Back in 1976, Tom released the MS-1, a simple 8 step sequencer designed for use with the original 2, 4 and 8 voice instruments. When plugged into the 4 or 8 voice it would trigger the last SEM, leaving the other SEMs to be played from the keyboard. OB-E’s simple 8-step sequencer takes Tom’s idea and enhances it in several ways. To access the Sequencer section, click on the yellow “SEQ/FX” tab.
While still only 8-Steps, OB-E’s sequencer can be simple or complex, depending on your chosen settings. However, there are several things you should bear in mind when creating more complex patterns, particularly when altering Seq Step Starts and Swing values. Essentially, swing is achieved by offsetting every second step, while leaving the first and third steps intact. Therefore if you have a sequence that starts on, say, Step 2, when you apply a swing value, because this Step 2 has taken the place of the first step (or downbeat), when you apply swing it will become offset and the resulting rhythm (just like the maths) is gonna sound a bit ‘wanky’. If that happens, just return the Swing to a zero value, or make sure your sequence starts on a downbeat Step.
When set to SEM 8 the OB-E mirrors the behaviour of the original 8-voice where an optional 8-Step Mini-Sequencer can be used to trigger SEM8. We regard this mode as a simple tool for ideas and as such it doesn’t employ the Transpose functions afforded to the more elaborate All mode. SEM8 Mode does allow you to play along with the sequence though, either fully polyphonically, (via the remaining seven SEMs), a polyphonic split (with 4 SEMs in the lower split and 3 remaining SEMs in the upper split), monophonically or in a monophonic split. The browser type tag “SEM8” contains various Patches that use this mode.
When set to ALL the sequencer will function according to the RESET or CONT settings in the KEYBOARD MODE section.
If Reset is selected, the sequencer will only trigger SEM1.*
If Continuous is selected the sequencer will cycle through the different SEMs starting with SEM1* and continuing through each sequence step. This makes it possible to create complex sequences where each SEM is set to a different sound.
<aside> ⚠️ * It is possible to override SEM1 being the sequence start SEM via the SEM START Knob. With this knob the selected SEM will play the first step and subsequent SEMS will play in consecutive order.
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It’s possible to input notes into the step sequencer via several methods. One is via a click+hold and scrolling up or down in the NOTE Display windows (see Note Display Windows section). However, with this switch it’s possible to input note numbers via an external MIDI Keyboard and also to dictate the amount of steps played by the amount of notes held on your external keyboard.
OFF
In this default position no incoming note data from an external keyboard is used to set sequencer notes. The only notes that will play are the ones set in each of the Sequencer Note Windows.
SET
In this position, when the sequencer is playing, the notes you play on your external keyboard set the note value on the corresponding sequencer step.
AUTO
Sets the number of steps that the sequencer plays in accordance with the number of notes you hold down on your external keyboard. e.g. if you play a 4 note chord, the sequencer will only play for four steps before repeating. The notes played by the sequencer are determined by the notes held down on your external keyboard.
Once a sequence has been created by inputting the MIDI Note Numbers into the Note Display, provided you are using the ALL Sequencer output setting, it’s then possible to transpose that sequence, via your external MIDI keyboard, while it’s replaying.