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12 ARPEGGIATOR

12.1 Description

The MOTOR Synth’s ARPEGGIATOR  is a powerful built-in performance tool that works in conjunction with all internal and external note input  methods / devices. It will arpeggiate all notes triggered by the built in KEYPAD, SEQUENCER, MOTION RECORD and MIDI keyboard controllers and sequencers. In other words, the ARPEGGIATOR does not replace other performance tools, rather it uses them as note input for generating arpeggios. The ARPEGGIATOR is activated by pressing the ARP button on the front panel.

The ARPEGGIATOR settings include control over typical arp parameters, such as tempo subdivision, gate length, swing, play direction, octave shifts, etc. Furthermore, MOTOR Synth allows you to edit the ARPEGGIATOR’S rhythm pattern separately from the melodic pattern.

12.2 List of parameters

All of the ARPEGGIATOR parameters are organized into two screens – ARP SCREEN and ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. This section is organized in two parts accordingly.

12.2.1 Main melodic ARP parameters

The ARPEGGIATOR is activated by pushing the ARP button – indicated by a red light. The main ARP parameters are controlled with the  LEFT & RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERS in the ARP SCREEN. To access the ARP SCREEN push ALT + ARP/ARP SET button.

This list contains an overview of all parameters in this section. For further information refer to the Instructions sub-section.

IN THIS SECTION

PARAMETERCONTROLDESCRIPTIONVALUE RANGE
Play mode [MODE]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERPlay direction mode.“UP” up from the lowest note to the highest;
“DOWN” down from the highest note to the lowest;
“INCL” up and down including first and last note repeat (aka ping pong);
“EXCL” up and down excluding first and last note repeat (aka pendulum);
“ORDER” in the order of notes activated;
“RAND” in random order;
“V RAND” random order for each VOICE separately
Time Division [TIMEDIV]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERThe time division of MASTER TEMPOFrom 1/4 to 1/32
Gate Length [GATE L]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERGate length in percentFrom 10 to 100
[SWING]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERSwing amount. The delay of odd or even step triggers within one clock subdivision intervalFrom 10 (every odd step delay) through 50 (no delay/swing) to 90 (every even step delay)
Note Repeat [N REPEAT]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERThe number of note repeatsFrom “OFF” to “4x”
Pattern Length [PAT LEN]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERThe maximum number of pattern steps. Note repeats are treated as one step“MAX” unlimited number of steps;
From 2 to 8
[ACCENT]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERAccented step“1/4”, “2/4” “3/4” “4/4” “1/3”, “2/3”. “3/3” “1/2”, “2/2”
Octave Range [OCT RANGE]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODEROctave range of pattern shiftFrom -2 (two octaves below) through 0 (no octave shifting) to 2 (two octave above)
PARAMETERCONTROLDESCRIPTIONVALUE RANGE
Play mode [MODE]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERPlay direction mode.“UP” up from the lowest note to the highest;
“DOWN” down from the highest note to the lowest;
“INCL” up and down including first and last note repeat (aka ping pong);
“EXCL” up and down excluding first and last note repeat (aka pendulum);
“ORDER” in the order of notes activated;
“RAND” in random order;
“V RAND” random order for each VOICE separately
Time Division [TIMEDIV]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERThe time division of MASTER TEMPOFrom 1/4 to 1/32
Gate Length [GATE L]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERGate length in percentFrom 10 to 100
[SWING]◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERSwing amount. The delay of odd or even step triggers within one clock subdivision intervalFrom 10 (every odd step delay) through 50 (no delay/swing) to 90 (every even step delay)
Note Repeat [N REPEAT]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERThe number of note repeatsFrom “OFF” to “4x”
Pattern Length [PAT LEN]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERThe maximum number of pattern steps. Note repeats are treated as one step“MAX” unlimited number of steps;
From 2 to 8
[ACCENT]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODERAccented step“1/4”, “2/4” “3/4” “4/4” “1/3”, “2/3”. “3/3” “1/2”, “2/2”
Octave Range [OCT RANGE]▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODEROctave range of pattern shiftFrom -2 (two octaves below) through 0 (no octave shifting) to 2 (two octave above)
Play mode [MODE]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Play mode [MODE]

 RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER

Play direction mode

“UP” up from the lowest note to the highest;

“DOWN” down from the highest note to the lowest;

“INCL” up and down including first and last note repeat (aka ping pong);

