diff --git a/.scalafmt.conf b/.scalafmt.conf
index 33178a1..b761370 100644
--- a/.scalafmt.conf
+++ b/.scalafmt.conf
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ rewrite.scala3.removeOptionalBraces = yes
 # align.tokens                     = [off]
 danglingParentheses.preset       = true
 indentOperator.preset            = spray
+newlines.afterInfix              = many
 maxColumn                        = 120
 rewrite.rules                    = [RedundantBraces, RedundantParens, SortModifiers]
 # rewrite.imports.sort             = scalastyle
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index 612086b..45c9c18 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ Chorded buttons are sensitive to order. For example, **SHIFT+CONTROL** is not th
 ## Global
 
 * **KNOB turn**: Move arranger playhead, jog through the project timeline. Hold **SHIFT** to adjust in finer increments (e.g. in TEMPO mode).
-* **SONG**: **SuperScene** mode (see below) or "home" (return to default Clip Launcher view)
+* **SONG**: **SuperScene** mode (see below) or "home" (return to default Clip Launcher view if not already there)
 * **STEP**: Step Sequencer
 * **CLEAR**: Use in combination with other buttons to delete a scene (scene buttons), clip (a pad in session mode) or track (group buttons).
 * **DUPLICATE**: Combine with a scene pad (duplicate scene) or a track button (duplicate track). To copy clips in session mode keep the Duplicate button pressed; choose the source clip (it must be a clip with content, you can still select a different clip as the source); select the destination clip (this must be an empty clip, which can also be on a different track); release the Duplicate button.
@@ -538,6 +538,21 @@ After changing preferences it may be necessary to reinitialize the extension (tu
 
 # Changelog
 
+## 8.0b16
+
+Step sequencer fixes and improvements
+
+* Updated color scheme for alternarting note rows: now it's the note itself that gets the color instead of the background, looks much better
+* Fixed regression in quick clip selector activation, could break switching between STEP mode and clip matrix
+* Fixed regression in pattern page follow while holding steps, condition was flipped
+* Fixed quick clip selector colors, was showing empty scene clips as white
+* Fixed SHIFT button forgetting its normal bindings in step mode
+
+Other fixes
+
+* Fixed SONG button indicator for superscene mode, was not lighting up
+* REC+GROUP to arm multiple tracks won't trigger transport record unless you mean it (with a single short press of REC)
+
 ## 8.0b15
 
 * Note expressions editor
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d0fc66b..0ccde15 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     <artifactId>monsterjam</artifactId>
     <packaging>jar</packaging>
     <name>MonsterJam</name>
-    <version>8.0-b15</version>
+    <version>8.0-b16</version>
 
     <repositories>
         <repository>
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/MonsterJamControllerDefinition.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/MonsterJamControllerDefinition.scala
index ef28aef..c35b680 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/MonsterJamControllerDefinition.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/MonsterJamControllerDefinition.scala
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class MonsterJamExtensionDefinition() extends ControllerExtensionDefinition:
 
   override def getAuthor = "unthingable"
 
-  override def getVersion = "8.0-b15"
+  override def getVersion = "8.0-b16"
 
   override def getId: UUID = MonsterJamExtensionDefinition.DRIVER_ID
 
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/Util.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/Util.scala
index 279d651..0c271f6 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/Util.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/Util.scala
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import java.io.ObjectInputStream
 import java.io.ObjectOutputStream
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer
 import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets
+import java.time.Duration
 import java.time.Instant
 import javax.swing.Timer
 import scala.annotation.targetName
@@ -44,11 +45,9 @@ transparent trait Util:
   case class Timed[A](value: A, instant: Instant)
 
   extension [A <: ObjectProxy](bank: Bank[A])
-    def view: IndexedSeqView[A] =
-      (0 until bank.itemCount().get()).view.map(bank.getItemAt)
+    def view: IndexedSeqView[A] = (0 until bank.itemCount().get()).view.map(bank.getItemAt)
 
-    def fullView: IndexedSeqView[A] =
-      (0 until bank.getCapacityOfBank()).view.map(bank.getItemAt)
+    def fullView: IndexedSeqView[A] = (0 until bank.getCapacityOfBank()).view.map(bank.getItemAt)
 
 object Util extends Util:
   val EIGHT: Vector[Int] = (0 to 7).toVector
@@ -148,4 +147,10 @@ object Util extends Util:
         timers.update(key, timer)
       case Some(timer) => timer.restart()
 
