The Grid: Tips and Tricks

[Hez]

Thought I might as well start another tips and tricks thread to document useful discoveries we make while exploring this new environment. Please try to keep posts succinct with useful information.

I'll start with a few:

Modulator Out

Found in the I/O group, this deceivingly simple module seems to be a huge part of Grid workflow. You may have noticed that only a few standard parameters for each module have regular patch cables - what if you want to modulate the Fold on the Triangle oscillator with the output of a separate Sine oscillator for example? To achieve this, route your desired modulation signal into a 'Modulator Out' device. You can now use the standard Bitwig modulation arrow on the Modulator Out to send that signal to any parameter you want in the grid.



Some components have the usual Bitwig modulation output arrow by default so you don't need to hook the output up to a Modulator Out to access their output signal as a wireless modulation source - LFOs and Envelopes for example.



Modulating other devices and VSTs from modulation signals within the grid

Using the 'Modulator Out' device mentioned above, you can actually send modulation outside of the grid itself into the Pre FX and Post FX slots of the main Poly/FX Grid device. You could use an FX grid to create an absurdly complex modulation system then drop whatever 3rd party VST you want into the FX slot and modulate it directly from your grid creation.



Feedback

You can achieve rudimentary feedback by routing any signal to the "Modulator Out" device, then adding a "Value" device (in the Level group), then modulating the Value device by the Modulator Out, then routing the output of the Value back into whichever input port you couldn't originally send a feedback loop to. Here's an example with a sine oscillator modulating its own phase:



I assume there is some latency inherent in the feedback loop (one buffer probably) but haven't tested yet.

Modulating envelope curves

I noticed that envelopes have a curve control (a single dot in the middle of an envelope stage) that can be controlled via the mouse but not modulated directly in the envelope component GUI itself. However, if you use a wireless modulation source (either from an LFO/Envelope or by creating one via the Modulation Out device), then select the envelope you want to modulate, you will see the envelope curvature for each stage shown in the inspector panel as an available modulation target.

[x.iso]

I'm guessing that modulators aren't 400% oversampled like wire signals in the Grid, at least I don't remember that they ever been. So what we loose in this workaround for feedback is probably resolution of the signal, although it's still audio rate.

[sagetone]

I'd like to see some tips 'n tricks re. phase modules. I started exploring a few of them this morning, still not 100% sure how to use them and leverage their power.

[pdxindy]

I'd like to see some tips 'n tricks re. phase modules. I started exploring a few of them this morning, still not 100% sure how to use them and leverage their power.

Check out the Formanatee preset

[Cyoon]

should be a sticky..

[odz]

Feedback

You can achieve rudimentary feedback by routing any signal to the "Modulator Out" device, then adding a "Value" device (in the Level group), then modulating the Value device by the Modulator Out, then routing the output of the Value back into whichever input port you couldn't originally send a feedback loop to. Here's an example with a sine oscillator modulating its own phase:



I assume there is some latency inherent in the feedback loop (one buffer probably) but haven't tested yet.

I just found out that you can do feedback loops so long as you include a device in the chain that requires that a delay is added. This works with e.g. the Long Delay, since it's minimum delay time is 0.02 ms. This does not work with mod delay, or delay, as they can be turned down to 0.00 ms. I'm not sure which other devices this works with, but it's easier and clearer than routing through a modulator.



1 sample in 44,100 Hz is 0.022 ms, and at 48,000 Hz it's 0.0208 ms. I assume that it will be rounded to a single sample, so this delay is something you can probably live with :p

[pdxindy]

Feedback

You can achieve rudimentary feedback by routing any signal to the "Modulator Out" device, then adding a "Value" device (in the Level group), then modulating the Value device by the Modulator Out, then routing the output of the Value back into whichever input port you couldn't originally send a feedback loop to. Here's an example with a sine oscillator modulating its own phase:



I assume there is some latency inherent in the feedback loop (one buffer probably) but haven't tested yet.

I just found out that you can do feedback loops so long as you include a device in the chain that requires that a delay is added. This works with e.g. the Long Delay, since it's minimum delay time is 0.02 ms. This does not work with mod delay, or delay, as they can be turned down to 0.00 ms. I'm not sure which other devices this works with, but it's easier and clearer than routing through a modulator.



1 sample in 44,100 Hz is 0.022 ms, and at 48,000 Hz it's 0.0208 ms. I assume that it will be rounded to a single sample, so this delay is something you can probably live with :p

Wow... some amazing effects feeding a filter back into itself and playing with the delay time... Thanks for finding that!!

[odz]

Wow... some amazing effects feeding a filter back into itself and playing with the delay time... Thanks for finding that!!

I accept your praise and take all credit

Inspiration was actually taken from the FX Grid preset Grid Multi FX, where a similar loop with an attenuator is present. It really highlights the fact that you learn a _ton_ by looking at the creators presets.

[pdxindy]

Wow... some amazing effects feeding a filter back into itself and playing with the delay time... Thanks for finding that!!

I accept your praise and take all credit

Inspiration was actually taken from the FX Grid preset Grid Multi FX, where a similar loop with an attenuator is present. It really highlights the fact that you learn a _ton_ by looking at the creators presets.

I've been having so much fun I've hardly looked at the included presets.

[sagetone]

I'd like to see some tips 'n tricks re. phase modules. I started exploring a few of them this morning, still not 100% sure how to use them and leverage their power.

Check out the Formanatee preset

Thanks pdxindy! I'll check it out tonight. I love The Grid, limited amount of time spent with it thus far, it's a blast, and the phase modules look to me like they could spark some very interesting new ideas!!

[mholloway]

I'm assuming that since a straight 'cable to input' routing doesn't offer any modulation depth control, we are supposed to be using the Modulator Out and / or the built in devices with the (old-style) bitwig modulation controls for anything we want to modulate? Or am I missing something?

First thing I tried to do was modulate filter cutoff on a filter, only to find there is no input for the cutoff....so then I realized I need to use the "old style" modulation in bitwig, rather than the new patch cables. Which would mean the cables are more for literal signal routing, and the usual modulation system is for, well, modulation. I have no problem with this, just threw me for a loop at first when I was expecting to drag a cable into a filter cutoff input control.

[pdxindy]

I'm assuming that since a straight 'cable to input' routing doesn't offer any modulation depth control, we are supposed to be using the Modulator Out and / or the built in devices with the (old-style) bitwig modulation controls for anything we want to modulate? Or am I missing something?

First thing I tried to do was modulate filter cutoff on a filter, only to find there is no input for the cutoff....so then I realized I need to use the "old style" modulation in bitwig, rather than the new patch cables. Which would mean the cables are more for literal signal routing, and the usual modulation system is for, well, modulation. I have no problem with this, just threw me for a loop at first when I was expecting to drag a cable into a filter cutoff input control.

The filter has a mod input. Top on the left is audio input and the one below it is mod.

[sagetone]

Wasn't obvious to me at first, but scrolling left-right and up-down for large Grid structures is Shift-Drag.

[mholloway]

The filter has a mod input. Top on the left is audio input and the one below it is mod.

But then where is a depth control for modulation depth? Sorry, I haven't messed around with polygrid enough yet.

[ere2learn]