Program Edit Mode
The Arpeggiator Function
7-62
Shift Pattern (ShiftPatt)
When the Shift Mode is set to Pattern, ShiftPatt engages a step sequencer for arpeggiator 
note patterns. e inputted note number of each played key is shifted according to a 
sequenced pattern, thus “Shift Pattern.” e Forte has 69 pre-programed shift patterns 
including many useful chords, intervals, and rhythms. (You can also create your own custom 
patterns using the StepSeq editor.) Steps are played back at the rate set for Beats. Keep in 
mind that Shift Patterns are aected by every parameter on the ARP page, which can be the 
cause of unexpected variation, or a way to add interesting variation to a pattern.
Shift Patterns are most easily used and understood when triggered by only one key at a 
time. One way to prevent triggering from multiple keys is to use one of the Latch types 
1NoteAuto, 1NoteAutoLow, or 1NoteAutoHi when using a shift pattern.  Triggering shift 
patterns from one key allows the pre-programed patterns to sound like what you would 
expect from their names. If no other keys are playing, patterns will start over each time a key 
is pressed (there are some exceptions to this when using Arpeggiator Latch parameters other 
than “Keys,” though a newly triggered pattern will always start at step 1). When triggering 
Shift Patterns from more than one key at a time, each consecutive step of the pattern shifts 
the note from a dierent inputted key, the order of which is decided by the Play Order 
parameter. is means that each key will not be shifted by every step of the pattern, causing 
you to only hear part of the pattern from each key, often making the pattern unrecognizable. 
ough triggering a Shift pattern from multiple keys can be used creatively, it can also make 
it hard to predict what the output will be. 
Play Order
is parameter determines the order in which the Forte plays arpeggiated notes. Played 
causes them to play back in the chronological order in which you played and latched them. 
Upwards means that notes play in ascending pitch order, regardless of their chronological 
order. Downwards means descending pitch order. UpDown causes notes to play from lowest 
pitch to highest, then from highest pitch to lowest, repeating the cycle until you stop the 
arpeggiation. e notes at the very top and very bottom only play once. UpDown Repeat is 
similar to UpDown, except that the notes at the top and bottom play twice (repeat) when the 
Arpeggiator reverses direction.
Random plays the currently latched notes in completely random order. Shue plays them 
at random, but keeps track of the notes so that no note repeats until all of the others have 
played. Walk is a “random walk” order: each successive note is either the next or previous 
note (in chronological order). For example, suppose you’ve latched four notes—G4, B4, D5, 
and F5—in that order. e rst note the Arpeggiator plays is the G4. e second note will 
be either B4 (the next note chronologically), or F5 (the “previous” note chronologically—
that is, the last latched note). If the second note is B4, the third note will be either D5 or G4. 
If the second note is F5, the third note will be either G4 or D5.