+  inline def timed[A](msg: String)(f: => A): A =
+    val now    = Instant.now()
+    val result = f
+    val delta  = Duration.between(now, Instant.now()).toMillis()
+    println(s"$msg: $delta ms")
+    result
 end Util
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeGraph.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeGraph.scala
index 66f809f..c977fa0 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeGraph.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeGraph.scala
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ object Graph:
         case x: ListeningLayer => x.loadBindings
         case _                 => Seq.empty
       val causeId = cause.map(c => s"${c.layer.id}->${layer.id}").getOrElse(layer.id)
-      layerBindings ++ Vector(
+      layerBindings ++
+      Vector(
         EB(
           layer.selfActivateEvent,
           s"${causeId} syn act",
@@ -311,7 +312,9 @@ object Graph:
       Util.println(printBumpers(3, 0, node))
 
       // restore base
-      val baseRestore = node.nodesToRestore.toSeq
+      val baseRestore = node.nodesToRestore
+        // .filter(_.isActive)
+        .toSeq
       val toRestore: Seq[ModeNode] = Seq(
         (baseRestore ++ baseRestore.flatMap(_.bumpingMe)).distinct.filter(n => n.isActive),
         if byUserAction then
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeLayer.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeLayer.scala
index 5d3e04e..655915b 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeLayer.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/framework/mode/ModeLayer.scala
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import com.github.unthingable.jam.surface.WithSource
 import java.time.Duration
 import java.time.Instant
 import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier
+import scala.concurrent.duration.FiniteDuration
 
 enum ModeState derives CanEqual:
   case Inactive, Activating, Active, Deactivating
@@ -74,6 +75,9 @@ trait ModeLayer extends IntActivatedLayer, HasId derives CanEqual:
   final inline def hasDirtyBindings(withBindings: Binding[?, ?, ?]*): Boolean =
     activeAt.map(withBindings.hasOperatedAfter).getOrElse(false)
 
+  final inline def isOlderThan(inline duration: FiniteDuration): Boolean =
+    isOlderThan(Duration.ofNanos(duration.toNanos))
+
   final inline def isOlderThan(inline duration: Duration): Boolean =
     activeAt.exists(act => Instant.now().isAfter(act.plus(duration)))
 
@@ -264,8 +268,7 @@ abstract class ModeCycleLayer(
   var selected: Option[Int] = Some(0)
 
   override def subModesToActivate: Vector[ModeLayer] =
-    val ret = (selected.map(subModes(_)).toVector ++
-      super.subModesToActivate // in case they were bumped
+    val ret = (selected.map(subModes(_)).toVector ++ super.subModesToActivate // in case they were bumped
     ).distinct
     Util.println(s"debug: for $id submode activators are $ret")
     ret
@@ -324,8 +327,8 @@ abstract class ModeButtonCycleLayer(
       case _          => Vector.empty
 
   // bindings to inspect when unsticking
-  def operatedBindings: Iterable[Binding[?, ?, ?]] =
-    (selected.map(subModes) ++ siblingOperatedModes).flatMap(_.modeBindings) ++ extraOperated
+  def operatedBindings: Iterable[Binding[?, ?, ?]] = (selected.map(subModes) ++ siblingOperatedModes)
+    .flatMap(_.modeBindings) ++ extraOperated
 