“EXCL” up and down excluding first and last note repeat (aka pendulum);

“ORDER” in the order of notes activated;

“RAND” in random order;

“V RAND” random order for each VOICE separately

Time Division [TIMEDIV]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Time Division [TIMEDIV]

 RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER

The time division of MASTER TEMPO

From 1/4 to 1/32

Gate Length [GATE L]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Gate Length [GATE L]

 RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER

Gate length in percent

From 10 to 100

[SWING]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

[SWING]

 RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER

Swing amount. The delay of odd or even step triggers within one clock subdivision interval

From 10 (every odd step delay) through 50 (no delay/swing) to 90 (every even step delay)

Note Repeat [N REPEAT]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Note Repeat [N REPEAT]

 LEFT SCREEN ENCODER

The number of note repeats

From “OFF” to “4x”

Pattern Length [PAT LEN]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Pattern Length [PAT LEN]

 LEFT SCREEN ENCODER

The maximum number of pattern steps. Note repeats are treated as one step

“MAX” unlimited number of steps.

From 2 to 8

[ACCENT]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

[ACCENT]

 LEFT SCREEN ENCODER

Accented step

“1/4”, “2/4” “3/4” “4/4”
“1/3”, “2/3”. “3/3”
“1/2”, “2/2”

Octave Range [OCT RANGE]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Octave Range [OCT RANGE]

LEFT SCREEN ENCODER

Octave range of pattern shift

From -2 (two octaves below) through 0 (no octave shifting) to 2 (two octave above)

12.2.2 ARP RHYTHM parameters

It is possible to edit the rhythmic pattern separately from the melodic pattern. The ARP RHYTHM pattern edit is performed using the KEYPAD and PITCH ENCODERS that change their functions in the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. To access the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN push ALT + ARP/ARP SET button and then navigate one page to the left by pushing the < arrow button.  This list contains an overview of all parameters in this section. For further information refer to the Instructions sub-section.
PARAMETERCONTROLDESCRIPTIONVALUE RANGE
Velocity [VEL]PITCH ENCODER 1Individual step velocityFrom 0.0 to 1.0
Ratchets [RATCH]PITCH ENCODER 2The number of ratchets for an individual step following the initial step triggerFrom 1 to 4
Ratchet note advance [R ADV]PITCH ENCODER 3The toggle of melodic pattern advance on each single ratchet for an individual step“OFF” - ratchets do not advance the melodic pattern;
“ON” - ratchets advance the melodic pattern
Probability [PROB]PITCH ENCODER 4Gate probability of an individual stepFrom 0.0 to 1.0
Automatic step selection [SEL]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 1Automatic multiple step selection“ALL” all step selection;
“C-1-3” 1st and 3rd column step selection;
“C-2-4” 2nd and 4th column step selection;
“R-1-3” 1st and 3rd row step selection;
“R-2-4” 2nd and 4th row step selection;
“CLEAR” clear step selection
[MUTE]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 2Mute gate for an individual step“ON”; “OFF”
Pattern Length [LEN]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 3The number of steps in ARP RHYTHM pattern“OFF”; From 1 o 16
Time Division [TIMEDIV]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 4The time division of MASTER TEMPOFrom 1/4 to 1/32
PARAMETERCONTROLDESCRIPTIONVALUE RANGE
Velocity [VEL]PITCH ENCODER 1Individual step velocityFrom 0.0 to 1.0
Ratchets [RATCH]PITCH ENCODER 2The number of ratchets for an individual step following the initial step triggerFrom 1 to 4
Ratchet note advance [R ADV]PITCH ENCODER 3The toggle of melodic pattern advance on each single ratchet for an individual step“OFF” - ratchets do not advance the melodic pattern;
“ON” - ratchets advance the melodic pattern
Probability [PROB]PITCH ENCODER 4Gate probability of an individual stepFrom 0.0 to 1.0
Automatic step selection [SEL]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 1Automatic multiple step selection“ALL” all step selection;
“C-1-3” 1st and 3rd column step selection;
“C-2-4” 2nd and 4th column step selection;
“R-1-3” 1st and 3rd row step selection;
“R-2-4” 2nd and 4th row step selection;
“CLEAR” clear step selection
[MUTE]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 2Mute gate for an individual step“ON”; “OFF”
Pattern Length [LEN]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 3The number of steps in ARP RHYTHM pattern“OFF”; From 1 o 16
Time Division [TIMEDIV]ALT + PITCH ENCODER 4The time division of MASTER TEMPOFrom 1/4 to 1/32
Velocity [VEL]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Velocity [VEL]

