Dreamsequence

Chord-based sequencer, arpeggiator, and harmonizer for Monome Norns + Grid

Required: Monome Norns (231114 or later) and Grid (16x8 or 16x16)

Optional: Supports MIDI and Crow by default. Installation of additional NB voices is highly recommended!

Dreamsequence vids on YouTube

---

Intro

Dreamsequence is a script for theory-informed musical composition and performance with Norns + Grid.

Key features include:

• Degree-based chord sequencer with performance controls for voicing and strumming
• Quick selection of scale-appropriate chords, plus custom chord editor
• Three sequencers configurable for mono, poly, kit, arp, and hybrid modes
• MIDI/CV Harmonizers to transform incoming notes/voltages into new sequences
• Eight custom scale masks for each song scale
• Support for up to six Nota Bene (NB) voices, or merging of sequences to a single voice
• Song Arranger to build fixed-length or looping compositions from chord patterns
• Events to change any script or voice parameter, plus control over CV gear via Crow
• Independent division and swing settings for sequences and Crow clock output
• Algorithmic chord and sequence pattern generation

Dreamsequence is designed to be approachable for people of all musical backgrounds. After learning a few basics, sketching out a new song takes just a few minutes.

If you have feedback, questions, or creations to share, join the conversation at https://llllllll.co/t/dreamsequence

Cheers, Dan

---

Contents

• Overview
• Grid interface
• Norns interface
• Preferences
• Crow
• Changelog

Overview

This Overview will explain how the components that make up Dreamsequence operate together. It's a bit technical and isn't required knowledge to enjoy the script, so feel free to skim the Grid interface and Norns interface documentation if you want to explore the script at your own pace. Don't forget to install some NB voice mods if you're not using just MIDI/Crow!

NOTE: Dreamsequence supports saving/loading of your song through the system PARAMETERS>>PSET menu but you should expect these saves to break when doing updates. I'll do my best to notify of breaking changes in patch notes, but things will be missed and I recommend you wrap up any work before updating.

Chord sequencer

Grid-based chord pattern sequencer

• The chord sequencer broadcasts the "active" chord which allows the downstream sequencers and harmonizers to avail themselves of chord-based note transformations.
• Optionally, the active chord can shaped with various parameters (voicing, inversion, note-thinning, strumming) and played directly.
• Patterns entered on Grid are references to chord degrees (I-VII) of the song key (determined by the Tonic and Scale parameters in the SONG view). This means that the available chords are always appropriate for the song's harmonic framework and adapt to key changes.
• In addition to triads, alternate chord types and user-defined chords are available.
• 4 chord patterns (A, B, C, D) can be saved and switched between manually or with the Arranger.
• See the Chord Grid interface and Chord menu documentation for details.

Sequencers 1-3

Three Grid-based pattern sequencers/arpeggiators

• Seqs 1-3 can be configured as step sequencers, chord-based arpeggiators, or various hybrids. Sequences may be monophonic or polyphonic.
• Each column on the Grid pattern represents a note, which can be transformed per the NOTE parameter. These transformations include playing notes from the active chord, the song scale, the chromatic scale, a fixed drum kit scale, or custom scale masks.
• See the Seq Grid interface and Seq menu documentation for details.

MIDI Harmonizer

MIDI note transformer suitable for chords, sequences, and arpeggios

• Transforms incoming MIDI to play notes from the selected chord, scale, etc...
• Examples:
  • Turn a synced step sequencer into a chord-aware secondary arpeggio, melody, bassline, etc...
  • Pass a drum pad/sequencer to trigger virtual percussion voices.
  • Improvise with a MIDI controller during live/recorded performances.
  • Use a looping MIDI clip from a synced DAW for off-grid timing.
• See the MIDI Harmonizer menu documentation for details (no Grid interface).

CV Harmonizer

Sample and hold + quantizer/transformer (requires Crow)

• A trigger received at Crow input 2 will sample the voltage at input 1 and use this to play a note using a number of transformation options.
• Alternatively, clocked voltage sampling can be scheduled using the Trigger setting.
• Examples:
  • Process CV from a eurorack sequencer then send it back out via Crow outputs.
  • Turn LFOs, function generators, S&H modules, etc... into sequencers.
  • Use trigger/clock/voltage sources for novel sequence timing or to inject chaos into a merged sequence.
• See the CV Harmonizer menu documentation for details (no Grid interface).

Arranger

Chord pattern arranger and Events manager for automation

• Sequences playback of chord patterns (A, B, C, D) and is the entry point to the Events Editor.
• Events set, increment, randomize, or prompt parameters to "wander" throughout an arrangement, with clamping or wrapping of value ranges and probability control. Events can be used like rudimentary DAWesque automation lanes or they can be used more sparingly to reconfigure your patch at certain key points in your arrangement. Events can also be used to control NB voices, directly output triggers/gates/CV via Crow, and send MIDI bank/program changes to connected devices.
• See the Arranger Grid interface and Events Grid interface documentation for details.

---

Grid interface

Chord Grid interface

The Chord view is used to program chord patterns A-D.

• The playhead moves from top to bottom and sequence length is set using column 15. On 16x8 Grids, E1 can be used to scroll up and down the full 16-step pattern.

• Chords are selected using columns 1-14 which represent chord degrees I-VII across two octaves. Pressing and holding a key will display the corresponding chord name on Norns' screen. At that point, chord variants can be selected using E3.

• The Chord Editor allows defining custom chords. It is accessed by holding a chord key and pressing K3. In the Chord Editor, the two bottom rows represent note intervals across two stacked octaves. The bottom left key is the root note of the selected chord degree, with pitch increasing as you move to the right. After 12 semitones, the progression of intervals moves up a row. Use E3 to select from available chords or enter your own by touching the keys on Grid. The chord can be previewed with K2 (make sure to select a Voice option in the Chord menu). Note that not all chords will be recognized, in which case the resulting chord name will be the root note followed by an asterisk, e.g. "C*".

• Rows 1-4 of the rightmost column represent 4 chord patterns: A, B, C, D.

  • Tapping a pattern will disable the Arranger and cue that pattern to play once the current pattern is completed.
  • While stopped/paused, double-tapping a pattern will disable the Arranger and immediately jump to that pattern.
  • Holding one pattern and tapping on another will copy and paste chords from the held pattern without causing the pattern/cue to change.

• The last three keys on the bottom of the rightmost column switch between Arranger, Chord, and Seq views.

  • Holding the Chord view key enables alternate functions:
    • E1 rotates the entire pattern.
    • E2 rotates the looped portion of the pattern.
    • E3 shifts the pattern left or right an octave, with wrapping.
    • K2 generates a new chord pattern and also randomizes some related parameters like scale, root, and tempo.
    • Holding the Chord+Seq view keys together enables K2 to generate both a new chord and Seq pattern.

---

Seq Grid interface

The Sequence view is used to program notes into the 3 pattern sequencers.

• One sequencer and one pattern can be edited at a time. Use the matrix at the upper right of Grid to select a Seq and pattern to edit/play.

• To change which pattern is playing, tap it. The change can be immediate or quantized depending on the Change parameter. Holding one pattern and tapping on another will