Modalics - Beat Scholar/New drum sequencer

[OrLubianiker]

Hi, can we have more of the instrument icons and make slots assignable (like choose icon per slot)?

That's actually a great idea and something I find myself missing a lot, so we'll probably implement the ability to create custom slots and equip them with either the factory samples or your own sample libraries. We could also add pages to the kit module...
I'd love to also have assignable colors and icons in the future so you can really customize your workflow. Beat Scholar's UX has a strong visual element and we like the idea of giving some control over that.

The only issue I can think of is color coding, it was hard enough finding 16 discernable colors for this version But I'm sure we'll figure it out.

Thanks!
Or

[simmo75]

Will you be adding probability and a nudge or track delay?

[plexuss]

What I really miss are some randomisation options especially for the sequencer (whole pattern, single lane). I think this is really standard today, especially for something that has so many new ideas.

Yes, I agree. We're discussing options to make it happen in a future (free) update which would hopefully not be too long from now.

The challenge with something like that is how to expose the things that are unique to this plugin like strange subdivisions or swing settings, while still keeping a musical structure that doesn't sound too random.

With a traditional step sequencer that only plays 1/16 notes, it's slightly easier to create things that would sound good with a randomizer.

Anyway - challenge accepted, let's see what Or and I can come up with!

What if it was done with modulation? Think of a synth with an LFO. The LFO can be mapped by dragging to a beat cell. the LFO would have whatever waveforms including random. the cell # of sub-beats is what would be modulated. you can one LFO with a synced sine wave alter some cells +/- 1 cell. another LFO on random etc etc. haven LFO window where the effects are with however many LFO's you want to support. drag/drop mod assignment with colour LFO mod ring around all cells modulated showing the colour of the LFO and depth, like on synths. that could accommodate the random request but a whole other scholorly dimension of beat.

[OrLubianiker]

Will you be adding probability and a nudge or track delay?

We're definitely considering adding both! Nudge is interesting, we're currently offering deviding a beat into 1-42 pieces, you could say we give you 42 "nudged" placements in that sense.
But I understand the differece as it's a different experience simply dividing the beat into 2 or 3 and nudging one slice. We're just contemplating how to implement it naturally into the plugin.

Regarding track delay I'm not sure, but we'll definitely add features that modulate lanes / beats and bars in a more specific way.

Seeing how probability is a hot topic, we'll start experimenting with it right away so yes.

[OrLubianiker]

What I really miss are some randomisation options especially for the sequencer (whole pattern, single lane). I think this is really standard today, especially for something that has so many new ideas.

Yes, I agree. We're discussing options to make it happen in a future (free) update which would hopefully not be too long from now.

The challenge with something like that is how to expose the things that are unique to this plugin like strange subdivisions or swing settings, while still keeping a musical structure that doesn't sound too random.

With a traditional step sequencer that only plays 1/16 notes, it's slightly easier to create things that would sound good with a randomizer.

Anyway - challenge accepted, let's see what Or and I can come up with!

What if it was done with modulation? Think of a synth with an LFO. The LFO can be mapped by dragging to a beat cell. the LFO would have whatever waveforms including random. the cell # of sub-beats is what would be modulated. you can one LFO with a synced sine wave alter some cells +/- 1 cell. another LFO on random etc etc. haven LFO window where the effects are with however many LFO's you want to support. drag/drop mod assignment with colour LFO mod ring around all cells modulated showing the colour of the LFO and depth, like on synths. that could accommodate the random request but a whole other scholorly dimension of beat.

Hey! that's a cool idea I also like the idea of drag and drop modulation, then adding a sort of "stick shift" to control the mod... I personally always thought that in Beat Scholar, randomizing should work either work on filled slices or empty ones, because of the rediculous amount of possible note placements we allow, this would give you a cool way to narrow down the randomness.
For example if a randomiser is working within a 16th note grid... no narrowing down is needed as most placements will acheive desirable results. Not sure it's the same in 9tuplets or 1/28's

[jrdrake]

Beautiful sequencer, good work! Also good videos!
I would mainly use it as a sequencer for other vsts.
A few wishes:
1. It would be nice if the midi mapping was not saved with the preset. If I now change the midi mapping to fit with Bitwigs Drum Machine or XO, I can't test out other presets without messing up the midi mapping.
2. I would like to be able to automate pattern switching.
3. Regarding randomness, probability per step is all I need. Then it is easy to humanize the beats in a controlled manner.
Good luck with future development!

