polarity_music

Random Shift Register Sequencer

Added 2024-06-24 15:14:07 +0000 UTC

In this video, I walk through using Bitwig's Node Grid to create random notes for the Polymer synthesizer without using a MIDI keyboard. Instead, I use various modules within the Grid to generate, scale, and quantize these notes, ultimately producing a more musical and controlled sequence.

Key Points:

Polymer Synthesizer Setup:
- Monophonic mode with voice-circuit off.
- Remove the node input and generate random notes using the Dice module.
- Generate eight equally spaced triggers within one bar using the Triggers module.
Scaling and Quantizing Notes:
- Use an Attenuate module to scale down the range of notes to within one octave.
- Quantize the notes to the C major scale using a Quantizer.
Creating Repetition:
- Implement a Shift Register to store and recall the sequence of notes.
- Use a Trigger module to shift and record values in the Shift Register.
Playback Control:
- Use a Select module and a button to control recording.
- Merge module to connect outputs to inputs for sequence playback.
- Use a Counter module to step through the sequence, creating a stepped ramp signal.
Sequence Modification:
- Implement playback direction changes with a Curve module.
- Adjust playback length and add randomization to sequence repetition using a Dice module.
- Ensure the root note is included for clear scale identification.
Extended Features:
- Generate additional random values for velocity and pressure/timbre using separate Dice modules.
- Record these values into the sequence and use them to modulate aspects like filter modulation.

This setup demonstrates a flexible way to create a recordable, random note generator within Bitwig's Grid, allowing for dynamic and controlled musical outputs.