Bitwig Studio Modulation Effects Explained
Studio pro Gary Hiebner presents in-depth Bitwig Studio Modulation Effects video tutorials! If the absolutely daunting amount of modulation possibilities found within Bitwig Studio leaves you wondering where to begin, this is the course for you. Gary takes you step by step through the lot, demonstrating along the way how the various features can be used in a variety of musical situations to generate truly unique sounds. These videos are for new Bitwig Studio users.
Videos
• Introduction (01:11) - Gary starts off by explaining what the Bitwig Unified Modulations system is and what will be covered in the video series.
• How to Show, View, & Assign Modulators (04:23) - In this video, Gary walks you through how to show the modulator slots, how to add Modulators to a slot, and finally how to assign a modulator to a parameter on a device.
• Exploring the LFOs (13:18) - This video covers the Beat LFO, LFO, Classic LFO, and the differences between them. Gary shows each one in use and their different parameters options.
• Expression Through Velocity (05:59) - Here we take a look at some of the Expression modulators. First, explore the Expression velocity modulator and learn how velocity is used to determine how much of a parameter is modulated.
• Timbre & Pressure Expression Modulators (04:38) - Discover the Timbre and Pressure Expression Modulators and see how you can use the Note Expression Lane to edit these types of modulators.
• Using the Release Velocity Expression (03:23) - This video looks at the Release Velocity Expression modulator and shows how it differs from Velocity Expression. Gary also shows you how to edit the Release Velocity from the clip launcher properties widow.
• Using the Keytrack (04:49) - Examine the Keytrack modulator and learn how it uses key and pitch to determine how much of a parameter is modulated. Also discover how to change the Keytrack graph points and the difference between the relative and absolute Keytrack modes.
• Using the Envelopes (09:04) - This video demonstrates the various Envelope Modulators, their parameters, and the different options you have on each envelope.
• 4-Stage Envelope & Envelope Follower (08:08) - Here, Gary explains the 4-Stage Envelope and Envelope Follower modulators. The 4-Stage Envelope is a looping modulator that allows you to edit the 4 points of the envelope. The Envelope Follower works a bit differently in that it needs to be added after a device that outputs audio. Then it can shape the audio with the envelope shape parameters in the device.
• Using the Audio & Note Sidechain Modulators (08:38) - These modulators use the audio or notes coming out of a device as a source, which you can then use to modulate other parameters. Gary shows you how to set these up.
• Using the Random Modulator (06:50) - This is basically an LFO, but it generates a random waveform determined by the settings on the device. It adds a chance element when used to modulate a parameter.
• Using the Steps Modulator (04:47) - This function takes a step sequencer and allows you to apply modulation via a sequence to a parameter. In this video, Gary shows you how to set this up and how you can draw in your own step sequences on the device.
• Using the Button Modulators (07:45) - The Button Modulator has either an on or off state, whereas the Buttons modulator allows you to set up two on and off states. With these, you can control a parameter with the push of a button.
• Using Macros (07:08) - With a Macro, you can adjust a parameter with a rotary knob. There are also the Macro-4 modulators, which are basically the same, only with 4 Macros in it. Gary shows you how to use each of these in your device chain.
• Mix & Select 4 Modulators (05:51) - The Mix modulator allows you to mix between two states of a parameters. The Select 4 is the same as the Mix modulator, but instead there are 4 mix modulators housed within the device, allowing for much more complexity.
• Morphing Modulators: XY, Vector 4, Vector 8 (07:33) - In this video, we take a look at the Morphing modulators: the XY, Vector 4, and Vector 8. Gary demonstrates how, with the XY, you can map the X and Y axis to parameters. Whereas with the Vector 4, you can map 4 quadrants, the Vector 8 has 8 modulators you can assign around an XY quadrant.
• Using the ParSeq-8 (06:04) - In this video, Gary shows how the ParSeq-8 is like a step sequencer, but one that allows you to add a modulator for each step. Gary maps these steps to a chain of different effects, showing you how complex this modulator can be.
• Modulating 3rd Party Effects & Instruments (05:50) - Explore ways you can even modulate 3rd party effects and instruments via the Bitwig device chain.
• Modulating Note FX (04:01) - You're not limited to modulating only instruments or audio signals. Here, we take a look at how you can use modulators to modulate Note FX. You can even modulate the Note FX that are chained to your audio devices and instruments. In this video, Gary demonstrates by modulating an arpeggiator Note FX.
• Cross Modulation with Modulators (04:19) - Why stop there? You can modulate modulators with other modulators! In this video, Gary shows you how to use one modulator and assign and map parameters on another modulator.