PIANO ROLL

Riff Machine

The Riff Machine generates melodies in the Piano roll (depending on the settings made in the tabs).

Building a riff consists maximally of the following steps:

1. Progression - A series of long notes are selected according to the general mood you desire.

2. Chords - The note series is transformed into chords ready for the Arpeggiator step.

3. Arpeggiation - The chord is chopped up and arpeggiated to create a basic 'riff'.

4. Mirror - Vertical and horizontal transformations of the arpeggio are made to add interest.

5. Levels - Note parameter levels are randomized (to a user specified degree) to add variation.

6. Articulation - Note lengths/transitions are varied to change playing 'style'.

7. Groove - Note quantization is varied to add rhythmic feeling.

8. Fit - Note range and key is specified.

NOTES:

    Notes created by the Riff Machine have the length of the current Piano roll snap. The Length and Variation controls won't work if SNAP is set to '(none)'.

    Any or all tabs can be selected or deselected to play a part in the final 'riff'. Some settings on some tabs will defeat those on others (setting a compatible combination is up to the user).

Step 1. Note Progression

Step 2. Chord Progression

Step 3. Arpeggiation

The arpeggios panel can create fast 'trance-like' patterns or slower note changes depending on selections.

Controls

This step can be excluded from the Riff Generator by deactivating the switch.

  • Reset - Reset to default settings for the panel.
  • Random - Randomly select values for the panel.
  • Show details - Show / hide the details of the panel.

Pattern

Select predefined arpeggiations (click on the folder icon to load).

Options

  • Pattern mode menu - Transposition.
    • Normal - uses original pattern.
    • Flip - inverts the pattern
    • Alternate - Alternate flipping.
  • Pattern Time mul - Pattern time multiplier knob, changes the note duration.
  • Range Number selector - Octave range.
  • Range mode menu - Arpeggiator direction.
    • Normal - Up.
    • Flip - Down
    • Alternate - Up/Down.
  • Sync - Arpeggiator synchronization mode.
    • Time - Never restart, the pattern keeps repeating.
    • Block - Restart on new block. Pattern restarts at the end of the pattern (Piano roll length).
    • Chord - Restart on new chord.
  • Gate - Trims the length of notes to create a 'gating' effect.

Step 4. Mirroring Notes

Step 5. Levels & Panning

Step 6. Articulation (note length)

Step 7. Groove (note timing)

Step 8. Fit (note range)

Process controls

  • Preview up to current step - Play the riff generated by the settings up to, and including, the current tab.
  • Work on existing score - Apply the settings to the score in the Piano roll before the Riff generator was launched.
  • Length - Number of bars the riff should cover.
  • Start over - Reset all steps.
  • Throw dice - Generate a new riff with new random seed settings.
  • Accept - Accept the current riff.