07-14-2023, 07:50 PM
Hi there—bringing this discussion over from Modwiggler.
I've been wanting to modulate several elements of my patterns in ways that aren't currently possible with NerdSeq. Here's some examples of what I'd like to be able to do:
- Set track groove as a modulation target (e.g. an external CV sequencer modulating groove to create a repeating shuffle pattern)
- Modulate track clock div/mult settings
- Set other sources for a track clock (e.g. CV input, an internal LFO or another sequencer track's trigger output)
- Set a source for pattern start step and end step
The purpose is to be able to improvise live using pre-composed patterns. A big-picture example of this is Suzanne Ciani's use of the Buchla 248 MARF. She uses it as a re-composing sequencer, starting with a composed sequence and recombining it in different ways during a performance. Each performance starts with the same seed, but is never quite the same.
An implementation example is the Black Sequencer. It makes it easy to modulate the start, end, div/mult and micro timing parameters of an existing pattern. This can be done with external CV inputs, internal modulators or the "magic" settings (non-destructive parameter morphing).
I also do this kind of modulation all the time with analog sequencers; the downside is they lack any kind of presets or digital control. For example, I'll use manual CV to set the start or end step. Another example is I'll have a square LFO set as the clock, and have a sequencer's output assigned to the LFO's FM input to create a subtle shifting groove. An alternative is having a sequencer control the CV input of a clock divider, or having another sequencer's gate output as the clock input of a second sequencer.
Going out of sync is a desired behaviour, as long as there's the ability to re-sync patterns as needed (using the re-sync special FX for example). I typically run my tracks with 24 steps in each groove to give me the ability to adjust micro-timing for each step. I'll often use this to let tracks drift in and out of sync with each other in a purposeful way.
I hope this makes sense!
I've been wanting to modulate several elements of my patterns in ways that aren't currently possible with NerdSeq. Here's some examples of what I'd like to be able to do:
- Set track groove as a modulation target (e.g. an external CV sequencer modulating groove to create a repeating shuffle pattern)
- Modulate track clock div/mult settings
- Set other sources for a track clock (e.g. CV input, an internal LFO or another sequencer track's trigger output)
- Set a source for pattern start step and end step
The purpose is to be able to improvise live using pre-composed patterns. A big-picture example of this is Suzanne Ciani's use of the Buchla 248 MARF. She uses it as a re-composing sequencer, starting with a composed sequence and recombining it in different ways during a performance. Each performance starts with the same seed, but is never quite the same.
An implementation example is the Black Sequencer. It makes it easy to modulate the start, end, div/mult and micro timing parameters of an existing pattern. This can be done with external CV inputs, internal modulators or the "magic" settings (non-destructive parameter morphing).
I also do this kind of modulation all the time with analog sequencers; the downside is they lack any kind of presets or digital control. For example, I'll use manual CV to set the start or end step. Another example is I'll have a square LFO set as the clock, and have a sequencer's output assigned to the LFO's FM input to create a subtle shifting groove. An alternative is having a sequencer control the CV input of a clock divider, or having another sequencer's gate output as the clock input of a second sequencer.
Going out of sync is a desired behaviour, as long as there's the ability to re-sync patterns as needed (using the re-sync special FX for example). I typically run my tracks with 24 steps in each groove to give me the ability to adjust micro-timing for each step. I'll often use this to let tracks drift in and out of sync with each other in a purposeful way.
I hope this makes sense!
