The drum machine is the beating heart of every electronic musician’s studio. Still, the best drum machines are more than mere timekeepers. In fact, there are often a wealth of features under the hood to explore. This series, with videos by JAde Wii and Peter Brown, explores powerful drum sequencing techniques in a variety of contexts, from trigger basics to complex Eurorack rigs. Whether you’re a producer, beatmaker, or DAWless jammer, these tips and tricks will inspire your creative process.
A Game of Chance
The last in this set of TR-06 videos looks at the TR-06’s probability and randomness functionality. In this case, we’ll do so in the context of an accompanying Eurorack rig. This kind of generative, semi-random approach to building sequences is what’s made Eurorack such a popular toolset.
The trick is the ability to set up a series of “conditions” for sequences to respond to rather than strictly adhere to an unchanging 8/16/32/64 note pattern. This is a way of sequencing that can surprise the user, and by extension, an audience. The TR-06, with its onboard and highly tweakable probability settings, fits nicely into this method of composing. Indeed, it’s a great fit next to Eurorack setups large and small.
Probability in Sequencing
In this video, we’ve connected the TR-06’s LT and HT trigger outs to our Eurorack rig, pulsing sounds in several modules. The idea is to add notes to these tracks and change the probability settings for each note. By doing so, we apply the same sort of generative, probabilistic sequencing approach to external gear as we are to the TR-06 onboard drum sounds. This gives the sequence coming from the modular an organic, ever-changing feel. Moreover, it prevents the pattern from getting repetitive, with enough consistency to remain compelling.
"Try applying sub-steps to triggers sent out to the modular. These ratcheting, rapid-fire note repeats make sequences more exciting."
Sub-steps and Ratchet Fills
Try applying sub-steps to triggers sent out to the modular—“triggers within triggers.” These ratcheting, rapid-fire note repeats make sequences more dynamic and exciting. This kind of ratcheting works manually in real-time using the TR-06’s STEP LOOP mode. The specified step plays repeatedly (ratcheting) while holding down that step button.
The Power of Percentages
It’s worth noting that the TR-06 probability setting has a range of 0-100. This lets users decide the “percentage” chance that a note will play each time it recurs in its given sequencer track. Towards the end of the video, notice the fun little trick of setting the probability to 0 on a group of notes. This creates a series of “hidden” notes that are “revealed” when we turn up the master probability. This works as a “fill” of sorts. It can provide dynamic transitions to new parts or liven up a sequence.
"Combining the TR-06 trigger outputs with its probability-based sequencing creates exciting, surprising, and evolving melodies and rhythms."
This is one example of how to combine the TR-06 trigger outputs with its probability-based sequencing. By doing so, you can create exciting, surprising, and evolving melodies and rhythms. So grab your TR-06, some patch cables, and a few choice modules, and see where the stream of creativity leads you.
