Jamming and midi fx in Bitwig

Hey all. I come from hardware world, though still kind of a newbie. I’d consider myself somewhere intermediate with sound design and sequencing. I’ve got a handle on basics, but am still very much in an exploratory phase. I’ve become pretty interested in playing around itb, partially for deeper experimentation and learning sound design, more interesting sequencing, and for space considerations to try many types of VSTs without having to fill up a studio with hardware while learning.

I’m curious about Bitwig because the Grid seems something easier to wrap my head around than MAX but or Reaktor (but I am very curious about Reaktor!!). I’m particularly interested in sequencing that’s a little deeper than where I’m getting with hardware. I think what I’m talking about is called MIDI Effects, or maybe generative controlled sequences or even just events. As an example: making it so a snare hit isn’t a static roll every time it comes around. But maybe one time the space between the hits is a little different, or it fades in differently, or the sends to reverb are changing. I’ve heard that people like Bitwig or Reaktor for sound design, and go to MAX for more interesting control possibilities. Thoughts?

Separately but related: I’m also trying to wrap my head around how people jam to recordings on Bitwig. Are you using mouse control and midi faders? Are you launching sequences/scenes? A lot of tutorials I see are showing people composing their scenes, where as I’m more interested in zoning in and usually working with developing and playing with sounds and recording those, as opposed to “songs”. I’ve never used song mode on an Elektron.

Anyway, curious to hear any advice and experiences for the Bitwig-curious in the realm of these topics!