diff --git a/PlaybackThread.cpp b/PlaybackThread.cpp
index 76b27a6..29f278c 100644
--- a/PlaybackThread.cpp
+++ b/PlaybackThread.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ static void handlePlayback() {
     for(int t=0; t<NUM_TRACKS; t++) {
       int trackChannel = midiChannels[t];
       int nextStep = playbackStep + 1;
-      if (nextStep >= NUM_STEPS) nextStep = 0;
+      if (nextStep >= numSteps) nextStep = 0;
       
       // Determine if we are tying to the next note
       bool isTied = local_sequence[t][playbackStep].tie && (local_sequence[t][nextStep].note != -1);
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ static void handlePlayback() {
     }
     
     playbackStep++;
-    if (playbackStep >= NUM_STEPS) {
+    if (playbackStep >= numSteps) {
       playbackStep = 0;
 
       // Theme change
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ static void handlePlayback() {
         midi.sendNoteOn(local_sequence[t][playbackStep].note, velocity, trackChannel);
       }
 
-      int prevStep = (playbackStep == 0) ? NUM_STEPS - 1 : playbackStep - 1;
+      int prevStep = (playbackStep == 0) ? numSteps - 1 : playbackStep - 1;
       bool wasTied = local_sequence[t][prevStep].tie && (local_sequence[t][playbackStep].note != -1);
       int prevNote = local_sequence[t][prevStep].note;
       // Note Off for previous step (if tied - delayed Note Off)
diff --git a/RP2040_Tracker.ino b/RP2040_Tracker.ino
index a0f9eb5..31a5579 100644
--- a/RP2040_Tracker.ino
+++ b/RP2040_Tracker.ino
@@ -58,15 +58,19 @@ void setup() {
   // 5. Init Sequence
   randomSeed(micros());
   
+  Serial.println(F("Loading sequence."));
   EEPROM.begin(512);
   if (!loadSequence()) {
-    generateRandomScale();
+    Serial.println(F("Starting fresh instead."));
+    numSteps = NUM_STEPS;
+    
     for(int i=0; i<NUM_TRACKS; i++) {
       midiChannels[i] = i + 1;
       melodySeeds[i] = random(10000);
       currentStrategyIndices[i] = 0;
       trackMute[i] = false;
     }
+    generateRandomScale();
     generateTheme(1);
   }
   isPlaying = false; // Don't start playing on boot
@@ -80,6 +84,10 @@ void setup() {
 }
 
 void loop1() {
+  if (!watchdogActive) {
+    delay(100);
+    return;
+  }
   unsigned long now = millis();
   lastLoop1Time = now;
   if (watchdogActive && (now - lastLoop0Time > 1000)) {
diff --git a/SharedState.cpp b/SharedState.cpp
index 5be1abf..accf3e2 100644
--- a/SharedState.cpp
+++ b/SharedState.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ MenuItem menuItems[] = {
       { "Playback", MENU_ID_PLAYBACK, false, false, 1 },
       { "Melody", MENU_ID_MELODY, false, false, 1 },
       { "Scale", MENU_ID_SCALE, false, false, 1 },
+      { "Steps", MENU_ID_STEPS, false, false, 1 },
       { "Tempo", MENU_ID_TEMPO, false, false, 1 },
       { "Song Mode", MENU_ID_SONG_MODE, false, false, 1 },
     { "Track", MENU_ID_GROUP_TRACK, true, true, 0 },
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ bool isItemVisible(int index) {
 int menuSelection = 0;
 volatile bool trackMute[NUM_TRACKS];
 int randomizeTrack = 0;
+volatile int numSteps = NUM_STEPS;
 volatile int playbackStep = 0;
 volatile int midiChannels[NUM_TRACKS];
 int scaleNotes[12];
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ int numScaleNotes = 0;
 int melodySeeds[NUM_TRACKS];
 volatile int queuedTheme = -1;
 volatile int currentThemeIndex = 1;
-extern const uint32_t EEPROM_MAGIC = 0x4242424B;
+extern const uint32_t EEPROM_MAGIC = 0x4242424D;
 
