Three HeadSpace “Head Div” Questions

[apalazzolo]

After reading the HeadSpace manual, reading up on delay time divisions, and watching some HeadSpace and Volante videos, I’d like to understand how to set the HeadSpace Head Div parameters better.  With the understanding that I’m a novice at best please forgive me if my questions turn out to be boneheaded due to some rookie error.

I think we have maximum simplicity if we enter in tempo mode and set the Time Control to 1.  I think that means Tap Tempo blinks on 1/4 notes and that Time Div works as follows:

1/8 = an 1/8 note

1/4 = a 1/4 note

1/2 = a 1/2 note

and 1 = a whole note.

Super simple, right?

 

If I am correct so far, my first question is: How do I set Time Div to obtain the following dotted time divisions:

dotted 1/8

dotted 1/4

and dotted 1/2?

 

My second question is:  How do I set Time Div to obtain the following triplet time divisions:

1/8 triplet

1/4 triplet

and 1/2 triplet?

 

My third question is: What are these 1/6, 1/3, 2/3 etc Time Divisions all about (are they somehow triplets or something else)?

 

All thoughts/guidance greatly appreciated…

[brock]

Mind if I chime in here?  The division layout is quite unusual, but I love its versatility.  First, some answers, keeping in mind that there are multiple ways to arrive to the same destinations.  BPM manipulations among them.

• dotted 1/8__Delay Time 1/4.  Head Div (x) @ 3/4
• dotted 1/4__Delay Time 1/2.  Head Div (x) @ 3/4
• dotted 1/2__Delay Time Whole.  Head Div (x) @ 3/4

You can’t get larger than a Head Div = 1 (the Delay Time), with a dotted note being 1-1/2 times the note value.  So you can start with a Delay Time twice your intended note value.  Take fractional values of that, using “2X delay” as a baseline.  EX. – 75% of 1/2 = 150% of 1/4.

• 1/8 triplet__Delay Time 1/4.  Head Div (x) @ 1/3 +33%
• 1/4 triplet__Delay Time 1/2.  Head Div (x) @ 1/3 +33%
• 1/2 triplet__Delay Time Whole.  Head Div (x) @ 1/3 +33%

Similarly, doubling up the note value for Delay Time.  EX. – fitting three 1/8 notes, inside the span of two [1/4]. I used the percentages in triplets above for more accuracy.

But they’re also great for thickening, accents, Haas effects, leading & lagging, varying the groove.  All those ‘oddball’ divisions?  Basically two camps: even divisions (straight 4/4s, dotted) and variations on thirds for triplets.  The finer divisions are great for customized head sequences: triplets-within-triplets, or triplets against fours.

Bonus FX:

• Delay Time NONE.
• some Wow & Flutter
• healthy amount of Feedback (< 5.0).
• One or more Head Div set to Min.
• Fine-tune resonance with Fdbk Path.
• Switch between Full & Half Speed.

[h90rus]

Well said by Brock

I think in terms of 1/4 division because that’s what my foot knows how to tap tempo.

Then I take the sub-divisions into account and apply the to the heads

1/4 is1/16 note

2/4 (input as1/2) is 1/8 note

3/4 is dotted 1/8 note

4/4 (input as 1) is quarter note

A dotted note is an additional half value of reference note length (50% more).

You can see the sequence of divisions from 1/16th note to 1/4, with the numerator (top number, 1,2,3,4) incrementing and denominator (bottom number, 4) constant. You can do the same to 1/6’s for a space echo feel: 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6.

i use +/- 3-5% to nudge the heads off from perfect to emulate a real world tape deck heads.

[apalazzolo]

A BIG thanks to you gentlemen!!!  This instantly checks out.

I wish I knew this stuff three years ago.

I’ll prolly confuse myself more as I dig into this further but you have both given me exactly what I need right now!!!

[Gunnmeet]

This sort of nomenclature was confusing me: 1/3 + 50%. In my mind, that is mathematically 1/3 + 1/2 = 5/6

I think what Eventide really means: 1/3 + (50% of one-third). Which is 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6 = 1/2

 

[apalazzolo]

I think the H9/90 manuals would be improved by some basic time division explanation or examples in the HeadSpace algo description.

