What is an Audio Sequencer?
An Audio Sequencer is a unit which possesses a specific number of segments (usually 8 or 16) and a specific number of channels (typically between 4 and 16). One can think of this unit as having segments on an x-axis and channels on a y-axis. The x-axis segments are cycled through repeatedly from left to right with respect to time and each segment can trigger a sound sample contained within the channel. Conversely, every channel can contain its own sound sample and be triggered at any cycle. This allows the user to program music, which at it’s very essence, is a sequence of sounds organized relative to time. This is accomplished by placing a switch/button on each segment that controls its on and off state.
Our Goal
Physical audio sequencers are typically expensive and aimed at more technically inclined musicians. There are cheaper alternatives that exist purely as a software applications. However, they forfeit the excitement and feeling offered by using a physical unit. Physical units typically require users to follow a manual closely in order to take advantage of all the functionalities available on the unit. Additionally, in order to load new sounds onto the unit, it typically requires the use of a cable, or a storage medium such as an SD card. The typical setup involves a computer with a wired connection, which can be cumbersome.
All this being said, it would be ideal if a physical unit could be of low cost while maintaining a certain level of portability. The main goal of this project is to provide exactly this. The unit is low cost from a user’s perspective, and it is lightweight and portable, with only a few buttons and controls aside from the sequencer array. It is also accompanied by a mobile application that allows the user to control what sounds are assigned to which sequencer channel. These channels are illuminated with LEDs when active and triggered with a physical mechanism. The unit is also versatile in its output possibilities (multiple output formats – for example speaker, line-level). Additionally, there is a substantial sound bank accessible to users, along with the ability to contribute to this sound bank with sets of audio samples. This allows the user to really take ownership of the sounds they create.
All this being said, it would be ideal if a physical unit could be of low cost while maintaining a certain level of portability. The main goal of this project is to provide exactly this. The unit is low cost from a user’s perspective, and it is lightweight and portable, with only a few buttons and controls aside from the sequencer array. It is also accompanied by a mobile application that allows the user to control what sounds are assigned to which sequencer channel. These channels are illuminated with LEDs when active and triggered with a physical mechanism. The unit is also versatile in its output possibilities (multiple output formats – for example speaker, line-level). Additionally, there is a substantial sound bank accessible to users, along with the ability to contribute to this sound bank with sets of audio samples. This allows the user to really take ownership of the sounds they create.
Our Team
Alexis San Javier
Web Developer 23-year-old Computer Engineering student. Alexis is passionate about learning new programs and working with cutting-edge technologies. Alexis plans to get his masters while working full-time as a software engineer after graduation.
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Giani Francis
Integration Specialist 23-year-old Computer Engineering student and entrepreneur. Giani has worked in the modeling and simulation field as a Software Engineer for over a year and hopes to continue after graduation. She plans create a company that engineers business solutions in the near future.
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Brandon Marcoux
Hardware Lead 23-year-old computer engineer student. Brandon hopes to secure a Software Engineering job out of school and start his own company someday. He also hopes to never stop making new things at home with the skills and experience gained from school and projects.
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Miguel Chavez
Software Lead 23 year -old Computer Engineering student. Miguel currently works as intern at the Walt Disney World Company. He develops sections of a .NET web application that ensures accurate time and pay recordings. As a hobby, Miguel develops iOS applications and he hopes to publish an app to the Apple App Store by the end of next year
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Go Knights!