   def stickyRelease: Vector[ModeCommand[?]] =
     (isOn, cycleMode: CycleMode) match
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/Jam.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/Jam.scala
index 558eafe..df53348 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/Jam.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/Jam.scala
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ class Jam(implicit val ext: MonsterJamExt)
     bottom       -> Coexist(globalQuant, shiftTransport, shiftMatrix, shiftPages),
     bottom       -> Exclusive(GlobalMode.Clear, GlobalMode.Duplicate, GlobalMode.Select),
     trackGroup   -> Exclusive(solo, mute, record),
-    bottom       -> Coexist(clipMatrix, pageMatrix, stepSequencer, stepSequencer.stepGate),
+    bottom       -> Coexist(clipMatrix, pageMatrix, stepSequencer, stepGateActivator),
     bottom       -> stripGroup,
     bottom       -> Coexist(auxGate, deviceSelector, macroLayer),
     trackGroup   -> Exclusive(EIGHT.map(trackGate)*),
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/SceneL.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/SceneL.scala
index 45430ac..d05340b 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/SceneL.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/SceneL.scala
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import com.bitwig.extension.controller.api.Setting
 import com.bitwig.`extension`.controller.api.Track
 import com.github.unthingable.Util
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.Binding
+import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.BindingBehavior
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.EB
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.HB.BindingOps
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.SupBooleanB
@@ -60,10 +61,9 @@ trait SceneL:
   object superSceneSub extends SimpleModeLayer("superSceneSub") with Util:
     val maxTracks =
       superBank.getSizeOfBank // can be up to 256 before serialization needs to be rethought
-    val maxScenes = superBank.sceneBank().getSizeOfBank
-    val bufferSize =
-      ((maxTracks * maxScenes * 4) / 3) * 5 // will this be enough with the new serializer? no idea
-    var pageIndex              = 0
+    val maxScenes  = superBank.sceneBank().getSizeOfBank
+    val bufferSize = ((maxTracks * maxScenes * 4) / 3) * 5 // will this be enough with the new serializer? no idea
+    var pageIndex  = 0
     var lastScene: Option[Int] = None
 
     val sceneStore: SettableStringValue =
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ trait SceneL:
           JamColorState.empty
         ),
       )
-    }
+    } :+ SupBooleanB(j.song.light, () => isOn, BindingBehavior.soft)
   end superSceneSub
 
   lazy val pageMatrix = new SimpleModeLayer("pageMatrix"):
@@ -176,10 +176,11 @@ trait SceneL:
         val btn: JamRgbButton = j.matrix(row)(col)
 
         def hasContent = trackLen >= col && sceneLen >= row
-        def ourPage = Seq(scenePos, scenePos + 7).map(_ / 8).contains(row) && Seq(
-          trackPos,
-          trackPos + 7
-        ).map(_ / 8).contains(col)
+        def ourPage = Seq(scenePos, scenePos + 7).map(_ / 8).contains(row) &&
+          Seq(
+            trackPos,
+            trackPos + 7
+          ).map(_ / 8).contains(col)
 
         Vector(
           SupColorStateB(
@@ -221,8 +222,7 @@ trait SceneL:
       if pageMatrix.isOn then ext.events.eval("sceneL release")(pageMatrix.deactivateEvent*)
 
       if pressedAt.exists(instant =>
-          instant.plusMillis(400).isAfter(Instant.now())
-            || pageMatrix.modeBindings.hasOperatedAfter(instant)
+          instant.plusMillis(400).isAfter(Instant.now()) || pageMatrix.modeBindings.hasOperatedAfter(instant)
         )
       then cycle()
 
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/StepSequencer.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/StepSequencer.scala
index a4024a1..091b26b 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/StepSequencer.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/StepSequencer.scala
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.GlobalEvent
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.GlobalEvent.ClipSelected
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.HB
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.JCB
+import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.ModeCommand
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.SupBooleanB
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.SupColorB
 import com.github.unthingable.framework.binding.SupColorStateB
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
 
