anchor.diff:          (t
            (seq :start num :end (1- stop) :step step))))
   
  -;;; clock stuff
  -
   (defun next-beat-for-quant (quant current-beat)
     "Get the next valid beat for QUANT after CURRENT-BEAT."
     (destructuring-bind (quant &optional (phase 0) (offset 0)) (alexandria:ensure-list quant)
  
positive.code:   (apply #'append (mapcar #'alexandria:ensure-list list)))
  
  (defun most-x (list predicate key) ;; from https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30273802/how-would-i-get-the-min-max-of-a-list-using-a-key
    "Get the most PREDICATE item in LIST by comparing the value returned by KEY."
    (when list
      (let* ((m0 (first list))
             (m1 (funcall key m0)))
  
negative.code:   (let* ((name-name (symbol-name name))
           (dict-symbol (intern (string-upcase (concatenate 'string "*" name-name "-dictionary*")))))
      `(progn
         (defvar ,dict-symbol (list)
           ,(concatenate 'string "The global " name-name " dictionary."))
         (defun ,(intern (string-upcase (concatenate 'string name-name "-ref"))) (key &optional value)
           ,(concatenate 'string "Retrieve a value from the global " name-name " dictionary, or set it if VALUE is provided.")
  