User Manual

12. PATTERNS
78
1ST is true the first time the pattern plays (when looped).
1ST is true when 1ST is false. A trig with this trig condition is always active apart from the first time the
pattern plays (when looped).
X% is a probability condition. There is an x% chance that the trig will be active.
A:B A sets how many times the pattern plays before the trig condition is true. B sets how many times the
pattern plays before the count is reset and starts over again. This cycle then repeats indefinitely.
For example:
With the setting 1:2, the trig condition is true the first time the pattern plays and then the third, the fifth,
and so on.
With the setting 2:2, the trig condition is true the second time the pattern plays and then the fourth, the
sixth, and so on.
With the setting 2:4, the trig condition is true the second time the pattern plays and then the sixth, the
tenth, and so on.
With the setting 4:7 the trig condition is true the fourth time the pattern plays and then the eleventh, the
eighteenth, and so on.
• The sequencer needs to be in FILL mode to activate the conditional lock called FILL.
For more information, please see “12.14 FILL MODE” on page 78.
• Conditional parameter locks are a great way to add variety to a pattern. To set up a grid of
mutually exclusive or conclusive sample trigs across any of the audio tracks, and throwing
some probability locks in there as well (perhaps, in turn, also sporting an array of logically
conditioned trigs), is a neat way to make the most minimal of compositions come alive with
randomness.
• Note that random or arbitrary variety is not the only way of using conditional trigs. They
may also be used, for example, to have two dierent melodic or percussive sequences on
the same track, one of which is activated only when FILL mode is active.
12.14 FILL MODE
FILL mode can be used to create a temporary variation, such as a drum fill, to a pattern. The trig condition
FILL is aected depending on if the OCTATRACK MKII is in FILL mode or not.
Press [DOWN] + [PAGE] to activate FILL mode for one pattern cycle. It will become active when the
pattern loops, and remain active until it loops again. You can also activate FILL mode at any time, and for
any duration, by pressing and holding the [UP] + [PAGE] keys when the pattern is playing. The FILL mode
is active for as long as the keys are held. If you want to latch FILL mode, press [UP] + [DOWN] + [PAGE].
Press [UP] + [PAGE] to unlatch FILL mode.
12.15 SCALE SETUP
Here the general length and timing of a pattern is set. Access the SCALE SETUP menu by pressing [FUNC]
+ [PAGE]. This menu will look dierent depending on whether NORMAL or PER TRACK is active. These
settings are made in the PATTERN SETTINGS menu. Please see section “12.11 PATTERN SETTINGS
MENU” on page 75. Use the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] arrow keys to select between the available settings.
The [UP] and [DOWN] arrow keys or the LEVEL knob adjust the settings.
12.15.1 NORMAL
This is the default mode. In this mode all tracks of the pattern have the same length and time signature.
This screen will appear when the NORMAL setting, in the PATTERN SETTINGS menu, is active for all tracks.
PATTERN SCALE sets the number of steps in a pattern and thus the total amount of pattern pag-
es. The leftmost number selects the number of steps in the pattern. The maximum number of steps
available to the pattern is determined by the total length, set by the rightmost parameter. This can be
either 16, 32, 48 or 64 steps. If 17 steps or more are used in a pattern, the [PAGE] key is while in GRID
RECORDING mode used to toggle the focus between the dierent pattern pages.