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OP-Z is a 16-track sequencer. it features eight audio tracks and eight control tracks. the audio tracks are divided into two groups, the drum group (track 1 – 4) and the synth group (track 5 – 8).
the eight control tracks can be sequenced just like any other track, and allow deep control over all parameters. in parallel, all 16 tracks can also send and receive midi, each on its own channel.
drum group
synth group
control tracks
kick
bass
fx1
perform
snare
lead
fx2
module
perc
arp
tape
lights
sample
chord
master
motion
there are four drum tracks in the drum group. these are kick, snare, perc and sample. each track in this group has a two note polyphony per step. they are all sample based and consist of 24 different sounds across the musical keyboard. this is called a kit and is compatible with the OP-1 drum kit file format.
four kits together is called a sample pack. load different packs using the app or by connecting to a computer and using content mode .
there are four audio tracks in the synth group. these are bass, lead, arp and chord. all tracks in the synth group can utilize any of the available synth engines, or load OP-1 format sample sounds.
each synth track behaves slightly differently. for bass, lead and chord the parameter pages are the same: synth, envelope, lfo and send.
arp has dedicated arp control, instead of the lfo.
for detailed information please refer to the bass, lead, arp and chord tracks respectively.
bass bass is an audio track dedicated to powerful bass lines. it is monophonic which means one note per step. this track is the main source for the master track transpose analysis.
lead lead is a track dedicated to synth leads. any note style can be used. the polyphony for this track is three, meaning maximum three notes per step.
arp the arp is an arpeggiator with dedicated arp control, replacing the lfo page. it is monophonic and any notes placed on the same step will be arpeggiated.
chord the chord track is great for adding harmony to your music, with its four note polyphony per step, for beautiful chords.
there are a total of eight control tracks on the OP-Z. these are fx1, fx2, tape, master, perform, module, lights and motion.
fx1 / fx 2 the two fx tracks are where you select and control the two send effects, fx1 / fx2. parameters can be set using the musical keyboard as well as by turning the dials. press shift to access the different parameter pages. check the reference page to see all available fx engines and parameters.
assign an effect while on either fx1 or fx2, hold track and press one of the lit black keys. the currently selected effect is blinking. you can assign one effect per track. use the configurator to load additional effects and to arrange what is available.
effect audition pro-tip: holding shift while on an fx track enables you to play the previously selected drum / synth track so that you can hear what that track sounds like with different fx settings.
effect send levels while the most convenient way of setting send levels is from the track you're sending from, holding shift while on fx tracks allows to you edit the send levels for all tracks. hold shift and press the track you wish to edit. single press toggles on / off, hold one second to edit using the green dial.
the tape track is an audio buffer that is constantly recording when in playback. it can be used for tape tricks and beat repeat style looping effects.
read more about it here .
the master track allows you to transpose selected tracks and add harmonic chord progressions.
like other control tracks the master track can be sequenced allowing you to record interesting key changes and harmonic chord progressions. read more about it here .
the performance track allows you to apply punch-in effects on all tracks at once. hold track and press perform to select the performance track.
hold the piano keys to add punch-in effects. you can record, copy and delete punch-in effects in the same way you would work with notes on a drum/synth track.
read more about punch-in effects here .
the module track is used to interface with any OP-Z expansion modules:
when no module is inserted the module track can act as a midi track with 16 independent midi cc values.
the module track is also used to configure audio i/o input/output options. here you can read more about input selection .
the OP-Z is capable of handling dmx which is the universal protocol for controlling lighting rigs.
it is possible to sequence up to 16 fixtures or lights. you can use the OP-Z sequencer to control these fixtures. learn all about it here .
in addition to audio, midi and lights sequencing, OP-Z is also a powerful visual sequencer. when using the OP-Z app you can sequence photos via photomatic, or visual graphics via motion, just as easy as sequencing on any other track.
photomatic is basically a camera app, connected to your OP-Z. learn all about it here.
motion allows you to program and control live 2d or 3d graphics made in the unity real-time graphics engine. here's how.
use your ios device or computer and sequence locally, or go big and program your entire live show using OP-Z.
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