Exploring the 2S’s sequencer tracks

The 2S’s sequencer has four channels with far deeper functionality than first meets the eye. Let’s look at the options…

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The first two sequencer channels are labelled Pitch and Gate – routed to oscillator pitch and gate (ie, note length). These are fixed to these functions and linked, so they always run in the same timing division and direction.

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Tracks three and four are labelled Velo/Mod 1 and Press/Mod 2. The primary function of these are Velocity and Pressure (ie aftertouch) respectively. In these modes, the timings of tracks 3 and 4 are linked to 1 and 2. However, these tracks can also be set to one of three alternative modulation modes.

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In Env mode, each step of track 3 or 4 can trigger an AD envelope, with the decay set by turning the encoder. In xV mode, the track can send either 1V, 2V, 5V or 8V control voltage messages. In LFO the modes, steps can trigger an LFO, with several varieties of shape on offer.

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In these modulation modes, tracks 3 and 4 can run in different timing divisions and directions to tracks 1 and 2. With one of these track selected hold Shift. The first four pads can select a direction (forward, backwards, alternate and random) while pads 5-8 can select timing.

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Every sequencer track has a secondary function, accessed by holding Shift. For Pitch, Velocity, Pressure and xV modes, this is a slide function. Here CV messages will glide, portamento-style, between steps, with speed set between 0 (an instant jump) and 100 (a straight line between the two values).

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For Gate, the Shift function offers a note repeat, for adding quick ‘roll’ retriggers after the step. In Env mode the Shift function controls the envelope Attack. In LFO mode Shift accesses the modulation depth (rate is controlled with the rotary when shift isn’t pressed).