10. Sequenced randomisation in Bitwig Studio 2

1

Bitwig 2’s Random modulator is great for adding unpredictability to synth sounds, but it can also make things a little chaotic. By combining it with a sequencer, we can tame its effect a little. Let’s start off with a simple chord progression and a basic pad sound, made in Polysynth by blending a saw wave and a square wave.

2

Add a Random device into the first modulator slot, then click the flashing blue arrow to enter routing mode. Route the modulator to the filter cutoff, resonance and the oscillator mixer. Click on each destination and drag to increase the depth to maximum. Exit routing mode and change the modulator’s sync mode to 8th notes. Increase the rate to 2.00.

3

The sound is livelier, but it’s a bit too chaotic. Let’s use another modulator to control when the randomised parameter changes occur. In the next slot, add a Steps modulator. Decrease the Random modulator’s Amount to zero, then route the Steps output to this control at maximum depth.

4

Now the Random modulator won’t trigger any parameter changes unless triggered by Steps. By drawing steps into the sequencer, we can now control when (and by how much) the Random modulator fires. Raise a few steps to dial in the effect. Vary the length and rate of the Steps sequencer for rhythmic effects, complementing the chord progression.