Alias8 Bitwig Control Script

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Overview

The Alias8 Control Script for Bitwig Studio is an incredibly flexible workflow that gives you access to sequencing, editing, and mixing in any track, device, instrument, or clip. Taking full advantage of Bitwig's advanced scripting engine, the Alias8 is easily mapped to different parts of the program: clip launching, mixing, tweaking synths, adjusting effects, recording clips, and even step-sequencing midi notes. With intuitive use of the encoder, and smart mappings of the generous controls, the compact Alias8 controller becomes a go-to utility for a variety of music making tasks. Basically, the Alias8 is a small controller that's fun and says hey you, I'm a li'l controller, deal with it. To that end, we built in a lot of fun things to do with the Alias8 in Bitwig.

Installation

If you need to update the scripts, here's how you manually install the Bitwig script files. While it is possible to install these scripts in your user directory, we recommend that you replace the scripts in the Application Package itself. Otherwise you will end up with duplicate scripts in your Control Surfaces preferences which could lead to confusion. Download the most current scripts from our GitHub repository

Mac OSX

  • Right click on the Bitwig Studio application icon and select Show Package Contents.
  • Navigate to /Contents/Resources/ControlSurfaceScripts/livid
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.
  • Alternatively, you can install in ~/Documents/Bitwig Studio/Controller Scripts/

Windows

  • Navigate to C:\Program Files\Bitwig Studio\resources\controllers\livid
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.
  • Alternatively, you can install in MyDocuments/Bitwig Studio/Controller Scripts/

Linux

  • Navigate to /opt/bitwig-studio/resources/controllers/livid (found using the whereis bitwig command)
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.
  • Alternatively, you can install in Home>Bitwig Studio>Controller Scripts

Install Video

Watch Tutorial Video

Tutorial Video

A complete tutorial to using the Alias8 with Bitwig can be viewed on our YouTube channel:
Watch Tutorial Video

Illustrated Guide

A PDF with all modes for all controllers illustrated can be downloaded here.

Basic Conventions

The Alias8 Control Script attempts to access as many different functions in Bitwig as possible, while keeping tasks focused and available as needed, optimized for the unique layout of the Alias8. There are two basic modes in this script, plus a Shift button for momentary access to special functions.

The Modes

Channel Mix Mode (ch 01)

Channel Mix Mode is designed to provide a simple utility mixer to give you access to your levels and sends.

Alias8 in Mix Mode - Bitwig Studio

Clips Mode (ch 02)

If you need to trigger a few clips, mix their levels, and add some send effects, then Clips Mode has the controls for you!

Alias8 in Clips Mode - Bitwig Studio

Track Mix Mode (ch 03)

Track Mix mode gives you basic controls over your tracks, but lets you quicky get in and edit the synths, effects, and sends on the selected track. The top row maps to the macros in the first device (usually your synth or primary effects chain) so you can fine tune your mix.

Alias8 in Mix Mode - Bitwig Studio

Sequence Mode (ch 04)

This "master" sequencer lets you quickly build up or edit a sequence for a selected clip. The top row of buttons represent steps that you can enable, the second row lets you select notes to edit. Great for setting up a simple drum loop or bass line really fast. We built in more controls in the shift mode. If you want a more classic, analog style step sequencer, check out the ClassSeq mode.

Alias8 in Sequence Mode - Bitwig Studio

Shifted Sequence Mode

Alias8 in Sequence Mode - Bitwig Studio

Device Mode (ch 05)

Device Mode is designed to take full advantage of all the continuous controls on the Alias8. With both parameter and Macro control, you can give your effects and synths a full treatment. The bottom right buttons give you navigation buttons to select a device and dive deeper into the parameters.

Alias8 in Device Mode - Bitwig Studio

ClassSeq Mode (ch 06)

The ClassSeq Mode provides a classic analog-stye step sequencer. Best used on a new one measure clip, the knobs control the pitches of the steps within an octave, and the master slider controls the octave for all knobs. Each octave is an independent sequence. Use the Device Macros to control your custom parameters for your instrument, and enable steps with the buttons. In short - a very fun, quick, and dirty stepper sure to spark some creative sounds. This is currently an "experimental mode" whose features will likely change over time, as the Bitwig Controller API grows to accommodate some of the technical issues with this mode.

Alias8 in Sequence Mode - Bitwig Studio

Moment Mode (ch 07)

This mode is similar to other mixing modes, but gives you momentary buttons for effects. These can be highly effective ways to add some live feeling to a track, and this mode is setup for quick experimentation and tweaking, and is especially good for recoding automation into clips.

Alias8 in Device Mode - Bitwig Studio