu 5) lend themselves very well to
modification during operation, including live performances.


4.3.1 EVENT (MENU 1) / Leftmost button in upper row

In this menu the selected row of dials is assigned the desired
MIDI-Event. The assigned MIDI-Event is shown on the display
in abbreviated form. The following MIDI-Events are available:

DisplayType of event (Instruction)Remark

nA1NOTE ON/OFF Absolute 1 Octave(1)
nA2NOTE ON/OFF Absolute 2 Octaves(1)
nA3NOTE ON/OFF Absolute 3 Octaves(1)
nA4NOTE ON/OFF Absolute 4 Octaves(1)
nA5NOTE ON/OFF Absolute 5 Octaves(1)

nr1NOTE ON/OFF Relative 1 Octave(1)
nr2NOTE ON/OFF Relative 2 Octaves(1)
nr3NOTE ON/OFF Relative 3 Octaves(1)
nr4NOTE ON/OFF Relative 4 Octaves(1)
nr5NOTE ON/OFF Relative 5 Octaves(1)

d.y.n.Dynamics/Velocity(2)
(or Pressure in case of polyphonic aftertouch)(3)

C0Controller 0
C1Controller 1
...
C31Controller 31

PItPitch Bend(3)
PIPPitch Bend positive only(3)
PI-Pitch Bend negative only(3)

AtAftertouch (monophonic)

PrgProgram Change(4)

Cn1MIDI-Channel for Row 1(5)

Ad1Addition to Row 1(6)

PA1Polyphonic Aftertouch 1 Octave(7)+(3)
PA2Polyphonic Aftertouch 2 Octaves(7)+(3)
PA3Polyphonic Aftertouch 3 Octaves(7)+(3)
PA4Polyphonic Aftertouch 4 Octaves(7)+(3)
PA5Polyphonic Aftertouch 5 Octaves(7)+(3)

t.4. .Step-duration 1-4(8)
t.8. .Step-duration 1-8(8)
t.1.6.Step-duration 1-16(8)
t.3.2.Step-duration 1-32(8)

---Row without function

Remark (1) :  NOTE-Instructions
If NOTE ON/OFF is assigned to a row one can choose between absolute
and relative operating mode. In "absolute" the
note is entered directly with the dial and will not be changed
by incoming note-instructions. The note-values will in this case
start at MIDI-Code 36 (= the low C on a 5-octave keyboard). In
"relative" NOTE ON-instructions entering via MIDI-IN are
used for transposition of the sequence, i.e. the note-values entered
with the dials are added to those coming from MIDI-IN.
In order to be able to implement the TRANSPOSE-function, the MIDI-channel
of the incoming note-instructions must be the
same as that of the row.
There are 5 different scales ranging from 1 to 5 octaves for both
absolute and relative operating mode. For example, with
nA1 the range of notes for a full turn of a dial is 1 octave,
with nA5 it is 5 octaves. To adjust the note-sequence as easy
as
possible one should select the lowest range suitable for the desired
sequence. For example, if the sequence covers 1
octave or less you should choose always nA1 or nr1. Although the
other ranges (2-5 octaves) could be used as well the
adjustment of the sequence with nA1 or nr1 is much easier.
If a row of notes is combined with a velocity-row (see remark
2), then the velocity values are supplied by this second row.
If
no other row is defined as velocity-row, then the note-instructions
are sent with a velocity-value of 64.

Remark (2): Velocity/Poly-Pressure
Under MIDI the velocity-instruction is coupled to the note-instruction.
Thus, if velocity has been assigned to one row, it must
be combined with a row which generates note-instructions. The
three decimal points of the display are used to indicate
which row(s) have been assigned to the velocity-row. For example,
if NOTES ON/OFF has been assigned to row 1 and if
the velocity-values are to be provided by row 2, then the Event-type
"d.y n" is to be entered for row 2, i.e. only the left
decimal point may be illuminated as an indication that row 2 and
its velocity-instructions have been combined only with row
1. In principle, one can combine the velocity-row with more than
one row providing notes. For example, "d.y n." would indicate
that row 2 (velocity-row) has been combined with both, row 1 and
row 3. However, the user must make certain that the
other two rows provide note-instructions. Furthermore, one should
remember that one velocity-row now simultaneously
controls two note-rows. It is left to the user to decide on the
usefulness of such an arrangement.
If a dial is turned all the way to the left (i.e. Velocity = 0)
no note-instruction is generated, instead a pause of the
corresponding length will result.
The velocity-function is also used in conjunction with the polyphonic
aftertouch, in that case it provides the pressure-values
(Poly-Pressure). If polyphonic aftertouch is assigned to a row
and this row is then combined with the velocity-row as
described earlier, then the velocity-row delivers the pressure-values.
The row to which polyphonic aftertouch has been
assigned will provide the corresponding note-values. The reason
for the combination of velocity and poly-pressure is the
similarity of the MIDI-instructions for notes and polyphonic aftertouch.
Both are 3-byte instructions, where the first byte
represents the status (NOTE or Poly-AT), the second byte the note
and the third byte velocity or poly-pressure,
respectively.

