Modular Concepts: Signal Function & Flow

Modular synths allow us to be free, but often our own thinking can trap us. How many ways can signals function? What are the generic types of modules? An organized way to think about signal function & flow is the difference between luck and intention. Dave Linnenbank from Bitwig invites you to think about how to think, and make sounds… with purpose! 🤯🏃‍➡️
Contents:
0:00 We need a schema 🧠
3:58 Only 3 signal functions exist - Audio, Control, Timing (ACT)
6:39 Let’s examine signal types within Bitwig & The Grid
17:36 Logic inputs are generally Timing, whether for triggers or hard sync
22:51 Phase inputs are also Timing, whether for sequencer timing or synthesis
25:46 With all devices, parameter modulation allows for Control & Timing
29:03 All modules are Generators, Processors, and/or Terminals
30:16 Processors always have "Signal" inputs for further processing (and eventual ACT connections)
36:26 A twist: Thinking freely, the DC of our keyboard gate is a legitimate audio signal 🔨
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#Bitwig #BitwigStudio #musicproduction #musicproducer

[@paterfiets]

45 minutes of Bitwig and Dave , I'll take that any day !

[@panamatsu5958]

In videos like this, you can appreciate how the grid is one of the most beautiful pieces of software in music production

[@buckycore]

Absolutely. There's a magic to the grid that even 3rd part modular soft synths just don't have. There's this sound that can't be replicated at all other than in the grid

[@citadelo5ricks]

Great to watch on Sunday, I feel like I'm in church.

[@mogulla6717]

New Modular Concepts video was long overdue, great to see and hear Dave again!

[@OdoSendaidokai]

Absolutely great video!! Thank you so much for discussing in such a nice philosophical way, while being absolutely practical. And the resonator bank instrument sound is wonderful 🌻

[@EclecticAtrium-fr2js]

I'm very glad I watched the whole thing. The very end was mind blowing. It sounded good too, lol.

[@holydiver4728]

Taking notes ! 🤓

[@TomaszTomaszPL]

Brilliant explanation, nice voice and huge knowledge. Do more.

[@CustomBlink]

This is great! I've been hoping for some more long-form informative videos. Thank you!

[@parmasampa1]

Please implement USB microphone recognition natively in Bitwig, if using audio cards. I use a JBL Quantum but Bitwig doesn't recognize it on its dashboard

[@ClaudeYoung]

Brilliant video Dave!!! This is sooo important for new users & people just getting stated in the grid!!!!

[@boronoro]

Firstly: omg! Thank You! Secondly: I’m so happy Dave himself does the judgment day theme to check patches!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Great tut. Thanks.

[@jumpstar9000]

Have been missing this kind of content. Very nice. ❤🚀💫

[@Rannument]

Welcome back dave!

[@michail_777]

Thank you for such a good explanation. I was asking a question on the topic, why connect modules everywhere? After watching this video more carefully now I realized that sound can be created from anything, processed and applied. I would like to make a suggestion to allow the user to use the mouse wheel to zoom in on text in module tooltips.

[@VidaMusicRST]

Great stuff!

[@johnwright5126]

He's like the Bob Ross of synthesis!

[@GonzaloMoncada]

Bitwig, Dave and coffee ready. Let's enjoy and relax!

[@calamalabar]

Excellent content and well delivered. I learnt a few things like the stereoize parameter of grid modules

[@angrytoken]

Great!

[@BorisBarroso]

Amazing Dave. How long does it take you to prepare a video like this? Your explanations are the best! 💥

[@beegeorge1727]

Finally some useful information about this subject

[@Artek604]

Not using Bitwig anymore, but I can't say no to 45m of Dave ;)

[@evergreatest7644]

What daw do you use now might I ask?

[@RadioIlluminaticom]

It is blasphemy not to use Bitwig, anything else is downgrading. FL studio?

[@lakyn5170]

Explain yourself!

[@macronencer]

@@RadioIlluminaticom I still use Bitwig and I love it, but I can certainly understand why someone might drop it. For example, someone who needs to export MIDI frequently. It really sucks at that, unfortunately.

[@RadioIlluminaticom]

@@macronencer Export of MIDI is easy. I do that all the time. Why is it difficult? Just click export midi and the midi is exported that can be transfered to another DAW.

