Always Duplicate Before Mutating
Mutate (Shift+Duplicate) is destructive with no undo. Copy your pattern to a new slot first so you can revert.
Ghost Sidechain
Set the sidechain source track's volume to zero in the Mixer. The ducking effect still triggers on other tracks — you get the pump without hearing the source.
Polyrhythms via Chain Length
Chain different numbers of patterns per track. Track 1 at 64 steps + Track 3 at 96 steps = evolving polyrhythmic grooves that only loop after hundreds of steps.
Resample Your Performance
Set Pad 31 to resample (green). Hit record and perform live — Grid FX, filter sweeps, everything. Then chop the result as a new sample.
Muted Tracks = Live Pads
When a track is muted in the Mixer, its sequence is silenced but the pads still play live. Use this to prep sound palettes for manual performance.
Multi-Slot Recording
While recording a sample, tap another empty slot to seamlessly continue into it with no gap. Great for splitting a long source into sections.
Beat Match Your Breaks
Firmware 2.0's Beat Match stretches or compresses samples to match your project BPM. Essential for syncing sampled drum breaks.
Fixed-Length for Perfect Loops
Firmware 2.0 lets you record samples at exactly 8, 16, 32, or 64 steps. The result loops perfectly in time with your project.
Stack Grid FX
In Grid FX view, you can hold multiple pads simultaneously to layer effects. Beat Repeat + Vinyl + Filter = instant dub techno.