Let's Build a... Stewart Copeland [Bitwig Studio]

If we want to program hi-hats, why not aim for the best? Our road to approximating Stewart Copeland starts with the Arpeggiator, allowing us to hold down a few keys and generate a flurry of notes. Then we give that note stream sample variety and velocity controls. Finally, we use modulators to add double time jumps that are more likely at the end of each bar. Yes, you could paint your notes, but once you can perform, you can produce too.
Learn more: www.bitwig.com/
1:21 - Start with Arpeggiator, for regular notes landing on the beat grid
3:10 - Chain, to make this an instrument/preset with proper controls
3:33 - Randomize, to sometimes slosh to other samples
4:50 - Velocity Curve, to visually randomize note strengths
5:33 - Note Length, to push the velocity center up and down
6:41 - CHALLENGE: Randomize double-time with a percent control
7:09 - Button modulator, to set a precise target value
9:13 - Macro modulator, to bias/offset our modulation
11:24 - So three modulations at 100% → a perfect "Chance" Macro
12:07 - Bonus LFO, to "fill" at the end of each bar
15:01 - Review our controls
15:41 - Play more notes to produce… fewer notes? LET THERE BE RESTS.
16:12 - Route the note FX output to 2nd track, then record both the performance and the result

[@stevenalexanderyoung]

Amazing software guys, absolutely inspired! I feel like Bitwig is a pinnacle of human achievement and wish you all the success you can handle :)

[@inMode85]

"You could call it a hi-hat generator, I say let's build a Stewart Copeland". Game recognises game.

[@VarionJimmy]

I could never imagine that a music software would get these possibilities. This is amazing!
I used Bitwig for about a year, but this is the video where I felt that “oh, now I really got it! You included more than I thought.”
(Excuses any grammar errors. I’m Swedish ..and eager to try this.)

[@adijames]

Wouldn’t it be great if Bitwig could add this as a preset or template. Brilliantly useful video irrespective.

[@sjaikmaster]

Damn your voice is butter smooth!

[@gouhlgambit6296]

Have to say, this is absolutely excellent. And the closest thing and more to a midi effect I used to make in live using a notation launchpad. Except this method has so much more control over the character, can wait to tear this method to bits and see where it can be taken. Bravo!

[@jetjaguar3000]

Steps is a useful modulator for adding consistency on particular beats. For example you can use a Steps instance to make sure on the 1 the velocity is high, the note is the same, etc. This sometimes makes this sort of randomness more human feeling.

[@arnaudbentoo4105]

Genial, Merci!

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

Great stuff, I enjoyed watching that coming together. I love the versatility of Bitwig. Endless creative possibilities!

[@olegkonchenkov]

The result is beautiful. Thank you!

[@user-dv2vv1ch7u]

Thank You!

[@channelite]

Really informative.

[@kirkegodfrey414]

So much to like about BitWig…

[@alex_sq77]

Dear Bitwig, think on improving midi and audio editing tools. Your Daw will became priceless. Now it's fast but there is a lack of editing tools, Gain page is poor visible on gray color scheme . Thanks . Bitwig real user. )

[@JC20XX]

Be sure to voice your opinion on the Bitwish site. I'm curious what tools specifically you are missing?

[@michaelbueno5853]

Interesting what tools you can possibly be missing at v 4.1 bitwig has the best audio editing workflow I have experience . Elaborate on this

[@happyduck1424]

I think anybody who does compositions can agree it's lacking bad in midi.

[@THEGORILLIONAIREZ]

THIS. The fundamentals of the software need WORK. Midi, audio editing, automation, and overall performance of the UI. It’s time to start looking at your software as a professional production suite .. not a euro rack. It’s shocking that their product development team is blind to the fact that Bitwig would become the BEST DAW on the market if the core of the software was just as solid as its competitors... because it already possesses an evolutionary workflow and forward thinking devices. It’s literally a game changer. Also stop with this “let’s build a...” tag and marketing campaign .. it’s cheesy and unprofessional.

[@thegroove2000]

EXTRACT CHORDS FROM AUDIO AS WELL. Like ableton and studio one. This feature needs to be added.

[@PolarityMusic]

❤

[@neurogod]

It would be very cool if one could simply hover the mouse above any parameter and then use the mouse wheel to change that parameter.

[@Excds]

This is brilliant. :-)

[@Emily_M81]

Ableton emails: look at these artists that use Ableton Live; buy their Live Pack here! Bitwig emails: here's a tutorial on how to build something awesome (or here's a great plugin for free with your subscription).

[@thomas.moerman]

Awesome!

[@Baphometrix]

Great video! Now where's our MSEG modulator, and our retrospective recording? 🥰

[@NathanChisholm041]

Nice🤘

[@kiqyou]

this is exactly why we need midi comping

[@kartinmrause]

MSEG?

[@thegroove2000]

PLEASE ADD AN EXTRACT TO CHORDS FEATURE LIKE ABLETON AND STUDIO ONE. CMON WHATS GOING ON TEAM?.

[@Zenonbuster]

What is that?

[@hip_hopwar8844]

👑💎

[@perbengtsson8170]

Ok, good midi randomization practicies in Bitwig. But regarding the 'drum rack' that is here triggered by this, wouldn't a choke effect on the hihats be in place for more Copeland style and overall realism?

[@jetjaguar3000]

Good call, and the drum machine has pretty flexible choking.

[@alexandersorbas1881]

how about some choke group ??

[@parallelograms]

How dyu do that bit where hes assigning new dials in the "chain" device?
He also makes a button there for the beat divisions

[@elossa]

I don't think you need the Offset Macro for the DoubleTime. Just set the Random modifiers amount to something less. Right?

[@mhomhiamusic1843]

Can I remplace audio in bitwig? Like Midi

[@ennes_ns]

you can tell hes a drummer when producers put their hats on the left