Step Sequencer and Harmony Roughness: 2D Grid |…

What is a Step Sequencer?

A step sequencer is an electronic device or software that allows users to create rhythmic patterns by placing notes at specific intervals. In this context, it's used to compose musical phrases in real-time, with each 'step' representing a beat.

The 2D grid layout provides a visual representation of these steps, allowing for complex and dynamic compositions.

Harmony Roughness Explained

Harmony roughness is a measure of the dissonance or consonance between two or more notes played simultaneously. It's quantified using the Sethares roughness metric, which considers the frequency ratios between the notes.

This metric helps in understanding how different combinations of notes sound to human ears and can be used to create more harmonious or dissonant musical sequences.

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Physics Behind Musical Chords

When multiple notes are played together, they produce a chord. The physics of these chords involve the superposition of individual waveforms, resulting in a complex waveform that is perceived as a chord.

The roughness of a chord depends on the frequency ratios between its constituent notes; simpler ratios (like perfect fifths or octaves) result in more consonant sounds, while more complex ratios lead to dissonance.

Interactive Controls and Their Impact

The interactive controls allow users to manipulate various aspects of the sequencer, such as tempo, swing (swing rhythm), harmonics, note decay, and volume. These settings affect not only the timing but also the timbre and overall sound quality of the composition.

By adjusting these parameters, one can explore how different musical elements interact and influence each other, providing a deeper understanding of music theory and acoustics.

Frequently asked questions

How does changing the scale or root note affect the harmony roughness?

Changing the scale or root note alters the frequency ratios between the notes in the sequence. This can significantly change the perceived roughness and consonance of the chords, as different scales have distinct intervals that affect how harmonious they sound together.

What is swing rhythm and why does it matter?

Swing rhythm adds a rhythmic feel to the sequence by altering the timing between beats. It creates a more human-like, syncopated pattern rather than a strict time signature, which can make the music sound more natural and engaging.

How does adding harmonics affect the sound?

Adding harmonics introduces higher frequency components to the notes, enriching their timbre. This can make the sounds richer and fuller but also potentially more complex and harder to control in terms of roughness and consonance.

What is equal temperament and how does it differ from just intonation?

Equal temperament divides the octave into twelve equally spaced intervals, making it easier for musicians to play in different keys without retuning. Just intonation, on the other hand, uses frequency ratios based on simple integer values, providing a more natural harmonic relationship between notes but requiring tuning adjustments for each key.

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Step Sequencer and Harmony Roughness: 2D Grid and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.

▶ Open Step Sequencer and Harmony Roughness: 2D Grid simulation