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Forums - Live / PA / gigging
Subject: "live box"
Viewing all 34 messages - View by pages of 10: 1 2 3 4
Original Message 1/34 10-Apr-02 @ 04:33 AM - live box
in another thread, Mindspawn said ,in reference to the RS700, "it ain't the best live box, but it ain't the worst".
in your opinion, what is the best live box out there and what features does it have that make it so?
also, whats missing from the other boxes?
don't know if you guys have ever been on the imperialdub.com board, but there has been an ongoing project about building a box based around the alesis MMT8. i put the link above.
in your opinion, what is the best live box out there and what features does it have that make it so?
also, whats missing from the other boxes?
don't know if you guys have ever been on the imperialdub.com board, but there has been an ongoing project about building a box based around the alesis MMT8. i put the link above.
Message 2/34 10-Apr-02 @ 04:49 AM - RE:
you know...its funny but this here DT is the ONLY chatroom I ever go to...
funny to see "deepsmile" (digitalbound) and "JasWho?" there as well...
anyway..MMT8s are DOPE, but...not enough tracks/memory
god..why doesnt someone just design a SICK hw sequencer? no tricks, but plenty of tracks. no sample playback..no point
say 2-4 outs, 16-24 tracks...etc
Kawai Q80 is pretty cool, but the buttons are WACK...
funny to see "deepsmile" (digitalbound) and "JasWho?" there as well...
anyway..MMT8s are DOPE, but...not enough tracks/memory
god..why doesnt someone just design a SICK hw sequencer? no tricks, but plenty of tracks. no sample playback..no point
say 2-4 outs, 16-24 tracks...etc
Kawai Q80 is pretty cool, but the buttons are WACK...
Message 4/34 10-Apr-02 @ 09:22 AM Edit: 10-Apr-02 | 09:36 AM - RE:
Well, first off, a lot depends on what you want out of a box... for that matter, do you need a "box" at all? Well anyway... If you're just talking a sequencer, there's actually a lot of good sequencers, from basic to waaaay complex. However, many sequencers don't lend themselves to much live manipulation. I mean you usually have mutes, maybe, but you usually can't do a lot to alter the actual sequence on the fly. The "multi-boxes" like the RS7K, the MC505, the EMU XL-7, the RM1x, the MPC2K, and so on also suffer from a lack of real-time tweakability to one degree or other, too. Anyhoos, I'm thinkin' you were referring to these sorts of multi-boxes when you asked yer question, so...
I like 'em for the convenience factor, you usually get a fair amount of MIDI control, a sequencer, and maybe some usable sounds... Beats lugging a lot of extra shit... Most of the time you'll probably want another sound source or two, but for the stuff I do it certainly cuts down on how much kit I need to carry.
Now, the "best" box? Well, as I answered to Influx, there ain't no such thing... All of them have shortcomings, given how and what I like to play. If I had to pick one single box from those that are available for live use, it'd probably still be the MC505 at the moment. Why? Bottomline is the familiarity factor. I know it intimately and I've gotten used to using it, quirks and all. For my style of live play, it's more comfortable for me to use the 505. I've spent a good deal of time working with/trying out other bits like the RS7K, the XL-7, the MPC2K, the Electribes, and the RM1x, and for now, I still prefer the 505's ability in the live arena. There's boxes with better sound, better sequencers, and better control, AND maybe they're actually "easier" to work with, too, I just got used to working with the 505.... I'm still trying other things though.
Anyway, the quick answer to your question would be the 505, the "what features" is largely familiarity more than any thing else. If you put in time on any of the machines out there, you'll be able to figure out how to make it work for you.
A lot really depends on how you like to play and what you play. Some boxes are more inclined towards certain styles or approaches of playing than others.
If you've the time, here's some basic thoughts I have on all the boxes I've actually used :
The Electribes are a helluva lot of fun to use and you can definitely do a very "live" set with them. They're excellent for folks who like a modular kind of rig and the individual units all "play" well with each other. They don't have the greatest sound but it is very usable and quite adequate for most things. They're not terribly configurable MIDI-wise, but you have enough control to do what you need to... They are definitely well suited to "jamming" style of play. They are probably NOT a good box for someone who uses or programs lots of notes and other more complex bits. Very raw, very fun...
The EMU XL-7 is the arpeggiator champ IMO. Friggin' thang has a waaay cool arp section in it, up to 32 arps at once, all synchable, and a lot of ability to modify arps. Realtime record is another cool thing, lets you create or edit sequences while you're playing them. Mad cool sound on this one, best sounding synth engine of the lot IMO. FX are decent, but nothing special. Course with the sound being so nice there's less desire for FX anyway...
It's still a new technology, so it's OS is a little shaky, but EMU have been releasing bug fixes and updates regularly. It doesn't have any means of switching patterns other than scrolling through menus, and it's a MF to edit sequence data. It's actually easier to erase or overdub than it is to try and edit individual notes, although EMU is supposedly gonna sort that in one of the updates... The XL-7 is also a solid box, very well made piece of kit. That's worth considering if you're going to be dragging it all over creation...
