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  dP   dP       `8888'P8 `88888P' dP   `YP `88888P' dP       

MidiTracker is a small tracker that sequences notes in a nested vertical layout. The UI is heavily inspired by LSDJ and other trackers from the past, present and future. To make it portable and useful on all kinds of plattforms I've choosen python for it with minimalist curses / ASCII user interface.

Running midiTracker

I'm building this whole thing with python 3.9.10. And I have close to no experience with python. You'll need a python environment with mido, rtmidi and curses modules installed.

Quick Install Guide:

git clone https://github.com/zuggamasta/midiTracker.git

cd midiTracker/

python3 -m venv venv/

source venv/bin/activate

python -m pip install mido[ports-rtmidi]

python midiTracker.py

midiTracker is crashing on start

Traceback (most recent call last):
...
    if not current_screen == 4: draw_info(info_win,available_ports[MIDI_PORT])        
UnboundLocalError: local variable 'available_ports' referenced before assignment

If you run into this error, please make sure to have installed the right Python version and depnedencies. If the error persists please feel free to open a new issue or use this issue(43) to get help.

For artists, beginners or other curious folk you can read the installation guide here if you want help getting started. I also tried to explain some basic info on how to use command line git to clone a repository for a workflow where you do not need to leave your terminal.

Starting midiTracker after Installation

First navigate to the midiTracker folder

source venv/bin/activate

python midiTracker.py

    SONG 00                                   ┌───────────────┐
    Chn1Chn2Chn3Chn4RmplChn6Chn7Chn8          │       BPM: 120│
  00 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │IAC-Treiber … 1│
  01 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  02 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  03 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │Song Step:   00│
  04 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │Chain Step:  01│
  05 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │Phrase Step: 10│
  06 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  07 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │Loop Length: 08│
  08 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  09 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  10 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │  Mod1         │
  11 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │  Mod2         │
  12 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  13 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  14 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           │               │
  15 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           └───────────────┘

Keyboard Controls:

This is the keymap which midiTracker has preconfigured, you can change the assingment of keys in the top of the main miditracker.py file.

Change Screens

Number Keys 1 - 5 : Brings you to the different screens. In the order Song, Chain, Phrase, Confing, Visualizer.

Move the cursor:

Arrow Keys ← → ↑ ↓ : Navigation on Data Grid

Edit notes:

a : Modifier 1 (Screen highlights in green)

  Mod1 + ← : -12 units / 1 Octave

  Mod1 + → : +12 units / 1 Octave

  Mod1 + ↓ : -1 unit / Semitone

  Mod1 + ↑ : +1 / Semitone

  c : copy value

  shift + c : deep copy, copies the current phrase content

  v : paste value

  shift + v : flood value, writes copy buffer to all steps or deep copy buffer if one is available

Change Chains and Phrases:

s : Modifier 2 (Screen highlights in yellow/orange)

  Mod2 + ↓ : View next Phrase or Chain

  Mod2 + ↑ : View last Phrase or Chain

  The arrows for switching between chains and phrases are fipped as it made more sense for me. Makes it feel like there is a wheel you scroll through to get to the element you're looking for.

Other controls:

w : Panic (stops all Midi Messages)

Space : Stop / Restart Song

Shift + s : Save

Shift + q : Quit

More Screenshots

Thank you

Thank you to everyone helping and making all of this possible. Thank you Mirjam, Thank you Fiona, thank you Sylt, thank you Markus.

⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ Use at your own risk ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️

I am developing this tool for myself, but I'll try to make it accessible to other artists and everyone curious along the way.