# Sequencer

Pattern grid, accent, slide, SUS/ALT, patterns, chain, play modes, keyboard, and note capture.

RUB’s note sequencer is a 16-step monophonic grid with classic acid tools (accent, slide) plus pattern banks, a chain, and three play modes. Pair it with [Param Seq](/docs/param-sequencer) when you want per-step knob automation.

Switch to **Pattern** view with **Tab**, the Pattern ear, or the Pattern tab on the [homepage tour](/#instrument).

![Pattern / Param switch](figure:view-param)

## Step grid

Sixteen columns. Each step holds a MIDI note (or empty / release). The fish-eye lane spans roughly **C-3…C7** — drag vertically or use the mouse wheel.

![Step grid](figure:steps)

| Action | How |
| --- | --- |
| Select step | Click a column, or **←** / **→** |
| Nudge pitch | **↑** / **↓** (semitone), **PgUp** / **PgDn** (octave) |
| Empty step | **Del** / **Backspace** |
| Release (gate off) | **R** |
| Duplicate to neighbour | **Cmd/Ctrl+←** or **→** |

Empty steps leave a gap; **release** ends a held/slid note without starting a new pitch.

## Accent and slide

Under each step, two LED halves share one row:

- **Left** — Accent: louder hit and extra filter peak (scaled by the filter Accent knob).
- **Right** — Slide: glide *into* this step from the previous note.

![Accent / Slide LEDs](figure:step-leds)

Keyboard shortcuts while a step is selected: **,** toggles accent, **.** toggles slide — same order as the LEDs.

### SUS vs ALT

![SUS / ALT](figure:sus)

| Mode | Behaviour |
| --- | --- |
| **SUS** | Prior note sustains through the slide into the destination |
| **ALT** | Classic destination slide (gate behaviour closer to vintage boxes) |

## Patterns 0–F

Sixteen pattern slots. Keys **0–9** and **A–F** select instantly. Occupied patterns (notes or Param Seq lanes) glow.

![Patterns](figure:patterns)

![Pattern menu](figure:menu-pattern)

**Right-click** a pattern (or use shortcuts) for:

| Pattern menu | Shortcut |
| --- | --- |
| Transpose ± | stepper in menu |
| Copy / Cut / Paste notes | **Cmd/Ctrl+C / X / V** |
| Duplicate to next empty | **Cmd/Ctrl+D** |
| Clear notes | **Cmd/Ctrl+Backspace** |
| Param copy / cut / paste / clear | (menu; view-aware clipboard) |
| Clear all (notes + lanes) | menu |

Clipboard follows the active view: in Pattern view **C/X/V** move *notes*; in Param view they move *lanes*.

## Chain

The chain is the song-order list of pattern indices (up to 99 slots; the strip shows a window of 24). **+** appends the selected pattern; **−** removes the last slot.

![Chain](figure:chain)

![Chain slot menu](figure:menu-chain)

Click a slot for:

- **Play from here**
- Preview / set as active pattern
- Set slot to selected pattern
- Insert, duplicate, or clear slot
- Mouse **wheel** on a slot steps which pattern it points at

Letter tiles page through long chains.

## Play modes

![Play modes](figure:play-modes)

| Mode | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Single** | Loops the current pattern only |
| **Chain** | Plays chain slots in order, then wraps |
| **Rand** | At each pattern end, jumps to a random chain slot |

Transport **Play** always restarts from step 0 (chain head in Chain mode unless you used Play from here). **Space** toggles play/stop. In a plugin, **Follow Host** hands tempo and play/stop to your DAW instead.

## Keyboard and capture

![Keyboard](figure:keyboard)

- Click a key → write that note into the selected step
- **Shift-click** → audition only (does not write)
- **Oct − / +** → shift the visible keyboard range

![Capture](figure:capture)

Arm **Rec** to capture:

1. Keys or MIDI note-ons write the current step and advance
2. Capture wraps after 16 steps
3. **Hard** MIDI velocity → accent
4. **Held** notes → slide into the next write
5. **Del** / **R** while capturing clear or release then advance

Capture forces Pattern view if you were on Param Seq.

## Related

- [Oscillators](/docs/oscillators) — Wave / Tune, Mix, Range, sync
- [Param sequencer](/docs/param-sequencer) — per-step parameter lanes and Blend
- [Panel overview](/docs/panel-overview) — faceplate map
- [MIDI map](/docs/midi-learn) — map CCs while sequencing
- [Song JSON](/docs/song-json) — dump patterns + chain for AI edits