STEP ENGINE
Eight deep steps
Eight steps with sample-accurate MIDI generation locked to host transport. Per step: pitch, gate mode, pulse count (1–8), velocity, gate length, ratchets, slide, skip and two CC outputs.
What it does
14 GATE MODES
Per-step character
Single, repeat, legato, hold, divisions, probability gates and two Euclidean modes that spread onsets across a step's pulses — plus RYK-style ratcheting up to four re-triggers.
MUSICAL
34 scales & swing
Automatic quantization to 34 scales with root selection, global and MIDI-input transpose, swing on every other pulse, and pitch-bend slide between steps.
PLAY MODES
Direction & chance
Forward, reverse, ping-pong, random and brownian — each with a "fixed" variant that always traverses all eight steps. Sequence length 1–8.
DAW-NATIVE
Built for the host
Full transport sync, every control automatable, right-click MIDI-learn on any parameter, state saved with the project, and a configurable MIDI output channel.
PATTERNS
Save & recall
Store and load full patterns to disk, and route the two per-step CC outputs to modulate anything in your rack — the sequence becomes a modulation source too.
One studio, one language
Metro 185 is the step-sequencing brain of the SHLabs studio, beside Tonnetz's harmony.
A paid, closed-source SHLabs plugin in active development. This page is an early look; pricing and availability will be announced when it ships. Follow SHLabs to hear when it lands.