Session 25: Rests, Tempo, Clock Division, and Variable Lengths

Objective: Create complex rhythmic sequences using rests (oFF), swing timing, clock division settings, tempo clock modulation for variable step lengths, and different-length track loops.

Warm-Up (2 min)

Load your rhythmic filter sequence from Session 24. Press START/STOP and hold a key to hear the multi-parameter animation. You have been using straight eighth or sixteenth note timing. Today you add rhythmic sophistication -- swing, syncopation, and variable step lengths. Stop the sequence and load the basic patch.

Setup

From the basic patch:

• Set Osc 1 Level to 45, Osc 2 Level to 45, Osc 2 Fine to +3
• Set Osc 3 Level to 0, Osc 4 Level to 0
• Set LPF Frequency to 75, Resonance to 45, 4-Pole ON
• Set Env Amount (filter) to 55, ENV 1: Decay = 40, Sustain = 20
• Set ENV 2 (VCA): Decay = 40, Sustain = 70, Release = 15
• Set BPM to 115, Clock Divide to 16th

Exercises

Exercise 1: Rests for Syncopation (6 min)

Rests (oFF) in Sequence 1 silence that step across all four tracks. Strategic placement creates rhythm (Anu Kirk p.78-79, DSI Manual p.27-28).

1. Press SEQ EDIT, select Seq 1, set Destination to OAF
2. Program a 16-step pattern with rests for syncopation:
   • Step 1 = 48, Step 2 = oFF, Step 3 = 48, Step 4 = 52
   • Step 5 = oFF, Step 6 = oFF, Step 7 = 55, Step 8 = 48
   • Step 9 = oFF, Step 10 = 52, Step 11 = 48, Step 12 = oFF
   • Step 13 = 55, Step 14 = 52, Step 15 = oFF, Step 16 = 48
3. Press START/STOP -- the rests create gaps that make the pattern breathe. The rhythm feels syncopated because notes land on unexpected beats
4. Move the rests around: change Step 2 from oFF to 50, and Step 3 from 48 to oFF. Hear how the rhythm shifts completely with just one rest repositioned
5. Try a sparser pattern: set Steps 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 all to oFF -- every other step is silent. This creates a half-time feel

Exercise 2: Clock Division and Swing (6 min)

Clock Divide changes the fundamental step speed. Swing settings offset alternating steps for groove (DSI Manual p.27-28).

1. Keep the syncopated pattern from Exercise 1 (restore the original if you changed it)
2. Change Clock Divide to Eighth -- the pattern plays at half the speed (BPM x 2 instead of x 4)
3. Change to Quartr -- even slower, one step per beat. Each step is very deliberate
4. Change back to 16th, then try 8swing -- eighth note speed with full swing timing. The odd steps (1, 3, 5...) are slightly delayed, the even steps slightly early. You should hear a shuffle groove
5. Try 16swng -- sixteenth note speed with swing. Faster and more subtle
6. Try 8 half -- half swing, a gentler shuffle. Compare directly with 8swing to hear the difference
7. Try 8 trip -- eighth note triplets (BPM x 3). A completely different rhythmic feel, like a waltz or shuffle

Exercise 3: Tempo Clock Modulation (7 min)

Tempo Clock Mod is a special destination that changes step duration per step, allowing variable note lengths within a single sequence (Anu Kirk p.84-86).

1. Stop the sequence. Set Seq 2 Destination to CLO (Clock Mod)
2. The clock mod value is centered at 40 = normal speed. Below 40 = faster, above 40 = slower. Value of 20 = double speed, 80 = half speed (DSI Manual p.30-31)
3. Program Seq 2 to create variable step lengths:
   • Steps 1-4 = 40 (normal speed)
   • Steps 5-6 = 20 (double speed -- these steps fly by)
   • Steps 7-8 = 80 (half speed -- these steps are twice as long)
   • Step 9 = rST
4. Make sure Seq 1 still has notes: 48, 52, 55, 60, 64, 67, 72, 60, Step 9 = rST
5. Press START/STOP -- you should hear steps 1-4 at normal tempo, steps 5-6 rush by quickly, and steps 7-8 linger. The melody now has built-in rhythmic variation
6. Try extreme values: set Step 3 to 10 (4x speed) -- that step almost disappears. Set Step 7 to 100 (very slow) -- it stretches out dramatically

Exercise 4: Different-Length Tracks (4 min)

When tracks have different lengths, the patterns shift against each other, creating evolving polyrhythmic patterns (Anu Kirk p.78).

1. Keep Seq 1 (pitch, 8 steps) and Seq 2 (clock mod, 8 steps)
2. Set Seq 3 Destination to FiL (Filter Frequency)
3. Program Seq 3 with a 5-step loop: 20, 50, 80, 50, 20, Step 6 = rST
4. Set Seq 4 Destination to RES (Resonance)
5. Program Seq 4 with a 3-step loop: 10, 60, 90, Step 4 = rST
6. Press START/STOP -- Seq 1 cycles every 8 steps, Seq 3 every 5 steps, Seq 4 every 3 steps. The combined pattern does not repeat until step 120 (LCM of 8, 5, 3). It sounds like it is constantly evolving

Save this patch as your "Complex Rhythm" patch.

Exploration (optional, hyperfocus days)

• Combine swing timing with Clock Mod: set Clock Divide to 8swing and use Seq 2 for additional tempo variation on top of the swing
• Try 64trip clock divide for extremely fast, granular patterns. Combined with filter modulation sequences, this creates textures rather than melodies
• Use the RESET button to manually restart the sequence at dramatic moments -- all tracks realign

Output Checklist

• Complex rhythm patch saved with rests, swing, and variable step lengths
• Understand oFF (rest) placement for syncopation
• Heard the difference between swing timings (8swing, 8 half, 8 trip)
• Used Clock Mod destination for variable step durations
• Session logged in Obsidian daily note

Key Takeaways

• Rests (oFF) in Sequence 1 create silence across all tracks -- strategic placement transforms a steady stream of notes into a rhythmic pattern with groove
• Clock Division sets the base speed and feel (straight, swing, triplet). Swing offsets alternate steps for shuffle grooves
• Tempo Clock Mod (CLO destination, centered at 40) allows individual steps to be shorter or longer, creating complex rhythmic figures within a single sequence

Next Session Preview

Session 26 brings it all together: all 4 sequencer tracks running simultaneously controlling pitch, filter, and other parameters to create a self-playing generative patch. This is the Evolver at its most distinctive -- a complete instrument that plays itself.