Polyrhythm ( Different Track length in a pattern )

Feature Requests
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25

I realise this is basically not what a tracker does, but it would be an amazing, standout feature…

…even if you can only implement it in a rudimentary way.

I would suspect that the best way to achieve it would be with a ‘return to start’ effect that you could apply to any track.

You would probably have to make the logic shorten the global pattern length if you apply the effect to a track that is longer than all the others.

You would also have to split/break up the playhead when the effect is on.

Lastly, you would have to add some information to the screen showing if a track has the effect present.

I think it’s a fantastic idea.

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26

Ahh I love this idea, I am always down to sacrifice an FX slot if it allows for innovative new features. Return to Start is a really elegant way to address this, as long as the firmware could allow independent playheads per track. That could even be an enabled / disabled mode so that someone who does NOT intend to use polymeters doesn’t end up accidentally destroying a pattern.

27

Is the resolution to this to have an “advanced track speed” option that unlocks manual ratios? My thought is the interface could be:

  1. select the tracks you want to change
  2. Tap the tempo knob
  3. hold down on both left Screen Buttons for 2 seconds
  4. Now the top option is the numerator, and the bottom is denominator (1 / 1 to start out)
  5. but if you set the denominator (lower half) to 0 it displays “~” and the numerator becomes an absolute bpm like 120.000 bpm where you can set it to arbitrary values

I came here searching Google for interest in “track speed” of 5/1.

It would also be nice to be able to do similar with Repeat Grid.

edit, I see Scott already mentioned this:
“This was the thread I read before and what made me think about another way to possible get this achieved. Allow different number of steps per track on the Tracker - #7 by pt3r”

edit 2: maybe the way to do polyrhythms for now with Polyend is to use several devices. I may get a Tracker to connect to my Play OG. I went ahead and voted for this one, because people with a Plus might be able to get polyrhythms. I suggest the name “Teleport!” for the FX.

edit 2: I don’t have time tonight to try, but I solved the problem for myself. The Play OG is absolutely capable of 5 against 4 and 7 against 8, and probably lots of others. The gotcha is setup.

first, the samples need silence added to the start of them. This lets you use sample start to adjust the delay down to zero.

second, the 4 beat tracks need to be set to 4/1 in tempo. these are normal otherwise

third, the special 5 beat tracks need to be set to 6/1 in tempo. every 6th beat ia left blank.

NOTE: YOU MAY NEED 2 TRACKS PER CHORD ETC. ALTERNATING NOTES ON TRACKS. YOU MAY ALSO NEED A SILENCE FILE TO USE AS “MUTE”

fourth, the correct sample start is selected for each beat. I think I will make 5 beat click tracks for my desired bpm for alignment’s ease instead of math.

fifth, make sure the 5 beat tracks are a multiple of 6, eg 6, 12, 18, 24 beats.

How the firmware could help: if possible, allow negative sample start values of ms resolution, basically delaying the beat. OR offer add presilence as a menu option, to make a new wav with _ps1 added to the filename meaning presilence of 1 second.

i’ll have to try it all out and see, but i feel confident i can do 5 against 4 and 7 against 8.

28

This is intriguing but confusing. I think I grasp it but is it possible to do a step by step? So creative…

29

Nerdseq does different track lengths and it’s glorious. One man development team. Not sure why it would be difficult to implement on Tracker+.

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30

Hey @bakamonster, welcome to Backstage! :partying_face:

First of all, not all Trackers are the same.

Polyend’s devices follow the Sound- / Buzz- / Fast- / Pro- / Nitro-tracker, Octamed, Renoise style of tracking. Consider it the “traditional way” of Tracking.

While things like the Nerdseq and M8 have their roots in LSDJ style tracking.
LSDJ as you may know, has its origin on the Gameboy and took the traditional way of tracking and made it into its own different thing.

While step editing is based on the same principles. Pattern and Song creation is not.

And that’s where i would think the difficulty in implementing this is.
Having different track lengths, means that most likely all code and behaviour for song mode (and possibly parts of how patterns are handled in general) would have to be rewritten or expanded.

So yeah, it’s not that simple to implement and most likely pretty time consuming.

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