Ring In #Jamuary

Condukt Beta 23 is here just in time, with some cool new modules.

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XY Pad: Draw Your Automation

The XY Pad is a two-dimensional modulation source that lets you interact with your synth with a simple XY pad (think Korg KaossPad). Instead of programming automation point-by-point, you simply draw the movement you want.

How It Works

  1. Add an XY Pad to your board from the Utilities menu
  2. Enter edit mode and tap the XY Pad X or Y buttons to start assigning targets
  3. Tap any fader to assign it to the X axis or Y axis
  4. Exit edit mode and draw on the pad: your movements modulate the assigned faders in real-time
  5. Record a path by enabling record mode, then play it back as a looping automation. Speed of finger movement is recorded too, so you can make slow build-ups.

Tips for XY Pad

  • Use the Scale controls in Control Settings to attenuate each axis from 0-200%
  • Route XY Pad to LFO rate or depth for evolving modulation
  • Try different pad sizes - larger pads give more precise control. The smallest pads do not have Play/Record buttons, but you can still record into them in a larger size, then shrink them to Small to save space.

Cartesian Sequencer: Polyrhythmic Patterns in 2D

Inspired by the Make Noise René, the Cartesian Sequencer arranges 16 steps in a 4x4 grid. Two independent clocks - one for X, one for Y - move through the grid, creating polyrhythmic patterns that evolve over time.

How It Works

  1. Add a Cartesian Sequencer from the Sequencer menu
  2. The grid shows 16 steps arranged in 4 columns (X) and 4 rows (Y)
  3. X clock moves left-to-right, Y clock moves bottom-to-top
  4. A note plays when the active step is changed, regardless of where to
  5. Set different divisions for X and Y to create polyrhythms
  6. Explore X and Y playhead direction for ping-pong, reverse or random movement
  7. Notes: Long-press any cell to set its pitch, or enable/disable that step

Tips for Cartesian Sequencer

  • Start with X at 1/16 and Y at 1/8 for a classic 2:1 polyrhythm
  • Use prime number relationships (3:4, 5:4) for patterns that take longer to repeat
  • Route another sequencer to the Cartesian's pitch input for melodic variation
  • Route LFOs or XY Pads to X or Y to have it move
  • Combine with Turing Machine for generative polyrhythmic sequences

Linking It All Together

Both new controls integrate with Condukt's modulation routing system:

  • XY Pad can modulate faders, LFO parameters, and sequencer pitch
  • Cartesian Sequencer can be modulated by other sequencers, LFOs, or XY Pads
  • Chain multiple sequencers together - each stays in its own scale while passing modulation downstream

The new modules in action

These tools make it fun to explore your synths and generate quick melodies and evolving patterns, so no more excuses for #jamuary 2026 😉

Happy New Year!