Harness the power of polyrhythm with the Weird Shifter 1.0, specially designed by 'stev' to offer musicians a hearty sandbox of rhythmic manipulation in Ableton Live. This particular MIDI Transformation device stands as an unpolished gem within the Heaps MIDI Tools One Pack, providing unique and unorthodox rhythm adjustments against the grain of traditional sequence patterns.
Rhythm bending takes an adventurous twist with Weird Shifter's 'Polyrhythm' mode, which allows for intricate shift adjustments through the 'Beat Unit', 'Subdivision', and '# of Beats' parameters. This mode benefits any music creator willing to experiment with polyrhythmic, polymetric, or tuplet time value shifts.
Take, for instance, the 'Beat Unit' parameter, which serves as the primary measure for your shift amount. This capacity is then divided by the 'Subdivision' parameter, giving creators new ways to split a single beat unit into distinctive rhythms. Additionally, the '# of Beats' parameter multiplies the final result, invoking possibilities for highly intricate polyrhythmic structures.
For those seeking even more unconventional rhythmic adventures, Weird Shifter's 'Decimal' mode breathes fresh life into your beat. By multiplying the 'Beat Unit' by a decimal value, creators can produce non-dyadic grids that present new and exciting temporal experiences.
Notably, the 'Direction' tab brings with it the power to determine whether notes shift forwards or backwards at the click of a button. This offers the potential for striking time travel effects that broaden the capability of MIDI arrangements considerably beyond the conventions of chronological sequencing.
Although the Weird Shifter 1.0 was released without much fanfare on June 23, 2024 and is yet to notch up any downloads, the bold design and the ability it presents for rhythmic exploration is poised to become a powerful tool for electronic composers and live performers.
Designed to work with Ableton Live version 12.0.5 and Max 8.6.2, the device is available for a discount as part of the Heaps MIDI Tools One Pack. If you're ready to break away from the standard and challenge the boundaries of your MIDI arrangements, the Weird Shifter 1.0 could be just what you're looking for.
To find out more about the Weird Shifter 1.0, its capabilities and to download the device, please visit the Max for Live library: https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10523/weird-shifter.
Above all, remember that successful pioneering often requires stepping into the unknown. Weird Shifter 1.0 welcomes you to take that first step, navigating previously unexplored terrains in time and rhythm.
Example Usage
Creating a Basic Polyrhythmic Shift with Weird Shifter 1.0:
If you're new to creating polyrhythms or looking to experiment with unconventional time signatures in your MIDI arrangements, Weird Shifter 1.0 is an excellent tool for sparking creativity in your Ableton Live sessions. Let's create a simple polyrhythmic shift using Weird Shifter 1.0.
- Load Weird Shifter 1.0 on a MIDI track with a melodic pattern you want to shift.
- To kick things off, let's explore the 'Polyrhythm' mode. Set the 'Beat Unit' to '1/4' for quarter notes.
- In the 'Subdivision' parameter, enter '3'. This will divide our beat unit by three.
- Dial in '2' on the '# of Beats' parameter to multiply our resultant value, creating a 2:3 polyrhythm.
- Now, select the 'Direction' to 'Forwards' to shift our notes ahead in time.
- Press the 'Apply' button and listen to the magic happen. Your MIDI notes should now play with a rhythmic shift that gives the illusion of a 2:3 polyrhythm, adding complexity and new life to your existing melodic pattern.
- Experiment with different beat units, subdivisions, and the number of beats to find the polyrhythm that works best for your musical piece. With just a few adjustments, Weird Shifter 1.0 can dramatically change the feel of your music, making it an essential tool for any electronic music creator's arsenal.
Let's explore the creative potential of Weird Shifter 1.0 by incorporating it into a composition for interweaving rhythmic layers. Imagine you have a chord progression in your Ableton Live session that could benefit from a touch of rhythmic complexity to make it more exciting and give it a unique edge.
