Random & Rate
Random sets how much assigned parameter modulation drifts over time on the selected Track. Hold [CTRL] to access Rate, which controls how quickly Rate-based random targets advance through their modulation sequences. Each assigned parameter has its own 16-step sequence, so different parts of the same Track can evolve independently.
In practice, Random is not a single global amount applied to the whole Track. Each assigned parameter has its own modulation sequence, its own amount, and its own optional settings such as Slew, Phase, and random lock. This makes it possible to keep some parameters gently moving, let others change more aggressively, and preserve selected modulation shapes from further drift.
For a parameter-by-parameter reference, see Random Behavior Reference.
Knob Behavior
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Turn | Set the variance of the random sequence. Lower values drift less over time; higher values drift more. |
| [CTRL] + Turn | Set Rate. This always controls Random Rate, even though only some parameters use it. |
| Hold + Turn other | Assign Random to the target parameter and set its modulation amount. Hold [CTRL] to apply Slew immediately. |
| Hold + Double press other | Toggle random lock for the target parameter. Hold [CTRL] to toggle the lock together with Slew. |
Value Button Behavior
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Push | Set the variance of the random sequence directly using the [VALUE] buttons. |
| Hold + Hold other | Use [VB8] and [VB16] to shift the modulation sequence by one step. |
Clear behavior
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| [CLEAR] + Push | Clear the modulation sequence and generate 16 new values. |
Understanding Random
This page is a practical reference for how Random works on the T1. It helps to think of Random as a playable modulation system rather than a simple “humanize” control. Once Random has been assigned, the target parameter follows its own 16-step sequence while the Track runs. That sequence can then be made more stable or more unstable depending on how much variance you apply.
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Mod sequence: Each assigned parameter gets its own 16-step modulation sequence on the track. The sequence keeps its own identity per parameter, so assigning Random to one parameter does not mean all other parameters share the same modulation pattern.
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Amount: The amount of Random applied to a parameter. This is set when you hold (RANDOM) and turn the target parameter. Amount determines how strongly the sequence affects that parameter.
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Variance: Controlled by turning (RANDOM). Variance determines how much the values in the modulation sequence drift over time. Lower values keep the sequence more stable, while higher values allow it to keep changing more freely as playback continues.
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Rate: Controlled by [CTRL] + turn (RANDOM). This always sets Random Rate, but only parameters marked as Random Rate in the Random Behavior Reference use it. Parameters marked Per cycle advance with the currently playing Cycle instead.
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Slew: Smooths transitions between steps in the modulation sequence. Instead of jumping directly from one value to the next, the modulation can interpolate between values for a more continuous feel.
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Phase: Shifts the modulation sequence by one step. This lets you offset where the sequence lines up against the current playback position.
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Random lock: Locks a parameter’s modulation sequence so variance no longer changes it. This is useful when you want to preserve a modulation shape you like while still letting other assigned parameters continue to drift.
Random can be assigned to any parameter except Tempo.
Applying Random to a Parameter
- Hold (RANDOM) and turn a parameter to assign Random and set its amount.
- Turn (RANDOM) to set variance.
- Hold [CTRL] and turn (RANDOM) to set Rate.
- Hold [CTRL] and (RANDOM) while turning the assigned parameter to apply Slew immediately.
- Hold (RANDOM) and double press an assigned parameter to toggle random lock.
- Hold (RANDOM) and hold another control, then use [VB8] and [VB16] to shift the sequence.
Once a parameter has been assigned, the Random system keeps working in the background while the Track plays. You are not re-randomizing the parameter on every gesture. Instead, you are shaping how that parameter’s modulation sequence behaves: how much influence it has, how quickly it advances, whether it glides, whether it is offset, and whether it is allowed to keep drifting.
Start with a small modulation amount and low variance, then increase from there. This usually makes it easier to hear what the sequence is doing before pushing it into more unstable territory.
Timing and Playback
- Random sequences advance only while playback is running.
- Each assigned parameter has its own 16-step sequence.
- Some parameters advance at Random Rate.
- Others advance Per cycle, in sync with the currently playing Cycle.
- Slew interpolates between discrete sequence values.
This distinction between Random Rate and Per cycle is important. Turning Rate always changes the Random Rate setting, but not every parameter listens to that setting. Some parameters instead step through their modulation sequence according to the cycle that is currently playing. This is why the same Random setup can feel very different depending on the target parameter.
See Random Behavior Reference for which parameters use Random Rate and which use Per cycle.
Retriggers
Retriggers reset the modulation sequence back to its beginning.
Patterns
Each Track has its own Random state, so different Tracks can have different modulation sequences and settings. When you switch Patterns, the modulation sequences and settings for each Track are preserved. This means you can have different Random setups in different Patterns within the same Bank.
Working with Cycles
Cycles do not store the full Random state.
When a Cycle changes, it can change the amount of Random assigned to parameters, but not the underlying modulation sequence, lock state, phase, slew, or current playback position in the sequence.
This means Cycle changes are useful for changing how strongly Random affects a parameter without replacing the modulation sequence itself. In other words, the shape of the sequence keeps running, but the amount applied to the destination parameter can change from one Cycle to another.
For parameters with Per cycle behavior, the 16-step modulation sequence advances in sync with the playing Cycle. This creates a tighter relationship between Random movement and the Track’s cycle structure than on parameters that follow Random Rate.
Targets and Scope
- Random can be assigned to nearly any parameter on the T1.
- Tempo is the exception.
- Random most often affects the primary function of a control, though some parameters also support modulation of the secondary function.
- The exact result depends on the destination parameter, including whether the modulation is interpreted as an increase, decrease, offset, selection, or other parameter-specific behavior.
See Random Behavior Reference for exact behavior.
Difference between Probability and Random
Probability and Random both introduce variation, but they do different things:
- Probability decides whether an event happens.
- Random changes parameter values over time.
Use Probability to vary whether notes occur, and Random to vary how those notes behave.