The MPC I ain't gonna say much about. It's got a nice sequencer, it samples... Lots of folk use 'em both live and in the studio. We had one for about three weeks and returned it. Just wasn't flexible enough for our needs. It is a good machine, and it's very good for "grooving" with samples, but I found it's architecture a little stiff and it didn't suit my style of live play too well as I don't really use samples much.
The RS7K/RM1x - different machines but similar enough to put together. They both share a lot of similar features, especially as relates to the sequencer. The RS can sample, the RM1x can't. The RS has a bit nicer sound, a bit more real-time control and nicer FX. The RS is also about twice the price of the RM1x. As to their live playing ability, they're both close to the same, with the RS having a few more perks. Very solid timing on these machines, definitely one of the best sequencers in terms of editing and such. Very flexible in terms of routing MIDI info and a good ability to control other equipment (though the RM1x used to send out some SYSEX stuff that would occasionally freak out machines that were downstream... believe that was only the early OS's/EPROMs though, the updated one seemed fine...).
A cool feature is being able to set your pattern quantize when switching patterns to 1/16th notes. Makes it a lot of fun to "play" your sections. The RS has some very decent FX, and both have some cool MIDI FX that lend themselves well to live use. The RS also has the "LOOP REMIXER" which can give any sequence a new twist, in real-time no less... The weakness of these machines for me is mostly that you have to do a lot of prep work editing sequences to be able to run an entire set without "stopping the beat," so to speak... Not impossible to workaround, but a bit bothersome.
I would like to mention that a lot of the "preset" patterns in the RS are actually pretty decent, and I'm talking about individual sequences or "phrases" as Yamaha calls them. I've found some very nice percussion bits in there for instance. That's a bit unusual in my experience with most boxes, as most tend to have really lame presets....
The 505 is still my favored live box, as I've said already, largely due to me being very familiar with it. As for actual features that I make use of, the biggest thing is it's pattern call function. It lets you set up patterns and variations (including altering every single aspect of a pattern except the actual sequenced data... all patches, levels, panning, fx, etc., can all be modified) so that you can use the same sequence data and switch up sounds, FX, mutes, and even the actual patches, and recall your modified setup at any point in the set. You can move between pattern sets smoothly without any glitches and keep the beat going all night if you want... The Megamix feature is also useful live as it lets you further "mix" up your sequenced bits allowing you to bring sequence data and patch setup from one pattern into another on the fly (like you can switch out basslines, leads or whatever...).
The 505 has also got good control over individual tracks, the sliders, knobs, and so on are well laid out to be able to manage multiple tracks at once, you just need agile fingers. The arp is damn skippy, too. Very flexible and able to be tweaked in realtime, I use the arp as much as I do the pattern call function... Not as fully featured as the EMUs, but still well implemented. I also gotta mention the D-Beam. I first just wrote it off as a gimmick, but after I got to using it I really use it a lot. It makes for an eexcellent alternative controller, you can play scales with it, and it's a massive crowd pleaser. I like it enough I'm trying to get one of the actual Dimension Beams from Interactive Light as they have a lot more configurability, are more accurate, and have a bigger range than the D-Beams licensed by Roland. Anyhoos, I really enjoy controlling MIDI data with them, a lot like using a theramin.
The downside of the 505 is a fairly vanilla sequencer (although the grid sequencer is nice old style Roland...), and weak "out of the box" sound. When I say "weak" I mean that most of the sounds that are preset patches in the 505 (and I won't even touch the preset patterns in this writing as presets are generally lame in any machine....) are a bit dated. They also suffer from a lack of low-end unless you're using the Main Stereo Outs with the low boost feature on. The synth engine IS an abbreviated JV2080 though, so as long as you don't mind doing some programming the issue of weak sound is largely eliminated. The FX are decent, even good in some areas, lame in others. Anyhoos, I obviously had a bit more to say about the 505, but again I've used it more than the other bits. Also, I want to note that a lot of the things I like about the 505 are available in other boxes, too.
All this said, remember, one can get deeper into ANY of these machines than I did, including the 505. Hence, you can't take what I'm saying as gospel, just some opinions based on my own experience and preferences. What has made the 505 so valuable to me is that I spent a great deal of time learning it. I know lots of "tricks" on the 505 that I don't know on the other machines. that's not to say these other critters don't have tricks, too, I just haven't had the time to learn them like I have with the 505.
I'd also like to mention I'm always altering my setup, trying new machines out, making adjustments and practicing. Right now I'm after adding an analog step sequencer and an independent ARP box to my rig. Maybe then I'll "retire" the 505 to the studio for awhile. Then again, I have also been enjoying the RS, and maybe I'll end up finding ways to use it in a live situation that are more to my liking...
One last bit, if you've read this far, methinks you understand there's more than one way of doing this. That includes avoiding these boxes all together. As Influx pointed out, the MMT8 is a very useful live sequencer, not terribly complex, yet more than adequate for most dance bits. That and a couple of synths, maybe a sampler, will take you a long long way. Most important is to figure out, usually with a little forethought and a lot of trial and error, how you want to do a show and buy the equipment that is best suited to that. It may take awhile, and maybe you'll end up like me, constantly refining your kit, but just keep prodding and you'll sort out what works for you. There just ain't no "box of the gods" IMO, least not so far....
