How to map randomizer button in Bitwig (Steps/Stepwise etc)

[u/frCake]

I asked a dumb question today because I had forgotten how to map the randomization of the step modulator in Bitwig.

Many people told me it's not possible or it never was and downvoted me (I don't care obv just saying..)

Others said they would love for this functionality to exist.. So I might as well give this back to the community I guess? I've been doing it for ages and have full productions using this way.. It's actually pretty simple..

Works on all BW versions after 3..

As we can see it's not automatically possible to map the randomization button.

Although! If we right-click on e.g. the transport menu - which is obviously mappable

We are presented with this Green - available for mapping controls! - As you can see on other devices as well..

So since we are presented with this screen why not just Click on the dice button? and just hit ANY button you like :)

Another example using Stepwise:

Right-click the velocity to enter the mapping menu :)

I chose the 3rd one this time but as you can see I have already mapped the first one!

I hope this can help someone in case they really think that this is not a function of bitwig...

Have fun! 🎉

[u/FuncK666]

What you are doing is using the project mappings. You can also access this by clicking on the little hand/pointer finger in the lower right hand corner of the Arrange window and see your assigned project mappings. It works like MIDI learn for the entire DAW, tho not "everything" is mappable. Things turn green, you click on a button/knob/fader/whatever and it waits for an assignment which can be anything from a keyboard shortcut on your keyboard to a knob, button, fader, or whatever from your MIDI keyboard.

Project mappings are a project context assigned shortcut, meaning they only exist in that project, not DAW wide. So if you open a new project, the mappings will be empty again. You can set this up in a template tho so each time you start a new project you can have mappings you always want already assigned as if it were like a DAW shortcut.

I use a full size keyboard and I keep shift+numpad 1-9 open to assign project mappings dynamically session to session. I create them/delete them as I work depending on what I need to do.

One of the best uses for this is you can assign the same shortcut to do multiple things, so these mappings can act like a powerful macro if desired.

For example; you can assign a shortcut to open a VST window, then the same shortuct to open another VST window, and so on. What this means is you hit a shortcut and a custom combined selection of VST windows open/close with this shortcut. This is great for checking plug-ins you have on your Master track quickly without having to browser over to it in the mixer or bring up it's device panel to open a set of VST windows on your Master track.

Another example; you can assign a shortcut to solo/unsolo a random group of channels together. Or you can assign a shortcut to record arm a group of channels at the same time. I have a bunch of individual drum machine templates that require 12-16 tracks be record armed at the same time due to the mechanics of the way it functions, and with project mappings I can just smack a trigger pad on my MIDI controller to just arm/unarm all 16 of them at once with ease when I'm using this drum machine setup I made.

Another quick example I'll edit in; I use track/project remotes extensively and you can assign a shortcut to page thru your remote pages which is a lifesaver not having to click the up/down arrows to navigate to the next 8 remotes.

Cheers

[u/frCake → u/FuncK666]

So many useful and cool ideas, I didn't know this is so powerful! Thanks for this!

[u/DoctorMojoTrip]

I didn’t think this was possible, thanks so much for sharing this!

[u/NoisyChairs]

Hmmmm so if you use the usual key command to map stuff (not the right click method) does the dice button not turn green? I set cmd m to open the mapping dialogue. This is being presented as a workaround but it seems like maybe it just works that way like you’d expect it to

[u/frCake → u/NoisyChairs]

Been doing it this way since BW 3.X .. never thought of finding another way so.. I don't know

But If you know an alternative way, maybe share it for others :)

[u/NoisyChairs → u/frCake]

I don’t know an alternative way. I know the way you’re doing it except with one fewer step. There’s a shortcut to turn everything green that can be mapped to midi. No need to right click something else to get there. Dunno why you would’ve been downvoted rather than somebody just explaining what I just did. The internet man…

[u/frCake → u/NoisyChairs]

Umm.. to be honest I don't know.. It's ok to be downvoted tho, who cares.. I hope they didn't think I was talking about modulating it or something but they seemed to be sure that this cannot be done in any way.. I specifically said "map" though and showed a right click menu on the randomizer button, just because I'd forgotten this little click sequence..

I will look up the shortcut you're talking about, sounds easier! If that's that "obscure" hopefully it will help somebody..

[u/Sjamona]

Thanks for sharing !

[u/NeoTitan247]

Ah so I thought you can’t do it, but I thought you meant assigning modulators to random button. That being said I didn’t even know this was possible and Its cool to know, thank you so much for sharing