[@TildeSounds]

45 minutes of dave hell yeah

[@TheDaniman888]

Great video, as always! My number one featue request: Sub-grids and/or saveable/loadable patches/goupings within The Grid.

[@quantum_ocean]

OMG, I'm 7 minutes in and this is soooo well explained. Thank you so much. Liked and Subscribed.

[@JazJazgot]

Nice :) Grid is lovely. Now we have Poly, FX and Note Grids, but another type of grid is missing. I really wish to have Modulator Grid, where I can build custom modulators using grid concepts. One missing piece, please, please Bitwig team :*

[@nilskozstum8256]

Not exactly sure what you are trying to achieve, but you can use the "modulator out" module to control parameters outside of the grid. You could for instance set up an FX grid as the first module of your chain, leave in and out connected, then patch up your own custom modulation in the grid and connect it to a modulator out. Then place all your instruments and effects into the Post Fx container of the FX grid device, now you can map the modulator out to any parameter of any device contained in the Post FX. These don't have to be effects by the way, they can also be regular instruments.

[@JazJazgot]

@@nilskozstum8256 This seems to not work correctly with MPE unfortunately and probably has other limitations too.

[@JazJazgot]

@@nilskozstum8256 This seems to not work correctly with MPE modulators unfortunately and probably has other limitations. My idea is to simplify this and to have a Grid Modulator. This modulator after clicking should open normal grid window easy and intuitive way while also not being an another entity in the device chain like normal grid is.

[@nilskozstum8256]

@@JazJazgot Yeah, it's a litle bit of a hack, but good for some applications. I agree that a dedicated grid modulator would be a cool idea.

[@quantum_ocean]

39:07 "Terminator" Main Theme

[@quantum_ocean]

wish I could like it 10X+

[@anupamdas3626]

Drum Machine is superb. But I am facing one problem while using choked By or Choke Target. We have to open multiple time Choked by for choking multiple pad. Please make it stay on top of Daw after selecting one element.

[@polycrystallinecandy]

MIDI comping or bust (pls)

[@nowondr]

seriously, this is the one feature that keeps pulling me away to other DAWs. it is such a fundamental part of my workflow. I have no idea why they didn't just add it alongside the audio comping. If it isn't in the next major update, I fear I will have lost hope

[@privatedomicile6627]

That would be really useful indeed.

[@anissbenthami]

I couldn't figure out how to single out a single cycle of an oscillating signal. Can you please help me?

[@RadioIlluminaticom]

Oh it identifies as sine/saw 00:30

[@cldbrbn6070]

KZbin Hall of Fame video

[@blackout2able]

I culdnt wait anymore for capture midi function so I bought Ableton

[@KallusGarnet]

Midi Comping Please?!

[@ebelix991]

Сделайте -18db на микшере, как у Orion synapse audio и будете the best forever.... 😁👍.... Ладно, ладно.... я нашёл себе INFLATOR😊

[@77advanced]

Не позорься

[@voicesofdust4749]

You know what's a great modular concept? A fully fleshed out daw that has a complete set of audio and midi tools that makes working and producing a breeze. Bitwig could also use: groove pool midi comping + advanced midi tools drum sequencer notation sequencer audio repitch knob/slider function dedicated resampling track remove three button tap for values automation shapes +-*/rand timestretch algorithms in the sampler built-in sampler slicing new filters option in all instruments custom grid container devices improved modulation effects physical modeling synth physical modeling effect modeled electric pianos spectral synth reverb+ with algorithms delay 1,2,4 to 1.00 ms timing bounce on place with effect tail buffer module in the grid core oscillator & filter modeling dedicated buffer effect musical tuner custom themes licenced 3rd party development sdk kit Please implement these features and you'll have the greatest DAW in the world!!

[@macronencer]

"bounce in place with effect tail" - DEFINITELY! It annoys me that I have to draw in a new clip, consolidate, and then bounce the result. Also, proper MIDI export (though you kind of included that in the second item).

[@modartmusic]

you can just select the desired timeframe and bounce it in place, it exports the selection even if there is no clip. so no need to consolidate the clip to match the tail. hope this helps till they implement the feature. cheers!

[@macronencer]

@@modartmusic Thank you, that's a great tip! I do have a tendency to forget the time range selection tool exists :D

[@AtmelcoolBeatsZ]

Для чего это нужно? Для шума но не для музыки?

[@bci3937]

Its is simple as a CAT.