20
But Wait! There’s More...
In “
ARP
” mode, at the far left (counterclockwise) position, each
knob provides three additional options:
END
Ends the arpeggio at this point. Your hand will always trigger the first note in an
arpeggio. The first knob, therefore, represents the second note in the pattern. Setting the
first knob to
END
produces a one-note arpeggio. (Try it!) By setting other knobs to
END
you
can create an arpeggio with 2 - 7 notes. No knobs set to
END
produces an 8-step pattern.
RST
Inserts a rest.
HLD
Holds, or extends, the previous note or rest. This is not the same as repeating a note.
Repeat a note for a staccato effect. Hold a note to extend the length of one note.
By combining notes, holds and rests, the Altura MkII functions as a genuine step sequencer.
Tap Tempo & Multiplier
The left sensor sets the tempo multiplier: 1, 2 or 4. (There is also a
3 available at the far postition, but the 3 does NOT function as a multiplier! During playback,
4 and 3 sound the same. Bear with me and keep reading.) The multipliers always multiply the
playback tempo in the ratio 4:2:1.
The multipliers play a role in capturing the tempo too, and this is where the 3 comes in. When
you set the tempo by tapping the Tap Tempo button (
▼
), the multiplier value is the number of
notes the Altura will fit into the tap interval. For example, regardless of how many notes there are
in your pattern, if the multiplier is set to 2, then when you set the tap time, the Altura will play
back two notes per beat. So set the multiplier to the value that is easiest to tap! The 3 is there to
help you set the tempo for patterns with three or six notes. We put the 3 at the end of the line
because once your tempo is set, the three available multipliers are always in the ratio of 4:2:1.
We put those three values together for ease of use.
To set the tempo for patterns with five or seven notes, just break the pattern down in your head
into 3+2, or 4+3, and use an appropriate multiplier to set your tempo.
8. KEY (ROOT NOTE) SELECT
The KEY knob sets the root note of the scale you are playing. Turn the KEY knob and the display will
show a letter and a number, i.e.
D 4
. The letter will change as you turn. It will display the twelve notes
of the Western scale, with a decimal to indicate sharps:
C C. D D. E F F. G G. A A. B
This note will always play at the nearest and farthest points on the right sensor. For instance, if you
set KEY to “
F.
”, then the nearest and farthest notes your right hand can find will always be F-Sharps.
Which F-Sharps depends on the OCTAvE NEAR and OCTAvE FAR settings.
