An arpeggiator is an essential tool for electronic music production. This effect plays the notes of a chord sequentially, creating rhythmic or melodic patterns. Arpeggiators bring motion and interest to synthesizer parts, driving the pulse of a track. Learning how to utilize arpeggiators opens up creative possibilities for producers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what an arpeggiator is, why it’s useful, and provide step-by-step instructions for implementing arpeggiator patterns in your music.
What is an Arpeggiator?
An arpeggiator works by taking the notes played in a chord and cycling through them repeatedly at a set tempo. For example, if you play a C major chord, the arpeggiator will play C, E, G, C, E, G and so on. This creates an arpeggio, which is where the effect gets its name.
On synthesizers and MIDI keyboards, the arpeggiator is a built-in function that triggers this pattern automatically when holding down a chord. The sequence can be customized by adjusting parameters like note order, speed, octave range, and more. This allows for intricate arpeggiation well beyond simply playing the chord notes in order.
Electronic musicians use arpeggiators to:
Generate rhythmic motion and melodic figures
Simulate the effect of rapidly playing successive notes on an instrument
Add harmonic complexity through extended chords
Inspire new patterns and song ideas
The arpeggiated sequence can become the foundation of a track, providing rhythmic impetus and melodic hooks. Even subtle use of an arpeggiator can bring animation to pad and chord parts. This effect is essential for genres like synthwave, house, techno, and EDM.
Why Use an Arpeggiator?
Here are some of the main reasons to use an arpeggiator in electronic music production:
Rhythmic Propulsion
The cycling pattern of an arpeggiator provides rhythmic propulsion to drive the beat. The effect creates a feeling of motion perfect for uptempo genres. Producers use arpeggiators to generate kinetic pulse and momentum in a track.
Melodic Variation
By altering the note order, arpeggiators create melodic patterns beyond just playing a chord straight. This adds melodic movement and harmonic complexity. The effect generates melodic ideas a composer may not have come up with through playing alone.
Inspiring Ideas
Experimenting with arpeggiator settings can inspire new song ideas and directions. Tweaking the parameters leads to unexpected patterns. These happy accidents can become the genesis for whole tracks. Arpeggiators aid creativity and musical discovery.
Thickening Texture
Layering multiple arpeggiators creates dense, complex sequences perfect for filling out the texture of a track. The interweaving patterns add harmonic richness and rhythmic activity. This thickens up the overall groove.
Energizing Parts
Applying an arpeggiator to sustained synth and pad sounds brings them to life. The cycling notes add articulation and rhythmic energy, preventing these parts from becoming static. Arpeggiators energize pillowy textures.
Live Performance
MIDI keyboard players utilize arpeggiators in live performance to simulate rapid playing on keyboard instruments. By holding down a chord, intricate arpeggiation is possible even for non-virtuosic players. This expands live possibilities.
How to Set Up an Arpeggiator
The first step in using an arpeggiator for music production is getting one set up within your software or hardware. Here is an overview of how to access and enable an arpeggiator:
In a DAW
Most major DAWs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and others come equipped with a virtual arpeggiator plugin that can be loaded onto a MIDI track. Follow these steps:
Add a software synthesizer instrument to a track, like a virtual analog synth.
In the plugin window, locate the “Arp” section and activate it. This enables the arpeggiator.
With the synth playing, hold down a chord. The arpeggiator will start cycling through the notes automatically.
Tweak the arpeggiator parameters to shape the pattern.
On a Hardware Synthesizer
Vintage analog synths and modern hardware units often have built-in arpeggiators. To use one:
Press the “Arp” or “Arpeggiator” button to activate the function.
While holding a chord on the keys, the arpeggio will start playing automatically.
Adjust the rate, octave range, note order and other settings to customize the arp pattern.
In a Sequencer
DAWs like Ableton Live have dedicated arpeggiator MIDI effects that can be added to any instrument. To use:
Load the “Arpeggiator” MIDI effect on a track.
