theres about 15 different patterns.
and the interesting thing about these is you can modulate various aspects of these via axis etc - so they can sound pretty different.
(you can then save these variations as presets)
from there…
completely separately, the eagan matrix support 3 graphs, which you can use to program pattens (custom arps if you wish)
which you can use for pretty much anything, not just notes, but arp-ing modulation etc.
also these graphs can be accessed via custom functions, i.e. they are not linear access… not just limited to the usual up/down/random access that many custom arps have.
these front end arps, were a kind of ‘add-on’ for the Osmose, the continuum didn’t have these - musicians used the graphs for this.
so I don’t think its ‘most people dont use arps’,
but I think ‘canned’ automation was, generally, used less on expressive controllers - at least traditionally.
I think it’s changing a bit now, as the likes of the Osmose (and Linnstrument) have ways to use/integrate expression, do something interesting, with automation / arps.
as for custom arps… in these add-on arps, perhaps, one day.
or it may be ‘overlay synths’ will incorporate a more user friendly front end to the more powerful graphs - this is possible today.
and I think/hope the Osmose, will perhaps allow overlay synth custom panels to appear on the Osmose display
but for sure, the Osmose /Continuum / Eagan Matrix are rather different beasts to your traditional synths, they take a different approach.
the power was traditionally in Eagan Matrix, which meant cracking open the editor… rather than doing on the front panel.
the Osmose, has added few ‘extras’ (like the Arp) on top, and kind of hidden it a bit, but still … that is its beating heart.