OXI Instruments OXI One MKII: Pattern Navigation Reimagined

OXI Instruments opens this episode by spotlighting the OXI One MKII’s unique approach to sequence organization. Sequences are structured into 8 pages of 16 steps each, granting users up to 128 steps per pattern—a digital architecture that immediately sets the device apart from more traditional step sequencers. The navigation system is designed for speed and clarity, letting users jump between pages with dedicated buttons that double as visual indicators for step ranges.

What’s clever here is the dual-layered page access: pressing a page button once brings up the standard 1–64 step range, while a second press enters the extended 65–128 step zone, with color-coding (cyan) to keep orientation clear. This approach minimizes menu-diving and keeps the user visually anchored, a hallmark of OXI’s workflow-first design philosophy. The system ensures that, even as patterns grow in complexity, navigation remains fast and tactile.

The OXI One MKII doesn’t just offer long patterns—it gives granular control over where sequences start and end. Users can set start and end points either by pressing dedicated buttons and selecting steps, or by holding those buttons and using encoders for fine adjustment. The device visually represents pattern boundaries with pink bars, making it easy to see the current loop span at a glance.

Copying and managing pages is equally streamlined. Entire pages can be copied and pasted with a simple button sequence, and duplicating a pattern is as easy as holding shift and pressing copy. This workflow is designed to encourage experimentation: users can quickly build variations, extend patterns up to the full 128 steps, or reset to defaults with a long press of shift and clear. The system’s logic also preserves pattern length when moving loop points, ensuring that workflow remains consistent and predictable.

Beyond basic sequencing, OXI One MKII offers a suite of workflow tools that cater to both composition and live tweaking. Temporary loops can be created by pressing both the init and end buttons simultaneously, allowing users to focus on a specific section without altering the saved pattern structure. This is ideal for rehearsing or fine-tuning a tricky passage.

Selection editing is another highlight: by selecting a range of steps, users can apply edits, move, or delete sections en masse—speeding up arrangement tasks. Modulation lanes are treated as independent sequencers, each with their own length and timing, further expanding the creative possibilities. Tying notes across pages is also supported, making it easy to create sustained lines or complex rhythmic structures that span the full pattern length.

Long patterns can be a navigation nightmare, but OXI’s Follow function keeps the user interface in lockstep with the transport. When enabled, the sequencer view automatically tracks the playhead, switching pages in real time so users always see the currently playing steps. This is especially useful for live performance or detailed editing of extended sequences.

The system is smart enough to delay page switching if you’re actively editing, giving you a few seconds to finish adjustments before the view updates. For those who prefer a static view, Follow can be toggled off, letting users focus on a specific page regardless of playback position. This flexibility underscores OXI’s commitment to adaptable workflows, whether you’re composing in the studio or improvising on stage.