With a synth or sampler playing, hold a chord. The arpeggio sequence will generate automatically.
Edit the rate, note order, octave range and other parameters to craft the pattern.
How to Edit Arpeggiator Patterns
Once an arpeggiator is enabled, the real fun begins – shaping the repeating pattern through changing the settings. Here are some of the main parameters you can adjust to create custom arpeggios:
Rate
The rate sets the speed of the arpeggiated notes, measured in beats per minute or tempo synced note values (16th, 8th, quarter, etc). For rapid fire arps, use faster rates. Slower tempos work better for more laidback, melodic figures.
Note Order
This dictates the sequence of notes played in the arpeggio. Common settings are:
Up – Notes play from lowest to highest pitch.
Down – Notes play from highest to lowest pitch.
Up/Down – Notes play up then down the octave range.
Played – Notes play in the order physically played on keyboard.
Random – Notes play in a random order.
Mixing up the note order adds rhythmic variety and melodic interest.
Octave Range
Determines how many octaves up and down the arpeggiator will play from the original chord. Wider ranges expand the harmonic possibilities. Keep ranges narrower for simpler patterns.
Swing
Adds rhythmic swing to the arpeggiator, shifting every other note forward in time. Use subtle settings for a laidback groove. Crank the knob for heavily syncopated patterns.
Gate
Sets the length of each arpeggiated note. Lower settings result in short, staccato notes. Higher values give longer, sustained notes. Adjusting the gate time varies the articulation.
Latch
When enabled, the arpeggiator will continue cycling even after you remove your hand from the keyboard. Turning latch off stops the pattern immediately after releasing keys.
MIDI Out
Routes the generated arpeggio pattern to the MIDI out of the synth. This allows capturing the arp as MIDI notes to quantize, edit, and consolidate into audio.
These are just a few of the editable parameters available for shaping arpeggios. Explore your synth or arpeggiator plugin to discover all the possibilities for crafting unique patterns.
How to Record an Arpeggiator
A common production technique is recording the output of an arpeggiator to use as the foundation of a track. Here is a step-by-step workflow for capturing arpeggios:
Set Up the Arpeggiator
Program the arpeggiator first – activate it on a synth or MIDI track, then edit the rate, note order, octave range and other settings until you have a pattern you like. Tweak parameters until the part sounds great before recording.
Record the MIDI Output
With the arpeggiator playing your chosen chords, hit record in your DAW. This will capture the MIDI note information generated by the arpeggiator. Make sure MIDI out is enabled on the synth.
Edit and Quantize
Open up the MIDI clip to view the recorded arpeggio notes. You can now edit, rearrange or quantize the notes as needed. Tidy up the MIDI pattern.
Consolidate to Audio
With the MIDI sequence perfected, consolidate or render the arpeggiated part to audio. You can now treat it like any other audio clip, adding effects and editing.
Build the Track
Use the recorded arpeggio as the foundation of the track. Construct drums, basslines, leads and other elements around the arp pattern. Let it drive the pulse and harmony.
Recording out arpeggios allows integrating them into the production process like any other part. This opens up a world of sound design possibilities.
Creative Arpeggiator Techniques and Ideas
With an understanding of how arpeggiators work, let’s explore some advanced techniques for using them creatively in your music:
Layering Multiple Arps
Stack two or more arpeggiators running together to create complex polyrhythms and textures. Have them play at different rates and note orders for interest. Offset the start times and let them intertwine.
Synth Percussion
Use very short arpeggiated notes to generate percussive effects like laser guns or textural hits. Get creative with atonal note sets and abstract patterns.
Melodic Leads
Slow melodic arpeggios sequenced in octaves create dreamy lead lines. For variation, tie and slide between notes. Apply portamento for more animation.
Pulsing Pads
Add rhythmic animation to pad and atmosphere sounds with a subtle arpeggiator. Have it move chord notes up and down by a few octaves slowly. This creates pulsing motion.
