Editing and Selecting Parameters (Patch Editor)

The most important attribute of an Editor is, of course, its editing capabilities. Editors utilize a number of different methods of editing or changing the value of parameters. These methods are: `Grab and Drag', right click editing, and double clicking on a parameter. There are also specific methods for editing graphic envelopes and Patch names. Each of these methods is described below.

The first step is to choose the parameter you wish to edit. Just point your mouse over the parameter and click on it. The chosen parameter is framed in red.

Grab and Drag Editing

'Grab and Drag' editing is probably the most common method of editing a parameter. By clicking on the parameter and dragging the mouse, any value in the parameter's range can be chosen.

To edit a parameter with `Grab and Drag' editing:

Editing can also be configured in Preferences so that a left/right drag changes the parameter's value instead of up/down.

Grab and Drag Editing for the Knob Control

Knobs utilize an alternative grab and drag editing option: rotary. In this case, the knob follows the finger position in a rotary fashion.  Parameter values are set absolutely instead of being edited relative to the current value.

Two Finger or Double Tap Editing

Two finger or double tap editing can be used with numeric and string list parameters. Two finger or double tapping on a number or string list value will display a pop-up listing all of the possible values for the parameter. Tap on the desired value to select it.

This pop-up was displayed by double tapping on Modulator Source 1 in the Evolver Patch editor. The size and layout of the pop-up will vary depending on a number of parameters including the number of items to display, the current scaling of the editor, and the amount of available space to display in.

There is one exception to this general statement and this applies to double tapping on a parameter which references a patch in a different editor. An example of this would be Combi/Multi/Performance editors where the purpose of the editor is to determine which sound patches are selected. In this case, double tapping on the name of a patch will actually open that patch in its editor. To assign a different patch perform a two finger tap on the parameter and select the new patch from the pop-up list.

Single Tap Editing

In the graphic above you will notice that each of the string displays has a down triangle in the far right of the display. For any control displaying a graphic in this area, it is an indicator that tapping the graphic will display a pop-up selector to set a new value. Not all text controls will have a graphic of this type, but for those that do, tapping the graphic will display an alternate view to select a new value.

For string lists, the display is identical to what is described for double tapping or two finger tapping on a parameter. For controls that display a reference to another patch, the display allows for the selection of a different patch.

For numeric display parameters, the icon is usually a small left pointer. Tap on this to display a pop-up listing all possible values to select from

For toggle controls and buttons such as the one pictured above, the simply tapping the control will change its state to the alternate value.

Controls which specify a pitch will often display a small keyboard graphic. Tap the keyboard icon or double tap on the control to display a larger pop-up allowing a new note number to be selected from a virtual keyboard

For controls which display a square on the right side are call "Step" controls. Each tap on the control advances the value by one step. In most cases, these controls have one two values so they operate like toggle controls containing text. In some cases, however, the control can take on three or four different states.

The Envelope Control

Each editable envelope point will be indicated with a selection marker. While most envelope points can be edited in both the horizontal and vertical directions, Depending on the instrument's envelope hardware, some of the envelope points may only move in the horizontal or the vertical direction.

Double tap on the envelope to display a larger control for easier, more accurate editing.

The Patch Name Control

To edit a Patch name:

The Range Control

The range control (lower of the 3 controls) is a rarely used control which is ideal for editing range information such as related low note and high note values.It is probably best used in conjunction with additional controls as displayed above.

The control enables editing in three ways. Tap and drag left/right at the lower edge to edit just the lower value. Tap and drag left/right at the upper edge to edit just the upper value. Tap and drag left/right in the middle of the blue bar to simultaneously edit both the upper and lower values and maintain the difference between the two values.

The Spatial Control

This control was created specifically to graphically edit the Wavestation's Mix envelope. It has also been used in the Kronos and Sequential Prophet VS editors. Each point can be placed anywhere in the two dimensional grid. To edit any point, tap and drag it to a new location.

The Step Control

The step control is most frequently used with step sequencers but can be found in any situation where there are a large number of identical parameters to edit and it makes sense to edit them as a unit. Tap and drag up/down to edit a single value or drag left right to edit all of the parameter values as one time.

Other Control Types

There are a range of other control types used in Midi Quest that are used either infrequently or were custom designed for a particular editor. An example of an editor which uses custom controls is the Korg Kronos. In these cases, the operation of the control is usually similar enough to other controls in Midi Quest that there should be no issues determining how it is used. If there is a question about a particular control,