Remark (3): Pitch Bend
Three seperate ranges were set aside for pitch bend: Full range
(0...127), positive values only (64...127) and negative values
only (0...64). If the full pitch-range is selected there will
be a plateau around the center position of the dial in order to
make it
a little easier to find the neutral pitch-position.

Remark (4): Program-Change
With this instruction it is possible to dynamically switch sounds
during a sequence, provided the expander being used
permits this feature. Many expanders have a certain delay time
before a new note-instruction actually starts generating a
sound after a program-change-instruction. With such expanders
the program-change event cannot be properly utilized.

Remark (5): Dynamic MIDI-Channel-Switching
With Cn1 the dynamic MIDI-channel-switching for row 1 can be assigned
to rows 2 or 3. The sequence running in row 1 will
then be dynamically distributed onto the MIDI-channels which have
been selected with the dials in row 2 or 3. The MIDI-channel settings
for row 1 (see Menu 2) are then suspended. In order for this function
to work properly, an appropriate
number of receivers (Expanders) must be available on several MIDI-channels.
MIDI-Multimode-Expanders which can
receive on several different channels simultaneously (for example,
the GMX1 GM-MIDI-Expander) lend themselves
particularly well to this application.

Remark (6): Addition/Transposition
Ad1 permits values entered with the dials in rows 2 and 3 to be
added to row 1. For example, if row 1 provides note-instructions,
then this feature would provide an additional transposition capability.
It would permit the alteration of the
sequence of row 1, without modifying the sequence itself. Since
rows 2 and 3 and row 1 can run at different speeds it is for
example possible to let the transposition (Rows 2/3) take effect
only after each half or fully completed run of row 1.

Remark (7): Polyphonic Aftertouch
PA1...PA5 are used to assign polyphonic aftertouch (PolyAT) to
a row. Each PolyAT-instruction requires 2 values, the note
and the pressure. The note is adjusted with the row to which PA1...PA5
have been assigned. The numbers 1...5 refer to the
number of octaves. The note-inputs start at MIDI-Code 36. In addition,
this row has to be combined with another row
which has been assigned velocity. The velocity-row is then used
to set the pressure-values (see Remark 2). The PolyAT-event is
very similar to the normal Note-event with velocity. In both cases
the first row is used to set the note-values. The
difference lies in the fact that with Note-events the second row
is used to determine velocity, whereas with PolyAT-events
the second row is used to determine pressure-values. For this
reason the structure of PA1...5 is equivalent to that of nA1...5.

Remark (8): Step-Duration (Time)
The step-duration is not directly linked with a MIDI-event. It
merely provides the duration for the step in question. If step-duration
is assigned to a row it can refer to one row, two rows or all
three rows. The indication is provided by the three
decimal points of the display. If, for example, "t.4. ." is entered
for the bottom row (Row 3) it means that the settings entered
on the dials of row 3 are valid for all three rows. "t 4. ." would
indicate validity only for the two bottom rows. In order for the
user to be able to control the step-duration on the bottom row,
it must also refer to that row (i.e. the third decimal point on
the display must be illuminated in our example). Otherwise the
time-row will run in constant steps and will pass the step-duration
values only to the other row(s) activated.
There are four possible scaling factors for the dials: Base time
x 4, x 8, x 16, x 32. The base time results from the (internal
or external) MIDI-clock. The step-duration can only be increased
in whole multiples of the base time. The digits 4, 8, 16 and
32 refer to the maximum scaling factor (with respect to the clock)
which can be reached if a control dial is turned all the
way up. If only small time differences between steps are desired
"t4" should be selected, for larger differences one should
select "t 8", "t16" or "t32". If a dial in the step-duration-row
is turned all the way to the left, then the step in question will
be
omitted, i.e. this serves as SKIP-function.
The timing of each row is also influenced by an adjustable prescale
factor (Menu 4: PRESCALE/TIME). If the step-duration
function is assigned to a row the prescale factors entered in
Menu 4 are in effect as well. Very complex timing
arrangements can thus be programmed, although these always occur
within the limitations of the MIDI-clock. In principle
the step-duration can be controlled with any one of the three
rows of dials. However, for technical reasons we recommend
that only the bottom row is used for this purpose, since the software
has been optimized for this.
We would like to emphasize one more time at this point that not
every arrangement possible is also sensible. One could of
course assign step-duration or velocity to all three rows, but
this would certainly make no sense !  Nonetheless, we
deliberately decided not to outright exclude certain configurations,
in order to avoid limiting the potential of the MAQ from
the start. Since this allows for the possibility of nonsensical
configurations, we urge all users to make sure that the
configurations programmed do make sense. Otherwise there is a
potential for uncontrolled reactions and side effects. For
example, if a velocity-row is combined with an monophonic aftertouch-row,
then the velocity-value entered via the dials
will overwrite the aftertouch-values! If on occasion the MAQ behaves
in unexpected or undesired fashion, the user should
review the configuration entered to make sure it actually makes
sense.


