Miditracker

Software, 2023

midiTracker is a small music tracker that is meant to be run from a CLI on many platforms. It 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 platforms I’ve chosen python for it with minimalist curses / ASCII user interface.

If you want to get started an play with the software in it’s current early stage, wait no more and just grab the repository.

There is still a lot of environment configuration to be done, but if I can do it, anyone should be able to set it up.The source code, all files to to run midiTracker, as well as a little Wiki is available on GitHub.


    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 --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --           └───────────────┘

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.

Media:

Photography

Photograph of miditracker used at Blender Conference 2024 While it’s not “done” yet, I already battle proofed midiTracker during my 2hr gig at Blender Conference 2024, where it controlled most of my set with the software. Pictured here enclosed in it’s own little case. (October, 2024)

A picture of me showcasing miditracker a local modular synth community meetup A picture of me showcasing the miditracker in combination with an OP-Z Synth. This picture was taken at a local modular synth meetup, hosted by Muelheim Modular in Cologne, Germany. (July, 2023)

Videos

Pod001 MidiTracker Eurorack First test of the 40hp Pod Setup I created to be played with the midiTracker, modified added to and mangled by Mutable instruments Beads.