Tiptop Circadian Rhythms User Manual
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CR Tips: Performance and Programming Ideas
• CR isn’t just for programming drums and beats. For example, you can use it to drive the clock
for melodic sequencers, creating melodies that have more interesting rhythms.
• The reset input can be used to create fascinating complexity out of a few simple ingredients.
Triggering the CR’s reset input from other modules can create non-regular patterns that ge-
nerate complex rhythms (and poly- or cross-rhythms). When paired with a Tiptop Trigger Riot
using probability mode, a clock divider, or a random trigger generating module, triggering the
CR’s reset input can create non-deterministic, unpredictable rhythms, and polyrhythms.
• Swing is your friend. Swing can make your patterns sound not only less mechanical (not that
there’s anything wrong with mechanical if that’s what you’re going for), but groovier. When
used with restraint, swing paired with Zoom programming can generate off-kilter and unusual
patterns or silky grooves.
• CR Channels don’t have to be used simply for triggers out to trigger sounds. They can also be
used for accents. If you have modules with accent inputs (for example, Tiptop’s 808 and 909
drum modules), use a Channel to output an accent in addition to triggering the sound. Accents
can become performative when you trigger them live as Fills.
• Using Gates in addition to Triggers can create more interesting patterns and rhythmic mo-
vement, especially when paired with an envelope (particular one that responds to Gates of
varying lengths like the Tiptop Z4000 with its Sustain set high).
• Gates can also control the direction of any of the 10 sequencers on the Z8000. The sequence
will reverse when the Gate is on.