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Version: Matrix OS 3.2

Sequencer App

A powerful sequencer for Matrix OS. Learning about the Note App first is highly recommended.

Preview version

The documention here is incomplete and might contain factual errors. Matrix OS 3.2 is still not in final release yet so things in the OS might change as well.

Core Concepts

  • Track: An independent lane with its own clip, patterns, color, channel, and note layout. This sequencer have 8 tracks.
  • Clip: a container of patterns per track. Clips can be launched or switched. Each track in this sequencer have up to 14 clips.
  • Pattern: a grid of steps. Patterns have a per-pattern length. Each clip in this sequencer have 16 patterns.
  • Step: a time slice in a pattern. A step can hold multiple events. Each pattern in this sequencer can have up to 16 steps, but you can also set micro steps.

Sequencer View

Default Sequencer view layout. The Pattern Selector overlays the Note Pad when shift is held or latched, and the Message Display overlays the same area for action feedback.

Sequencer View

Sequencer View

Primary view for track, pattern, and note editing
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Note Pad
Note input area. Layout depends on the track mode (scale, chromatic, piano, drum).
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Track Selector

  • Tap a track to select it. Selecting a different track clears step selections and active notes.
  • Tap the current track to mark it as "active track selected" (affects Control Bar behavior).
  • Clear + tap a track clears all steps in the current clip for that track.

Pattern Pad

  • Default view is 8x2 (16 steps). Two-pattern mode expands to 8x4 (two patterns at once).
  • Tap a step to select it; release to deselect it.
  • Tap a step while notes are selected on the Note Pad to add or remove those notes on that step.
  • Tap a step to preview its notes (note on); release to stop preview (note off).
  • Clear + tap step clears events in that step.
  • Copy mode:
    • Tap a step with events to set the copy source.
    • Tap another step to copy events into it (supports cross-pattern copy).
  • Shift + tap a step with events opens step detial menu (only when not playing that track).

Note Pad

  • Used for note entry and preview.
  • Layout modes: Scale, Chromatic, Piano, Drum.
  • Velocity-sensitive input when supported and enabled.
  • In Sequencer view, if steps are selected, tapping notes toggles those notes on the selected steps.
  • If the sequencer is playing and record is enabled, note input is recorded directly.

Shift Modifier

This is the view if you held down any of the octave key. (They act as shift when held)

  • Hold Shift: Preview Pattern Selector
  • Tap Both Shift: Toggle Enable Pattern Selector
  • Shift + Step: Step Detail Menu
  • Shift + Play (x1 in control bar): Resume Playing
  • Shift + Copy (x6 in control bar): Toggle two pattern view
Shift Modifier

Shift Modifier

Shift overlay and Pattern Selector latch
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Pattern Selector
Select or add patterns into the clip. To keep this view open, tap both octave key at once.
Created Pattern
Switch to modify this pattern
Active Pattern
Active pattern in view.
Add Pattern
Create a new pattern
Shift Enabled Visualizer
Visual animation for shift enabled
Resume
Resume playback from the last stop point.
Two Pattern View
Toggle two-pattern mode for the current track.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Pattern Selector

  • Shown when Pattern Selector is active (shift held or latched).
  • Tap a pattern slot to select or switch patterns (switching is disabled while playing).
  • Tap the "add" slot to create a new pattern.
  • Clear + tap pattern deletes it.
  • Copy mode:
    • Tap a pattern to set the copy source.
    • Tap another pattern to copy into it.
  • Hold a pattern to enter length adjustment mode, then tap a length (1-16) to set that pattern's length.
Pattern Selector

Pattern Selector

Pattern selection and length adjustment overlay
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Pattern Selector
Select or add patterns into the clip.
Created Pattern
Switch to modify this pattern. Hold it down to adjust the pattern length.
Active Pattern
Active pattern in view. Hold it down to adjust the pattern length.
Add Pattern
Create a new pattern.
Note Pad
Note input area. Layout depends on the track mode (scale, chromatic, piano, drum).
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Pattern Length Modifier

Hold any pattern to adjust it's length.

