Feature idea: highlight the selected sequencer note on the FM-1 keyboard

[gospodindilly-ops]

It would be very useful if the physical piano keys could visually indicate the note stored in the currently selected sequencer step.

For example, when editing a sequence:

• select a step containing C3 → the physical C3 key lights up;
• move to the next step containing G3 → G3 lights up instead;
• select a step containing E3 → E3 lights up.

This would work as a visual connection between the sequencer and the physical keyboard: the display tells you the step/note information, while the keyboard immediately shows you where that note is physically located.

Example workflow

Imagine a melody:

Step: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Note: C3 D3 E3 G3 E3 D3 C3 --

When step 1 is selected, C3 is illuminated.

When moving to step 4, G3 is illuminated.

When moving to step 7, C3 is illuminated again.

This would make step-by-step editing much easier, especially when working with unfamiliar scales or melodies.

A few useful details

• The light should represent the note stored in the selected step, not a note currently being played.
• If the selected step is empty, no note should be highlighted.
• If a step contains a chord, the corresponding multiple keys could be illuminated simultaneously.
• If the note is outside the currently visible/available keyboard range, nothing needs to be highlighted.
• During playback, the highlighted key could follow the currently playing step, providing an additional visual indication of the sequence.

I think this could fit the existing FM-1 hardware very naturally, since the keyboard already provides visual feedback through its illuminated keys. It would not require any new physical controls — it would simply use the existing key LEDs to reflect the currently selected sequencer note.

[ashford-stack]

If possible, this would be great. Visualizing things beside the screen!

[kurogedelic]

Thanks for the idea! In 1.0.4, on SEQ > STEP the keys of the notes stored in the step under the cursor light up while the sequencer is stopped, at the current octave, together with the keys you hold. While it plays, the keys still show what is playing, and the drum grid keeps its own lights.