3.5

125MainStage Instruments
• Swing knob: Change the timing of the arpeggiator, moving even-numbered steps to
later positions without changing the timing of odd-numbered steps. This can add a
more relaxed feel or groove to the part. Swing generally works best when combined
with a Rate knob setting of 1/4 of a beat (16th note swing feel) or a Rate knob setting of
1/2 a beat (8th note swing).
• Note Vel knob: Determine how the arpeggiator handles note velocity values. Arp
sequencer 1 modulates arpeggiator Amp values by default. When Note Vel is set to a
value of 0%, the step values of Arp sequencer 1 determine the velocities of notes in the
arpeggiator pattern. When Note Vel is set to a value of 100%, arpeggiator pattern note
velocities are determined by incoming MIDI velocities. Intermediate Note Vel values
blend the Arp sequencer step values with incoming MIDI velocities.
• Split knob: Set the highest MIDI note number to be included in the arpeggiator
pattern. Notes above this value are not arpeggiated. Set to the maximum value (G8) to
arpeggiate all MIDI input.
• Latch knob: Hold the arpeggiator pattern when you lift your hands from the keyboard in
Hold or Add mode. Set to Off to stop the arpeggiator pattern when you lift your hands.
• Hold: Newly played notes are organized into a new pattern, which replaces the
existing pattern.
• Add: Newly played notes are added to the existing pattern.
Tip: Try combining As Played mode with the Add latch setting to create an
interactive step sequencer with up to 128 steps.
MainStage Alchemy arpeggiator sequencer
The arpeggiator is shown only in browse or advanced view. Click the Browse or Advanced
button to switch to either view, then click the Arp button in the Perform/Arp/Effects
section.
The arpeggiator sequencer section is similar in functionality to the step sequencer in the
main modulation section, but with an important difference: the arpeggiator sequencer
provides multiple sequences running in parallel, each hardwired to a different arpeggiator
parameter. In addition, each arpeggiator provides a pair of Poly Mod sequencers, which can
be used to modulate synthesizer parameters via the modulation matrixes. See MainStage
Alchemy note property modulators.
You can reduce the number of steps by dragging the gray end marker to the left, or you
can increase the number of steps by dragging the marker to the right, up to a maximum of
128 steps. If the sequence is too long to fit in the display, you can scroll through all steps
by dragging the gray scroll bar below.
Steps can be tied by clicking the link symbol below the step, which joins that step note to
the next to make one longer note.