Sequencer
All channels within a sequencer play in perfect sync, so put only media that can stay in sync into one sequencer. External sources such as capture inputs that do not run in sync with each other belong in separate sequencers.
Sequencers are created and selected in the list on the left; selecting one shows its properties on the right.
Properties
|
Setting |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Name of the sequencer |
|
Layer |
Which sequencer is drawn on top when several play at once. The lowest layer renders first and the highest last, on top. Sequencers sharing a layer render in start order: the first started renders first, and the last started renders last, on top |
|
Blend Mode |
Blend mode for this sequencer's video channels. The available modes depend on the GPU's support for VkBlendOp |
|
Keying |
None, or Color Keying to make one colour transparent. With Smooth Opacity set and Tolerance above 1, transparency fades out across colours within the wider tolerance |
|
Volume |
Volume for all audio channels in the sequencer |
|
Opacity |
Opacity for all video channels in the sequencer |
|
Tempo* |
Playback speed. The asterisk marks it as temporary — the value is not saved with the project |
|
Autostart |
Starts the sequencer after the project loads |
|
Loop |
Repeats the sequencer |
|
Force start time |
Starts from a fixed time inside the sequencer rather than from where the locator sits |
Channels
A sequencer holds one or more channels:
Channel order is layer order. Within a sequencer, the video channel at the top of the list is the foreground and each channel below it renders behind the one above. A new channel is added at the bottom, as the background. Drag a channel by its name, on the left of the timeline, to move it up or down.
Playback states
States change from the play, pause and stop icons, from the keys below, or from logic in the Node Editor Window.
|
State |
Behaviour |
|---|---|
|
Stopped |
Not rendered. Entering this state moves the locator back to 0 |
|
Playing |
Rendered, with video and audio channels playing |
|
Paused |
Video channels freeze on the frame where the pause happened; audio is muted |
Keyboard
The transport uses the JKL shuttle convention.
|
Key |
Does |
|---|---|
|
|
Play / pause. Leaves shuttle mode first, so playback resumes at the sequencer's own tempo |
|
|
Shuttle backwards. Tapping again ramps through 1×, 2×, 4×, 8× |
|
|
Pause and leave shuttle mode, restoring the original tempo. The locator stays where it is |
|
|
Shuttle forwards, ramping the same way |
|
|
Move the locator to the start or end of the range |
|
|
Delete the selected event |
|
|
Copy the selection |
|
Double-click |
Create an event on a channel |
Shuttle is a non-destructive override: entering it snapshots the sequencer's tempo, and K, Space or stopping restores it. A sequencer left shuttling at −4× therefore still plays forward at its configured speed next time.
Common Mistakes
-
Sources drift apart within one sequencer — everything in a sequencer is held in sync, which only works for media that can be. Put free-running capture inputs in their own sequencer.
-
A speed change disappears after reload — Tempo* is deliberately not saved. For a permanent change, set the speed on the channel or the event.
-
The wrong sequencer is on top — with equal layers the one started last is drawn on top, whatever the list order. Give them distinct layers when it matters.
-
The wrong channel is on top — a new channel is added at the bottom of the list, which is the background. Drag it up by its name.
-
Stopping loses the position — stop resets the locator to 0. Use pause, or
K, to hold the position.
Related
Video Channel — video channels and their destinations
Audio Channel — audio channels and mixers
Video and Audio Channel Transitions in Sequence — blending one event into the next
Node Editor Window — driving sequencers from show logic
Orchestrate Multiple Sequences with Stepper — chaining sequences with the Stepper