Matriceal Mode: OXI ONE MKII manual

6.9 Matriceal Sequencer Mode

At first glance the matriceal mode may seem to be a daunting and complex sequencer. However matriceal is not as difficult to master as it first appears, especially with a few tips and guides to get things started.

Matriceal mode is a generative sequencing environment which consists of 4 identical tracks, each with 10 matrices of independent parameters. As a starting point we recommend getting familiar with 4 key principles of the matriceal mode.

Think in parallel. There are 10 matrices of parameters each of which is sequenced in its own individual ‘lane’. A lane is essentially an independent 16 step sequence of parameter values. Trigger, note and probability for example are decoupled into their own lanes. The lanes operate in the same timeline, in parallel, but can be set to different lengths. This concept is repeated across all 4 tracks.

Individual Journeys. Each lane of parameters takes its own journey as an independent sequence. Each lane can have its own play direction, time division, start and end points. Playback timing can be synchronised, but the power of matriceal mode comes from having the matrices of parameters operating in different cyclic orbits. Think polyrhythms or polymeters!

Trigger Lane is King. The primary reference for synchronising the lanes and parameter steps is the trigger lane. Only when the programmed steps in the other 9 parameter lanes coincide with those active steps in the trigger lane will the trigger step parameter change be activated.

More is More. Other random and probability functions can be overlaid with Matriceal to add to the creative options further. However things can get complex quickly and its easy to lose track - pardon the pun! Start with a small number of steps and expand these as you go, also adding more parameters. Its easier to build up than to get lost in the flow then trying to backtrack.

The matriceal layout consists of 4 sections each representing a track. The track sections are identical to each other. The lower row of pads selects each track and also allows muting of each track. The upper section of 16 pads represents the steps in the sequence while the color coded central section gives access to the parameters and lane selection.

Track Selection

Deselected Track - Soft White

Deselected & Muted Track - Unlit

Selected & Muted Track - Soft Red

Selected Track - Bright White

Tap any of the 4 bottom row [Pad]s to select the respective track. Hold a pad in the bottom 4 to open the selected track settings. All four pads have the same function.

Tap any pad in the bottom row of 4 for each track section to select. Selected track lit bright white. Only one track can be selected at a time

Select Track

Hold [Mute] + tap any pad in the bottom row of 4 for each track section to mute.

Mute Track

Tap one of the 10 parameter matrices [Pad]s to select its parameter lane. The upper 16 pads represent the parameter sequence. Hold a step [Pad] to edit its parameter settings.

Randomize Matriceal Steps. Hold one of the 10 parameter matrices [Pad]s + tap [Random] to randomise the steps for the matrices. The randomization amount percentage used is set while holding a step and turning knob 4 - ‘Rnd’.

The option to edit the parameter lanes using the full 16 x 8 grid is possible by double tapping the parameter button. This can also be used to set the start and end points of the 16 step pattern as well as change the speed of playback. This does not apply to the trigger lane. The length of the parameter lanes is what brings the surprise to Matriceal. Triggers will evaluate each parameter step but these may vary through playback.

The option to quickly double the sequencer time division from its current value is possible by holding [Shift] + tap [Init].

The option to quickly halve the sequencer time division from its current value is possible by holding [Shift] + tap [End].

Matriceal Sequencer Track Parameters

The generic details of sequencer setup and track and step options have already been covered, so here is a refresher on the general options. Any unique matriceal mode parameters are described here. The [Page] button will flash to signal if multiple pages exist. Press [Page] to cycle through the available pages.

Page button flashes to signify that multiple pages exist. Tap [Page] to cycle through available pages.

Track Options

These parameters are track specific. Example shows track 3 selected, as stated in the page header. To reset a parameter back to its default setting, press and hold the respective knob for >2 seconds. Reset excludes the track selection parameter, TSel.

Hold one of the four track selection pads for the track while editing the four knob parameters. The quick edit, track menu will open for the selected track.

Ch. MIDI Channel and port assigned to track. Knob 1.

Ofs. Base note for all notes in the track. Knob 2.

RLen. Length before resetting the playhead transport. Knob 3.

Clr. Tap to clear every parameter on the track. Knob 4.

RLen affects all sequencer lanes for the track. The length is measured in trigger lane steps + pulses. The playhead will be restarted for all parameter lanes and the trigger lane when RLen is reached. Think of this as a looping function.

Matriceal Step Parameters

The matriceal mode has 10 matrices of parameters operating in lanes within each of the 4 sequencer tracks. Each parameter is described in more detail here.

Lane Range

Track lane start

First step

Start and end can be set for each lane in the 16 step section of the track

Track lane end

Last step

Trigger

The trigger lane is important as it is the fundamental reference that determines the behavior of all other parameter lanes. Each time a trigger event is activated in the trigger lane, all other parameter lanes are checked for their parameter value at the same point. The trigger lane and parameter lane, while in sync, may be on a different orbits. The current parameter value at that point in time is then applied at the trigger. For example changing a note pitch for a trigger step. The independent journey of each lanes step cycle is what creates the generative, sometimes unpredictable phrases and melodies. On its own, the trigger lane will output a fixed default note on each active step based on the global parameter values.

