Vermona randomRHYTHM Manuel utilisateur
Bedienungsanleitung
User Guide
randomRHYTHM
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Foreword
Whether random really exists or is just an illusion, shall be discussed by philosophers and mathematicians.
At VERMONA, we found a possibility to add a musical dimension by taking advantage of randomness. At the same
time, we will leave the full control over all happenings to you. We even managed to design randomRHYTHM as a
unit that is really easy and intuitive to use.
Once started, randomRHYTHM will deliver countless trigger-patterns for your drum-modules.
And maybe, at random people will start dancing …
Enjoy creating rhythms with the unique combination of random and your own creativity.
Your VERMONA crew from the
Elektroakustische Manufaktur, Erlbach
Unpacking
To ensure top quality, we carefully checked the randomRHYTHM module before packaging. Nevertheless, we cannot
fully exclude damage during transportation. Therefore, we kindly ask you to inspect randomRHYTHM by yourself,
once you receive the module. In case there is anything unusual about the unit or its packaging, do not hesitate to
contact your dealer or us, to solve the problem.
You should find the following items in the box:
the randomRHYTHM module-
one ribbon cable (10-pole to 16-pole)-
four M-type screws 3 x 6 mm with matching plastic washers-
this operating manual-
User Guide randomRHYTHM22
Setup
randomRHYTHM was designed to be mounted and used in Eurorack modular systems. Its power supply, connectors
and dimensions match the typical specifications (VERMONA Modular Case, Doepfer A-100 and compatible systems).
Mounting equals any other Eurorack module.
Connecting randomRHYTHM to the systembusFigure 1:
Switch off the power supply! For safety reasons, also remove the detachable power cord from your frame1.
before mounting the module!
System BusrandomRHYTHM
ribbon cable
-12 V
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Connect the supplied ribbon-cable with its 10-pole connector to the corresponding multi-pin connector on2.
randomRHYTHM’s rear (see Figure 1 on page 23)!
⚠︎ The corresponding plug socket is protected against reverse polarity. Therefore, the 10-pole
connector of the ribbon-cable will only fit in one direction into the module. The supplied
ribbon-cable is color-coded at the -12 volts position. Note, that this may differ from other
manufacturers. Therefore, only use the supplied ribbon-cable to connect randomRHYTHM
to your frame’s system bus!
Connect the ribbon-cable’s 16-pole connector to an empty plug-socket of your frame’s system bus! Make3.
sure the color-coded side of the cable points towards -12 volts (see Figure 1: on page 23)!
⚠︎ Connecting the ribbon-cable with reverse polarity can lead to damage of your
randomRHYTHM or other modules when powering the system! Double-check the
connections before continuing – safe is safe!
Mount randomRHYTHM to your modular frame using the supplied screws! To protect the unit’s surface from4.
scratches, use the supplied flat plastic washers.
Reconnect the power cord to your frame and switch on the power-supply. randomRHYTHM is now ready to5.
operate.
User Guide randomRHYTHM24
Overview
randomRHYTHM is a trigger-sequencer with two identical
rhythm-sections which can be used independently or in
parallel. It allows to control drum-modules, envelopes,
electronic switches etc. The trigger-sequences are being
varied by sliders (q, w, e, r) and send to a summed yand
four individual outputs per rhythm-section (u. i. o. a).
randomRHYTHM generates its rhythmical patterns by
using the principle of chance. However, the randomness
can be dosed to keep the results useful in a musical way.
In addition, the module can be used as source for precise
clock-signals, providing four different rhythmic
resolutions per rhythm-section. Of course,
randomRHYTHM can also be synchronized to external
clock-signals.
Are you eager to start playing with the module? Let us first
explain the basic concept of this special sequencer.
Understanding this is necessary in order to achieve the best
possible results from randomRHYTHM. So please give us a
little bit of your attention.
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randomRHYTHM’s control elementsFigure 2:
q
w
e
r
i
u
o
d
f
a
h
t
gy
s
The concept
Contemporary music is dominated by 4/4-beats. In particular, this is true for electronic music. Four-to-the-floor is
simply really danceable and therefore reflected in electronic sequencers, clocks and dance music in general. Think
of a typical rhythm-sequencer with its controls for step-programming. In most cases, you will find these units to
work with 16 subdivisions per bar.
☛For musical beats referring to rhythm, different terms have been established: steps, beats,
hits. Because randomRHYTHM does not offer manually programmable steps, we decided to
use the term event in this manual.
According to perspective, a 4/4-bar includes a specified number of quarters, eights, sixteenth notes or even triplets.
randomRHYTHM follows this scheme in a special way. To illustrate this, let’s take a look of what happens at the
summing output SEQ OUT y.
randomRHYTHM breaks down the musical beats in a simple and logic way. It starts with the 1/4-events:
1/4-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 3:
User Guide randomRHYTHM26
The next finer partitioning are the 1/8-events. Typically, these include also the 1/4-events on the positions 1, 5, 9
and 13. However, the output SEQ OUT yignores these four positions. 1/8-events only refers positions 3, 7, 11 and
15:
1/8-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 4:
By combining both rows, the result is a continuous pattern:
1/4- and 1/8-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 5:
The 1/16-events follow the same concept. Again, not all events are considered, but only those that are are NOT 1/4-
or 1/8-events:
1/16-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 6:
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By combining all three rows, the result is a continuous sixteenth-pattern:
1/4-, 1/8- and 1/16-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 7:
In addition, randomRHYTHM can generate triplets. These again follow the same concept. Because only three events
per 1/4-note exist, which are being located between the 1/8- and 1/16th-events, overlapping only occurs with 1/4-
events. Accordingly these are being left out:
1/3-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 8:
When combined with the 1/4-events, the result is a continuous pattern of triplets:
1/4- and 1/3-events at the SEQ OUTFigure 9:
So much for the basic concept of randomRHYTHM. The following chapters will tell you how to use these functions
and the resulting possibilities.
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The right amount of random
The generation of steady trigger-signals equals the function of a clock-generator. However, randomRHYTHM is
designed as a complex sequencer which introduces the element of random into play. This can be individually dosed
for 1/4-, 1/8-, 1/16- and 1/3-events.
Each event contains a value which is created by random. This random-value can neither be seen nor be influenced.
☛To keep it simple we describe the random-value to be in a range between 0 and 100. Indeed,
the module’s randomizer works much more complexe. However, our simple description is
enough to understand the principle behind.
An 1/8-figure being combined of 1/4- and 1/8-events (as described above), may look like this:
1/4- and 1/8-events with their random-values at the SEQ OUTFigure 10:
This is where the sliders q, w, eand rcome into play. These adjust a threshold which also lies between 0 and 100.
Whenever the slider’s value is equal or greater than the event’s random-value, a trigger-signal will be generated and
send out.
Simply put: the higher the slider is set, the higher the number of trigger-signals being sent to the output SEQ OUT
y. With the value being set to 100 (slider fully up), all trigger-impulses of the corresponding musical beat are being
generated, while no trigger-impulses are generated with the slider set to zero (fully down).
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Table des matières
