User Manual

11
Polyrhythms employ multiple rhythms
playing at once to create complex,
interweaving phrases. In the same
way that a subharmonic oscillator uses
an integer value to modify the initial
pitch (ƒ) of an oscillator to create a
musically related subharmonic, each
Subharmonicon rhythm generator uses
an integer value to divide the current
clock value (t) to create a new rhythm.
These individual rhythm generators
are used to drive one or both of the
Subharmonicon’s sequencers. Once you engage more than one rhythm generator, you will hear how
the dierent clock divisions can play o or against one another to synthesize a polyrhythm. Because
each rhythm generator references the same clock, they will eventually re-sync to the same downbeat,
causing the overarching polyrhythm to finally repeat. In this way, you can think of the rhythm
generators as combining to create one larger, cyclic pattern. Rhythm generators can be switched on
and o and assigned to dierent sequencers as you perform, creating complex polyrhythmic content –
as well as some truly unique phrasing and grooves.
Fortunately, electronic circuits can create subharmonics quite easily. Regardless of whether the initial
frequency (ƒ) is being multiplied by an integer to create an overtone, or divided by an integer to create
a subharmonic undertone, the ratios and intervals will remain the same, as in the following examples:
UNDERSTANDING POLYRHYTHMS
UNDERSTANDING SUBHARMONICS (Continued)
Overtones
Original Note
(f)
2
nd
Harmonic
(f) * 2
3
rd
Harmonic
(f) * 3
4
th
Harmonic
(f) * 4
5
th
Harmonic
(f) * 5
6
th
Harmonic
(f) * 6
...
Continued
15
th
Harmonic
(f) * 15
16
th
Harmonic
(f) * 16
Undertones
Original Note
(f)
2
nd
Subharmonic
(f) / 2
3
rd
Subharmonic
(f) / 3
4
th
Subharmonic
(f) / 4
5
th
Subharmonic
(f) / 5
6
th
Subharmonic
(f) / 6
...
Continued
15
th
Subharmonic
(f) / 15
16
th
Subharmonic
(f) / 16