Bitwig tips & tricks (with commentary)

In this livestream I am going to share my workflow with Bitwig. Topics are: device macros, modulators, external instruments, live performance tips.

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00:00 Intro
10:45 Device Macros
28:44 Modulators
36:30 External HW modulation
44:20 Automating Programs and effects (facing a problem!)
59:32 The solution to my problem

[hschieck]

I was using Cubase Pro (up to v12) on Windows before, but this channel and Martins music made me buy the full Version of Bitwig and switching entirely over to Linux. A whole new life, thanks to Martin. :)

[mathieupe]

Nice to see you switching to Bitwig! You are the type of power-user that can bring the devs a lot of meaningful feedback especially for the live playing aspect.

[XenoFect]

So much really good information packed in here! Really appreciate the quality and depth of your tutorial videos, just as much as the quality and depth of your music! You are a positive force in the world and a blessing to the music community!

[LucaRossoDeVita]

Hi Martin, glad to see you switched up to Bitwig. It does not make me regret to let go Ableton. I still miss the live midi capture, though.... but the rest is wonderful and the grid... oh wow.

[mikekohlgraf]

I'd love to make this kind of music exclusively in Bitwig - looking forward to the video... will add comments after watching. Great video! This is very educational. So - I can use my regular MIDI KB that has the sliders and knows as well, right? Would love to see a short video addressing this subject. Not everyone can afford additional hardware. Vielen Dank, Martin!

[jasonsykes]

Thank you very much Martin Informative and very clearly explained

[SolarLiner]

55:03 Possible workaround (can't test, don't have synths that react to program changes) would be to also automate the "Auto Send" macro, where you enable it at the start of the clip and deactivate it before its end. I believe this only makes auto sending active when you trigger the clip, and *should* deactivate it before the clip stops, therefore not sending the program change message. It's a hack, but it might work.

I'm guessing Bitwig's excuse for the behavior is that automation clips have an initial value that all parameters reset to when the lane is inactive? I have noticed that this is what happens with knobs as well when I use automation.

[xtremesoundspresets]

I told Bitwig the midi program change doesnt work and their support says they have no other complaints about this jsut recently in fact. I have emails to prove it all. It doesnt work for me either while FL studios midi program change does. So it cant be my hardware. Glad to hear you say it too. I know what the difference may be. Bitwig sends the 3 program changes simultaneously instead of each part one at a time. (Program, MSB, LSB). I even discussed with Yamaha who invented midi and said the problem must be Bitwig.

[Orangebritches]

This kind of content is really good. You’re not only a great artist but you’re also great at demonstrating things.

[dr.gregoryf.maassen]

Wonderful tutorial. Bitwig should give you the tools you need to switch between the patches and effects easily. I hope they are watching and provide a solution. May I add that I want the option whenever Bitwig has an update, that the previous version is overwritten. I know their argument that they want the previous version as a backup for live performance, but I don't live perform. So, give us the option to have just one Bitwig version installed. Back to the video: I learned so much again. Thanks for sharing.

[Cloudface]

How much difference do the analogue filters make in the difference in the sound between the hardware and the plugin, Martin?

[GrootsieTheDog]

Hey Matin - Have you thought about the Circuit Tracks? It can double as a pad and knob midi controller with four tracks of midi and It has basically 32 knbs (32 separate #cc numbers - (4 lanes of 8 knobs each) that can quickly be set up across all your instruments, efx, etc. And the pads are additional control like the launchpad pro3.

[claudeviool]

I noticed the Bitwig MIDI Program Change device also has a modulation icon. Would it be possible to 'misuse' that? I see there are also some note modulators so maybe it would be possible to convert specific notes (or expression values) to 'modulation' into specific program changess? Afaik the Send Now can not be automated/modulated but maybe with Auto Send active you can still get the MIDI data out at the intended moment.

The Note Grid can do all sorts of crazy stuff but afaik there is no grid module for program changes. But i imagine you could program very specific note/expression values which possibly can be used to modulate the program changes as descibed. Polarity appears to be quite creative with the Grids, maybe drop him a line.

I do agree, this is a bit of an omission in Bitwig, MIDI is indeed fundamental to electronic instruments. Why support CV and not MIDI essentials like inserting MIDI events (hexadecimal code blocks for my part) into a note (or even audio) sequence?

[OdoSendaidokai]

Very nice to see the integration of hardware, since i mainly only using midi controllers and the stock devices. Thanks for this showcase 🌻

[sudhanva-bhat]

Hi Martin, Thank you very much very clear and helpful. I'm wondering how the program changes can be used to change patches on software synths?

[MrRumcajs]

Martin, have you tried MP midi controller to control vst plugins? Mine is on the way.

[XenoFect]

What script did you use for the midi fighter twister when you were using Ableton still? I remember you used it similarly but I'm not seeing a twister sister version for Ableton. Thanks for the streams!

[dwp]

Are not using the Faderfox EC4 anymore?

[djstevekelley]

What application was you using please to view the CPU and RAM?