Not much … just an explanation of how to dial up a triplet, a dotted note, etc. using Time Div so people know how those parameter values (expressed in %) correspond to jargon in common usage.

There might be 1000 H90 user programs on PatchStorage by now, and based on my informal review of almost every one for three years suggests to me that HEADSPACE is under-utilized.

I’m certainly guilty of under-utilizing it because I didn’t understand Time Div.  There is some excellent Strymon Volante preset videos and I’ve begun applying those lessons to HeadSpace now that I can understand how to apply what I’m hearing/seeing to HeadSpace.   In short, now that I can use it, I will use it.

 

[apalazzolo]

h90rus wrote:

….  You can do the same to 1/6’s for a space echo feel: 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6. ….

Interesting …

May I ask h90ru or anyone else to unpack this comment a bit?

Is the Roland RE201 Space Echo particularly known for these time divisions (and not 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, …)?

If so, why and is there a paradigmatic recording or two showing that off?

Thanks.

[h90rus]

apalazzolo wrote:

h90rus wrote:

…. You can do the same to 1/6’s for a space echo feel: 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6. ….

Interesting … May I ask h90ru or anyone else to unpack this comment a bit? Is the Roland RE201 Space Echo particularly known for these time divisions (and not 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, …)? If so, why and is there a paradigmatic recording or two showing that off? Thanks.

tldr: triplet spacing puts the repeats outside of 4/4 time signature down beats. using eight note spacing keeps them aligned with the down beat<span style=”font-size: inherit;”>. </span>

the Roland space echo operated on triplets which created separation from the down beats of 4/4 music as the repeats land between the drum down beats by using 1/6, 3/6, 4/6 which are the triplet spacing equivalent of 1/16, 3/16 (dotted 1/8), 4/16 (1/4).
<span style=”font-size: inherit;”>
a cool trick with these multiple heads is to also create a rhythmic pattern using combinations of the1/2/3 heads and then turn off head 1, 2 or 3 using hot switches. This is effectively cloning the El Capistan multi head mode.</span>

Best example is set up a preset using a dotted 1/8 and 1/4 and then do the same with a dotted sixth and a triplet and play along to some 4/4 drums. You’ll immediately hear the triplet pattern stepping out while the 1/8 staying in line.

[h90rus]

apalazzolo wrote:

h90rus wrote:

…. You can do the same to 1/6’s for a space echo feel: 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6. ….

Interesting … May I ask h90ru or anyone else to unpack this comment a bit? Is the Roland RE201 Space Echo particularly known for these time divisions (and not 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, …)? If so, why and is there a paradigmatic recording or two showing that off? Thanks.

tldr: triplet spacing puts the repeats outside of 4/4 time signature down beats. using eight note spacing keeps them aligned with the down beat<span style=”font-size: inherit;”>. </span>

the Roland space echo operated on triplets which created separation from the down beats of 4/4 music as the repeats land between the drum down beats by using 1/6, 3/6, 4/6 which are the triplet spacing equivalent of 1/16, 3/16 (dotted 1/8), 4/16 (1/4).
<span style=”font-size: inherit;”>
a cool trick with these multiple heads is to also create a rhythmic pattern using combinations of the1/2/3 heads and then turn off head 1, 2 or 3 using hot switches. This is effectively cloning the El Capistan multi head mode.</span>

Best example is set up a preset using a dotted 1/8 and 1/4 and then do the same with a dotted sixth and a triplet and play along to some 4/4 drums. You’ll immediately hear the triplet pattern stepping out while the 1/8 staying in line.

[apalazzolo]

Thanks again @h90rus.  Very helpful.

 

May I ask if someone can either (1) confirm my understanding of the following two points, or (2) correct me?

I believe that:

(1) the Strymon Volante can play the pattern in this video (at 2:40) because it will play repeats for heads that are not on (head #2 in this case); and

(2) HeadSpace cannot play this pattern because no repeats will sound for head 2 even if feedback path 1 & 2 has been selected?

 

I think I must be wrong about point #2 but I don’t know why.

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