Pattern Length Modifier

Pattern Length Modifier

Adjust the pattern length. Enabled by held down a step
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Pattern Selector
Select or add patterns into the clip.
Created Pattern
Switch to modify this pattern
Selected Pattern
Pattern selected after being held down
Add Pattern
Create a new pattern
Pattern Length Modifier
Selects how long is the pattern
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Clear Modifier

  • Clear + Current Track: Clear current pattern
  • Clear + Step: Clear selected step
  • Clear + Pattern: Clear selected pattern
  • Clear + Record: Clear last record session
Sequencer View - Clear

Sequencer View - Clear

Clear actions across steps, patterns, and clips
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Clear current pattern
Clear the current pattern in view.
Pattern Pad
Step grid, but step with events are highlighted for erase.
Clear Enabled Visualizer
Signal that clear modifier is in effect
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Undo Last Record
Allow you to erase last record section
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Copy Modifier

Sequencer View - Copy

Sequencer View - Copy

Copy source and destination selection
Track Selector
Select the active track. Copy modifier has effect on them
Pattern Pad
Step grid, but step with events are highlighted for select as copy source.
Copy Enabled Visualizer
Signal that copy modifier is in effect
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Step Selected

Sequencer View - Step Selected

Sequencer View - Step Selected

Sequencer view after any step is selected.
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Selected Step
Step Selected by holding on it.
Note Pad
Note input area. Layout depends on the track mode (scale, chromatic, piano, drum).
Selected Note
Note that exists in the step. Tap to remove note.
Play From Step
Play the track from this step.
Quantize
Quantize current pattern.
Step Octave -
Transpose selected steps down an octave.
Step Octave +
Transpose selected steps up an octave.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Pattern Selected

Sequencer View - Pattern Selected

Sequencer View - Pattern Selected

Sequencer view after any pattern is selected.
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad
Step grid for pattern editing.
Pattern Selector
Select or add patterns into the clip.
Created Pattern
Switch to modify this pattern
Selected Pattern
Pattern selected after being held down
Add Pattern
Create a new pattern
Note Pad
Note input area. Layout depends on the track mode (scale, chromatic, piano, drum).
Nudge Left
Nudge the pattern left 1 step. (Nudged off step will loop back in the end)
Nudge Right
Nudge the pattern right 1 step. (Nudged off step will loop back in the front)
Pattern Octave -
Transpose selected pattern down an octave.
Pattern Octave +
Transpose selected pattern up an octave.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.

Two Pattern View

Expands the Pattern Pad to 8x4 so you can see two patterns at once.

Sequencer View - Two Pattern View

Sequencer View - Two Pattern View

Primary sequencer view with two pattern view enabled
Track Selector
Select the active track. Track selection affects Pattern Pad, Note Pad, and Control Bar behavior.
Pattern Pad 1
Step grid for pattern editing. It will be the odd number pattern.
Pattern Pad 2
Step grid for pattern editing. It will be the even number pattern.
Note Pad
Note input area. Layout depends on the track mode (scale, chromatic, piano, drum).
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode
Session View
Enter the clip launcher.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for steps, patterns, clips, or tracks.
Copy
Copy modifier for steps, patterns, or clips.
Octave - (Shift)
Octave down button, act as shift is held.
Octave + (Shift)
Octave up button, act as shift is held.

Step Detail Menu

  • Event selector row (Y=0): choose an event in the step. Note events light in note color, aftertouch notes in a separate color.
  • Microstep row (Y=1, X0-5): move the selected event to one of six microstep slots.
  • Delete (Y=1, X7): remove the selected event.
  • Note event config:
    • Toggle Note vs Aftertouch event.
    • Length selector (2 rows): tap to set, tap again to cycle partial lengths.
    • Velocity selector (2 rows): tap to set, tap again to cycle partial levels.
  • CC event config exists but is currently stubbed (no UI behavior yet).
Step Detail Menu

Step Detail Menu

Per-step event editor for notes and timing
Event Selector
Row of events in the selected step. Selected event highlights white.
Microstep Slots
Move the selected event within the step. Position will be purple if step isn't perfectly aligned (from live recording)
Delete Event
Remove the selected event.
Note/Aftertouch Toggle
Switch between note on and aftertouch events.
Length Selector
Set note length in steps. Tap the end of the selected bar to change the micro length.
Velocity Selector
Set velocity in 16 slots. Tap the end of the selected bar to change the micro velocity.
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode.
Session View
Clip launcher active.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear (Not used)
Clear modifier for clips.
Copy (Not used)
Copy modifier for clips.
Go back to sequencer view
Go baco to sequencer view

Clip Launcher

A grid for you to select clips to play. Similar to Ableton Live's Session mode.

  • Normal mode: 8 tracks across, 7 clips high. Clip page selects page 1 or 2.
  • Wide clip mode: 4 tracks across with 2 columns per track.

