3/4 time signature on PO-16

Pocket Operators
1

Hello,

Is it possible to create a pattern that is just 12 beats long, so as to create 3/4 time signature?

I realize that I can create a series of three 16-beat patterns to accomplish this, but it would be much easier if there were some sort of hack to limit a pattern to 12 beats.

Thanks, and apologies if this has already been discussed.

Stefan
2

Doesn’t seem so, @SFKeydel

3

Thanks, @LyingDalai

4

12 beats is OK, you can always use the endless sequencer for the element you need more complexity of, overdub that.

5

Thanks, @eesn

6

I think eesn’s comment relates to the OP1. Has anyone found a way to do 3/4 time on the PO series?

Back to eesn’s point - the OP1 pattern sequencer can easily be put into triple time by reducing the pattern from 16 to 12 steps using the white knob.

CB

7

Yeah, at the time, I didn’t have an OP-1, and didn’t actually understand the suggestion :-), but appreciated the effort. But yes, it would still be nice to figure out a way to do 3/4 time on the POs.

8

You could potentially do this using multiple patterns. For instance, if you were to chain together 3 patterns for a total of 4 3/4 measures (is this the right word?). I have yet to try it, but it seems like it would be quite doable.

9

Thanks @manykarz.

Do you mean treating each 16 step pattern as one crotchet instead of 4, with each of the 16 steps being hemi-demi-semi-quavers instead of semi-quavers?
If so, I’d considered this, but had been looking for something more elegant and which didn’t cause the tempo to be mis-represented.

CB
10

@cloudburst whoa… I had to do some music-term research to understand your question there.


What I’m talking about is treating 12 steps as a complete loop as opposed to the typical 16. This way, with 16x3=48 steps, you can have 4 equivalent loops of 12. With the loops of 12, 3/4 time should be achievable. Does that answer your question?
11

Ah - I get you know. Tempo just fine; just a little bit more confusing to manage. Ta.

I was really hoping for a way to disable the last 4 steps - a la white knob in OP-1 pattern sequencer - but I’m guessing that was a little complication that TE excluded to keep the cost/footprint down.

CB
12

@manykarz
I dare say that’s what I suggested in my original post :slight_smile:

13

@SFKeydel

Hahaha! Holy @#%$, you’re right. Lately I’ve been really bad about reading thoroughly. I think I just started scrolling after I read the title, racking my brain to figure out an answer to the 3/4 time issue. I tried that method last night and it worked well, though it became confusing to put a coherent beat together. I agree with you and @cloudburst, it would be really nice to be able to trim the loop down to a smaller size.
14

I found that using a spreadsheet and some creative coloring helps keep track of how to align non-4/4 measures into the PO. I managed to fit a 7/4 track on the sheet, but haven’t punched it in yet.

15

While not practical in many circumstances, when syncing to other gear using volt triggers/audio transients rather than clock, the fact that the sync relies on 1/8 resolution means you can put in a couple of 1/16 triggers to make the PO follow x/8 time signatures.

16

@GCF can you share with us the spreadsheet?

17
Here is the basic premise. The idea is that the X is a downbeat in 7/4 and the rows are the 16 steps on the PO. So you would need 7 bars in order to get 7/4 time (this only allows for 8th notes). The same idea applies to 3 bars for 3/4, but you get 16th notes.
18

ah yes indeed, if you can chain patterns, 3 x 4/4 = 4 x 3/4, inconvenient but :shrug:


19

Such a shame, I am able to do any time signature imaginable in my old Drumatix and RY10 :’(