 MelodyStrategy* strategies[] = {
     new LuckyStrategy(), new ArpStrategy(), new EuclideanStrategy(),
diff --git a/SharedState.h b/SharedState.h
index 9b18064..e51db92 100644
--- a/SharedState.h
+++ b/SharedState.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ enum MenuItemID {
     MENU_ID_PLAYBACK,
     MENU_ID_MELODY,
     MENU_ID_SCALE,
+    MENU_ID_STEPS,
     MENU_ID_TEMPO,
     MENU_ID_SONG_MODE,
     
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ bool isItemVisible(int index);
 extern int menuSelection;
 extern volatile bool trackMute[NUM_TRACKS];
 extern int randomizeTrack;
+extern volatile int numSteps;
 extern volatile int playbackStep;
 extern volatile int midiChannels[NUM_TRACKS];
 extern int scaleNotes[12];
diff --git a/TrackerTypes.h b/TrackerTypes.h
index 309a451..e836568 100644
--- a/TrackerTypes.h
+++ b/TrackerTypes.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ enum UIState {
   UI_MENU_MAIN,
   UI_SETUP_CHANNEL_EDIT,
   UI_EDIT_TEMPO,
+  UI_EDIT_STEPS,
   UI_EDIT_FLAVOUR,
   UI_SETUP_PLAYMODE_EDIT,
   UI_RANDOMIZE_TRACK_EDIT
diff --git a/UIManager.cpp b/UIManager.cpp
index b72874f..4a48194 100644
--- a/UIManager.cpp
+++ b/UIManager.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ void UIManager::showMessage(const char* msg) {
 void UIManager::draw(UIState currentState, int menuSelection, 
           int midiChannel, int tempo, MelodyStrategy* currentStrategy, 
           int queuedTheme, int currentThemeIndex, 
-          int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, 
+          int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, int numSteps,
           bool mutationEnabled, bool songModeEnabled, 
           const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, bool isPlaying,
           int randomizeTrack, const bool* trackMute) {
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ void UIManager::draw(UIState currentState, int menuSelection,
 
     switch(currentState) {
         case UI_MENU_MAIN:
-            drawMenu(menuSelection, currentState, midiChannel, tempo, currentStrategy->getName(), queuedTheme, currentThemeIndex, numScaleNotes, scaleNotes, melodySeed, mutationEnabled, songModeEnabled, isPlaying, randomizeTrack, trackMute);
+            drawMenu(menuSelection, currentState, midiChannel, tempo, currentStrategy->getName(), queuedTheme, currentThemeIndex, numScaleNotes, scaleNotes, melodySeed, numSteps, mutationEnabled, songModeEnabled, isPlaying, randomizeTrack, trackMute);
             break;
         case UI_SETUP_CHANNEL_EDIT:
             display.println(F("SET MIDI CHANNEL"));
@@ -86,6 +86,17 @@ void UIManager::draw(UIState currentState, int menuSelection,
             display.setCursor(0, 50);
             display.println(F(" (Press to confirm)"));
             break;
+        case UI_EDIT_STEPS:
+            display.println(F("SET STEPS"));
+            display.drawLine(0, 8, 128, 8, SSD1306_WHITE);
+            display.setCursor(20, 25);
+            display.setTextSize(2);
+            display.print(F("LEN: "));
+            display.print(numSteps);
+            display.setTextSize(1);
+            display.setCursor(0, 50);
+            display.println(F(" (Press to confirm)"));
+            break;
         case UI_EDIT_FLAVOUR:
             display.println(F("SET FLAVOUR"));
             display.drawLine(0, 8, 128, 8, SSD1306_WHITE);
@@ -113,7 +124,7 @@ void UIManager::draw(UIState currentState, int menuSelection,
 
 void UIManager::drawMenu(int selection, UIState currentState, int midiChannel, int tempo, const char* flavourName, 
               int queuedTheme, int currentThemeIndex, int numScaleNotes, 
-              const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, bool mutationEnabled, 
+              const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, int numSteps, bool mutationEnabled, 
               bool songModeEnabled, bool isPlaying, int randomizeTrack, const bool* trackMute) {
 