Not Playing:

  • Tap a clip to select it.
  • Tap an empty slot to create a clip.
  • Shift + clip will start play this clip only.
  • Clear + clip will deletes it.
  • Copy mode: select a source clip, then tap a destination to copy it.

While Playing:

  • Tap a clip to queue it.
  • Tap an empty slot to queue stop track.
  • Double tap a clip to launch the entire row.
Clip Launcher

Clip Launcher

Session view clip grid
Clip Grid
8x7 clip launcher grid per track.
Existing Clips
Clips use their track color.
Active Clip
Active clip that is currenting being edited.
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode.
Session View
Clip launcher active.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for clips.
Copy
Copy modifier for clips.
Clip page 0
Select clip page 1 (clip 1 ~ 7).
Clip page 2
Select clip page 2 (clip 8 ~ 14).

Clip Launcher Copy Modifier

Clip Launcher Clear Modifier

Wide Mode

Tap both page key to switch between wide mode and normal mode.

If you don't need to perform on all 8 tracks. Use this to have more clip shown at the same time.

Clip Launcher - Wide Mode

Clip Launcher - Wide Mode

Session view clip grid
Clip Grid
8x7 clip launcher grid per track, each track is 2 wide.
Existing Clips
Clips use their track color.
Active Clip
Active clip that is currenting being edited.
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode.
Session View
Clip launcher active.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear
Clear modifier for clips.
Copy
Copy modifier for clips.
Clip page 0
Select clip page 1 (track 1 ~ 4).
Clip page 2
Select clip page 2 (track 5 ~ 8).

Mixer View

  • 3 rows per track: Mute (Y=0), Solo (Y=1), Record (Y=2).
  • Mute is disabled when any track is soloed.
  • Hold shows a label for the row; tap toggles the state.
Mixer View

Mixer View

Mute, solo, and record controls per track
Mute Row
Track mute states (track color).
Solo Row
Solo toggles (blue).
Record Row
Per-track record enable (red).
Play
Play or stop the sequence.
Record
Toggle record mode.
Session View
Clip launcher active.
Mixer View
Enter the mixer.
Clear (Not used)
Clear modifier for clips.
Copy (Not used)
Copy modifier for clips.
Go back to sequencer view
Go baco to sequencer view

Action Menu

Left 4 options are sequence-wide configs. Right options are track local configs.

Action Menu

Action Menu

Sequencer settings and utilities
Track Selector
Select the track for track-specific settings.
BPM Selector
Open BPM selector.
Swing Selector
Open swing selector.
Time Signature Selector
Open time signature selector.
Pattern Length Selector
Open pattern length selector.
Track Color Selector
Pick the track color.
Track Layout Selector
Open track layout selector.
Track Channel Selector
Open track channel selector.
Velocity Sensitivity
Toggle velocity sensitivity if supported.
Save
Save the sequence to storage. Double tap to save. Square: Saved Arrow: Unsaved Red Cross: No SD Card
Sequence Browser
Open the sequence browser.
Play
Play/stop while in the menu.
System Settings
Open MatrixOS system settings.

Save Sequence

The center glyph have 3 states:

To save your sequence, double tap the center arrow button.

BPM Selector

Adjust tempo with coarse modifiers and a reset shortcut.
Tap the number display to tap in BPM.
Clock output can be toggled from here.

BPM Selector

BPM Selector

Tap tempo, modifiers, and clock output
BPM Display
Shows the BPM label and value. Tap the number display to tap in BPM.
BPM Modifiers
Coarse BPM adjust row.
Clock Output
Toggle clock output.
Reset BPM
Reset BPM to default.

Swing Selector

Fine-tune swing amount with incremental modifiers and reset when needed.

Swing Selector

Swing Selector

Fine swing modifiers and reset
Swing Display
Shows current swing percentage (50% in this example).
Swing Modifiers
Fine swing adjust row.
Reset Swing
Reset swing to default.

Time Signature Selector

Set beats per bar and beat unit with dedicated increment/decrement keys.
This affects the clip switching behaviour in clip launcher.

Time Signature Selector

Time Signature Selector

Beats per bar and beat unit controls
Time Signature - Beat
Shows beats per bar
Time Signature - Beat Unit
Shows beat unit
Beats -1
Decrease beats per bar.
Beats +1
Increase beats per bar.
Beat Unit -1
Decrease beat unit.
Beat Unit +1
Increase beat unit.

Pattern Length Selector

Set the default pattern length and optionally update empty patterns to match.

