A question about creating random, in-key sequences

[Waves]

I’ve a question about randomisation and generative-type patterns on the Octatrack. I’ve dug into using single-cycle waveforms to make some nice synthy plinks and plonks but all my patterns are just that; patterns. Pre-programmed affairs that - even with conditional trigs - don’t sound as ‘random’ as I’d like them to.

What can I do to make my patterns and sequences more random yet remain ‘in key’? Is it even possible with SCWfs?

FWIW, this is the kinda thing I want to aim for… I know this guy is using a modular rig so it’s not going to be entirely possible - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOqCXuUtsbg

[djenzyme]

You probably already tried but I like to use random wave LFOs for variations

[Waves]

Indeed - I was thinking about how I could get this structured (in key) randomisation and it struck me (after you said it… rubber ducking I guess) that I could use a custom LFO to trigger fixed pitches, having it running constantly so that it changes the pitch whenever a sample trig is played.

Interesting.

[djenzyme]

Ah I managed to completely miss the ‘in key’ part even though its in the title!

LFO designer is definitely a better idea

edit: or midi loopback to send arp from a midi track

[Open_Mike]

(Edit: Whoops, I thought we were talking about midi tracks…
I guess you could do the following with loopback if your adventurous…)

The arp scale setting affects note trigs without the arp turned on…
The OT has all of the scales the Digitone has just without a nice UI to select them…
Here’s a chart that will get you seven different scales, once set you can send lfos to all parameters that affect notes and they’ll stay in the scale…

Octatrack Tips & Tricks (OT Tips)

OK so here’s a handy dandy chart to easily use any of the seven modes in any key… [image] (Bb=A#, Eb=D#, Ab=G#, Db=C#, Gb=F#) Just find the mode and key you want on the chart and set the arp to the major mode in the corresponding key shown on the left… -I copied this chart from the Internet, It shows several flat keys at the bottom left, on the OT the key can only be set in sharps so I listed the equivalent sharp keys at the bottom just in case…

I imagine you can make other scales out of custom arps and lfo’s, but I haven’t tried yet…

[sezare56]

OT lfos are great. Want more, even with midi loopback. Tried Machinedrum this week, I definitely want a 2nd OT instead !

[Waves]

Thanks, Mike. I’ve not played with the MIDI loopback option yet but it’s going to be the next thing on my list. Trying to achieve in-key-yet-random notes with the LFO designer was somewhat hit and miss. It was just a bit…not so good!

A MakeNoise 0-Coast is on the horizon so that’s going to help with this somewhat. At least there’ll be no MIDI hackery!

[Rusty]

I can do lots and lots of random stuff… maybe I should send you a project?

[Waves]

I’d be interested to see how you set your machine up to do that kind of stuff, Rusty.

[Rusty]

I’d be interested to see how you set your machine up to do that kind of stuff, Rusty.

I can randomise everything on the Octatrack…

[Waves]

Do share, homie. Do share!

[Waves]

Cheers, Mike. I got the Octa MIDI triggering the track (#C1 on Ch 1… before it crashed; twice) but couldn’t get it changing the sample’s pitch. I know different note values control different things.

How do I get the MIDI to control the pitch of the sample on Track 1? Having no luck finding that bit out… I’m still thinking I might just settle for a hardware synth and get that controlled - random not lengths and values - from the Octatrack.

[knobgoblin]

Two ways that I do it:
Create a sample chain from two octaves worth of notes from whatever sound you want. Slice and use a random lfo on slice number.
Use a lfo designer to create your scale. Set it to a high rate and use sample on trigger mode. Use a second random lfo to modulate rate of the first.

[Open_Mike]

If you wanted to use the arp key scale from OT midi tracks to work on OT audio tracks, you’d want to leave the audio track sequence blank and send the notes from the midi track. The scale setting only affects the note trigs on the midi track, so you’d have to use those…

I kind of like @knobgoblin’s sample chain + random lfo idea, and I want to add that if you make a sample chain of notes that only has notes in it conforming to the scale you want, you get your random “in key” notes…

Lfo designer seems the most direct way…

[Waves]

Thanks, Mike. It seems like a bit of faff to get the MIDI/audio working properly… The sample chain idea is neat; gonna give that a shot.

[Waves]

That’s an awesome shout, man. I’m gonna give this a go later. Logic’s got some killer synths that’d be worth sampling.