FLUX - Temporal Modulation Rhythm Sequencer

[blipson]

People without Fluxes are posting for tutorials in addition to all the playing examples available, so apparently there's some confusion and questions out there. In the absence of systematic tutorials, I just thought it would be worth clarifying that all these mentions of "one step" producing long and complicated compositions relies on Flux's steps containing a whole lot of stuff. Otherwise, until the new tutorial comes out, non-owners may think in terms of a standard step sequencer step (that may or may not include a bit of ratcheting) and not get what's happening. I wasn't intending to start a super-technical discussion of what is and isn't proper terminology with users already well-versed with Flux's workings, but rather clarify the meaning of our existing terminology for the sake of new users.

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Sweetfiltersweep,

Just a quick note because I see u have difficulty quoting: the first of the '[Qu ote]' tags does not get a '/'.

The '/' slash is only for the second (final) tag that closes the quote.

Thank you. :-)

[joeman]

Once moving onto using multiple steps, let's not forget that there's also the possibility of taking advantage of the three mod busses which can be used in any desired combination on a per step basis.

Along these lines, you don't even need to use multiple steps to take advantage of the 3 mod busses either. You can of course also just use one step and manually change the mod bus for that step for even more variation

[joeman]

I've posted some demos of Flux doing some straight ahead grooves. Check out just a few small excerpts of what you can do with only a single step:

https://soundcloud.com/joeman/iolabs-fl ... e-examples

https://soundcloud.com/joeman/iolabs-fl ... t-24-hours

Those are amazing.

Thank you!

Just scratching the surface of course..

[joeman]

People without Fluxes are posting for tutorials in addition to all the playing examples available, so apparently there's some confusion and questions out there. In the absence of systematic tutorials, I just thought it would be worth clarifying that all these mentions of "one step" producing long and complicated compositions relies on Flux's steps containing a whole lot of stuff. Otherwise, until the new tutorial comes out, non-owners may think in terms of a standard step sequencer step (that may or may not include a bit of ratcheting) and not get what's happening. I wasn't intending to start a super-technical discussion of what is and isn't proper terminology with users already well-versed with Flux's workings, but rather clarify the meaning of our existing terminology for the sake of new users.

I would say that the bare bones approach of the user manual is actually perfect for a module like Flux. The reason for this is that the functionality of each param can be utilised in so many different ways for so many different effects across so many different time scales. This is important to recognise as providing specific examples of use-cases could mislead onlookers into thinking the module works in that specific way.

IMO, the best bet for anyone who is interested is to look at what each param is capable of doing and then use the imagination to devise an interactive system between the params, then experiment with the results. Rinse and repeat.

The thing about Flux is that you can create the same rhythmic result via various (and totally different) methods, and each approach provides different kinds of variation possibilities within the rhythm synthesis algorithm. For a simple example, you could create a backbeat snare (eg, triggering on beat 2 and 4 of a 4/4 bar), via five or so completely different approaches (probably more), making use of different params or different combinations of params for each approach. Because of this open endedness of possible approaches to the creation of rhythms etc with Flux, I believe that merely explaining what each param does in isolation, completely abstract from specific rhythms/beats etc, is the most practical (and ultimately helpful) way of describing the module.

Despite all this, questions are great, dispelling confusion is great, and as you say, Flux's steps contain a whole lot of stuff indeed!

[Marizu]

Despite all this, questions are great, dispelling confusion is great, and as you say, Flux's steps contain a whole lot of stuff indeed!

Yep, the flexibility that you can acheive within one step is so great, that I'm finding it difficult to make meaningful patterns that are longer than one step but still function in a cohesive manner. They still need to function across the step changes in all pot and CV ranges.

The "step" terminology is a bit limiting, as it is used in many other sequencers to mean somthing with a mere fraction of the flexibility.
I think of them as "stages", like in Metropolis/x. Even then, there is so much more variation possible in a Flux stage than a Metopolis/x (not to knock those sequencers. They sit in a different space).