PITCH ENCODER 1

Individual step velocity

From 0.0 to 1.0

Ratchets [RATCH]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Ratchets [RATCH]

PITCH ENCODER 2

The number of ratchets for an individual step following the initial step trigger

From 1 to 4

Ratchet note advance [R ADV]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Ratchet note advance [R ADV]

PITCH ENCODER 3

The toggle of melodic pattern advance on each single ratchet for an individual step

“OFF” -  ratchets do not advance the melodic pattern;

“ON” -  ratchets advance the melodic pattern

Probability [PROB]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Probability [PROB]

PITCH ENCODER 4

Gate probability of an individual step

From 0.0 to 1.0

Automatic step selection [SEL]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Automatic step selection [SEL]

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 1

Automatic multiple step selection

“ALL” all step selection;
“C-1-3” 1st and 3rd column step selection;
“C-2-4” 2nd and 4th column step selection;
“R-1-3” 1st and 3rd row step selection;
“R-2-4” 2nd and 4th row step selection;
“CLEAR” clear step selection

[MUTE]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

[MUTE]

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 2

Mute gate for an individual step

“ON”;
“OFF”

Pattern Length [LEN]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Pattern Length [LEN]

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 3

The number of steps in ARP RHYTHM pattern

“OFF”
From 1 o 16

Time Division [DIV]
PARAMETER CONTROL DESCRIPTION VALUE RANGE

Time Division [TIMEDIV]

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 4

The time division of MASTER TEMPO

From 1/4 to 1/32

12.3 Instructions

12.3.1 Basic ARPEGGIATOR usage

Press the ARP button to turn the ARPEGGIATOR on. The active ARPEGGIATOR status is indicated by the ARP button lighting up red, and the  “ARP” tag visible in the upper right corner of the main PLAY SCREEN.

While the ARPEGGIATOR is active, all notes triggered by the KEYPAD, SEQUENCER, MOTION RECORD and external MIDI controllers will be arpeggiated. If several notes are triggered at the same time from more than one note input source,  the ARPEGGIATOR will combine all of them in one melodic ARP pattern.  It is possible to deactivate the ARRPEGIATOR on one or several VOICES. For more information refer to the PERFORMANCE INTERFACE / NOTES TO VOICES section.

Tip: When playing the ARPEGGIATOR with LATCH mode enabled - you can use ALT + KEYPAD to temporarily add notes into the ARP's melodic sequence. To reset the ARPEGGIATOR to the first note in the sequence press ALT + PLAY.

The ARPEGGIATOR is monophonic, since only one note is played at a time. However, when the the MOTOR Synth is being played in polyphonic mode it is possible to create overlapping AMP ENVELOPE Release [R} states for multiple several notes, if the Release [R] time is longer than a single ARPEGGIATOR step (determined by the [TIMEDIV] parameter). For further information please refer to the PERFORMANCE INTERFACE / POLY SETUP section.

12.3.2 ARP SCREEN parameter editing

The ARPEGGIATOR parameters are controlled from the ARP SCREEN. To access the ARP SCREEN push ALT + ARP/ARP SET button. Use the  RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER to set the following four parameters:

1. [MODE] determines the melodic pattern playback direction:

    • “UP” up from the lowest note to the highest;
    • “DOWN” down from the highest note to the lowest;
    • “INCL” up and down including first and last note repeat (aka ping pong);
    • “EXCL” up and down excluding first and last note repeat (aka pendulum);
    • “ORDER” in the order of notes activated;
    • “RAND” in random order;
    • “V RAND” in random order for each VOICE separately. 

2. [TIMEDIV] determines the ARPEGGIATOR trigger subdivision in relation to the MASTER TEMPO.

3. [GATE L] determines the gate length of each ARPEGGIATOR step.

Tip: The “V RAND” [MODE] can be used for random chord generation. When several notes are being played together, then at each new ARPEGGIATOR step each voice will randomly select one of the notes thus producing different 3-note chords on each step, when all 3 of the MOTOR Synth’s VOICES are engaged. This can be combined with a slow MASTER TEMPO, small [TEMPO DIV], long [GATE L] and long AMP ENVELOPE Attack [A] and Release [R] stages for creating slowly evolving random chord synth pads.

