Caustic: Using Patterns as Preset Variations

This tutorial looks at how you can use Patterns in Caustic as a way to create variations of a default preset within a single machine. It shows how you can create "Preset Patterns" and work with them independently of "Note Patterns".

It might not seem intuitive at first, but keeping "Preset Patterns" and "Note Patterns" separate can be pretty useful. For example, you could create a melody or a recurring motif with a ModSynth pattern, and set it up to send notes to a SubSynth that has multiple "Preset Patterns" and switch among them during your song. As you insert patterns in SONG MODE, you could have the same ModSynth pattern playing throughout, but pair it with different SubSynth "Preset Patterns" to change the sound that the notes are triggering.

Treating patterns as "preset variations" allows you to have multiple sounds to choose from (on the fly) without having to use a separate machine and preset. For example, in one part of your song you might want the sound to be brighter, with a fast attack and open filter. But in another part of your song, you might want the same general sound, but not as bright and with a slower attack...or maybe with a different LFO rate...or more Resonance. You can easily do this without using a separate machine. Lots of possibilities!

I use some very basic examples in this tutorial, but maybe it'll give you some new ideas for working with patterns and composing songs in Caustic.