     // Calculate visual cursor position and scroll offset
@@ -173,6 +184,7 @@ void UIManager::drawMenu(int selection, UIState currentState, int midiChannel, i
                     }
                 }
             } else if (id == MENU_ID_TEMPO) { display.print(F(": ")); display.print(tempo); }
+            else if (id == MENU_ID_STEPS) { display.print(F(": ")); display.print(numSteps); }
             else if (id == MENU_ID_SONG_MODE) { display.print(F(": ")); display.print(songModeEnabled ? F("ON") : F("OFF")); }
             else if (id == MENU_ID_TRACK_SELECT) { display.print(F(": ")); display.print(randomizeTrack + 1); }
             else if (id == MENU_ID_MUTE) { display.print(F(": ")); display.print(trackMute[randomizeTrack] ? F("YES") : F("NO")); }
@@ -205,7 +217,7 @@ int UIManager::getPixelIndex(int x, int y) {
 void UIManager::updateLeds(const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, bool isPlaying, 
                 UIState currentState, bool songModeEnabled, 
                 int songRepeatsRemaining, bool sequenceChangeScheduled, PlayMode playMode,
-                int selectedTrack, int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, const bool* trackMute) {
+                int selectedTrack, int numSteps, int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, const bool* trackMute) {
     pixels.clear();
     
     const uint32_t COLOR_PLAYHEAD = pixels.Color(0, 255, 0);
@@ -217,6 +229,8 @@ void UIManager::updateLeds(const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, b
     if(playMode == MODE_POLY) {
         for(int t=0; t<NUM_TRACKS; t++) {
             for(int s=0; s<NUM_STEPS; s++) {
+                if (s >= numSteps) continue;
+
                 int row = t * 2 + (s / 8);
                 int col = s % 8;
                 
@@ -242,6 +256,8 @@ void UIManager::updateLeds(const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, b
         // --- Mono Mode (original) ---
         const Step* trackSequence = sequence[selectedTrack];
         for (int s = 0; s < NUM_STEPS; s++) {
+            if (s >= numSteps) continue;
+
             int x = s % 8;
             int yBase = (s / 8) * 4;
             uint32_t color = 0, dimColor = 0;
diff --git a/UIManager.h b/UIManager.h
index 31a00b2..a9bd06f 100644
--- a/UIManager.h
+++ b/UIManager.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ public:
     void draw(UIState currentState, int menuSelection, 
               int midiChannel, int tempo, MelodyStrategy* currentStrategy, 
               int queuedTheme, int currentThemeIndex, 
-              int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, 
+              int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, int numSteps,
               bool mutationEnabled, bool songModeEnabled, 
               const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, bool isPlaying,
               int randomizeTrack, const bool* trackMute);
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
     void updateLeds(const Step sequence[][NUM_STEPS], int playbackStep, bool isPlaying, 
                     UIState currentState, bool songModeEnabled, 
                     int songRepeatsRemaining, bool sequenceChangeScheduled, PlayMode playMode,
-                    int selectedTrack, int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, const bool* trackMute);
+                    int selectedTrack, int numSteps, int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, const bool* trackMute);
 
 private:
     Adafruit_SSD1306 display;
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ private:
 
     void drawMenu(int selection, UIState currentState, int midiChannel, int tempo, const char* flavourName, 
                   int queuedTheme, int currentThemeIndex, 
-                  int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, 
+                  int numScaleNotes, const int* scaleNotes, int melodySeed, int numSteps,
                   bool mutationEnabled, bool songModeEnabled, bool isPlaying, int randomizeTrack, const bool* trackMute);
                   
     uint32_t getNoteColor(int note, bool dim);
diff --git a/UIThread.cpp b/UIThread.cpp
index 977932d..2c1d6c5 100644
--- a/UIThread.cpp
+++ b/UIThread.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ void saveSequence(bool quiet) {
   for(int i=0; i<NUM_TRACKS; i++) mutes[i] = trackMute[i];
   EEPROM.put(addr, mutes); addr += sizeof(mutes);
   EEPROM.put(addr, (int)tempo); addr += sizeof(int);
+  EEPROM.put(addr, (int)numSteps); addr += sizeof(int);
 
