In Tidal/Strudel mini-notation, * subdivides hits into one step while ! replicates a step across positions

Two mini-notation operators are frequently confused because they look similar but do opposite things. The * operator subdivides a single step: bd3 puts three hits of bd into the space of one step (faster, a rhythmic subdivision). The ! operator replicates a step across multiple positions: bd!3 places bd across three separate steps at the same speed. So bd3 is a triplet-in-one-slot and bd!3 is three normal-length repeats. This grammar is identical in Tidal and Strudel, so the trap ports across both.

Examples

“bd*3” // three bd hits crammed into one step (fast) “bd!3” // bd replicated over three steps (normal speed)

Assessment

Explain the difference between bd*3 and bd!3 in mini-notation.