[Sweetfiltersweep]

That’s the beginning of a new video series. For that reason, it is not numbered after the existing Flux videos. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease read the notes on the video page, and be prepared for the unusual. :-)

[kosmische]

Wow, not what I was expecting. Guess I wasn't uh...prepared for the unusual.
Thanks for the notes too, looking forward to more in the series!

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Wow, not what I was expecting. Guess I wasn't uh...prepared for the unusual.
Thanks for the notes too, looking forward to more in the series!

Thanks for your comment. This new series try to put Flux and the old fashioned Jupiter 4 under a new light: Flux not only as a rhythm generator (at which it really excels) and the Jupiter 4 not only as a source of bass, leads and pads sounds (at which it really excels).

[WarpHead]

Despite all this, questions are great, dispelling confusion is great, and as you say, Flux's steps contain a whole lot of stuff indeed!

Yep, the flexibility that you can acheive within one step is so great, that I'm finding it difficult to make meaningful patterns that are longer than one step but still function in a cohesive manner. They still need to function across the step changes in all pot and CV ranges.

The "step" terminology is a bit limiting, as it is used in many other sequencers to mean somthing with a mere fraction of the flexibility.
I think of them as "stages", like in Metropolis/x. Even then, there is so much more variation possible in a Flux stage than a Metopolis/x (not to knock those sequencers. They sit in a different space).

I find it's handy to apply some procedural principles re polyrhythmic composition. If you want to make use of Flux to its fullest, it forces you to up your game and actually have some semblance of what you're doing. I like that, forces me to learn.

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Here is the third and last part of the Flux + BIA series. Distortion and saturation galore. :-)

[Votek_Mendo]

Thanks a lot!!! for uploading all these videos of the FLUX. Really really cool to watch as i wait for mine.

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Thanks a lot!!! for uploading all these videos of the FLUX. Really really cool to watch as i wait for mine.

You are welcome. Unless my computer devices go bonkers, there will be a new video (maybe two) every week until Juny.

[Eddeh]

Hi all, I have a query and I’m sorry if this has been covered or if it’s part of the sequencers logic but when adjusting gate length the only way I can get it to alter the intended stage is to adjust the stage before. Can anyone advise as to if this is normal, it seems odd! I have a steady sync’d clock from keystep pro, no modulation ect thanks

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Hi all, I have a query and I’m sorry if this has been covered or if it’s part of the sequencers logic but when adjusting gate length the only way I can get it to alter the intended stage is to adjust the stage before. Can anyone advise as to if this is normal, it seems odd! I have a steady sync’d clock from keystep pro, no modulation ect thanks

Hi, I noticed that already and think this is a bug. I let Barry know and he said he would check it out.

[blipson]

there will be a new video (maybe two) every week until Juny.

What happens in June? Is it something we can fix?

[Sweetfiltersweep]

there will be a new video (maybe two) every week until Juny.

What happens in June? Is it something we can fix?

Nothing bad, I hope. In fact I hope, this summer everyone everywhere will be having a better timer as the corona vaccines make our lives easier.

Regarding Flux, I think it will be at the core of my modular system for a long long time. So it will surely be in every modular-based clip or video I make.

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Just a reminder that you can get easy patterns in only a few seconds.

[Eddeh]

Hi all, I have a query and I’m sorry if this has been covered or if it’s part of the sequencers logic but when adjusting gate length the only way I can get it to alter the intended stage is to adjust the stage before. Can anyone advise as to if this is normal, it seems odd! I have a steady sync’d clock from keystep pro, no modulation ect thanks

Hi, I noticed that already and think this is a bug. I let Barry know and he said he would check it out.

Ahh ok good to know, thanks for your reply, I wonder if it effects all units all of the time as reading through the forum it doesn’t appear to be an urgent issue to resolve. I’m new to the latest firmware and so might try a reinstall and restart fresh in case saving over an old pattern has some way caused it. Hopefully it’ll be addressed soon . Overall I’m blown away by Flux

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Mind your ears when drums are broken.

[Sweetfiltersweep]

Part 2 of the Flux/Jupiter 4 series.

[PolarIceCaves]

Edited