AK wrote:
I'm at an experimental point though with all this to be honest and I kinda shyed away from it for a while ( we've talked about this a load on here ) and I was struggling how to get into it with software to experiment.
That Numerology looks perfect for this but it's Mac only and besides reason, I no of no other pc environment that actually makes this accessible.
i managed from 1993 to about two years ago with various versions of cubase to make polymetric music, its all ive ever done, its often just a simple case of looping your midi grooves around 5 beats, 7 -16th notes, 9 - 8th notes etc etc.. this is the same as using a step sequencer set to an odd number of steps.
the secret is perseverance, you have to learn where to put accents etc. you have to stick with it.
try just one day of only working with say 7step percussive sequences over a 4/4 kick and bass. dont let anything deflect you, and stay well away from 2/4 snare/clap. this is the mistake most people make when trying to using odd numbered polymeters.
then try adding the odd bass note in 7 step, as syncopation to the 4/4 bass,
then try swapping elements around between the two meters.
after a few days try the same with 5step
after a week try mixing both 7 and 5 step sequences together with a 4/4 kick.
on and on.........
remember that non-tonal percussive elements are easier to mix than tonal elements, because your brain tend to follow the melody, and may get confused if you havent paid enough attention to detail, whereas your body just moves to the percussion.
same goes with bass, its easier to mix meters than with say with a lead line, because bass lies somewhere between tonal and percussive.
polymetric melody is harder work, the old acid tunes worked because they were very simple loops, so its best to stick with simplicity to start with.
