Recording Combinations with Arpeggiation – Triton

Preface – In the Triton series workstations, Combinations which contain arpeggio patterns are set up using two different approaches. As a result, there are two methods outlined in this tutorial to allow full use of all Combinations in the Triton’s sequencer. Since the setting of arpeggiations vary from Combination to Combination, this tutorial will teach by example using Factory Combis that exhibit these two different behaviors. This information can then be applied to other Combinations you wish to use.

Points to remember about Combinations – A Combination is basically an arrangement of up to eight Programs (singular sounds) that share a MIDI channel. The fact that multiple tracks share the same channel allows you to hear and play these Programs together as a layer or split or both; as opposed to hearing programs one at a time as would be the case with a Multi Channel setup. A Multi Channel Setup would state that each Program had its own MIDI channel, which keeps played information and sound separate for each Program.

Points to remember about arpeggiators – The Triton has the capability to put up to two arpeggio patterns into a Combination, and have those Arps only trigger certain tracks. In other words, Arp. A could be assigned to play only the Program on Track 1 of the Combination. While Arp. B is set to trigger Tracks 3 and 6 of a Combination, and so on. Bearing in mind that Combinations all fall on the same MIDI channel, the question arises:

– How can the Sequencer keep track of these separate assignments and only record and playback the notes for an intended Track, if all the Tracks are on the same MIDI channel?

The answer is: it can’t!

So we need to take each part that has a specific arpeggiator (A or B) assigned to it and set that Track/Timbre to a different MIDI channel from the other arpeggiated part, AND from the non-arpeggiated parts. If there is one arpeggiator being used you will need two different MIDI channels. If both arpeggiators are being used you will need three different MIDI channels (assuming that there are also some non-arpeggiated parts as well).

This brings us to the second part of this ‘trick’ – how can we trigger all the tones at the same time if they’re on different MIDI channels? The Triton sequencer only allows you to be on one track/MIDI channel at a time. The answer lies in creating ‘Dummy Tracks’ – a track that is on the same channel as the rest of the Combination, but is actually turned “Off” under the track’s on/off status.

This Dummy Track is assigned to the same Arp. as the track it’s going to trigger, but the actual track containing the Program is set to a Channel other than what the rest of the Combination is set to. So what are two approaches to Combination/arpeggiator setups that we mentioned earlier? The first is the many Combinations that have a drum rhythm which plays in the background while you play the keyboard live. These Combinations have already had the drum part set up on a different MIDI channel from the rest of the sounds, and already have the Dummy Track created. These are the easiest Combinations to record – simply use Tutorial 1.

A Combination which keeps all channels the same regardless of Arp. Trigger would require Tutorial 2 to be followed for correct recording. Examples of these include:

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Tutorial 1

Multi Channel Combination — Using Example Combination A33: “After-T-House”

First, we’ll get the Combination into the Sequencer mode:

Press the SEQ. button to enter the Sequencer Mode.
Touch the arrow on the top right hand side of the screen.
Touch “Copy From Combi”.
Using the value wheel, slider, or buttons, select the Combination A33: “After-T-House”.
Touch the box next to “With Effects” so that it is checked.
Touch “O.K.”. The Combination will load into the first 8 tracks.

Next, we’ll prepare to record:

Touch the “Pref.” Tab at the bottom right hand side of the screen.
Touch the box next to “Multi REC” so that it is checked.
Press the Arpeggiator “On/Off” button so that it is lit.

Now, record using the normal method:

Press the “REC/WRITE” button.
Press the “START/STOP” button. You’ll get two measures counted in to get ready.
Record. When done, press the “START/STOP” button to finish recording, then the “LOCATE” to rewind back to the start.

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Tutorial 2

Single Channel Combination — Using Example Combination A28: “Random Blocks”

First, we’ll get the Combination into the Sequencer mode:

Press the SEQ. button to enter the Sequencer Mode.
Touch the arrow on the top right hand side of the screen.
Touch “Copy From Combi”.
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, select the Combination A28: “Random Blocks”.
Touch the box next to “With Effects” so that it is checked.
Touch “O.K.”. The Combination will load into the first 8 tracks.

