UDO Audio’s Super 8 Sequencer: Layered Performance, British Style

UDO Audio’s Super 8 is introduced as a versatile synthesizer, with the spotlight firmly on its integrated sequencer. The video wastes no time in highlighting how this sequencer isn’t just a bolt-on feature, but a core part of the instrument’s approach to sound design and performance. Hazel Mills demonstrates how the Super 8’s architecture encourages users to think in terms of layers, with the sequencer providing a foundation for building complex, evolving textures.

The workflow begins with recording a basic sequence on the lower layer, making use of the instrument’s split keyboard functionality. This immediately sets up a playground for interaction between layers, as the upper layer remains free for live performance or further sequencing. UDO’s design philosophy—centred on immediacy and play—comes through in the way the sequencer is presented: it’s about hands-on exploration, not menu-diving or programming by spreadsheet.

The Super 8’s sequencer offers four pages of 16 steps each, giving a total of 64 steps—a generous canvas for melodic or harmonic ideas. Each of the 16 buttons on the front panel corresponds to a step, and the process of recording is as direct as pressing a button and playing notes or chords. The length of the sequence is determined by how many steps you fill, which allows for anything from snappy riffs to extended patterns.

Hazel demonstrates how each note or chord is assigned to a step in real time, making it easy to build up a sequence by ear. Once a sequence is running, the Super 8 offers expressive tools to bring it to life. The slide function lets you tie notes together for legato effects, while the accent feature adds dynamic variation by making selected steps louder. Rests can be inserted to break up the rhythm and add space, all with a few button presses.

For those who prefer a less linear approach, the sequencer allows for non-sequential programming. You can set the sequence length first, then jump to any step and assign a note or chord, opening the door to more unpredictable or experimental patterns. This flexibility is a nod to classic step sequencers, but with a modern, performance-oriented twist.

The Super 8’s sequencer isn’t just about programming and playback—it’s built for dynamic, real-time performance. Hazel demonstrates how sequences can be transposed on the fly by taking the instrument out of record mode, letting players shift harmonic content without stopping the groove. This feature is particularly useful for live sets or jam sessions, where adaptability is key.

The video also explores the ability to transpose both layers simultaneously, opening up further possibilities for harmonic interplay. This dual transposition capability means that complex, layered sequences can be recontextualized mid-performance, keeping things fresh and interactive. It’s a practical demonstration of UDO Audio’s ethos: technology in service of play, with the performer always in the driver’s seat.