8. step components
OP–XY features a powerful sequencing tool called step components.
step components allow for rapid variations to be applied to specific steps and are an amazing way to expand the capabilities of the sequencer.
8.1 what are step components?
step components are variations that can be added to any step on the sequencer and can alter everything from randomizing pitch to bending, skipping or even multiplying steps.
sequences and allows you to extend your sequences, apply quantisation, lengthen notes, apply grooves and smooth automation.
8.2. adding step components to a sequence
make a sequence
to select a note to step sequence, press the note or sound on the musical keyboard.
hold shift
whenever you play a note or sound, OP–XY will remember that note. when you next press a step it will record the last played note.
select steps
you can then press a step on the sequencer. the step will light up letting you know a note has been recorded to it.
choose natural
you can check the note recorded to a step by holding it down. the note or notes recorded to that step will then light up.
modify
once you have selected a step component, continue to hold shift and then use the accidental keys to choose the value for that step component. each step component uses the accidentals differently. you can see exactly what they modify on the screen.
play
let go of shift. now that you have added a step component, press play and you can hear it applied to the selected steps
remove step component
should you wish to remove a step component, just hold shift, select the steps again and press the natural key for the step component applied.
each step can have any combination of all 14 step components applied, so experiment with combining them and see what you can create.
8.3. what step components are there?
pulse
pulse repeats a step a defined number of times without progressing the sequence. use the accidentals to select the number of pulses.
pulse repeats a step a defined number of times without progressing the sequence. use the accidentals to select the number of pulses.
hold
hold will hold a step a defined number of steps without progressing the sequence. use the accidentals to select the number of steps to hold.
hold will hold a step a defined number of steps without progressing the sequence. use the accidentals to select the number of steps to hold.
multiply
multiply will multiply the number of triggers in a step, creating a ratchet effect, perfect for hi-hats. use the accidentals to select the number of trigs.
multiply will multiply the number of triggers in a step, creating a ratchet effect, perfect for hi-hats. use the accidentals to select the number of trigs.
velocity
velocity allows you to force the velocity on a step to a defined value. use the accidentals to set the velocity value.
velocity allows you to force the velocity on a step to a defined value. use the accidentals to set the velocity value.
ramp up
ramp up alters the note of the selected step by following a ramp in the current scale. each time the step is triggered, the note increments up the ramp. use the accidentals to select the interval.
ramp up alters the note of the selected step by following a ramp in the current scale. each time the step is triggered, the note increments up the ramp. use the accidentals to select the interval.
ramp down
ramp down alters the note of the selected step by following a ramp in the current scale. each time the step is triggered, the note increments down the ramp. use the accidentals to select the interval.
ramp down alters the note of the selected step by following a ramp in the current scale. each time the step is triggered, the note increments down the ramp. use the accidentals to select the interval.
random
random will randomize the notes on the selected steps inside of the current scale. use the accidentals to set the range of possible notes.
random will randomize the notes on the selected steps inside of the current scale. use the accidentals to set the range of possible notes.
portamento
portamento will apply portamento to and from the selected step. use the accidentals to select the amount of portamento.
portamento will apply portamento to and from the selected step. use the accidentals to select the amount of portamento.
bend
bend will apply a pitch bend to the selected steps, different bend patterns can be found on the accidentals so try them out for some cool pitch effects.
bend will apply a pitch bend to the selected steps, different bend patterns can be found on the accidentals so try them out for some cool pitch effects.
tonality
tonality allows you to transpose the selected step by a fixed interval. use the accidentals to set the transposition interval.
tonality allows you to transpose the selected step by a fixed interval. use the accidentals to set the transposition interval.
jump
use jump to usurp steps and skip to a chosen step. use the accidentals to select which step to jump to.
use jump to usurp steps and skip to a chosen step. use the accidentals to select which step to jump to.
skip parameter lock
skip parameter lock allows you to play a parameter lock on a step every defined number of repetitions, perfect for having automation on only one out of every few repetitions.
skip parameter lock allows you to play a parameter lock on a step every defined number of repetitions, perfect for having automation on only one out of every few repetitions.
skip step component
skip step component allows you to play only one out of every defined number of repetitions. use the accidentals to select the number of repetitions.
skip step component allows you to play only one out of every defined number of repetitions. use the accidentals to select the number of repetitions.
skip trigger
skip trigger allows you to play only one in every defined number of repetitions. this is perfect for adding variations to your sequence every few repetitions.
skip trigger allows you to play only one in every defined number of repetitions. this is perfect for adding variations to your sequence every few repetitions.
8.4 step components reference table
icon
component
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
pulse
repeat step 1 time
repeat step 2 times
repeat step 3 times
repeat step 4 times
repeat step 5 times
repeat step 6 times
repeat step 7 times
repeat step 8 times
repeat step 9 times
randomsteps
pulse hold
hold step 1 time
hold step 2 times
hold step 3 times
hold step 4 times
hold step 5 times
hold step 6 times
hold step 7 times
hold step 8 times
hold step 9 times
random steps
multiply
divide into 1 trig
divide into 2 trigs
divide into 3 trigs
divide into 4 trigs
divide into 5 trigs
divide into 6 trigs
divide into 7 trigs
divide into 8 trigs
divide into 3 trigs
random trigs
velocity
forceto 4
forceto 8
forceto 16
forceto 32
forceto 64
forceto 100
forceto 112
forceto 127
forceto 0
force to random
ramp up
2 steps 1 octave
3 steps 1 octave
4 steps1 octave
5 steps1 octave
6 steps1 octave
2 steps3 octaves
3 steps 3 octaves
4 steps 3 octaves
5 steps 3 octaves
6 steps 3 octaves
ramp down
2 steps 1 octave
3 steps 1 octave
4 steps1 octave
5 steps1 octave
6 steps1 octave
2 steps3 octaves
3 steps 3 octaves
4 steps 3 octaves
5 steps 3 octaves
6 steps 3 octaves
random
2 steps 1 octave
3 steps 1 octave
4 steps1 octave
5 steps1 octave
6 steps1 octave
2 steps3 octaves
3 steps 3 octaves
4 steps 3 octaves
5 steps 3 octaves
6 steps 3 octaves
portamento
amount 10%
amount 20%
amount 30%
amount 40%
amount 50%
amount 60%
amount 70%
amount 80%
amount 90%
randomamount
bend
bend shape down up
bend shape up down
bend shape bumpdown
bend shape bump up
bend shape spring out
bend shape spring in
bend shape fade down
bend shape fade up
bend shape random 1
bend shape random 2
tonality
ignore chord progression
transpose only
octave up
fifth up
third up
chromatic up
chromatic down
quantize 33%
quantize 66%
quantize 100%
jump
jump to step 1
jump to step 5
jump to step 9
jump to step 13
one step forward
one step back
forward or back
stay on step
align track position
random step
parameter
play every param lock
play every 2nd
play every 3rd
play every 4th
play every 5th
play every 6th
play every 7th
play every 8th
play every 9th
play random
component
play every component
play every 2nd
play every 3rd
play every 4th
play every 5th
play every 6th
play every 7th
play every 8th
play every 9th
play random
trig
play every trig
play every 2nd
play every 3rd
play every 4th
play every 5th
play every 6th
play every 7th
play every 8th
play every 9th
play random