SEQTRAK as sound module: Connections - Sand, software and soundSand, software and sound

A quick hit on the SEQTRAK front…

I’ve been experimenting with Yamaha SEQTRAK as a sound module. The biggest trick is living within SEQTRAK’s MIDI channel assignments:

Channels 1 to 7: Drum, synth, or drum kit
Channels 8 and 9: Synth
Channel 10: DX 4-op FM
Channel 11: Sampler

Channels 1 to 7 can be assigned to “Synth” through the SEQTRAK app and that’s how I have assigned them. Overall, I have 9 channels of AWM2 synth and 1 channel of 4-op FM for ten melodic voices total. I haven’t sussed out the Sampler yet.

So far, I’ve tested SEQTRAK using three MIDI controllers:

KORG Microkey Air 49 (via USB)
Arturia Keylab Essential 49 mk2 (via MIDI)
Novation Launchpad 49 mk4 (via MIDI)

As you might expect for a mature technology, 5-pin MIDI is rock solid. The Keylab Essential and Launchpad both have 5-pin MIDI out which I connect to the SEQTRAK through its MIDI adapter. The SEQTRAK MIDI adapter has an oddball 5-pole TRRRS 3.5mm plug (Yamaha part number VFD34200). I intend to buy a spare adapter or two just in case I lose one.

I didn’t try the Keylab or Launchpad over USB due to power concerns. I don’t want to tax the small-ish SEQTRAK lithium-Ion battery (2,100 mAh) although the output current is rated at a hefty 1.5 Amps.

The output current spec gives me pause. Maybe I should pull out a USB power meter and take measurements?

I tested SEQTRAK with the Microkey Air USB interface because the Air has low current draw. No joy. Although the Microkey Air powered up, no notes, no sound. I double-checked the outgoing MIDI (channel 1) stream. The SEQTRAK just did not seem to get MIDI messages. I need to find a way to monitor SEQTRAK’s MIDI activity in order to draw a more definite conclusion.

I was more successful sending MIDI over USB from a Yamaha PSS-A50. (Channel 1, again.) Unfortunately, SEQTRAK would occasionally lose the USB connection and I would need to restart the PSS-A50 and SEQTRAK. Other folks on the web have reported this issue and Yamaha need to troubleshoot.

KORG USB MIDI ain’t working too well with Windows 11, either. There is something quirky about KORG’s USB support and I wish KORG would put engineers on it and straighten things out once and forall.

A quick test with a CME Bluetooth WIDI UHost was successful. I connected SEQTRAK to the UHost USB-C data port, turned on SEQTRAK, turned on the Microkey Air, and bang — the Microkey Air connects to the SEQTRAK via Bluetooth MIDI. It would be terrific if the Microkey Air connected to SEQTRAK’s internal MIDI, but I could easily live with a tiny external WIDI UHost instead.

Going forward, I will stick to 5-pin MIDI or WIDI Bluetooth. I need rock solid connection and cannot reboot during a church service. One thing about playing in church, when you gotta play and be heard, your tech must work without failure every time.

I will have more to say about configuring the SEQTRAK voices in a future post. I’ll leave you with a list of my favorite and most useful melodic voices:

    Hammond organ    Pipe organ       Electric piano
    -------------    -------------    --------------------
    Vib Chorus       St. Paul         Wood EP (DX)
    Soulemn          Sunday           Wood EQ Tremolo (DX)
    Mellow                            Soft Case
    Even Out                          Vintage Case
    Draw Control
    Swishie

    Strings          Brass            Woodwind
    -------------    -------------    --------------------
    Violin           2 Flutes         Jazzy Flugel     
    Violin Solo      Flute & Clari    Legend Mute
    Cello Duo        2 Oboes&Bassoon  Trumpet Vibrato
    Quartet          WoodWind Quartet French Horn
    Medium Section                    FrenchHornSection1
    Full Chamber                      F.Horn + Trombine
    Warm Back                         F.Horn + Strings
    VP Soft                           Wood Winds+Strings

    Pad
    ----------------
    Ethereal
    Simple Air
    Warm Backing Pad
    Oooh Pad
    Strings & Choir
    Nativity

This list reads like the greatest orchestral sounds of the Motif XS and XF. For a $250 to $300 USD sound module, that ain’t bad! Many of these sounds are in my MODX Live Set for church.

More to come…