Basic Sequencer Question

[Tommynyc]

I have studied the manual and videos, but still can't figure out something that should be relatively easily done. Let's say I record a song with multiple tracks. Now, I'd like to insert a 4 bar introduction before the beginning of the song I just recorded. Is there a simple way to shift all the tracks I've already recorded back 4 bars--in other words, to add 4 empy bars to the beginning of the song to record an introduction? I also can't figure out how to insert a new section in the middle of a song. Can anyone help? I have a CVP 207.

Thanks,

Tom

[Tommynyc]

I contacted the CVP customer support line and was told it is not possible to insert new measures into a song on the CVP 207. So, if you compose a multi-track song and want to insert a bridge in the middle, or an introduction at the beginning, you'll have to re-record the whole thing track by track. Actually, you also could cut and paste the individual notes in the digital recording studio back a few bars, but this would have to be done track by track, note by note. I've tried doing it that way with just a few tracks and it takes forever, even with the ability to select multiple notes at a time. They suggested I also could use a computer sequencer to insert some bars, and then copy the file back to the CVP.

I'm quite shocked that it is not possible to insert a few bars into an existing song without having to buy a computer program and shuttling a disk back and forth. I have to say that the Ensoniq SQ 1+, which I bought for a whopping $1,000 more than 10 years ago, had a more powerful and intuitive sequencer. It was very easy on that machine to insert measures into a song. In fact, most sequencing functions were much easier and more powerful on that ancient machine, even with only about a 10 character display. With the CVP, I feel like I have a word processor that doesn't allow me to insert a paragraph into a 400 page novel without re-typing the whole novel. For what I paid for this, I expected better! Isn't the ability to insert a measure in an existing song sort of something a composer obviously might need?

Having vented on the disappointing sequencing capabilities, I must say that virtually every other aspect of the CVP is fantastic. If you have a song completely arranged and ready to record, this machine is great. If you want to record a basic idea and build on it, change it around and edit it, buy a sequencer program and set the CVP up next to your computer. Perhaps the sequencing shortcomings can be corrected with a software update, but I suspect only the next generation will fix this jaw-dropping oversight.

Tom