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How to use the arpeggiator on the M-VAVE FM-1

On the FM-1, the arpeggiator plays the notes you hold for you, in the pattern you choose. ARP turns it on, KNOB1 picks the pattern and KNOB4 sets the tempo on the first ARP page, and Latch keeps it playing after you let go.

The short answer

Hold a chord and ARP plays it as a pattern.

Before you start

These steps are for the FM-1's stock firmware. Turn SEQ off first: while the sequencer is on, pressing ARP only shows "Disable SEQ to enter" on the screen. To turn it off, press SEQ again while you are in SEQ mode.

Four steps

Press ARP, then hold a chord. Each key lights as its note plays.
0:08
Turn SELECT left for page 1, then KNOB1 to change the pattern.
0:14
Still on page 1, turn KNOB4 to set the tempo. Anywhere from 30 to 300 BPM.
0:20
Turn SELECT right, then KNOB3 to switch on Latch. Now let go. It keeps playing.
0:26

Hold a chord. Latch it. Let it run.

Good to know

Turning SELECT left takes you to the first ARP page, where KNOB1 picks the pattern and KNOB4 sets the tempo; turning it right takes you to the second, where KNOB3 is Latch. The bottom bar of the screen shows which page you are on: 1/2 Arpeggio or 2/2 Arpeggio. With Latch on, pressing new keys changes the notes it plays, and turning Latch off stops it. Press ARP again to turn the arpeggiator off. Les is independent and not affiliated with M-VAVE.

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