Step sequencer for a virtual instrument

A method of operating a UI for controlling a virtual musical instrument implemented on a display, the method comprising:

• receiving an input corresponding to a selection of a cell within a particular array of cells of a cell matrix, the cell matrix including one or more arrays of cells, each cell within the cell matrix arranged in a sequential arrangement within its corresponding array of cells, each array of the cell matrix assigned to audio sample data stored in a computer-readable medium that, in response to being triggered, causes the audio sample data to output corresponding audio, and each cell within its particular array of the cell matrix, in response to being selected for playback and upon being triggered to begin playback, causes the audio sample data corresponding to the cell's particular array to be played,
• determining a duration of the received input;
• in response to determining that the input's duration is below a threshold time:
• adjusting an adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input, the adjustable parameter configured to change an audio characteristic of the selected cell's corresponding audio sample data;
• and
• in response to determining that the input's duration is at or above a threshold time:
• expanding a size of an array containing the selected cell and adjusting the adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums containing instructions to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
• receiving an input corresponding to a selection of a cell within a particular array of cells of a cell matrix, the cell matrix including one or more arrays of cells, each cell within the cell matrix arranged in a sequential arrangement within its corresponding array of cells, each array of the cell matrix assigned to audio sample data stored in a computer-readable medium that, when triggered, causes the audio sample data to output corresponding audio, and each cell within its particular array of the cell matrix, in response to being selected for playback and upon being triggered to begin playback, causes the audio sample data corresponding to the cell's particular array to be played,
• determining a duration of the received input;
• in response to determining that the input's duration is below a threshold time:
• adjusting an adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input, the adjustable parameter configured to change an audio characteristic of the selected cell's corresponding audio sample data;
• and
• in response to determining that the input's duration is at or above a threshold time:
• expanding a size of a array containing the selected cell and adjusting the adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input.

A non-transitory computer-program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable non-transitory storage medium including instructions to cause a processor to:

• receive an input corresponding to a selection of a cell within a particular array of cells of a cell matrix, the cell matrix including one or more arrays of cells, each cell within the cell matrix arranged in a sequential arrangement within its corresponding array of cells, each array of the cell matrix assigned to audio sample data stored in a computer-readable medium that, when triggered, causes the audio sample data to output corresponding audio, and each cell within its particular array of the cell matrix, in response to being selected for playback and upon being triggered to begin playback, causes the audio sample data corresponding to the cell's particular array to be played,
• determine a duration of the received input;
• in response to determining that the input's duration is below a threshold time:
• adjust an adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input, the adjustable parameter configured to change an audio characteristic of the selected cell's corresponding audio sample data;
• and
• in response to determining that the input's duration is at or above a threshold time:
• expand a size of a array containing the selected cell and adjusting the adjustable parameter of the selected cell based on the input.