- First, insert Weird Shifter 1.0 on a new MIDI track and route the MIDI from the chord progression track to this new track. Ensure that the device is receiving the chord progression's MIDI data.
- Set the 'Polyrhythm' mode on, which allows us to tap into polyrhythmic timing for our shifts. Considering our chord progression is in 4/4 time, we'll use the 'Beat Unit' to define our base rhythm. Let's start with a quarternote.
- Now, for the magical touch: Set the 'Subdivision' to 3, and 'Number of Beats' to 4. This setting will create a 4 against 3 polyrhythm, effectively shifting the notes to play every three quarter note triplets, giving the impression that the chords are dancing around the basic 4/4 structure.
- Deciding on the direction of our weird rhythmic shift is crucial. First, try setting the 'Direction' to forwards to push the notes ahead in time. Listen and observe how it alters the rhythmic feel of the progression.
- To experiment further, change the 'Direction' to backwards, causing the chords to lag behind, creating a sense of anticipation or drag, altering the mood of the composition entirely.
- You can record the output of the Weird Shifter 1.0 onto another MIDI track. This will allow you to capture the shifted MIDI notes and further edit them if necessary. It also means you can revert back to the unshifted progression at any point in your arrangement for dynamic changes.
- Combine the original chord progression with the shifted rhythm by setting the track containing Weird Shifter 1.0 to play alongside the original chord progression track. The interplay between the straight and shifted rhythms will create a texture that is both intricate and hypnotizing.
- Lastly, experiment with the 'Decimal' mode for even more unusual rhythmic grids. For instance, set the 'Beat Unit' to a quarternote and '# of Beats' to a decimal value like 1.5. This will create shifts that do not neatly align with either the beat or commonly used subdivisions, giving you an off-kilter rhythm that could be used to add tension and interest in your track.
Remember that Weird Shifter 1.0 can be automated. Try automating the shift amount or switching between polyrhythmic and decimal modes over time to create a dynamic evolution of your rhythmic backdrop. This device challenges conventional rhythmic structures and pushes you to explore the outer reaches of your musical creativity.
Further Thoughts
Imagine you're working on a project where you want to experiment with a 7/8 time signature but with a twist; you want to incorporate some polymetric variation to give your track an otherworldly groove.
Start by loading up Weird Shifter 1.0 on a MIDI track with a simple eighth-note hi-hat pattern. Since you're working in 7/8, set the 'Beat Unit' to 1/8 to operate on each note of your pattern. Now, for the 'Subdivision' select '7' to lock into the time signature's rhythmic structure.
Next, switch to the 'Polyrhythm' mode to explore the device's ability to manipulate your hi-hats in non-traditional ways. Set the '# of Beats' parameter to '5'. What this does is it creates a 5 against 7 polyrhythm, making the shift amount equal to a quintuplet feel against your 7/8 pattern. This sets the ground for our polymetric pattern.
Now use the 'Direction' tab to choose the forward shift. Hit the apply button and instantly, your straightforward 7/8 hi-hat pattern obtains a staggered, syncopated rhythm, breathing a unique life into the pattern that teeters on the edge of conventional rhythm and something more complex.
To take this further, automate the 'Subdivision' parameter to change every few bars within Ableton Live. Let's say every 4 bars you change the subdivision from 7 to 6 and then back to 7. This subtle change will create a rhythmic illusion where the hi-hat pattern appears to accelerate and decelerate, without changing the actual tempo of the track.
Furthermore, experiment by automating the shift amount in real-time during a buildup or breakdown section of your track. This creates tension as the patterns seem to twist and turn around the beat, providing a sense of disorientation before you bring back the solid groove.
In conclusion, by using the Weird Shifter 1.0 in this way, you've moved away from the common grid and ventured into a poignant polymetric dimension that will make your track stand out. The power of this MIDI tool lies in its ability to transform simple rhythmic ideas into complex, evolving patterns that challenge the listener's sense of timing and rhythm, all while being a creative playground for the modern electronic musician.