Session with Matthew covering polyrhythm and polymeter — two ways of layering conflicting rhythmic patterns.
Definitions
- Polyrhythm: Two or more rhythms with different subdivisions played simultaneously over the same time span. Example: 3 against 2 (triplets over eighth notes) — both patterns resolve at the same downbeat.
- Polymeter: Two or more meters running simultaneously with the same subdivision but different groupings. Example: 3/4 against 4/4 — same tempo, but the downbeats drift apart and only realign after a full cycle (12 beats in this case).
Creating them in Tempera and Renoise
- Tempera: Use multiple lanes with different time signatures or loop lengths. Set one lane to a 3-step pattern and another to a 4-step pattern at the same BPM — the offset between them creates polymeter naturally.
- Renoise: Use the delay column (Dx) to shift note positions for polyrhythmic feel. For polymeter, set different pattern lengths per track using the phrase editor — a 12-row phrase on one track against a 16-row phrase on another gives you 3 vs 4.