FIVE12 Numerology 1.2.1 (Mac)

Dec 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Len Sasso

           

If you're a Mac OS X user and you're into step sequencing, Five12's Numerology ($70) is almost too good to be true. Numerology is a standalone modular step sequencer that generates gate, pitch, Velocity, and controller data. Using CoreMIDI, Numerology interfaces with hardware or other software applications through two virtual MIDI ports. Each bidirectional port handles 16 MIDI channels, providing 32 channels of step-sequenced data.

The latest version of Numerology hosts Audio Unit (AU) plug-ins, such as the included BitShift DrumSynth. To take full advantage of Numerology, you'll definitely want some high-quality synthesis and sampling software or hardware. I tested Numerology with a virtual rack full of gear in Propellerhead Reason and with MOTU MachFive running as an AU plug-in.

You build step sequencers to your own specifications in Numerology by inserting modules in a rack. The simplest note sequencer, for example, requires three modules: Control Sequencer, Gate Sequencer, and Note Output. The Control and Gate Sequencers, which can have as many as 32 steps, generate pitches and variable-length gates. The Note Output Module combines signals from other modules into MIDI Note messages and routes them to an output. This example uses the Control Sequencer's output for pitch and the Gate Sequencer's output for gates, applying a fixed Velocity to each note. You could use another Control Sequencer for Velocity, if you like. In more complex setups, the Control Sequencer can generate MIDI continuous controller messages for automation.

Paint by Numbers

Numerology supplies a variety of other modules for specific purposes. The Four Track module combines four 16-step control sequencers that you can use simultaneously for polyphonic sequencing, or you can string them together to make two 32-step sequences or one 64-step sequence. Its matching Multiple Note Output module routes the four sequences to separate MIDI outputs. The Drum Seq module holds two sequences, each with a maximum length of 32 steps. Each sequence plays a single pitch (meaning a single drum sound), and the module generates a Velocity value and a gate at each step. Drum Seq has its own output routing, so no other module is required.

In addition to sequencing notes, Numerology provides modules that transmit MIDI CC, Pitch Bend, and Program Change messages. Two specialty modules, Signal Processing and Mixer/Scope, allow you to combine and numerically modify the outputs of other modules and monitor the results. The Dual LFO module generates control signals in sine, square, sawtooth, or triangle waveform patterns, either free-running or synchronized to tempo. You can route the Dual LFO's output to any other module's input or to any AU plug-in using the Parameter Modulation module. A Fader Box module has 16 sliders you can assign to individual MIDI CC messages.

You connect modules using drop-down menus, and you can connect just about any output to any input. That might sound a little dangerous, but it's very nice to be able to assign pitch values to control Velocity, for example, perhaps after some processing with a Signal Processing module.

Numerology also lets you build step sequencers that run simultaneously. Each sequencer, called a Group, has its own rack and its own presets containing all the settings for the modules in the Group. In addition to the Modules view, in which you create Groups and their presets, a Mixer view offers a channel strip representing each Group and a Tracks view with a timeline track for each Group. The Mixer strips allow you to select presets, mute and solo any Group, and send MIDI Volume messages to the Group's outputs. The Track view is a kind of metasequencer for Group preset changes, and it even allows you to loop subsequences of preset changes. You can go a bit loopy keeping track of everything, but you're unlikely to run out of options. The online file NumeroUno.mp3 is an example of a multitrack Numerology sequence.

On the Level

Without a doubt, Numerology takes step sequencing to a new level. It is complex, but once you've built a couple of different step-sequencer Groups and used the Track and Mixer views a few times, it will become almost second nature. The ability to save your step-sequencer configurations and multiple presets means you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time you want to generate a new sequence. Try the demo and listen to some of the MP3 examples on Five12's Web site. If step sequencing is your bag, you'll probably like what you hear.

Five12
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