   EEPROM.put(addr, numScaleNotes); addr += sizeof(numScaleNotes);
   for (int i = 0; i<12; i++) {
@@ -53,7 +54,10 @@ bool loadSequence() {
   int addr = 0;
   uint32_t magic;
   EEPROM.get(addr, magic); addr += sizeof(magic);
-  if (magic != EEPROM_MAGIC) return false;
+  if (magic != EEPROM_MAGIC) {
+    midi.unlock();
+    return false;
+  }
   
   int channels[NUM_TRACKS];
   EEPROM.get(addr, channels); addr += sizeof(channels);
@@ -66,6 +70,9 @@ bool loadSequence() {
   int t;
   EEPROM.get(addr, t); addr += sizeof(int);
   tempo = t;
+  EEPROM.get(addr, t); addr += sizeof(int);
+  numSteps = t;
+  if (numSteps <= 0 || numSteps >= NUM_STEPS) numSteps = NUM_STEPS;
 
   EEPROM.get(addr, numScaleNotes); addr += sizeof(numScaleNotes);
   for (int i = 0; i<12; i++) {
@@ -88,15 +95,17 @@ void factoryReset() {
 
 static void generateTrackData(int track, int themeType, Step (*target)[NUM_STEPS]) {
     randomSeed(melodySeeds[track] + themeType * 12345);
-    strategies[currentStrategyIndices[track]]->generate(target, track, NUM_STEPS, scaleNotes, numScaleNotes, melodySeeds[track] + themeType * 12345);
+    strategies[currentStrategyIndices[track]]->generate(target, track, numSteps, scaleNotes, numScaleNotes, melodySeeds[track] + themeType * 12345);
 }
 
 void generateRandomScale() {
+  Serial.println(F("Generating new scale."));
   // All tracks share the same scale for now
   strategies[currentStrategyIndices[0]]->generateScale(scaleNotes, numScaleNotes);
 }
 
 static void generateSequenceData(int themeType, Step (*target)[NUM_STEPS]) {
+  Serial.println(F("Generating sequence."));
   for(int i=0; i<NUM_TRACKS; i++) {
     generateTrackData(i, themeType, target);
   }
@@ -105,11 +114,13 @@ static void generateSequenceData(int themeType, Step (*target)[NUM_STEPS]) {
 void generateTheme(int themeType) {
   generateSequenceData(themeType, local_sequence);
 
+  Serial.println(F("Generating theme."));
   midi.lock();
   memcpy(sequence, local_sequence, sizeof(local_sequence));
   needsPanic = true;
   midi.unlock();
 
+  Serial.println(F("Theme ready."));
   currentThemeIndex = themeType;
   clockCount = 0;
   lastClockTime = micros();
@@ -118,7 +129,7 @@ void generateTheme(int themeType) {
 }
 
 void mutateSequence(Step (*target)[NUM_STEPS]) {
-  for(int i=0; i<NUM_TRACKS; i++) strategies[currentStrategyIndices[i]]->mutate(target, i, NUM_STEPS, scaleNotes, numScaleNotes);
+  for(int i=0; i<NUM_TRACKS; i++) strategies[currentStrategyIndices[i]]->mutate(target, i, numSteps, scaleNotes, numScaleNotes);
 }
 
 static void handleInput() {
@@ -156,6 +167,11 @@ static void handleInput() {
         if (tempo < 40) tempo = 40;
         if (tempo > 240) tempo = 240;
         break;
+      case UI_EDIT_STEPS:
+        numSteps += delta;
+        if (numSteps < 1) numSteps = 1;
+        if (numSteps > NUM_STEPS) numSteps = NUM_STEPS;
+        break;
       case UI_EDIT_FLAVOUR:
         {
           currentStrategyIndices[randomizeTrack] += (delta > 0 ? 1 : -1);
@@ -239,6 +255,7 @@ static void handleInput() {
                 break; 
               
