User Manual

Program Edit Mode
The Arpeggiator Function
7-62
Shift Pattern (ShiftPatt)
When the Shift Mode is set to Pattern, ShiftPatt engages a step sequencer for arpeggiator
note patterns. e inputted note number of each played key is shifted according to a
sequenced pattern, thus “Shift Pattern.” e Forte has 69 pre-programed shift patterns
including many useful chords, intervals, and rhythms. (You can also create your own custom
patterns using the StepSeq editor.) Steps are played back at the rate set for Beats. Keep in
mind that Shift Patterns are aected by every parameter on the ARP page, which can be the
cause of unexpected variation, or a way to add interesting variation to a pattern.
Shift Patterns are most easily used and understood when triggered by only one key at a
time. One way to prevent triggering from multiple keys is to use one of the Latch types
1NoteAuto, 1NoteAutoLow, or 1NoteAutoHi when using a shift pattern. Triggering shift
patterns from one key allows the pre-programed patterns to sound like what you would
expect from their names. If no other keys are playing, patterns will start over each time a key
is pressed (there are some exceptions to this when using Arpeggiator Latch parameters other
than “Keys,” though a newly triggered pattern will always start at step 1). When triggering
Shift Patterns from more than one key at a time, each consecutive step of the pattern shifts
the note from a dierent inputted key, the order of which is decided by the Play Order
parameter. is means that each key will not be shifted by every step of the pattern, causing
you to only hear part of the pattern from each key, often making the pattern unrecognizable.
ough triggering a Shift pattern from multiple keys can be used creatively, it can also make
it hard to predict what the output will be.
Play Order
is parameter determines the order in which the Forte plays arpeggiated notes. Played
causes them to play back in the chronological order in which you played and latched them.
Upwards means that notes play in ascending pitch order, regardless of their chronological
order. Downwards means descending pitch order. UpDown causes notes to play from lowest
pitch to highest, then from highest pitch to lowest, repeating the cycle until you stop the
arpeggiation. e notes at the very top and very bottom only play once. UpDown Repeat is
similar to UpDown, except that the notes at the top and bottom play twice (repeat) when the
Arpeggiator reverses direction.
Random plays the currently latched notes in completely random order. Shue plays them
at random, but keeps track of the notes so that no note repeats until all of the others have
played. Walk is a “random walk” order: each successive note is either the next or previous
note (in chronological order). For example, suppose you’ve latched four notes—G4, B4, D5,
and F5—in that order. e rst note the Arpeggiator plays is the G4. e second note will
be either B4 (the next note chronologically), or F5 (the “previous” note chronologically—
that is, the last latched note). If the second note is B4, the third note will be either D5 or G4.
If the second note is F5, the third note will be either G4 or D5.