Hey ive had a sp-555 for a while and still can't figure out how to use the pattern sequencer. Please don't tell me to read the manual because I have dozens of times and still can't understand it well. If anyone knows how to utilize to its true potential can you please give me some basic instructions. It would be most appreciated and save me a lot of time. I'm really influenced by bands like Animal Collective, Atlas Sound, High Places and I believe that because they use the SP-555 they must be taking advantage of the pattern sequencer. So, PLEASE, someone, enlighten me.

555 pattern sequencer (un)fortunately has pretty limited potential.

It's simple, 1 track sequencer. You can playback only 1 patter at a time.

If you want to mute some of the sounds which are being playedback you could apply effects on them ( like e.g. isolator with all the knobs set to 0% )


You get a lot more fun by resampling the sequences and saving them to a pad. Then you've got up to 12 "tracks" ( which actually are resampled sequences = samples ) that you can playback simultaneously.

I dont do that often ( Im too lazy ;p ) so I wont be much of help when it comes to giving advices but I know there is a lot of guys here who do it this way and their beats sound dope ( e.g. hurlingdervish, kel ).

I hope they gonna post some tips here, maybe Ima learn something too

-press pattern select
-choose the bank you want to record on
-press sample and all available pads will be blinking
-press the pad you want to sample on
-press the time/bpm button and adjust you bpm with control knob 2
-press the length button, set your number of bars with the control knob 3
-press sampling, and a count in will start. (1,2,3,4,record)
-play the sample pads in the order you want them recorded, the pattern will loop over once the number of bars you set reach the end.
-press cancel to stop the recording

once you got something you like, you can copy your pattern to anoter pad and add variation by adding more stuff or deleting some parts. (copying patterns and deleting parts of a pattern are in the manual and very self explanitory)
hope this helps let me know how it goes.