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Per-Step Editing

Per-Step Editing lets you give individual steps their own behavior inside a Track. Instead of applying every change to the whole Track, you can select specific steps and lock parameter values only to those positions.

This is one of the T1’s most powerful ideas: a Track can stay mostly generative, while a few important steps become fixed, intentional, and distinct.

With per-step editing, you can:

  • add or remove Pulses manually
  • lock parameter changes to specific steps
  • edit multiple steps at once
  • shape both Note and CC Tracks in more detail

Outside of per-step editing, parameter changes affect the whole Track. In per-step editing, changes apply only to the selected step or steps.

Why Per-Step Editing Matters​

Per-step editing lets you combine two different ways of working:

  • global or generative behavior for the overall Track
  • local control for the steps that matter most

This means you do not need to choose between a fully programmed sequence and a fully generated one. You can use the T1’s generative tools to create the main structure, then lock in a few details where intention matters.

Typical uses include:

  • forcing a certain pitch on a downbeat
  • making only a few hits accented
  • shifting the timing of selected steps
  • creating one-off variations inside an otherwise repeating pattern
  • setting different CC values on different steps

In practice, this often gives the best of both worlds: speed and surprise from the T1’s algorithms, with precision where you need it.

Quick Start​

  1. Select a Track.
  2. Double-tap (PULSES) to open the step view.
  3. Press a [VALUE] button to add or remove a Pulse.
  4. Hold [CTRL] and press a [VALUE] button to select a step for editing.
  5. Turn one or more parameter (KNOBS) to lock changes to that step.
  6. Press [BANK] to leave per-step editing.

Use per-step editing when you want most of the Track to stay generative, but a few steps to behave differently.

How It Works​

Per-step editing happens in the Pulses view, where the 16 [VALUE] buttons represent the visible steps of the Track.

Once a step is selected for editing:

  • parameter changes apply only to that step
  • the rest of the Track keeps its normal behavior
  • multiple selected steps can receive the same locked change together

This makes per-step editing feel like a layer on top of the Track, rather than a separate sequencer.

A good way to think about it is:

  • Pulses decide whether a step happens
  • per-step editing decides how that step behaves

What You Can Change Per Step​

Per-step editing can be used for many different kinds of variation.

Examples include:

  • Pitch: force a specific note on one or more steps
  • Accent / Velocity: emphasize selected hits
  • Timing: make only a few steps early or late
  • Sustain: shorten or lengthen selected notes
  • Repeats: make some steps generate more repeated triggers than others
  • Tonal or modulation controls: shape a few steps differently inside a larger pattern

This is especially useful when you want a Track to keep its overall identity while certain steps behave as anchors, transitions, or highlights.

Editing Steps​

Per-step editing happens in the Pulses view, where the 16 [VALUE] buttons represent the steps of the Track.

  • Press a step to toggle its pulse on or off
  • Hold [CTRL] and press a step to enter step-edit mode
  • Turn a parameter to lock that change to the selected step

While step-edit mode is active:

  • Selecting a new step (with [CTRL] + [VBx]) switches the edit focus to that step
  • Any parameter changes made are locked to the currently selected step
  • The currently step-edited step blinks to show where edits will be written

This can be used for accents, pitch changes, timing variation, note length changes, and more.

Step-edit mode stays active until exiting per-step editing. Press [BANK] to exit and return to the track view.

Learn more about Custom Rhythms.

A Simple Example​

Imagine a Track with a generated Euclidean rhythm.

You like the general groove, but you want it to feel more intentional.

You could:

  1. keep the generated Pulses as the rhythmic foundation
  2. select the first step and lock a stronger accent
  3. select one later step and lock a different pitch
  4. shift one step slightly later for extra push
  5. leave the rest of the Track unchanged

Now the Track still behaves generatively, but it has a stronger musical identity because a few steps are doing specific jobs.

This is one of the most effective ways to work on the T1: let the system generate the pattern, then guide it with a few targeted step locks.

Editing Multiple Steps​

Per-step editing is not limited to one step at a time.

You can hold [CTRL] and select multiple steps, then apply the same locked change to all of them together.

This is useful when you want to:

  • accent every offbeat
  • assign the same pitch to several key steps
  • shorten a group of notes
  • create repeated variation patterns without editing each step individually

This can speed up editing considerably, especially on longer or more detailed Tracks.

Per-Step Editing on CC Tracks​

Per-step editing also works on CC Tracks.

In a CC Track, step edits let you lock different CC values to different steps, creating rhythmic modulation patterns rather than note patterns.

This is useful for:

  • filter movement
  • rhythmic CC automation
  • repeating modulation shapes
  • manually shaped control changes inside a sequence

In other words, per-step editing is not only for notes. It is also a way to turn CC Tracks into detailed step-based modulation lanes.

How It Fits with Euclidean and Custom Rhythms​

Per-step editing works especially well together with Euclidean rhythms and custom rhythms.

A common workflow is:

  1. use Euclidean Steps and Pulses to create the base pattern
  2. add or remove a few manual hits
  3. lock a few parameter changes to selected steps
  4. leave the rest of the Track free to remain generative

This gives you a clear progression:

  • Euclidean rhythms create the structure
  • custom rhythms adjust where hits occur
  • per-step editing shapes how selected hits behave

That layered workflow is one of the reasons the T1 can move quickly from generated idea to finished musical result.

Good Uses in Practice​

Per-step editing is especially effective for:

  • Downbeats and phrase starts Lock important notes or accents so the rhythm always lands clearly.

  • Fills and transitions Make only a few steps more active or exaggerated near the end of a phrase.

  • Melodic anchors Fix specific notes while letting the rest of the melody remain more open.

  • Controlled variation Keep most of the Track stable, but let selected steps introduce contrast.

  • CC movement Create repeating modulation shapes on CC Tracks without affecting the whole Track globally.

Tips​

  • Start small. A few step locks often do more than editing every step.
  • Use per-step editing to define important moments, not necessarily every detail.
  • If a Track feels too rigid, remove some step locks and let the global Track behavior do more of the work.
  • If a Track feels too loose, add a few locks on downbeats, phrase endings, or key accents.
  • Combine per-step editing with Euclidean generation for fast but intentional results.

Related Pages

Setting ParametersCustom RhythmsControlling Pitch