     Vector(
       clip.clipLauncherSlot().isPlaying(),
+      clip.clipLauncherSlot().hasContent(),
       secondClip.exists,
       secondClip.clipLauncherSlot.sceneIndex,
       clip.exists,
@@ -136,8 +138,9 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
     clip
       .playingStep()
       .addValueObserver(step =>
-        if isOn && ext.transport.isPlaying().get() && ext.preferences.stepFollow
-            .get() && localState.stepState.get.steps.nonEmpty
+        if isOn && ext.transport.isPlaying().get() &&
+          ext.preferences.stepFollow
+            .get() && !localState.stepState.get.steps.nonEmpty
         then
           val currentPage: Int = ts.stepScrollOffset / ts.stepPageSize
           val playingPage: Int = step / ts.stepPageSize
@@ -156,7 +159,8 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
             btn.light,
             () =>
               if hasContent then
-                if ext.transport.isPlaying().get() && clip.clipLauncherSlot().isPlaying().get() && clip
+                if ext.transport.isPlaying().get() && clip.clipLauncherSlot().isPlaying().get() &&
+                  clip
                     .playingStep()
                     .get() / ts.stepPageSize == i
                 then colorManager.stepScene.playing
@@ -189,8 +193,9 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
               else colorManager.stepScene.empty
           ),
         )
-
-      },
+      } ++
+        // workaround to keep SHIFT button doing what it does, because as submode it will bump SHIFT bindings for bottom
+        Vector(shiftMatrix, shiftTransport).map(_.modeBindings).flatten,
       GateMode.Gate
     )
     end stepShiftPages
@@ -256,10 +261,11 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
                   else JamColorState(clipColor, 2)
               )
             )
-      } ++ Vector(
-        HB(j.encoder.touch.pressedAction, "", () => incStepSize(0)),
-        HB(j.encoder.turn, "", stepTarget(() => incStepSize(1), () => incStepSize(-1)))
-      ),
+      } ++
+        Vector(
+          HB(j.encoder.touch.pressedAction, "", () => incStepSize(0)),
+          HB(j.encoder.turn, "", stepTarget(() => incStepSize(1), () => incStepSize(-1)))
+        ),
     )
 
     def setChannel(ch: Int) =
@@ -363,7 +369,7 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
     override val subModes: Vector[ModeLayer] = Vector(
       stepMain,
       stepPages,
-      // stepGate,
+      stepGate,
       stepShiftPages,
       stepRegular,
       patLength,
@@ -384,9 +390,8 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
     end onStepState
 
     override def subModesToActivate =
-      (Vector(stepRegular, stepMatrix, stepPages, stepEnc, dpadStep, stepMain) ++ (subModes :+ velAndNote).filter(m =>
-        m.isOn || (m == velAndNote && ts.noteVelVisible)
-      )).distinct
+      (Vector(stepRegular, stepMatrix, stepPages, stepEnc, dpadStep, stepMain) ++
+        (subModes :+ velAndNote).filter(m => m.isOn || (m == velAndNote && ts.noteVelVisible))).distinct
 
     override val modeBindings: Seq[Binding[?, ?, ?]] =
       Vector(
@@ -453,10 +458,12 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
 
     override lazy val extraOperated = stepGate.modeBindings
 
-    /** Clip selector, page follow, CLEAR/DUPLICATE */
-    lazy val stepGate = ModeButtonLayer(
+    /** Clip selector, page follow, CLEAR/DUPLICATE
+      *
+      * Activated by stepGateActivator.
+      */
+    lazy val stepGate = SimpleModeLayer(
       "stepGate",
-      j.step,
       Vector(
         EB(j.clear.st.press, "clear steps", () => stepSequencer.clip.clearSteps(), BB.soft),
         EB(j.duplicate.st.press, "duplicate pattern", () => stepSequencer.clip.duplicateContent(), BB.soft),
@@ -470,32 +477,51 @@ trait StepSequencer extends BindingDSL:
             else !ext.transport.isPlaying().get(),
           BB.soft
         )
-      ) ++ (for row <- EIGHT; col <- EIGHT yield
-        val btn: JamRgbButton        = j.matrix(row)(col)
-        val target: ClipLauncherSlot = trackBank.getItemAt(col).clipLauncherSlotBank().getItemAt(row)
-        val clipEq: BooleanValue     = clip.clipLauncherSlot().createEqualsValue(target)
-        clipEq.markInterested()
-        target.isPlaying().markInterested()
+      ) ++
+        (for row <- EIGHT; col <- EIGHT yield
+          val btn: JamRgbButton        = j.matrix(row)(col)
+          val target: ClipLauncherSlot = trackBank.getItemAt(col).clipLauncherSlotBank().getItemAt(row)
+          val clipEq: BooleanValue     = clip.clipLauncherSlot().createEqualsValue(target)
+          clipEq.markInterested()
+          target.isPlaying().markInterested()
+          Vector(
+            EB(btn.st.press, "", () => target.select()),
+            SupColorStateB(
+              btn.light,
+              () =>
+                if clipEq.get() then JamColorState(JamColorBase.WHITE, 3)
+                else if clip.clipLauncherSlot().hasContent.get() then
+                  JamColorState(target.color().get(), if target.isPlaying().get() then 3 else 1)
+                else JamColorState.empty,
+              behavior = BB.soft
+            ),
+          )
+        ).flatten ++
         Vector(
-          EB(btn.st.press, "", () => target.select()),
-          SupColorStateB(
-            btn.light,
-            () =>
-              if clipEq.get() then JamColorState(JamColorBase.WHITE, 3)
-              else JamColorState(target.color().get(), if target.isPlaying().get() then 3 else 1),
-            behavior = BB.soft
-          ),
-        )
-      ).flatten ++ Vector(
-        EB(j.dpad.left.st.press, "", () => ()),
-        EB(j.dpad.right.st.press, "", () => ()),
-        EB(j.dpad.up.st.press, "", () => ()),
-        EB(j.dpad.down.st.press, "", () => ())
-      ),
-      gateMode = GateMode.Gate,
-      silent = true
+          EB(j.dpad.left.st.press, "", () => (), BB.soft),
+          EB(j.dpad.right.st.press, "", () => (), BB.soft),
+          EB(j.dpad.up.st.press, "", () => (), BB.soft),
+          EB(j.dpad.down.st.press, "", () => (), BB.soft)
+        ),
     )
   end stepSequencer
+
+  /** Sidecar mode to coexist with stepSequencer layer, activates stepGate
+    *
+    * Easier to separate them like this because this both clobbers the mode button and bumps submodes.
+    */
+  object stepGateActivator
+      extends ModeButtonLayer("stepGateActivator", j.step, gateMode = GateMode.Gate, silent = true):
+    override val modeBindings: Seq[Binding[?, ?, ?]] = Vector()
+
+    override def onActivate(): Unit =
+      super.onActivate()
+      ext.events.eval("stepGate activator")(stepSequencer.stepGate.activateEvent*)
+
+    override def onDeactivate(): Unit =
+      ext.events.eval("stepGate deactivator")(stepSequencer.stepGate.deactivateEvent*)
+      super.onDeactivate()
+
 end StepSequencer
 
