Each pattern on the OP-Z contains 16 tracks, each of which is completely independent and unrelated to the others. Counting all 16 tracks across 16 patterns results in 16 tracks × 16 patterns = 256 unique tracks.
For the OP-XY, the calculation is different: 16 tracks × 9 patterns = 144 unique tracks. However, the arrangement capabilities differ between the two devices. On the OP-Z, you can arrange up to 16 patterns, while on the OP-XY, you can arrange up to 99 scenes.
For example, on the OP-Z, each track within a pattern can hold completely unique sequences, and this uniqueness extends across all 16 patterns. This means you could create 256 entirely unique tracks without ever reusing a sequence or sharing data between tracks or patterns.
This level of independence is not possible on the OP-XY. You are limited to 9 patterns per track, forcing you to either stop at 9 patterns or reuse previous sequences due to the OP-XY’s restriction of 9 patterns per track.
If it makes you feel better to think this then fine. You are not correct though in that you don’t have 256 patterns. You only have 16. You cannot have different combinations of tracks and patterns (which is where the 9 * 8 comes from) which is what scenes allow you to do along with the ability off each track to have a different pattern (up to 9). You can only have one of 16 patterns active at time on the op-z. That’s it.
If you don’t like that workflow that’s fine. But please stop suggesting that the op-xy is more limited in this respect because this simply not true.
Regarding “using past sequences”. I’m not sure what kind of music you make but pretty much all music has repetition. So I’m not sure why every track in every measure needs to unique? The idea is you create new combinations of patterns using scenes. Not just having a single op-z like pattern that is different.
You seem to be focused on 16 being a higher number than 9 which is true but, again, it’s the number of combinations you can get on the op-xy which is just not possible on the op-z.
If you want to use the op-xy like the op-z then do this:
Go to Scene 1 and set each track to pattern 1
Go to Scene 2 and set each track to pattern 2
Repeat up to Scene 9
Sure if you use it this way then you would only have 9 op-z like patterns but this is not how you would use it on the op-xy.
I’m just stating the facts. For one of my songs, I’ve already run out of patterns on the OP-XY due to its limitation of nine patterns per track. As a result, I now have to make the song more repetitive by reusing patterns or expand the bars and re-record some of my patterns to stay within that limit. This restriction is less severe on the OP-Z, and I truly think the OP-XY should’ve had at least 16 patterns instead of 9, or make it so you can take a empty pattern slot not being used on a different track.
For other projects on the OP-XY, where the music is a bit more repetitive, I haven’t encountered this issue because I’ve simply reused patterns. However, for this particular project, I didn’t want to reuse patterns. It was disappointing, and that’s why I brought it up—I think it’s something people should be aware of. It might not be an issue for the kind of music you make, but it could be a limitation for others.
Are you sure you can’t accomplish the same thing by having more combinations of tracks with scenes? For electronic music I’ve never had this kind of issue before.
Not sure you are aware but each pattern within a track can also use a different preset.
Edit: I agree that having 16 tracks instead of 9 would be better and it seems like they should be able to increase it, although I’m not sure I would ever run into this limitation.
The track I can’t reuse patterns for is melodically independent and doesn’t work with redundancy. Its harmonic and rhythmic complexity evolves naturally, so reusing patterns on the OP-XY wouldn’t make sense. Each section has its own unique flow, and forcing it into reused patterns would compromise the melody’s originality and the overall feel of the track. However, some of my other tracks were fine being more repetitive, but not this one.
I’m glad we’ve come to an agreement. I think we’re both right in certain areas. The OP-XY’s ability to use 99 different scenes is really impressive, and I genuinely appreciate that feature. I guess I shouldn’t be too harsh on it because it truly is a great device, and I’m starting to like it even more. Maybe someday they’ll release an update to add more patterns. Fingers crossed!
Cool. I thought maybe you were dismissing the scenes. IMO it’s one of the best additions to the op-xy. I disliked having to copy the same pattern when all you wanted to do is have different combination of mutes. It’s so nice to be able to change the settings for one pattern and have them be the same across all scenes.
I definitely would welcome more patterns; hopefully they can add that (as well as some other improvements in a future release).
and it’s amazing. (For my use case) Like the OP-1 Field, the only real downside is the price tag.