[hangars liquides]

Joining the party here. That's a super cool app you've designed guys. Got the demo, will buy it. I had fun switching through presets... when discovering the TecHouse preset... I don't know if this was ironic (well the complexity of the style can arguably be discussed ).
One dream request feature here... the ability to get a drawable sequence playback speed envelope, for these now too classic exponential rhythms - this would be calculated so that the overall length of the sequence stays the same.

[steff3]

Probability is not bad - but conditions paired with conditional rules (if that played play also this, otherwise …). However, from a UX perspective this might not be easy.

[OrLubianiker]

Beautiful sequencer, good work! Also good videos!
I would mainly use it as a sequencer for other vsts.
A few wishes:
1. It would be nice if the midi mapping was not saved with the preset. If I now change the midi mapping to fit with Bitwigs Drum Machine or XO, I can't test out other presets without messing up the midi mapping.
2. I would like to be able to automate pattern switching.
3. Regarding randomness, probability per step is all I need. Then it is easy to humanize the beats in a controlled manner.
Good luck with future development!

Thanks for the great suggestions.
1. I totally understand, maybe we could add a switch to determine if the mapping is preset-specific.
2. You can! each pattern has a midi note assigned to it (lower right corner of the pattern pad) you can simply trigger the midi note it says and the pattern will switch. Or are you saying you prefer to do it by host automation rather than midi?
3. This could be very interesting.. and will be implemented in a free update soon.

Much appreciated!
Or.

[OrLubianiker]

Joining the party here. That's a super cool app you've designed guys. Got the demo, will buy it. I had fun switching through presets... when discovering the TecHouse preset... I don't know if this was ironic (well the complexity of the style can arguably be discussed ).
One dream request feature here... the ability to get a drawable sequence playback speed envelope, for these now too classic exponential rhythms - this would be calculated so that the overall length of the sequence stays the same.

Thank you!!

That's super interesting, do you know this track?
https://open.spotify.com/track/3MwRwtkY ... 1afbc04393
Kind of reminds me of what you're talking about total craziness

We could have some beats playing at a different tempo and sort of skew the entire grid... a sort of rhythmic gravity well. However this would be absolutely mind bending if combined with our pizza slicing capabilities.

[masterhiggins]

Reminder to myself to try this out. Very unique workflow and fun-looking.

[plexuss]

[hangars liquides]

That's super interesting, do you know this track?
https://open.spotify.com/track/3MwRwtkY ... 1afbc04393
Kind of reminds me of what you're talking about total craziness

We could have some beats playing at a different tempo and sort of skew the entire grid... a sort of rhythmic gravity well. However this would be absolutely mind bending if combined with our pizza slicing capabilities.

Yes, it's a great track indeed.
Second Woman used the trick a lot too
There are a few tracks by the great Stretta (especially one that I can no longer find) which paid a fantastic tribute to this.
Within Ableton/M4L, the best implementation to me so far is : https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/flexgroove/

[OrLubianiker]

That's super interesting, do you know this track?
https://open.spotify.com/track/3MwRwtkY ... 1afbc04393
Kind of reminds me of what you're talking about total craziness

We could have some beats playing at a different tempo and sort of skew the entire grid... a sort of rhythmic gravity well. However this would be absolutely mind bending if combined with our pizza slicing capabilities.

Yes, it's a great track indeed.
Second Woman used the trick a lot too
There are a few tracks by the great Stretta (especially one that I can no longer find) which paid a fantastic tribute to this.
Within Ableton/M4L, the best implementation to me so far is : https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/flexgroove/

Oh wow. I didn't know that one, I have no idea what's happening to my speakers or my brain right now but it's super interesting. Thanks for that.
I'll also check out flexgroove, seems right up our alley.

[jrdrake]

2. You can! each pattern has a midi note assigned to it (lower right corner of the pattern pad) you can simply trigger the midi note it says and the pattern will switch. Or are you saying you prefer to do it by host automation rather than midi?

I missed that! That is fine, even if I usually like it to be visible for host automation because then I can use Bitwigs modulators in a quick way. But it is probably equally easy to do it with midi notes. Thank you!