Next, we’ll find out which tracks have the Arp. assigned to them:

Press the MENU button.
Touch “Arpeggiator” on the screen.

You’ll notice that Track 1 is used for Arp. A, and Track 2 is used for Arp. B. in instances where other Combinations are used, you would want to make note of which Arps. use which Tracks.

Now, that we know which tracks we need to work with, we need to set each arpeggiated part to a separate MIDI channel from the other tracks:

Press the MENU button.
Touch “Track Param” on the screen.

You will see the Track Status and MIDI channel information for the first 8 tracks, which contains the Combination. They are numbered 1-8 on a dark blue line in the middle of the screen for reference.

Touch the MIDI channel for the track which uses Arp A (In this case, track 1)
Using the value wheel, slider, or buttons, select MIDI channel 2.
Touch the MIDI channel for the track which uses Arp B (In this case, track 2)
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, select MIDI channel 3.
Touch the “MIDI CH 9-16” tab on the bottom of the screen.

You are now looking at tracks 9-16: 9 and 10 will be the dummy tracks for 1 and 2. Now we need to set up the Dummy Tracks to trigger the arpeggiators from MIDI channel 1. First, we’ll set up track 9:

Touch the MIDI channel for the track 9.
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, select MIDI channel 1.
Touch the Track Status setting for track 9 (“INT”).
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, set the Track Status to “OFF”. (We do this so these tracks don’t sound – we only want them to trigger the desired arp. patterns!)

Now, Track 10:

Touch the MIDI channel for the track 10.
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, select MIDI channel 1.
Touch the Track Status setting for track 10 (“INT”).
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, set the Track Status to “OFF”.

Almost there: the last thing to do is set up the Dummy Tracks to trigger the Arps:

Press the MENU button.
Touch “Arpeggiator”.
Touch the “Setup 9-16” tab on the bottom of the screen.
Touch the “Arpeggiator Assign” for Track 9 (“OFF”).
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, set the “Arpeggiator Assign” for track 9 to “A”
Touch the “Arpeggiator Assign” for Track 10 (“OFF”).
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, set the “Arpeggiator Assign” for track 10 to “B”

Now, we’re ready to record:

Press the MENU button.
Press the EXIT button. This will take you out to the first Sequencer Screen.
Touch the “Pref.” Tab at the bottom right hand side of the screen.
Touch the box next to “Multi REC” so that it is checked.
Press the Arpeggiator “On/Off” button so that it is lit.
Touch the arrow next to “Track 01”.
Touch “Track 03”. Track 3 is the first track in the Combination that is on Channel 1. Multi-channel recording must start with MIDI channel 1 to work, so always start recording on whichever is the first track set to MIDI channel 1.

Now, record using the normal method:

Press the “REC/WRITE” button.
Press the “START/STOP” button. You’ll get two measures counted in to get ready.
Record. When done, press the “START/STOP” button to finish recording, then the “LOCATE” to rewind back to the start.

That’s all there is to it. Once you have finished recording you can undo the status of the Dummy tracks and reuse them to play regular parts. You could even reassign the Arpeggiators to other tracks using this same method and record multiple arpeggiated ‘passes’ – just remember to keep the MIDI channels separate from all other parts!

How to determine which Tutorial to use for a Combination:

Press the SEQ. button to enter the Sequencer Mode.
Touch the arrow on the top right hand side of the screen.
Touch “Copy From Combi”.
Using the value wheel, slider or buttons, select the Combination you wish to use.
Touch “O.K.”
Press the MENU button.
Touch “Track Param.”

Look at the MIDI channels for the first 8 tracks. If there is one or more tracks that use a channel other than 1, use Scenario 1. Again, a hidden drum rhythm is a sure sign of type of Combination. If all tracks are on channel 1, use Scenario 2.

Knowledge Base