               case MENU_ID_TEMPO: currentState = UI_EDIT_TEMPO; break;
+              case MENU_ID_STEPS: currentState = UI_EDIT_STEPS; break;
               
               case MENU_ID_SONG_MODE:
                 songModeEnabled = !songModeEnabled;
@@ -280,6 +297,10 @@ static void handleInput() {
               currentState = UI_MENU_MAIN;
               saveSequence(true);
               break;
+            case UI_EDIT_STEPS:
+              currentState = UI_MENU_MAIN;
+              saveSequence(true);
+              break;
             case UI_EDIT_FLAVOUR:
               currentState = UI_MENU_MAIN;
               if (isPlaying) {
@@ -325,7 +346,7 @@ static void drawUI() {
   // to avoid holding the lock during slow display operations.
   UIState local_currentState;
   int local_menuSelection, local_randomizeTrack, local_tempo, local_currentThemeIndex, local_queuedTheme, local_numScaleNotes;
-  int local_melodySeed;
+  int local_melodySeed, local_numSteps;
   bool local_mutationEnabled, local_songModeEnabled, local_isPlaying;
   bool local_trackMute[NUM_TRACKS];
   int local_midiChannel;
@@ -340,6 +361,7 @@ static void drawUI() {
   local_menuSelection = menuSelection;
   local_midiChannel = midiChannels[local_randomizeTrack];
   local_tempo = tempo;
+  local_numSteps = numSteps;
   local_strategy = strategies[currentStrategyIndices[local_randomizeTrack]];
   local_queuedTheme = queuedTheme;
   local_currentThemeIndex = currentThemeIndex;
@@ -356,7 +378,7 @@ static void drawUI() {
 
   ui.draw(local_currentState, local_menuSelection, 
     local_midiChannel, local_tempo, local_strategy, 
-    local_queuedTheme, local_currentThemeIndex, local_numScaleNotes, local_scaleNotes, local_melodySeed, 
+    local_queuedTheme, local_currentThemeIndex, local_numScaleNotes, local_scaleNotes, local_melodySeed, local_numSteps,
     local_mutationEnabled, local_songModeEnabled, (const Step (*)[NUM_STEPS])local_sequence, local_playbackStep, local_isPlaying, local_randomizeTrack, (const bool*)local_trackMute);
 }
 
@@ -371,7 +393,7 @@ static void updateLeds() {
   int local_songRepeatsRemaining;
   bool local_sequenceChangeScheduled;
   PlayMode local_playMode;
-  int local_numScaleNotes;
+  int local_numScaleNotes, local_numSteps;
   int local_scaleNotes[12];
   bool local_trackMute[NUM_TRACKS];
   int local_randomizeTrack;
@@ -387,6 +409,7 @@ static void updateLeds() {
   local_sequenceChangeScheduled = sequenceChangeScheduled;
   local_playMode = playMode;
   local_numScaleNotes = numScaleNotes;
+  local_numSteps = numSteps;
   local_randomizeTrack = randomizeTrack;
   memcpy(local_scaleNotes, scaleNotes, sizeof(local_scaleNotes));
   memcpy(local_trackMute, (const void*)trackMute, sizeof(local_trackMute));
@@ -408,7 +431,7 @@ static void updateLeds() {
 
   ui.updateLeds((const Step (*)[NUM_STEPS])local_sequence, local_playbackStep, local_isPlaying, 
                 local_currentState, local_songModeEnabled, local_songRepeatsRemaining, 
-                local_sequenceChangeScheduled, ledDisplayMode, local_randomizeTrack, local_numScaleNotes, 
+                local_sequenceChangeScheduled, ledDisplayMode, local_randomizeTrack, local_numSteps, local_numScaleNotes, 
                 local_scaleNotes, (const bool*)local_trackMute);
 }
 
diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index e7fc66f..4290d88 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 #define ENC_SW  14
 
 // --- TRACKER DATA ---
-#define NUM_STEPS 16
+#define NUM_STEPS 8
 #define NUM_TRACKS 4
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file