4. [SWING] determines the amount of swing added to the ARPEGGIATOR’s basic rhythm pattern. The middle value 50 produces a straight rhythm, while lowering the parameter value results in delay of each odd numbered step trigger, and raising the value above 50 produces even numbered step trigger delay.

Use the  LEFT SCREEN ENCODER to set the following four parameters.

1. [N REPEAT] adds note/step repeats. Up to 4 repeats are possible.

2. [PAT LEN] limits the number of steps the ARPEGGIATOR loops. When set to “MAX” the melodic pattern length  does not have an upper limit, whereas any other value sets a hard limit on the number of notes played in a pattern. If the [PAT LEN] is value larger than the number of active notes, the note sequence  will be looped until the [PAT LEN] limit is reached and then the melodic pattern will reset. For example, if [PAT LEN] is set to 5 and only 3 notes are activated, then the melodic pattern will be: 1 2 3 1 2 / 1 2 3 1 2 / 1 2 3 1 2 / …

The [PAT LEN] limit adjusts to the [N REPEAT] parameter. If [N REPEAT] is greater than 1, then all note repeats are treated as one step.

3. [ACCENT] adds a velocity accent on a single step in groups of 4, 3 or 2 steps. For example, if [ACCENT] is set to “3/4” every 3rd step out of 4 will be accented.

4. [OCT RANGE] produces octave shifts for  the whole note sequence. One or two octave shifts are possible in either direction.

12.3.3 ARP RHYTHM SCREEN step selection

MOTOR Synth allows you to edit the ARPEGGIATOR’S rhythm pattern separately from the melodic pattern. It is possible to create rhythmic patterns that repeat regardless of the number of active notes. To access the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN push the ALT + ARP/ARP SET button (ARP SETUP SCREEN) and then navigate one page to the left by pushing the < arrow button.

While the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN  is open the KEYPAD functionality is changed. The KEYPAD does not activate and trigger notes, instead it is used to select the ARP RHYTHM steps.

Note: Since the KEYPAD does not activate notes while the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN is open, it is advised to enter a sequence of notes (using the KEYPAD in LATCH mode) before entering the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. This will produce an ongoing melodic sequence that will remain active while you are editing the ARP RHYTHM pattern.

The ARP RHYTHM SCREEN contains a maximum of 16 rhythm steps. The steps are selected over 2 pages (groups) of 8 steps each by pressing the corresponding KEYS. KEYS 1- 8 correspond to ARP RHYTHM steps 1- 8. Press a KEY to select the corresponding ARP RHYTHM step. The selected step is indicated by the dotted line.

To select several steps press all corresponding KEYS simultaneously. Each time a KEY is pressed or several KEYS are pressed simultaneously, the previously selected steps are deselected. In the example below KEYS 1 and 5 are pressed simultaneously to select steps 1 and 5.

To add more steps to the current selection without deselecting previous steps hold ALT and press the additional KEYS one by one. 

To access ARP RHYTHM steps 9-16 turn the PRESET / KEYS & POLY encoder to the right until the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN indicates that the PAGE 2 is active. Press KEYS 1-8 to select steps 9-16. In the example below KEYS 1 and 5 are pressed simultaneously to select steps 9 and 13.

To select steps in both PAGES, select the desired steps in one of the pages then turn the PRESET / KEYS & POLY encoder to go to the other page and hold ALT and press the KEYS to add steps to the selection.

Alternatively when making a new selection, you can press and hold one or more STEP KEYS in one PAGE, and turn the PRESET / KEYS & POLY encoder while the KEYS are still pressed down r to select the same steps in the other PAGE. In the example below KEYS 1 and 5 are pressed to select steps 1 and 5. While the KEYS are held pressed down, the PRESET / KEYS & POLY encoder is turned to the right to activate PAGE 2 and automatically steps 9 and 13 are added to the selection. As a result all steps in the first column are selected.

To deselect all steps, press any KEY twice.

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 1 offers more step selection possibilities described in the next section.

12.3.4 ARP RHYTHM SCREEN step editing

While a single or several steps are selected the PITCH ENCODERS are used to edit various step parameters instead of tuning the KEYPAD. The PITCH ENCODER parameters are indicated in the bottom part of the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. To avoid accidental parameter changes the PITCH ENCODERS must be first pressed to activate them and then turned to edit parameter values. Activating a PITCH ENCODER also turns on the corresponding parameter value readout for all steps. PITCH ENCODER 1: Velocity [VEL] Click and turn PITCH ENCODER 1  to set the Velocity [VEL] of selected steps. The Velocity [VEL] value is indicated by a bar in each step and by a precise value readout in  the lower part of the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. Setting the [VEL] to 0 effectively silences the step. In the example below steps 1 and 5 have Velocity [VEL] set to 0.5.

