Squarp Instruments Hapax Polychronic Performance Sequencer

You can simply dedicate a track to send PCs out, with patterns left empty. Or did I miss something ?

Thanks for the suggestions. I don’t have the Hapax yet. I’m about to get one. I just wanted to make sure it makes sense for my setup. That’s an interesting idea to sequnce the MD tracks with it. I assume I could make a script that would allow me to access all of the MD parameters on the HAPAX for automation. Although I’m not sure how many CC values it allows you to access at once. Anyway, it seems like there are several options to explore. I was mainly planning to use it for sequencing my Virus TI, and some modular stuff. I find those to be a real hassle to sequence with Elektron gear, because it’s un-intuitive to remember what all the CC values are. So, the possibility of having scripts with all the parameters named seems like a big improvement.

Thanks for that. But, wouldn’t there still be a limit of 16, since there are 16 tracks per pattern?

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Do you have more than 16 unique patterns per track? On Hapax you can mix and match patterns into sections. On elektron you need to copy Track1/Pattern1 into T1 on P2, P3 etc even if that track repeats across multiple patterns. On Hapax you would create sections and those sections can reference any pattern on T1.

Yeah. I do. I like to do changes to fills/ turnarouns for pretty much all of my patterns on the MD.

Sorry I know get the issue.
On thing I can think of (but probably not practical) would be to use an Automation lane for PC, and use the looping region to spot different PCs.

ā€œInstrument definitionsā€ is the thing in Squarp lingo that you should look up.

From the manual:

11.5. Instrument Definitions
Intro
Instrument Definitions are a fast and easy way to setup a track to work with a given
instrument. Here is a non-exhaustive list of their features:
Give CCs names
Set the input and output MIDI port and channel
Set up the drum lanes of a drum track
Give PCs names (to save your favourite presets)
Create empty automation lanes
Instrument Definitions are UTF-8 encoded text files, with the ā€œ.txtā€ file extension.
They should be stored in the HAPAX folder of the SD card, alongside the projects.

Quick peek at the forum also reveals that someone has already made an definition for the Machinedrum: Elektron MachineDrum - Instrument Definitions - Squarp Forum

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Damn, that’s convoluted. But clever. Or the other way around.

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You can have multiple tracks pointing to the same channel, so if you have track 14 and 15, that gives 32 pattern. Each pattern can increment the PC. So if you go into sond mode, you can advance 32 pattern in the same projekt.

Using the dual project structure - the intended usage is that you advance pattern 1-16 in project one, and then load project two, unmuting project two track 15 would advance the pattern to program 17 -32.

I didnt check if there is a setlist of songs yet. Currently you would loop the last pattern, till you load the next project. (Or using project B only for the purpose of advancing the patterns.) 16 tracksx 16 pattern => 256 pattern changes.

The intended workflow is that you mute old patterns (can be set in the song mode per project.) And unmute then in the next project.

I’ve also just made myself realize that I should kind of drop making template projects on the Hapax and instead focus on adjusting some instrument definitions to my setup… : )

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Thanks fro the suggestions. That makes sense to have tow separate tracks sending the program changes. I think IO will probably try that. I know it might be a bit excessive to need so many patterns. but, when I’m using hardware, I like to basically get a track idea down in the hardware, before continuing it in the DAW. And if the tempos are faster, it is pretty easy for it to get into Bank B on the Elektrons. Here is an example of my hardware steup. My main intention for the Hapax, is sequencing the Virus.

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It actually isnt, with octatrack - you get only new sample assignments with each part, that is 4 parts per bank. If you only intend to progress the sample set - it could narrow down to 4 program changes per bank needed. The slice is then triggerd from the hapax. (Ok, with spending for example 3 or 4 tracks to sequence the slices)

I think its generally possible to only work within one project, but a more linear approach is at the end easier to setup. LFO to slices on the octatrack, copy pattern multiple times- and only change the sample content. (Requires less configuration setup.) And the scene assignment - could also be send from the Octatrack. (CC 55 and 56) sets the slider to A and B. 0-15.

Surly needs a bit of planning, to not get lost, and have a fixed sample track structure.

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with dual project structure/loading, isn’t it possible technically to have endless number of patterns by just loading new projects while another one is playing?

Why not just name a project after the bank it is related to on the MD

BankA_P0to8_MDProj
BankA_P8to16_MDProj
BankB_P0to8_MDProj

etc

as it says in the video ā€œyou can use this to play endless live setsā€

you can also send PC from drum track or poly track, there’s also a dedicated dialogue window for it
Hapax Manual | Squarp instruments under ā€œPattern Program Changeā€

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How is the build quality on the Hapax, is it on par with Elektron products?

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good review with nice pics here:

i’d say that the encoders are much different feeling than the elektrons they have a tactile click on steps that makes it a little easier to set params, the screens are just as good if not better than modern elektron boxes
the tactile feel of the black buttons are nice, the grid doesn’t feel as good as some other grid/pad devices i’ve used but its designed to be ā€œflatterā€ to enter in automation easier by dragging your finger across them more smoothly

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It is possible you don’t like some design choices, but the quality of the hardware building is good.

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I just got mine and overall I have no major complaints with it. I do prefer less steppy encoders for some things (e.g. controlling external hardware), but I see why Squarp chose them for their primary purpose controlling internal parameters. Otherwise everything feels good and the screens are excellent.

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nice! I can benefit from diving deeper into mine instead of worry about spending 2k for a cirklon

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I do have to say that I too would have wished for another material choice for the steps/trig matrix, those feel a bit squishy and cheap, but I do agree that the build quality overall is good and reliable.

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so just tried a lil experiment in ableton

hapax sequencing the ā€œsound selectorā€ track
i can drag w/e presets into this rack
midi learn hapax to macro chain selector
boom, you can have presets in ableton linked to patterns in your hapax :slight_smile:

clock sync is actually quite good over usb using ableton as master clock on a windows PC, this session has killed my gas for quite a few devices lol

i want to try this with direct jump enabled on elektron, while sending pattern change CC from hapax

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