4.3.2 CHANNEL (MENU 2) / Second button in upper row

In this menu a MIDI-channel is assigned to the designated row
of dials. The channel is selected via the data-entry dial. If
a
row has been assigned Velocity, Step-duration, Addition (Ad1)
or Dynamic MIDI-channel (Cn1) in menu 1, then the MIDI-channel
selection of menu 2 is without meaning since in those cases the
MIDI-channel is determined by the corresponding
row(s).


4.3.3 FIRST/LAST STEP (MENU 3) / Third button in upper row
      (Note: Button is labeled "LAST STEP")

In this menu the first ("F . . ") and last ("L . . ") active step
in each row are selected. Repeated pressing of the MENU-button
will allow the first steps of the three rows to be entered first,
followed by the last steps of the three rows. The selected rows
are once again indicated by the decimal points on the display
being illuminated. After the selected last step of a row has
been reached the program jumps back to the selected first step
of the row (in forward mode, see menu 5). Since these
settings are made separately for each row it is possible to generate
very complex sequences which will repeat only after
several runs. Another way to create interesting effects is to
combine a note-row with a velocity-row of different lengths.
This will result in the combination of notes and velocity-values
constantly being shifted, thus creating a lively accentuation.
The same holds true for a step-duration assigned to row 3. If
this row is made shorter or longer than the note-row with
which it is combined, the step-durations will constantly vary
with the notes. One may also change the values while the
sequence is running, i.e. lengthening or shortening the sequences
during operation. This will substantially enhance live
performances and can also be used for improvisations or experimental
pieces.


4.3.4 PRESCALE/TIME (MENU 4) / Fourth button in upper row

In this menu the period between two events (in MIDI-clock units)
can be adjusted for each row. For note-events the note-duration
can be adjusted in addition. The abbreviations "g" and "n" are
being used. "g" stands for gate-time, this is the time
between two events of the same type. An example would be the time
between two NOTE ON-instructions. "n" stands for
note-duration, i.e. the time between a NOTE ON-instruction and
its associated NOTE OFF-instruction. The setting of note-duration
is relevant only if the row in question has been assigned to note-events
(nA or nr). There is no "switching off" in the
fashion of NOTE OFF-instructions with any of the other types of
instructions, such as controllers, pitchbend and aftertouch.
Repeated pressing of the menu-button will initially take the user
into the gate-time section of the menu, where the gate-times are
entered for the three row. This section of the menu is followed
by that for adjustment of note-lengths. It should be
remembered that note-length must always be less than gate-duration.
If note-length is set to "1", it will always be equal to
gate-duration and need not be changed separately if gate-duration
is changed.
The two-digit numbers displayed behind "g" or "n" refer to the
MIDI-clock. For example, a setting of "g06" means that after
6 MIDI-Clocks the row in question jumps to the next step. If two
rows are to run at equal speed, one must enter the same
values for gate-duration in each row. If one row is to run half
as fast as the other, one must enter a value for gate-duration
which is twice that of the other row. Uneven ratios are also possible.
In MIDI the duration of a quarter note is defined as 24 clocks.
If you combine the MAQ with another MIDI-clock controlled
unit (drum machine, computer sequencer etc.) you have to ensure
that the MAQ is running at the same musical tempo as
the other unit(s). In this case we recommend to choose a value
of 24, 12 or 6 for the gate time, i.e. to select a musical period
of a quarter, a eight or a sixteenth note between two sequence
steps.
The separate adjustment of the prescale-factors for each row make
extremely complex timing arrangements possible,
although these will always be referenced to the shared MIDI-clock.
If step-duration is assigned to row 3, the step-duration
and the effects of the prescale-factor from menu 4 will overlap.
In combination with different "First/Last steps" in the three
rows one obtains very complex sequences which no longer appear
to have any timing-based relationship, but which
always run synchronously via the MIDI-clock.