Note: The ARP RHYTHM Velocity [VEL] parameter works in conjunction with the Velocity [VEL] parameters of AMP ENVELOPES, FILTER ENVELOPES and MODULATION ENVELOPES. If the ENVELOPE Velocity [VEL] parameter is set to 0, then the ARP RHYTHM Velocity [VEL] will produce no effect (except for silencing the step when set to 0). The ENVELOPE Velocity [VEL] functions as a response to the Velocity [VEL] of the ARRPEGIATOR. If the ENVELOPE Velocity [VEL] is set to a negative value an inverse effect is achieved. For further information refer to the AMP ENVELOPE / Setting the ENVELOPE Velocity [VEL] section.

PITCH ENCODER 2: Ratchets [RATCH]
Click and turn PITCH ENCODER 2 to add Ratchets [RATCH] to the selected steps. The Ratchet [RATCH] count is indicated by a number in each step. In the example below the [RATCH] Value is set to 2 and therefore there are 2 note gate triggers produced in total per selected step.

PITCH ENCODER 3: Ratchet note advance [R ADV]
Click and turn PITCH ENCODER 3 to toggle Ratchet note advance [R ADV] “ON” or “OFF” for the selected steps. If set to “ON” the melodic sequence advances to the next note on each Ratchet [RATCH]. In the example below step 1 on has [R ADV] set to “ON”, whereas the  [R ADV] setting for step 5 remains set to “OFF”. This results in rapid note changes on each ratchet of step 1 while all ratchets on step 5 trigger the same note.

PITCH ENCODER 4: Probability [PROB]
Click and turn PITCH ENCODER 4 to set the gate Probability [PROB] of the selected steps. The Probability [PROB] value is indicated by a bar in each step and by a precise value readout in the bottom part of the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. Setting the [PROB] to 0 effectively produces a break each time the selected steps are active. In the example below step 1 has [PROB] set to 0.5 which means there is a 50% probability the step will be triggered, and step 5 is set to 0.1 which means the step will be triggered with 10% probability.

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 1: Quick multiple step selection
Hold ALT and turn the PITCH ENCODER 1 to utilize the Quick Step Selection [SEL]. This function allows you to select multiple steps in useful groups. Turn the encoder to the right to select steps belonging to the one of the following groups:
• “ALL” all step selection
• “C-1-3” 1st and 3rd column step selection
• “C-2-4” 2nd and 4th column step selection
•“R-1-3” 1st and 3rd row step selection
• “R-2-4” 2nd and 4th row step selection

Once the steps are selected use the other PITCH ENCODERS to change the parameters of all selected steps. 

Pressing ALT + KEYS adds or removes steps from the Quick Step Selection.

To clear the selection release ALT momentarily, press and hold ALT again and turn the encoder to the left to select “CLEAR”.

In the example below “C-2-4” automatic step selection is used to select all up-beat steps to then use PITCH ENCODER 1 to reduce the Velocity [VEL] of these steps.

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 2: [MUTE]
Hold ALT and push the PITCH ENCODER 2 to toggle [MUTE] “ON” and “OFF” for the selected steps. Step [MUTE] is indicated by blacked out steps on the ARP RHYTHM EDIT SCREEN. In the example below Steps 3 and 6 are muted.

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 3: Pattern Length [LEN]
Hold ALT and turn the  PITCH ENCODER 3 to set the total ARP RHYTHM Pattern Length [LEN] between 1 and 16 or “OFF” which bypasses the ARP RHYTHM step parameters completely. The [LEN] value is indicated by a cursor that moves to the pattern end point and by the value readout in the bottom part of the ARP RHYTHM SCREEN. The [LEN] parameter does not affect the melodic sequence [PAT LEN], and only applies to the ARP’s Rhythm pattern. In the example below [LEN] is set to 10 steps which is indicated by the cursor location at step 10.

ALT + PITCH ENCODER 4: Time Division [TIMEDIV]
Hold ALT and turn the  PITCH ENCODER 4 to set the ARPEGGIATOR step subdivision in relation to the MASTER TEMPO. This is the same parameter as [TIMEDIV] in the main ARP SCREEN. Changes to either of these parameters produce the same result.

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