Note

The note lane has 16 steps each of which can carry a unique parameter setting. For example a pitch note value to form part of a melody on each step. These note changes apply when the note step coincides with a trigger step. Notes edited here are relative to the note offset found in the track settings.

Notes are relative to the track note offset found in the track settings as ‘Ofs’.

Yellow pads indicate notes higher in pitch than the track note offset. Pad yellow level brightness is higher with higher pitches.

Red pads indicate notes lower in value than the pitch of the track note offset. Pad red level brightness is higher with lower pitches.

Remember that the trigger lane steps govern the sequence and operate in conjunction with other parameters in other lanes in order to develop a pattern. These will also change the final output note value. For example, octave and interval will also apply a value change to the relevant trigger lane steps.

Interval

Interval is a similar concept to the accumulator found in the mono mode sequencers. Each time the playhead passes the interval step it will add or subtract to/from the current notes. Played notes are affected by all applied parameters. The interval is based on the current scale. This will create a rise or fall in the pitch value for the subsequent steps through the progression of the track cycles. When the max value is reached it will reset to the min setting. If the pitch decreases it will be reset to max once it reaches the min value. The range for the incremental pitch ramps is -24 to +24 with +/-7 being the default.

Pitch accumulates at the selected note, affecting all lane notes, on each track cycle in ‘Intv’ value intervals until reaching max or min position and then resets to the min or max position and restarts the accumulation cycle.

Min. Minimum interval limit. Resets to max at this point. Knob 1.

Max. Maximum interval limit. Resets to min at this point. Knob 2.

Div. Sequence lane time division. Knob 3.

Dir. Playback direction for the lane. Knob 4.

Hold any [Pad] in the upper 16 pad section to select and display the available parameter options for all of the interval steps. Interval steps are only activated when a new interval value is applied.

Red pads indicate negative ‘Intv’ intervals to decrement the pitch of the note. Pad red level brightness is higher with larger interval settings. Limit is -12.

Pink pads indicate positive ‘Intv’ intervals to increment the pitch of the note. Pad pink level brightness is higher with larger interval settings. Limit is 12.

Pulses

Sets the amount and type of pulses to hold for the current step before progressing the transport to the next step. Effectively repeating the step triggers. While the step is held by the pulses function it will reflect the held duration across all other parameter lanes. The pulse type sets the behavior options of the pulses from triggering only the first pulse, triggering all pulses in sequence or to tie the pulses together.

Orange pads indicate number of pulses. The higher the pulse count the brighter the pad is lit. Maximum pulses is 9. Note that steps and pulses are counted in total when calculating the RLen track setting state.

Velocity

Sets the MIDI velocity for the step triggers. The velocity range is set from 1-127 with a default applied across all steps of 75.

Brightness of pad colors will represent the velocity value applied. Brighter pads indicate higher velocity values.

Octave

Selects a wider range for note generation by adding octave offsets. Notes can be generated across the range. It is also possible to select a probability value to apply, or not apply the octave offset per step.

Blue pads indicate positive octave settings, greater than 0. Brighter pads indicate a higher range, maximum 4.

Red pads indicate negative octave settings, glower than 0. Brighter pads indicate a lower range, maximum -4.

Gate

Sets the note length for each step. A gate of 50% will output a note half of the time division. Range is between 2-99%. The option to set a tie to cover consecutive triggers into a single note is available. Also a legato option can be selected which overlaps the following note by using a note on message earlier than the current note off. Legato will seamlessly transition across, rather than step between notes. To access these options select a value above 99%.

Pads are purple. Brightness of pad colors will represent the gate note length value applied. Brighter pads indicate higher gate values.

Trigger Probability

Trigger probability refers to the chance of a step being triggered or not. The higher the probability, the more chance it will trigger. A 0% setting mean the trigger is not activated at all and 100% will always trigger the step. The trigger probability parameter is a dedicated lane of steps that control the main trigger lane. When the steps between the lanes coincide the resultant output, trigger or no trigger, is generated.

Pads are unlit at 100%. Purple pads refer to values below 100% and the brightness of the pad refers to the value. Brighter pads mean lower value / lower probability.

Retrigger

Retrigger applies a number of note repetitions within the same step duration when the retrigger lane steps coincide with trigger steps. The sequence maintains its synchronisation and speed. Up to 6 repeats are available along with a ‘skip’ option. Repeat default is 1, meaning no retriggers.

Pads are off when 1 retrigger is set, the default. The pads are green when a retrigger is set above 1, the brightness of the pad color will represent the retrigger value applied. Brighter pads indicate higher retrigger values.

Glide

Glide creates a smooth transition between notes. Glide applies to CV outputs only and is not supported by MIDI protocols. Default is 0 meaning no glide while the option to set a value up to 100 is possible.

Pads are unlit at 0. Light blue pads refer to values above 0 and the brightness of the pad refers to the value. Brighter pads mean higher glide values.