Piano Roll
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The Piano Roll appears automatically below the step grid for melodic tracks (BASS, LEAD, FM, WAVE). It shows a keyboard on the left and a grid where each cell is a note at a specific step and pitch.
The visible range is 2 octaves (C3–B4 by default). Use the ▲ / ▼ buttons or scroll the mouse wheel to shift the octave window.
Drawing Modes
Section titled “Drawing Modes”The brush bar at the top provides four modes:
| Mode | Shortcut | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | D | Tap to place/remove notes, drag to move |
| Eraser | E | Tap or drag to remove notes |
| Chord | C | Tap to place an entire chord |
| Strum | — | Drag to place chord notes across consecutive steps |
Hold the shortcut key to temporarily activate a mode; release to return to the previous mode. In Draw mode, right-click erases without switching.
Interaction (Draw Mode)
Section titled “Interaction (Draw Mode)”| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Tap empty cell | Place a note |
| Tap existing note | Remove it |
| Drag a note vertically | Change pitch |
| Drag a note horizontally | Change step position |
| Drag note edge (right side) | Change duration |
Polyphony
Section titled “Polyphony”Tap multiple notes on the same step to create chords. The number of simultaneous notes depends on the voice’s poly mode:
- MONO — one note at a time (last note wins)
- POLY — polyphonic (up to 12 or 16 voices depending on synth)
- WIDE — polyphonic with stereo spread
- UNISON — all voices on the same note (thick sound)
Slide (Glide)
Section titled “Slide (Glide)”Enable SLD to create smooth pitch glides between consecutive notes. This is essential for acid bass lines — the 303-style BASS voice responds to slide with its characteristic portamento.
Scale Mode
Section titled “Scale Mode”When Scale Mode is enabled (KEY/SCALE button), the piano roll snaps note placement to the selected scale. Available modes:
| Mode | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Ionian (Major) | W-W-H-W-W-W-H |
| Dorian | W-H-W-W-W-H-W |
| Phrygian | H-W-W-W-H-W-W |
| Lydian | W-W-W-H-W-W-H |
| Mixolydian | W-W-H-W-W-H-W |
| Aeolian (Minor) | W-H-W-W-H-W-W |
| Locrian | H-W-W-H-W-W-W |
Non-scale notes are dimmed in the grid but still accessible if you need chromatic passing tones.
Chord & Strum Brushes
Section titled “Chord & Strum Brushes”The Chord Brush places an entire chord in one tap. The Strum Brush spreads chord tones across consecutive steps. Available chord types:
- Triad — root + 3rd + 5th
- 7th — root + 3rd + 5th + 7th
- sus2 — root + 2nd + 5th
- sus4 — root + 4th + 5th
Combined with Scale Mode, chords automatically use the correct intervals for the current key — you can’t place a wrong chord.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Grid Mode — step sequencer for drums
- Velocity & Chance — per-step dynamics and probability
- Voices — synth voice parameters