I want to create a microtonal step sequencer. I'm wondering if this is possible: I want to be able to set the prime limits separately, like how many powers of each prime number up to 17 or so will be allowed as values. Then, the pitch slider will give only values that are fractions where the numerator and denominator are multiples of those primes.
For instance, with the prime limits: 3-4 5-1 7-1 11-1 13-0 17-0
I would get values like: 11/8 3/2 8/5 5/3 27/16 12/7 7/4 16/9 9/5
Or maybe they could be displayed as stuff like 5x7/3x3x13 or whatnot. 2 would be assumed infinite, at least for now. One option that would be okay would be numerator and denominator displayed in separate boxes, if they could be controlled by one slider.
I'm thinking a/b = c, and the value of c determines the pitch value, but a and b are displayed. The trouble is that every possible value of a/b would have to be known to put them in order. Is it possible?
Thanks. -Chuckk
Chuckk Hubbard badmuthahubbard@gmail.com writes:
I want to create a microtonal step sequencer.
I was pondering this idea myself...
I'm wondering if this is possible: I want to be able to set the prime limits separately, like how many powers of each prime number up to 17 or so will be allowed as values. Then, the pitch slider will give only values that are fractions where the numerator and denominator are multiples of those primes.
I don't think I understand what you mean. But IMHO the step sequencer mechanism should be independent from the microtonal scales content. I haven't actually done any work in that direction and will not for another little while but my thoughts about this were the following:
the sequencer part should be configurable in terms of steps-per-measure, it would most likley simply output scale degrees (should also be configurable to accomodate various scales) with optional octave transposition. the scale would be stored seperately (table, data structure, matrix, coll, database, textfile, whatever) as a list of (most likely) ratios and the computation of pitch (either Hz or MIDI number + pitch-bend) would be done outside of the step sequencer mechanism.
Or maybe they could be displayed as stuff like 5x7/3x3x13 or whatnot. 2 would be assumed infinite, at least for now. One option that would be okay would be numerator and denominator displayed in separate boxes, if they could be controlled by one slider.
the [cnv] object is your friend for dusplaying various info.
I'm thinking a/b = c, and the value of c determines the pitch value, but a and b are displayed.
you mean, the pitch would be c * base-frequency-value.
The trouble is that every possible value of a/b would have to be known to put them in order.
I would probably make use of scala scale files.
Sorry, i can't be of much more help ATM.
./MiS
I'm wondering if this is possible: I want to be able to set the prime limits separately, like how many powers of each prime number up to 17 or so will be allowed as values. Then, the pitch slider will give only values that are fractions where the numerator and denominator are multiples of those primes.
I don't think I understand what you mean. But IMHO the step sequencer mechanism should be independent from the microtonal scales content. I haven't actually done any work in that direction and will not for another little while but my thoughts about this were the following:
It is also possible to use a sampler to assign a different soundfile to each key, using pre-arranged pitch-bent midi samples; then you can use that sample mapping in a sequencer. What I am trying to do doesn't have a scale, though.
Just intonation is built on natural harmonics, but extended upwards sometimes to the 13th or higher. Some folks also build scales and chords downward... so that, instead of using the harmonics of a lower frequency, you use all the lower frequencies which share a higher frequency *as* a harmonic... The problem is that the number of possible pitches is infinite, and if you try to nail down which frequencies you will or won't want to use, there are just too many. If you go up to the 5th harmonic- "MI"- then start from there and hit the 7th harmonic of that, and then take the note which has that as its 3rd harmonic, the ratio to the original frequency is 35/24. I'm sorry if I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be. I want it completely open-ended. There are too many possible intervals to decide on a scale ahead of time. What I'm talking about with the sliders is having them cycle through these ratios. You could set how many times it would multiply each prime number, like whether 25/24 would be a possible value depends on what the 5 slider is set to.. I think what Mathieu says is exactly what I'm looking for, but it'll take me a while to understand it.
the sequencer part should be configurable in terms of steps-per-measure, it would most likley simply output scale degrees (should also be configurable to accomodate various scales) with optional octave transposition. the scale would be stored seperately (table, data structure, matrix, coll, database, textfile, whatever) as a list of (most likely) ratios and the computation of pitch (either Hz or MIDI number + pitch-bend) would be done outside of the step sequencer mechanism.
I also think the steps should be variable in duration, and 0 should be a possible pitch value.
I'm thinking a/b = c, and the value of c determines the pitch value, but a and b are displayed.
you mean, the pitch would be c * base-frequency-value.
Right, good catch.
Thanks Michal.
-Chuckk