3.5

251MainStage Effects
Also see the sections on Step FX modulator global controls and playback controls.
Step modulator pattern display controls
• Pattern display: Use to change the modulation pattern length, edit the level and length
of individual steps, tie steps, and enable or disable steps.
• Level/length bars: Drag vertically to set the level/amount for each active step. Drag left
to reduce step length. Drag right to increase step length or to create a tie to the next
step. The currently playing step is brightly illuminated.
• Where multiple level/length bars exist, drag across them to draw in the level of
several steps.
• Drag a level/length bar toward the left to reduce the step length. Drag to the right
to increase the step length. This enables you to create different grooves. Dragging
snaps to fixed positions at 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the step length. Hold down
Shift, then drag to set the step length freely. Edits are reflected immediately in the
display with a shaded bar that indicates the step length.
• Drag a level/length bar toward the right until it overlaps the next step to create
a tie to that step. If the step to the right is a rest (an inactive step), this step is
automatically turned on to create the tie. A step can be tied to multiple steps in a
row. The original velocity values of tied steps are replaced by the velocity of the first
step they are tied to, indicated graphically by the level bar extending over all tied
steps. Edits are reflected immediately in the display with a shaded bar that indicates
the tie length.
Tied steps are indicated by blue dots, connected by lines, on the step number
buttons below the steps. To remove or create a tie, click the line between two dots.
• Pattern length handle: Drag the handle to the right of the last step to change the
modulation pattern length. A maximum of 128 steps is available for each modulator.
Each modulation pattern can have a different length.
• Step number buttons: Click to turn each of the available steps on or off. The number
of inactive steps (and level/length) is dimmed. Active steps (and level/length) are
illuminated. You can drag horizontally across multiple steps to reverse their current
state. Any existing step length or level is restored if an inactive step is turned on. Click
between step numbers to create or remove a tie. Tied steps are indicated by blue dots,
connected by lines.
• If a step is turned on: A step is triggered at the respective modulator position.
• If a step is turned off: The modulator position is silent and is perceived as a rest.
• Scroll bar: Drag to move to steps that are not visible in the display.