OP–XY guide: layout

2. layout

the OP–XY workflow is based around sequencing tracks one by one to build the layers of a song.

instruments, auxiliary, scenes and mixer are where you’ll spend the most time. press instrument to access the drum and synth tracks.

beneath the encoders you will find the 8 track buttons, press these to select which track to edit. press a note and following this, press a button on the step sequencer.

keep layering and arranging as you like and press mixer to adjust track levels and eq of your mix. it’s as simple as that to build your songs on OP–XY

main modes

OP–XY features four main modes; instrument, auxiliary, arrange and mix.

the modes are where you create arrange and mix your song.
read more about main modes here.

instrument

in instrument mode, the 8 track buttons allow you to control and edit the 8 instrument tracks available in the OP–XY.

auxiliary

in auxiliary mode, the 8 track buttons allow you to intelligently transpose your tracks, edit the send effects, external inputs and outputs, as well as play and sequence punch in FX™.

arrange

in arrange mode, you build your song by chaining scenes which are made up of patterns from your 8 tracks.

mix

in mixer mode, you control levels and panning for each of the tracks as well as the main EQ and master compressor.

modules

each main mode with the exception of arrange, features four sub modes called modules, these allow you to edit the various parameters within the selected track using the four encoders.

switch between the available modules using the four buttons underneath the screen. in some instances a screen may have extra parameters that can be accessed by holding shift.
read more about modules here.

the button labelled ( 1 ) is referred to as M1.

the button labelled ( 2 ) is referred to as M2.

the button labelled ( 3 ) is referred to as M3.

the button labelled ( 4 ) is referred to as M4.

track buttons

labelled 1-8, the track buttons allow you to control and edit the 8 instrument and 8 auxiliary tracks.

press a track button to enter that track, the current selected track will light up red.
read more about track buttons here.

sequencer

running across the middle of OP–XY is the step sequencer. this is the heart of the device.

it is where you can program a sound into the musical grid and is the primary tool for creating music within OP–XY.
read more about sequencer here.

transport controls

on the bottom left corner of OP–XY you can find the transport controls.

this is where you control record, play, stop, change octaves and access shift functions.

record

the record button allows you to start recording, everything from notes to parameter automation.

play

the play button starts playback press it once to start a pattern and again to play from the start.

stop

the stop button stops the sequence, press it once to stop and again to halt all notes and sound on the device.

minus

the minus button shifts the octave of the keyboard down, in some pages it also has other functions.

plus

the plus button shifts the octave of the keyboard up, in some pages it also has other functions.

shift

the shift button allows you to access sub pages within the device, try using it in combination with other buttons.

keyboard

OP–XY features a two octave keyboard, perfect for playing, composing and sequencing.

beneath the sequencer, and to the right of the transport buttons, you will find the keyboard.
read more about step components here.

sample

in the top right corner of the device you will find the sample button. sampling is a fantastic way of introducing new sounds to your OP–XY and composing with them.
read more about sampling here.

projects

OP–XY can store thousands of projects. press the projects button to view, edit and create projects.

tempo

next to projects you will find tempo. use tempo to speed up or slow down your song, add swing and turn the metronome on or off.

com

to the far right under sample you will find com. com is where you control system settings, connect to other devices wirelessly or wired and select your outputs.

players

under com you can find players. players use the notes in your sequence to trigger creative note effects such as arpeggios and chords.

bar

to the far right of the sequencer and below players is bar. bar allows you to extend your sequence and change sequence parameters such as quantisation.

volume

in the top left, beside the speaker is the volume control. rotate it to adjust the sound to your liking.

encoders

above the track buttons are the four encoders.

the encoders are coloured dark grey, mid grey, light grey and white. use them to adjust parameters throughout the device.

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