Music Production Knowledge Backlog

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Creating Chord Progressions with the Circle of Fifths in Bitwig Studio

Mar 23, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I show how to use the Circle of Fifths in Bitwig Studio's Note Grid to create interesting and complex chord progressions. I demonstrate how to set up the Note Grid, activate trigger buttons to send out the chords, and adjust the settings such as adding a seventh or ninth to get different chord variations. I also show how to record the chord progressions in an instrument track. Finally, I explain why this device is useful for those who don't know how to play the piano and how it can be used to jam with a rhythm to create interesting chord progressions.

Creating a Synthwave Track with C-Ludian Chords and Glitch Drums

Mar 22, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I created a music track using a synth, a reverb, a delay, a key filter, a note rap device, a quad track, an arpeggiator, a chorus device, a quad bass, a portal, percussion and drums, a lead sound, modulation and automation, and a half time. I randomly modulated the sounds and added some distortion, reverb, and a transient shaper to bring out the spaces. I then layered some triggers and hi-hats to create a nice combination. Lastly, I used a filter and a phaser to give it a final touch.

Extract Groove from Drum Loops in Bitwig

Mar 21, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I discussed how to extract grooves from drum loops. I showed how a Transient Control can be used to detect transients within the drum loop, and then how that signal can be routed through a Note Grid and converted into a gate signal. I then discussed a more complicated method which involves creating a chain device, putting an audio receiver and transient controls in each band and using a node receiver to grab the signal from each band. I also discussed a solution to preserving note lengths when using the clock quantizer. Finally, I showed how the resulting signal can be delayed to create unique grooves.

Syncing a Drum Loop Using Note Grid and Quantizer Functions

Mar 18, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I showed a trick for synchronizing a drum loop and using it as a groove source for drum tracks. I demonstrated how to use the Note Grid, Clock Quantizer, Sidechain, Envelope Follower, Amplifier, and Gate Length to extract the groove from a drum loop and use it to control a drum sampler. This can be a helpful trick when you want to convert drum loops to other drum loops or use a different drum loop as a guide for your groove.

Generative Grid Patch with Feedback

Mar 17, 2022 Tutorial
I created a generative grid patch using a ramp signal and a Wavetable to generate sound. I used a sample and hold, a filter, a reverb, a unison, a dice, and a step mod to modulate the sound and add some randomness. I used a mixer and added a feedback loop and a delay to create more interesting textures. I also used a pitch quantizer to make sure all the notes were in tune. Finally, I added a piano and kick drum to bring the patch to life.

Creating Dynamic Non-Diatonic Chord Progressions with Bitwig Studio

Mar 15, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I show how to create non-diatonic chord progressions that rotate around the circle of fifths with the help of the note grid in Bitwig Studio. I also explain how to follow this workflow to create bass lines and melody lines. I demonstrate how to use the pitch signal and multiply it with seven to get nice patterns. I also explain how to use the note wrap tool to keep the notes within a certain octave range. Finally, I demonstrate how to use a polysend and note quantizer to make sure the notes fit the chords.

Arturia Keystep Pro with Bitwig Studio and Hardware synthesizers

Mar 14, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I showed how I integrated the Arturia Keystep Pro with my Ulurec and my semi-modular synthesizer setup. The Keystep Pro is connected to my computer via USB and to Bitwig Studio with a MIDI clock button. It passes the clock signal to all my devices, allowing me to generate a pattern synced to my host tempo in Bitwig Studio. I can also use the outputs to send control voltage to my Mother 32, Eurowreck, and Pooly D. With the Keystep Pro, I can switch between my instruments and record sequences of up to 64 steps. I can also use the diatonic transposer, drum sequencer, and arpeggiator to further customize my sound. Overall, the Keystep Pro is the perfect controller for my setup!

Note Wrapping with Bitwig Grid: Understanding the Wrap Module and How to Misuse Modules to Create Unique Sounds

Mar 10, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I explain how I built my note wrapping tool and why it is so useful. I use the wrap module by Bitwig to wrap values to the phase range. I then visualize this using an oscilloscope, showing that different values in the oscilloscope mean different notes. I then explain how to rescale the range so that when higher notes are input, they are wrapped within the octave range of C3 to C4. I finish by showing how multiplication and division can be used to offset the axis of the wrap module.

Exploring the Channel 16 Modulator in Bitwig Studio 4.2 Beta Version 3

Mar 08, 2022 Tutorial
In this video, I demonstrated how to use the Channel 16 Modulator in Bitweek Studio 4.2 Beta Version

Creating Notes from Monophonic Audio Material in Bitwig Studio

Mar 07, 2022 Tutorial
I showed how to create note information from monophonic audio material inside Bitwig Studio. I demonstrated how to use the audio receiver, spectrum device, and various filters to extract the clean fundamental sine wave from the vocals or audio material. I also showed how to use a zero crossing module, analog follower, volume knob, and polysens to create notes from the audio track. Finally, I demonstrated how to use a microphone as an input to sing and create notes at the same time.

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