Pattern Length Selector

Pattern Length Selector

Global pattern length and update
Pattern Length Display
Shows the current pattern length.
Pattern Length Grid
Select length from 1-64 steps.
Update Empty Patterns
Apply length to empty patterns.

Track Layout Selector

Choose the note layout mode, scale behavior, and note mapping tools for the active track.

Note Layouts

For difference between layouts, see Note App.

Track Layout Selector - Note Mode

Track Layout Selector - Note Mode

Layout mode, scale, and note mapping
Track Selector
Select a track to edit its layout.
Note Mode - Scale Layout
Note Mode with Scale layout.
Note Mode - Chromatic Layout
Note Mode with Chromatic layout.
Note Mode - Piano Layout
Note Mode with Piano layout.
Note Mode - Drum Layout
Note Mode with Drum layout.
Note Map Test
Toggle note map test.
Enforce Scale
Force notes to the selected scale.
Custom Scale
Enable custom scale editing.
Apply to Note Tracks
Apply layout settings to other note tracks.
Scale Visualizer & Root Key Selector
Select the scale and root key of the active note pad layout
Modern Diatonic Toggle
Toggle between classic and modern diatonic mode (affects root offset behavior)
Minor
Use the Minor scale
Major
Use the Major scale
Dorian
Use the Dorian scale
Phrygian
Use the Phrygian scale
Mixolydian
Use the Mixolydian scale
Melodic Minor Ascending
Use the Melodic Minor Ascending scale
Harmonic Minor
Use the Harmonic Minor scale
Bebop Dorian
Use the Bebop Dorian scale
Blues
Use the Blues scale
Minor Pentatonic
Use the Minor Pentatonic scale
Hungarian Minor
Use the Hungarian Minor scale
Ukrainian Dorian
Use the Ukrainian Dorian scale
Marva
Use the Marva scale
Todi
Use the Todi scale
Whole Tone
Use the Whole Tone scale
Chromatic
Use the Chromatic scale

Scale Table

IndexScaleCC#DEbEFF#GAbABbB
1Natural MinorXXXXXXX
2MajorXXXXXXX
3DorianXXXXXXX
4PhrygianXXXXXXX
5MixolydianXXXXXXX
6Melodic Minor AscendingXXXXXXX
7Harmonic MinorXXXXXXX
8Bebop DorianXXXXXXXX
9BluesXXXXXX
10Minor PentatonicXXXXX
11Hungarian MinorXXXXXXX
12Ukrainian DorianXXXXXXX
13MarvaXXXXXX
14TodiXXXXXXX
15Whole ToneXXXXXX
16ChromaticXXXXXXXXXXXX

Modern Diatonic

When Modern Diatonic mode is enabled, you can selecte a new root note in the existing selected scale.

Drum Layout

Track Layout Selector - Drum Mode

Track Layout Selector - Drum Mode

Layout mode, scale, and note mapping
Track Selector - Note
Select a track to edit its layout.
Note Mode - Scale Layout
Note Mode with Scale layout.
Note Mode - Chromatic Layout
Note Mode with Chromatic layout.
Note Mode - Piano Layout
Note Mode with Piano layout.
Note Mode - Drum Layout
Note Mode with Drum layout.
Note Map Test
Toggle note map test.
Drum Mode Tip Text
Drm for Drum Mode

Track Channel Selector

Select the MIDI output channel for each track.

Track Channel Selector

Track Channel Selector

Per-track MIDI channel selection
Track Selector
Select a track to edit its MIDI channel.
MIDI Channel Display
Displays the MIDI out channel of the active track.
MIDI Channel Selector
Select a MIDI channel (1-16).

Sequence Browser

Manage saved sequences: load, copy, clear, and select color for your sequence.

Sequence Browser

Sequence Browser

Load, copy, and clear sequence slots
Slot Grid
8x6 grid of sequence slots.
Saved Slots
Populated slots show their sequence color.
Active Slot
Current active sequence Breath toward white if saved Breath toward red if unsaved
Clear
Clear modifier for slots.
Color Picker
Pick sequence color.
Copy
Copy modifier for slots.

Advance Tips

  • You can copy or share your sequence by copy the sequence file using the USB Storage Mode in System Setting. The files are located Drive:\MatrixOS\AppData\203 Systems-Sequencer\sequences\#\
  • There is also a prev folder for each sequence, they are your previously saved files. if you accidently over wrote your sequence, you can revert them by using those files.

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