Has anyone had any success using an external midi device to drive automatic pattern changes in the Step, like during live performance? I spent literally days trying to get Step to work with a Zoia pedal, to no avail. The cc pattern changes work, but nothing syncs ( the Zoia isn’t really designed for this.) I like the Step workflow and foot operations, but don’t always want to have to trigger pattern changes manually (footally?) I’m also catching midi fever, and want to add more stuff to my songs! Considering getting a Polyend Play, but if it isn’t going to play nicely with the Step, it’s another lose. If you’ve been successful, I’d love to hear what you are using. Thanks.
STEP does everything you do not want it to do, and does nothing that you want it to do. Do not expect any further updates to this device as I suspect Polyend have put this into the ‘too hard’ basket and simply have abandoned yet another devices. So I have a very expensive doorstop for a device that simply cannot do basic expected functions.
When you say the CC pattern change works but nothing syncs - what happens? Does it go out of sync with ZOIA? ZOIA could do basically anything you want as a MIDI controller, but I’m not sure on the timing issues
What was happening was that the Zoia wasn’t reading the start signal from the Step, but I realized it was because the Step was using midi B and Zoia uses midi A. When I got that figured out, the issue was when to trigger the pattern changes. I encountered lag if they went at the wrong time, but timing them perfectly a beat or two before needed wasn’t working. I felt like I was banging up against the limitations in both devices. I tried making specific pattern change sequences as dependent on a master song sequence, but I couldn’t get the timing on the resets right, was having to do a lot of math and clock dividing. I tried a series of sequential sequencers activated in turn, didn’t work. I think the Zoia may be able to do it, but between my lack of knowledge and the limitations of the devices, I was getting super frustrated and wanted an easier way (plus some additional functionality.) I sold some other gear and ordered a Play+
Yeah, I would say ZOIA could do it, but each module on ZOIA may add some MIDI latency and might alter the timing. I would say there is nothing better than ZOIA for a custom MIDI controller but it does take a ton of time! Enjoy the Play+!
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While I would agree that it would be nice if Step had a proper song mode, calling it a doorstop because it doesn’t do that is just hyperbolic nonsense.
With my band I am using the Step constantly. While we play songs that have a structure to them, when we play live, sometimes we will stretch out a moment of a song to jam on and that is where the Step is really powerful for me.
Yes, you have to learn to tap-dance with it, but that is the same with looper pedals and the like. It’s a skill to learn like using a crossfader.
Stop using it as a doorstop and start learning to use it is the best advice I can give. lt is still today one of my favorite pedals that I’ve owned and use it consistently with live performances.
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I agree with you (the “doorstop” comment isn’t mine!) I have come to a place where I want percussion backup on almost everything. My main rig is centered on an 11 piece Farmer Foot Drum. Fun to do that dance with a bass or guitar, but challenging, and progress is slow. The Step is part of my smaller, more portable setup. I currently have it connected to a little Blackstar amp and it sounds fantastic. On many songs I’ve created patterns for, it isn’t difficult to do the button dance. I love the autoplay feature (long press on play) that runs through variations of a drum pattern I created until I stop it. The drums sound pretty natural, and the variations using chance, volume, repeats etc make it sound real enough. But sometimes, I just want to sit down with an instrument and my voice and have backup I don’t have to worry about. That’s why I want to automate the flow (and add some other stuff, like triggering harmonies, etc. ) Meanwhile, the Step alone is great. By far the best drum machine I have ever tried.
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