 /* todos and ideas
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/TransportL.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/TransportL.scala
index 9e58591..2844610 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/TransportL.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/layer/TransportL.scala
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import com.github.unthingable.jam.surface.JamOnOffButton
 import com.github.unthingable.jam.surface.JamRgbButton
 
 import java.time.Instant
+import scala.concurrent.duration.*
 
 trait TransportL extends BindingDSL, Util:
   this: Jam =>
@@ -115,7 +116,12 @@ trait TransportL extends BindingDSL, Util:
         BB(tracked = false)
       ),
       SupBooleanB(j.noteRepeat.light, ext.transport.isFillModeActive),
-      EB(j.record.st.press, "record pressed", () => ext.transport.record(), BB.omni),
+      EB(
+        j.record.st.release,
+        "record released",
+        () => if !record.isOlderThan(500.millis) && !record.hasDirtyBindings() then ext.transport.record(),
+        BB.omni
+      ),
       SupBooleanB(j.record.light, ext.transport.isArrangerRecordEnabled),
       EB(
         j.auto.st.press,
@@ -224,9 +230,10 @@ trait TransportL extends BindingDSL, Util:
           JamColorState.empty
         )
       )
-    } ++ Vector(
-      EB(j.clear.st.press, "", () => superBank.view.map(prop).foreach(_.set(false)))
-    ),
+    } ++
+      Vector(
+        EB(j.clear.st.press, "", () => superBank.view.map(prop).foreach(_.set(false)))
+      ),
     gateMode = gateMode,
     silent = silent
   )
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/stepSequencer/ColorManager.scala b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/stepSequencer/ColorManager.scala
index 00cefbd..9a71375 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/stepSequencer/ColorManager.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/github/unthingable/jam/stepSequencer/ColorManager.scala
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class ColorManager(clipColor: => Color)(using ext: MonsterJamExt):
       if custom then noteRowRainbow(noteIdx % 3) else clipColor
     def padColor(noteIdx: Int, step: NoteStep) =
       step.state() match
-        case State.NoteOn      => if custom then C(WHITE, 3) else C(clipColor, 2)
-        case State.Empty       => if custom then C(noteColor(noteIdx), 0) else C.empty
+        case State.NoteOn      => C(noteColor(noteIdx), 2)
+        case State.Empty       => C.empty
         case State.NoteSustain => C(WHITE, 0)
 end ColorManager