Build a Multi-Step Show

The Sequence:Stepper node lets you build an ordered playlist of sequences with full control over what happens at the end of each one — advance automatically, wait for a trigger, or jump to a specific step. This guide extends the concepts in Your First Graph into a complete multi-step show.

Before you start

• You have multiple sequences set up in the Sequencer (one per act, cue, or scene)
• You have the Node Editor open
• You have read Your First Graph

Steps

1. Add a Stepper node

Right-click the canvas → Sequence → Stepper.

2. Add your sequences

Click Add sequence... on the node and select your first sequence. Repeat for each sequence you want in the playlist. Each sequence becomes a row in the Stepper's grid.

3. Activate sequences per step

The grid columns are steps (1, 2, 3) and the rows are sequences. Click a cell to make it blue — a blue cell means that sequence is active when the Stepper is on that step.

You can activate multiple sequences on the same step if they should play simultaneously.

4. Set the End Action for each step

Each step column has an End Action row that controls what happens when the active sequence finishes.

To make a single step repeat continuously, set its End Action to JumpTo and point it at its own step number. To loop the whole playlist, use the Looped option instead (see step 6).

5. Set transitions between steps (optional)

Each step also has a Transition row. Open the Options panel on the node to set the global Fade duration in milliseconds.

6. Enable playlist looping (optional)

To loop the entire playlist — returning to step 1 after the last step ends — open the Options panel and check Looped.

7. Trigger the Stepper

Connect a Control:LoadBang to the Stepper's Bang input to start automatically on project load. Or leave it unconnected and click Play directly on the node.

To advance steps from an external controller: connect a trigger (Bang) to the next step input pin, or send a step number to the Step input pin to jump to a specific step directly.

8. Monitor and control during the show

• Left/right buttons on the node step backward and forward manually.

• The blue highlighted cell always shows the current active step and sequence.

• The State section (expand the node) shows the current playback time.

Common Mistakes

• Steps advance automatically when manual control is needed — End Action is set to Next. Change it to Stop for steps that should wait for a manual trigger.

• Stepper does not start on project load — no LoadBang is connected. Add a Control:LoadBang node and wire it to the Stepper's Bang input.

• Multiple sequences fire on a step unexpectedly — extra grid cells may be active. Scan each step column for unintended blue cells and click them to deactivate.

Tips

• Name your sequences clearly in the Sequencer — those names appear in the Stepper grid, making it easy to read at a glance during a live show.

• You can have gaps in the grid — a step with no blue cells plays silence/black on that step.

• The Stepper can be paused mid-step — the active sequence pauses at its current frame.

• For the dedicated Stepper window (the first-class entity with Rows/Matrix views, transport, and Inspector options), see How to Use the Stepper Window.

Related

Your First Graph — basic graph setup for beginners

How to Use the Stepper Window — the dedicated Stepper window (first-class entity)

Trigger Playback via UDP — control sequences from external controllers over UDP

Show Control & Automation — all show control and automation workflows