adding variations

with being able to control and modulate multiple output parameters (such as octave and volume) polyearthsea makes it easy to make even static sequences come to life by adding variations. map voices to outputs as desired, record a sequence and then:

1. open the outputs page (press left bottom button, hold and press the one above)
2. select the device in the 2nd column from the left
3. select the parameter you want to add variations to in the 3rd column from the left
4. if you forget which device/parameter is selected press the flashing help button at any time
5. columns 5-16 is where you control the parameter values (each row corresponds to an output)
6. pressing in a row will set the parameter to that value
7. to define a range press, hold, and then press another button in that row - this will define the possible range of values
8. to deselect a range (say, if you want to go back to using a static value) press on the value, then press a button above or below
9. assign a mod bus to ranges - press on any mod bus in the 4th column, hold and then press on any of the ranges you want to be modulated

now you need to set up the mod bus so it will trigger variations:

10. switch to voices page (left bottom button)
11. select "note" parameter (top button in the 6th column from the left)
12. select the voice you want to use to trigger variations (typically the same voice you use for the sequence itself) in the 7th column from the left
13. select the mod bus you used in step 9 - this will assign the voice note to the mod bus.

now whenever a note using that voice is played it will set the mod bus to a new random value, which in turn will select a new value for any output parameter range linked to the mod bus. you can easily test it by playing the same note.

as it will always select from a defined range you can easily dial how big or how small these variations will be.

if you use this for multiple parameter you'll notice that their changes are "synced" as the same mod bus value is used for all. to have truly random variations for each parameter assign a voice to multiple mod buses (step 13) and use a different mod bus for each parameter.

another fun thing to do is to use a different voice to trigger mod buses, and create a separate pattern. now you can use it to trigger variations. or record a sequence with timing different from the original pattern!