4.3.5 MODE (MENU 5) / Leftmost button in lower row

There are 4 possible operating modes for each row: Forward, Reverse,
Pendulum or Random. In this menu the desired
mode is selected for a given row:

DisplayOperating Mode
FOrForward
bACBackward
PEnPendulum
rndRandom

4.3.6 SINGLE STEP (MENU 6) / Second button in lower row

This menu selects the single step-mode. The data-entry dial is
used to select one of the steps 1-16. The step in question
will be selected in all three rows and scanned in the previously
selected tempo. For example, if NOTE ON/OFF has been
assigned to all three rows in menu 1 one can now easily set the
desired triad for each step. If only one or two rows are to
be adjusted, then the undesired row(s) can be temporarily disabled
in menu 1 (Event-type "---").
The single step-mode can also be used for live performances and
experimenting. For example, once a sequence or
chord-combination has been entered via the control-dials, then
each of the 16 steps can be selected in realtime via the
data-entry dial (i.e. each step can be dynamically "scanned").
Output continues to occur in step with the internal or external
MIDI-clock. It is also possible to achieve spontaneous changes
by turning the dials of the currently selected step. Use of
the single step-mode should definitely not be limited to the input
of a sequence, but should also be used for
experimentation during live performances.

4.3.7 PRESET (MENU 7) / Third button in lower row

This global menu is used to manage the 4 available presets and
to manually trigger the DUMP-function. Up to 4 complete
sequences can be stored and retrieved (i.e. all parameters and
the settings of the 48 dials). When the MENU-button is
pressed the LED will go on and a preset number from 0-4 can be
selected via the data-entry dial. "0" corresponds to the
actual current settings of the 48 dials. 1 - 4 refers to any previously
stored presets. If the preset selected was not stored
earlier the display shows "udF" (undefinded) instead of the preset
number.
If one exits the menu in this mode by pressing another MENU-button,
then either the current settings (0) or one of the
presets (1-4) is selected. If one of the "genuine" presets 1-4
was selected, then the 48 dials for the three rows will be non-functional
and the toggle display shows "frZ" (freeze) instead of the edit
value. Therefore if on occasion turning a dial will not
produce any changes, please check to see whether you inadvertently
called-up a preset.
The settings of the three stored rows cannot be edited (Software
Version 1.00), i.e. once the preset is selected the 48 dials
are no longer scanned as to their settings since the dial settings
are now retrieved directly from memory. However, the
parameters which are entered via the MENU-buttons and the data-entry
dial can still be edited.
If a "genuine" preset (1-4) is selected in this menu by turning
the data-entry dial, followed by selection of preset "0", then
the
parameter-values of preset 1 will be taken over, whereas the settings
for the 48 dials will be taken from the actual dial
settings rather than from memory. It is thus recommended that
preset 1 should always be used to store the current
parameter-settings of the three rows (Event, Channel, First/Last
Step, Mode, etc.) when working with presets.
If the MENU-button for this menu is pressed a second time, all
8 LEDs will go on as a visual warning of the impending
storing procedure. If a preset-number (1-4) is now entered via
the data-entry dial and the MENU-button is pressed a third
time, then the current settings of the 48 dials and the current
parameter-values are stored in the selected preset. Any
sequence previously stored in this location will be overwritten
and is thus irretrievably lost!
If preset "0" is selected for storage, then the manual DUMP via
MIDI-OUT is triggered. In this case the data is not stored,
instead the entire content of the preset-memory is dumped via
MIDI in form of System Exclusive-instructions.
In order to initialize the whole preset-memory it is necessary
to press and hold MENU-buttons 1 and 8 while the MAQ16/3
is switched ON (i.e. when plugging in the power supply cable).
This function will irretrievably erase all presets and should
thus be used with caution!

4.3.8 START/STOP (Menu 8) / Fourth button in lower row

This is not a menu but a Start/Stop-button. Pressing this MENU-button
will alternately start or stop the sequence. The
appropriate MIDI-instructions START, STOP or CONTINUE are sent
along with MIDI-clock via MIDI-OUT. In case of START
the sequence starts from the last configuration (no resetting
of the three rows to step 1, MIDI-OUT: CONTINUE). If all three
rows are to start with step 1 (Reset) then the START/STOP-menu
must be briefly exited and reentered (MIDI-OUT: START).
In this menu the display will show the tempo in beats per minute
(BPM), the tempo can be adjusted with the data-entry dial.
In order to synchronize the MAQ16/3 with an external MIDI-clock
via MIDI-IN, one must turn the data-entry dial all the way
to the left stop. The display will then show "E t" for "External
trigger". In this case the incoming MIDI-clock-instructions are
used as timing basis, rather than the internal clock-generator.
The MAQ will also respond to incoming MIDI-instructions
START, STOP and CONTINUE.