The Grid: Tips and Tricks

[antic604]

For a while, I was thinking Pre FX was for Note FX only, but it can also hold VSTs. (This came up in a discussion in the Bitwig Facebook forum). So I started with a very basic Grid instrument, then loaded a VST (Phase-4 in this case) in Pre FX, then added the Audio In module in The Grid, mixed it with The Grid instrument, and the two are mixed together. Sweet!

Yeah. I'm not really sure why they even split the Grid into FX and Poly if they both have exactly the same modules, parameters in the Inspector panel, etc. Wouldn't be surprised if it's exactly the same device, just put into Browser twice for convenience

[xbitz]

^^^ even can be converted into each other (right click on the device tab and the first menu item), the only diff which I can see is the out/mix knob of the devices

[voidex]

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

Unfortunately it won't be 0.02ms, it will be at least 10ms in both cases (Modulator Out + Value or Long Delay).

Try to recreate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karplus–S ... _synthesis
You'll notice result pitch change as you make less delay time, but no change below 10ms. And min possible pitch will be the same in both cases (Modulator Out + Value or Long Delay with any delay <= 10ms)

[n0j0e]

how to create an expandable (and polyrhythmic) mseg. have fun

What can i do with this? I'm feeling like a noob.

[antic604]

What can i do with this? I'm feeling like a noob.

It's just a fancy LFO, that you can use to modulate something within the Grid or outside of it.

[n0j0e]

Ok, how can i maybe a cutoff from a VSTi connect to the grid?

[xbitz]

btw. it has given me an idea for risers

just need another LFO (and Add) if u want to add it to the top of a carrier signal

[antic604]

Ok, how can i maybe a cutoff from a VSTi connect to the grid?

You mean like using (just!) a filter from e.g. Serum in the Grid? You obviously can't, because no DAW can access individual components of the VST plugin. You can put Serum FX into Poly Grid's FX slot and use it like that, but that's no different than doing this with any Bitwig's instruments or 3rd party VSTs.

I feel there's some fundamental misunderstanding of what The Grid is in your question.

[xbitz]

^^^
into:: a device control on a VSTi <> macro control > DC Offset device > Audio rate modulator in a Grid device > we are inside the Grid
out:: a DC Offset can be modulated from the Grid, which can be accessed from anywhere in BWS using Audio Rate modulators

[xbitz]

^^^ this is the in

look mam it's moving, if u want to hear the VSTi an audio receiver has to be added after the DC Offset connected the it

[carlca]

somebody created a ping-pong delay in the forum, recreated it from memory, hope it was it



sounds like a ping-pong delay, looks like a ping-pong delay so it's a ping-pong delay, respect to the original creator

I've just used this Ping Pong delay to go with BWS's rather nice Melodica multi sample preset to get some Pablo style dubby sounds! I didn't use the attenuaters to route the cables, but it occurred to me that it would be useful to be able to insert pseudo pegs around which to divert the cables, similar to how one can alter the shape of automation curves. What do you think?

[NothanUmber]

Have started experimenting with the BW3 beta today - looks promising!
Is there an option to add groups/"subgrids" to structure more complex stuff?

[Yokai]

Not yet.

[robotshaman]

I haven’t renewed my subscription yet, plan on getting it in the fall.

Has anyone tried to create a convolution/ir reverb in the Fx grid, using the sample oscillator for the impulse?

I imagine you would need to a create logic envelope follower to trigger the sampler then use the sampler signal as a modulation source for a short delay.

Or add a replacer device in the pre slot to get a midi signal?

[x.iso]

Here's the most compact MSEG idea I've thought so far. Could be used in various ways, depending on what you wire to Phase input of Step sequencers (or just leave Grid Phase). First one generates regular step parameter change, and two others adjust Rise and Fall of env. follower to make some steps curved to various degrees as the sequence goes.