Live FX

The PGB-1 features 16 live effects that can be activated during playback for dynamic performances.

Accessing Live FX

Hold Cpy/FX and press 1 to 16 to toggle effects.

Effect Categories

Effects are split into two categories:

  • Sequencing Effects (left side: 1-4, 9-12) - Affect pattern playback

  • Mixing Effects (right side: 5-8, 13-16) - Affect audio output

Sequencing Effects

Roll Effects

Create note repeats at different speeds:

Button

Effect

Description

1

Roll 16th

Fast rolls (16th notes)

2

Roll 8th

Medium rolls (8th notes)

3

Roll Quarter

Slow rolls (quarter notes)

4

Roll Beat

Slowest rolls (whole beat)

Press the button to start the effect, press again to stop. When a roll effect is enable, you can press another roll effect button to directly switch to another speed.

Fill Effects

Add or modify steps automatically:

Button

Effect

Description

9

Fill Steps

Triggers steps with “Fill” condition on any tracks

10

Auto-fill Low

Random fills on drum tracks, lower probability

11

Auto-fill High

Random fills on drum tracks, higher probability

12

Auto-fill Build-up

Increasing random fill intensity on drum tracks

Important

The auto-fill effects work on selected tracks (Kick, Snare, Hihat by default) while the Fill Steps can be used on any track.

Tip

You can configure the auto-fill tracks in Menu -> Live FX Settings.

Mixing Effects

Filter Effects

Apply filters to the master output:

Button

Effect

Description

5

Low Pass Filter

Removes high frequencies

6

Band Pass Filter

Removes highs and lows

7

High Pass Filter

Removes low frequencies

Tip

You can configure the cutoff frequency and resonance of each filter in Menu -> Live FX Settings.

Filter Sweeps

Animated filter effects:

Button

Effect

Description

13

LP Sweep

Low pass filter that sweeps

14

BP Sweep

Band pass filter that sweeps

15

HP Sweep

High pass filter that sweeps

Tip

You can configure the frequency and amplitude of filter sweep in Menu -> Live FX Settings.

Stutter Effects

Button

Effect

Description

8

Stutter A

Short audio repeat effect

16

Stutter B

Variation of stutter

Tip

You can configure the stutter patterns in Menu -> Live FX Settings.

Live FX Settings

Available from firmware 1.3.0

You can configure various parameters of the live effects in a dedicated menu. Press menu and navigate to the Live FX Settings page, press A.

Navigate between the different pages to customize live effects:

  • Auto-Fill Tracks: Select which track is triggered by the auto-fill effects (10, 11, 12). Press A to start editing the selected tracks, use ← and → to navigate between the different track, use ↑ to enable auto-fill for the selected track, use ↓ to disable auto-fill on the selected track, press A or B to end the edit.

  • *Auto-Fill Low: Change the trigger probability of auto-fill low effect (10)

  • Auto-Fill High: Change the trigger probability of auto-fill high effect (11)

  • Auto-Fill Build-up: Change the start trigger probability of auto-fill build-up effect(12)

  • Low-Pass: Change the cutoff frequency and resonance of the low-pass (5) and low-pass-sweep (13) effects

  • Band-Pass: Change the cutoff frequency and resonance of the band-pass (6) and band-pass-sweep (14) effects

  • High-Pass: Change the cutoff frequency and resonance of the high-pass (7) and high-pass-sweep (15) effects

  • Auto-Filter Sweep: Change the rate and amplitude of filter sweeps effects (13, 14, 15)

  • Stutter A: Change the pattern of the first stutter effect (8). Press A to start editing the pattern, use ← and → to navigate between the different steps, use ↑ to unmute the selected step, use ↓ to mute the selected step, press A or B to end the edit.

  • Stutter B: Change the pattern of the second stutter effect (16). See Stutter A just above for edit instructions.

  • Stutter Envelope: Change the attack (how fast the volume drops) and release (how fast sound comes back up) of the two sutter effects (8 and 16)

One Effect Per Category

Only one effect of the same type can be active at a time:

  • Enabling a filter cancels other filters

  • Enabling a roll cancels other rolls

  • Enabling a fill cancels other fills

Combining Effect Categories

You can combine effects from different categories:

  • Roll + Filter

  • Fill + Stutter

  • Filter Sweep + Roll

  • Etc.

Chord Progression Indicator

While holding Cpy/FX, the chord progression indicator appears on screen. Use this to time your effects to land on specific chord changes.

Quick Parameter Control

While holding Cpy/FX, the touch strip controls a single parameter for a selected track. This gives you quick and direct access to one parameter for live performance without having to navigate in the track settings.

With this feature you can control one of:

  • Synth parameter 1

  • Synth parameter 2

  • Synth parameter 3

  • Synth parameter 4

  • LFO Rate

  • LFO Amplitude

  • Volume

  • Stereo Pan

  • Shuffle

To change the selected track, use the ← or → buttons while holding Cpy/FX.

To change the selected parameter, use the ↑ or ↓ buttons while holding Cpy/FX.

Use the touch strip to change the value of the selected parameter.

Performance Tips

Plan Your FX

  • Map out when to use effects in your arrangement

  • Practice transitions between song parts

  • Know which effects complement each other

Less Is More

  • Subtle filter movements can be very effective

  • Don’t overuse rolls - save them for impact moments

  • Brief stutters are often more effective than sustained ones

Build and Release

  • Use filters and fills to build tension

  • Release effects on strong beats

  • Combine with song part changes for maximum impact

See Also