What is your live jamming setup?

I think each knob assigns initial values from a table. However, constrained random generation is also a reasonable approach. I'll explore the table idea in this post. For GATE, on an 8 step sequencer, 0 is off and 1 is on. Being "on" assigns the velocity associated with being on (default 127):

00000001
00000010
...
111111110
111111111

This produces 2^8 (256) options. If there are three volume levels (off, on, accented), there are 3^8 options (6,561). If there are ties, that makes 4^8 options (65,536). Since a single knob has only 127 values, the options need to be spread across multiple knobs to explore the space fully. Multiple knobs permit (slightly) more intuitive control. Two knobs produces 127x127 options (16,129). Three knobs permit 127x127x127 options (2M+). What should the knobs do? Here are some ideas:

DENSITY: low values means fewer gates in the sequence. higher values means more gates in the sequence. Technically, DENSITY might select a table with every row having the same number of gates but in different locations. This knob could be divided into GATE, ACCENT, and TIE knobs if DENSITY proves too difficult to use.

PATTERN: selects the row in the table and assigns it to the step sequencer.

The same approach could be applied to pitch:

COMPLEXITY: number of different pitches (1 to 8)
SIMILARITY: at low values identical pitches are grouped together; at high values, identical pitches never fall on consecutive steps
PATTERN: select row in a table that meets the COMPLEXITY and SIMILARITY choices.

Interesting effects might be possible with gate and pitch handled separately like this. One could select high complexity (many) pitches and only a few gates and then automate the gate PATTERN knob so the sequence changes slowly over a few bars and then increase the number of gates so it plays fully.

 

Ah, I thought you were thinking more about something that would let you compose and play lines and patterns, rather than controlling parameters of a generative process. Very different .

I quite like to patch up a structure from simple modules for generative stuff - with the right modules, you could achieve most of what you described, and just tweak sample and hold clock rates, vca levels and a few other details to control stuff like DENSITY. You'd maybe need something more specialised for SIMILARITY and COMPLEXITY, although it gould still be done with general purpose modules...

If you have an addressable sequencer - so you set up say 16 notes, but can use CV to pick them rather than a stepping clock - then you can have some notes chosen more times and others fewer times so you change probabilities... That's complexity and some probability for good measure...
For Similarity as described, you really would need to find or create a random generator with some specific features - like non-repeating valvues. It's simple to implement, but maybe not so general purpose... although I'm not sure how useful much of that is.. In my experience, making 'random' stuff work is more about constraining to a scale or chord, and most importantly, using a delay and/or shift register to generate repetition. That is the magic sauce that tells the brain that this is not random but has some meaning.... So something like a 'turing machine' type of module....

All that said, I'm really not so interested in trying to develop some all in one solution for that kind of process, because I find that it's more interesting to start from scratch each time with generative stuff, and build a new 'machine'. And when doing that, I find that it's searching to find a solution within the restrictions of what's available that is most fun...

shift registers, addressable sequencers (4x4 matrix mixer works well here ), fully featured random and noise modules, and sample and hold...

There's a 40 page thread on generative patches on Muffwigglers - really good stuff in there.

 

I went through the build a seq that will do it all(well nearly) which I have found is best for controlling software synths, but when it comes to generative control of the modular and mono synths, I built a collection of instruments I thought I would need and after a while I found I hardly used half of what I thought I’d need,basically what colB was talking about and like him I now like to start from scratch. I sometimes think I enjoy the building a generative machine more than listening to the end results.
I also use a launchpad which I’ve set up as a traditional 16 step drum programmer. I did start a seq project based around bcr2000 controller, but my core programming let me down, I may revisit it .
I use logic,reaktor,bidule and battery mainly.

 

Although it was not what I posted about, what you suggest would be very useful and I hope you pursue it.

Thank you for the link. I'll definitely have a look!

 

Thanks for sharing your setup. What do you use bidule for instead of reaktor?

 

I used bidule to get reaktor to talk midi to the launchpad from with in logic, which I use to program the drum sequencer. I’ve never really explored bidule much, I got it for using reaktor as a midi plug in before they made reaktor work as a midifx plugin.

 

Ah. I understand. Thanks.

 

Hi

I use Blocks within Maschine. I use a Maschine mk3 and a Jam. Loaded patches are quickly mapped to macro knobs, 64 Lock states available at the press of a button on the Jam can either instantly switch or morph(!) between patch states. Together with Maschine's no-fuss approach to beat-building, VST playing and sample chops, I get hands-on knob wiggling (on the Jam, I can even change 8 knobs at once, try this in hardware Eurorack, lol), reusability, and permanence (if I want it).

Also, because the modular does not need to carry the whole track, my patches are actually rather small. I love the Kodiak Shift sequencer with its sequencing variations mapped to knobs for generating polymetric drums or melodies against even-numbered patterns in Maschine.
So, ironically, even if the virtual modular seems to offer mainly the chance of building irrationally big patches (another 5 VCAs...? Why not?), I find that using small focused patches that go against/along to the rest of the music to be great fun.

 

Murat Kayi , thank you for sharing your setup and approach. I actually know very little about Maschine. What kind of music do you make and do you have anything online or on Spotify?

 

Eveything that is available online is just me doing folk music, hahaha! I have been doing bluesfolk and singer songwriter stuff for quite some time.

On my youtube channel there is a satirical song I did for german radio the music of which was done entirely in Maschine, but that did not use any modular synths.

I am putting together a new portfolio this year, but in the meantime, I could post a musical sketch in here, hang on..
.
https://www.muratkayi.de/mukloud/index.php/s/Mxi1YbcNtMTRImO/download

That's a Reaktor Blocks patch with over a dozen lock states, ran through a gate that I could play with a pad, Maschine Beatmaking and I gave it The Finger later in the track. No sections, just scenes and patterns, recorded a Jam through sampling on a sound.

Enjoy

 

My first clarinet lesson with Chet Singers Dannenberg Wind Oscillator driven by MRC rounded with PidL.