Modulating Filters
Route the arpeggiator to modulate filter cutoff or resonance for wobble effects. The cycling notes will rhythmically open and close the filter.
Delay Lines
Running the arpeggiator into a delay line creates cascading echos. Sync the delay time to the arpeggiator rate for hypnotic effects.
Sequencing Drum Patterns
Use an arp sequence sent to multiple percussion sounds to generate rhythmic drum patterns. Get creative routing various notes to different drums.
The possibilities are endless when you start utilizing arpeggiators creatively in new contexts. Think outside the box to inspire new musical ideas.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
When working with arpeggiators, there are a few common issues that can arise. Here are solutions to some typical problems:
Problem: Notes getting cut off early
Solution: Increase the gate time to make the arpeggiated notes longer. This prevents choppy truncation.
Problem: Notes overlapping and getting messy
Solution: Reduce the rate to slow down the speed and increase the gate time to prevent overlap.
Problem: Arpeggiator gets out of sync with track tempo
Solution: Set the rate in tempo-synced note values like 1/16th, 1/8th rather than free BPM. This locks it to the project tempo.
Problem: Can’t record MIDI out of arpeggiator
Solution: Make sure MIDI out is enabled on the synth’s arpeggiator, and that monitoring is on so it is passed through.
Problem: Recorded arp sounds different than when played live
Solution: Double check rate, note order, octave range, and gate settings match between live playing and recorded version.
With a bit of troubleshooting, you can solve most common arpeggiator headaches. An arp may not always behave how you expect, but that experimentation often leads to fresh ideas. Embrace the happy accidents!
Top Arpeggiator Tips
After reading this guide, you should have a solid grasp of arpeggiator concepts and techniques. Here are our top tips to take your arp skills to the next level:
Get arps going early – Experiment with arpeggiators at the start of a project to kickstart ideas
Record midi out – Capture arp patterns as editable MIDI clips
Note order sets melody – Sequence notes creatively for unique melodic phrases
Alter rate for variation – Change arp speed throughout a track for interest
Thicken pads and synths – Subtle arps energize sustained sounds
Offset multiple arps – Layer two with different settings for polyrhythms
Utilize creatively – Arps for percussion, leads, FX…get creative!
Fix timing issues – Set rate in tempo divisions to lock to master tempo
Embrace the happy accidents! – Let unexpected patterns inspire new musical directions
With endless creative potential, arpeggiators are a vital tool for forward-thinking electronic musicians. Master their use to take your productions to the next level!
FAQ
What is an arpeggiator?
An arpeggiator is an effect that takes the notes played in a chord and cycles through them sequentially at a set tempo. This creates arpeggio patterns and rhythmic sequences.
How do I set up an arpeggiator?
In a DAW, load an arpeggiator plugin on a synth track. On hardware, press the “Arp” button to activate it. In a sequencer, add the “Arpeggiator” MIDI effect.
What are the main parameters for editing arp patterns?
Rate controls the speed. Note order determines the sequence. Octave range sets the pitch spread. Gate adjusts note length. Swing adds rhythmic shuffle.
What are some advanced arpeggiator techniques?
Layer multiple arps together. Use very short gates for synth percussion. Slow patterns create dreamy leads. Modulate filters with cycling notes. Trigger drum patterns from an arp.
How do I record the output of an arpeggiator?
With MIDI out enabled, record the arpeggiator while playing chords. Quantize and edit the MIDI notes. Consolidate to audio when finished.
What are some common arpeggiator problems and how do I fix them?
Choppy notes – Increase gate time. Overlapping notes – Reduce rate. Out of sync – Use tempo-based note values. Can’t record MIDI – Enable monitoring. Different live vs. recorded – Check settings match.
What are some pro tips for getting the most out of arpeggiators?
Experiment early in a project. Capture MIDI out. Note order affects melody. Vary rate for interest. Use subtly on pads. Offset multiple arps. Get creative with sound design. Fix timing issues. Embrace happy accidents.