Bastl Instruments Softpop SP2: Sequencing Refined – The V1.3 Update in Focus

Bastl Instruments opens the curtain on the Softpop SP2’s latest firmware, promising a more refined and enjoyable sequencing experience. The update isn’t just a handful of bug fixes—it’s a comprehensive rethinking of how users interact with the sequencer, with a particular focus on making the process more immediate and musical. The video’s host highlights how the new code brings a sense of polish, allowing users to sequence and perform with greater ease and fewer interruptions.

The workflow enhancements are immediately evident: step gates can now be tapped in live, and the recording process is less prone to accidental pitch entries, thanks to a subtle change in how the record button behaves. This means more time to consider your next move and less chance of derailing a groove mid-jam. Bastl’s approach here is characteristically practical, aiming to keep the creative flow uninterrupted while still offering plenty of hands-on control.

The headline feature of the update is the new direct step edit mode, which replaces the old offline step editing workflow. Now, users can edit steps while the sequencer is running or stopped, making it possible to sculpt patterns on the fly without breaking the musical momentum. Instead of the previous method—where editing required stopping the sequencer and entering a dedicated mode—users can simply grab a step, adjust its pitch with the fader, and even preview changes instantly using the tempo button.

Visual feedback plays a central role: edited steps flash to indicate activity, and when multiple steps are selected, both the steps and the leftmost pitch light provide clear cues. Editing multiple steps simultaneously is now possible with the pitch fader, though the arrow buttons remain single-step only. The update also introduces a subtle but important distinction between transposing the sequence and editing individual steps, depending on how quickly the fader is moved. All of these changes combine to make the SP2’s sequencer feel more like a living instrument than a static pattern box.

Beyond the headline sequencing features, the update addresses some of the Softpop SP2’s underlying timing and connectivity. Clock handling has been tightened, with improved stability and faster response to clock changes or resets. The reset input no longer causes hiccups, and the sequencer picks up external clocks with greater reliability—key improvements for anyone integrating the SP2 into a larger modular or DAW-based setup.

MIDI functionality has also been given a boost. The readout speed is increased, and MIDI through is now available on the TX line for those who want to hack or extend their MIDI routing. Filtering on the transpose and pitch inputs has been improved to eliminate unwanted jumps, and key settings like triggered pitch mode and wave shape assignments are now auto-saved for a more consistent workflow. These tweaks may not grab headlines, but they’re the kind of details that make the SP2 a more dependable centrepiece in any rig.