Peace and sorry for the massive post....
I like 'em for the convenience factor, you usually get a fair amount of MIDI control, a sequencer, and maybe some usable sounds... Beats lugging a lot of extra shit... Most of the time you'll probably want another sound source or two, but for the stuff I do it certainly cuts down on how much kit I need to carry.
Now, the "best" box? Well, as I answered to Influx, there ain't no such thing... All of them have shortcomings, given how and what I like to play. If I had to pick one single box from those that are available for live use, it'd probably still be the MC505 at the moment. Why? Bottomline is the familiarity factor. I know it intimately and I've gotten used to using it, quirks and all. For my style of live play, it's more comfortable for me to use the 505. I've spent a good deal of time working with/trying out other bits like the RS7K, the XL-7, the MPC2K, the Electribes, and the RM1x, and for now, I still prefer the 505's ability in the live arena. There's boxes with better sound, better sequencers, and better control, AND maybe they're actually "easier" to work with, too, I just got used to working with the 505.... I'm still trying other things though.
Anyway, the quick answer to your question would be the 505, the "what features" is largely familiarity more than any thing else. If you put in time on any of the machines out there, you'll be able to figure out how to make it work for you.
A lot really depends on how you like to play and what you play. Some boxes are more inclined towards certain styles or approaches of playing than others.
If you've the time, here's some basic thoughts I have on all the boxes I've actually used :
The Electribes are a helluva lot of fun to use and you can definitely do a very "live" set with them. They're excellent for folks who like a modular kind of rig and the individual units all "play" well with each other. They don't have the greatest sound but it is very usable and quite adequate for most things. They're not terribly configurable MIDI-wise, but you have enough control to do what you need to... They are definitely well suited to "jamming" style of play. They are probably NOT a good box for someone who uses or programs lots of notes and other more complex bits. Very raw, very fun...
The EMU XL-7 is the arpeggiator champ IMO. Friggin' thang has a waaay cool arp section in it, up to 32 arps at once, all synchable, and a lot of ability to modify arps. Realtime record is another cool thing, lets you create or edit sequences while you're playing them. Mad cool sound on this one, best sounding synth engine of the lot IMO. FX are decent, but nothing special. Course with the sound being so nice there's less desire for FX anyway...
It's still a new technology, so it's OS is a little shaky, but EMU have been releasing bug fixes and updates regularly. It doesn't have any means of switching patterns other than scrolling through menus, and it's a MF to edit sequence data. It's actually easier to erase or overdub than it is to try and edit individual notes, although EMU is supposedly gonna sort that in one of the updates... The XL-7 is also a solid box, very well made piece of kit. That's worth considering if you're going to be dragging it all over creation...
The MPC I ain't gonna say much about. It's got a nice sequencer, it samples... Lots of folk use 'em both live and in the studio. We had one for about three weeks and returned it. Just wasn't flexible enough for our needs. It is a good machine, and it's very good for "grooving" with samples, but I found it's architecture a little stiff and it didn't suit my style of live play too well as I don't really use samples much.
The RS7K/RM1x - different machines but similar enough to put together. They both share a lot of similar features, especially as relates to the sequencer. The RS can sample, the RM1x can't. The RS has a bit nicer sound, a bit more real-time control and nicer FX. The RS is also about twice the price of the RM1x. As to their live playing ability, they're both close to the same, with the RS having a few more perks. Very solid timing on these machines, definitely one of the best sequencers in terms of editing and such. Very flexible in terms of routing MIDI info and a good ability to control other equipment (though the RM1x used to send out some SYSEX stuff that would occasionally freak out machines that were downstream... believe that was only the early OS's/EPROMs though, the updated one seemed fine...).
A cool feature is being able to set your pattern quantize when switching patterns to 1/16th notes. Makes it a lot of fun to "play" your sections. The RS has some very decent FX, and both have some cool MIDI FX that lend themselves well to live use. The RS also has the "LOOP REMIXER" which can give any sequence a new twist, in real-time no less... The weakness of these machines for me is mostly that you have to do a lot of prep work editing sequences to be able to run an entire set without "stopping the beat," so to speak... Not impossible to workaround, but a bit bothersome.
I would like to mention that a lot of the "preset" patterns in the RS are actually pretty decent, and I'm talking about individual sequences or "phrases" as Yamaha calls them. I've found some very nice percussion bits in there for instance. That's a bit unusual in my experience with most boxes, as most tend to have really lame presets....
The 505 is still my favored live box, as I've said already, largely due to me being very familiar with it. As for actual features that I make use of, the biggest thing is it's pattern call function. It lets you set up patterns and variations (including altering every single aspect of a pattern except the actual sequenced data... all patches, levels, panning, fx, etc., can all be modified) so that you can use the same sequence data and switch up sounds, FX, mutes, and even the actual patches, and recall your modified setup at any point in the set. You can move between pattern sets smoothly without any glitches and keep the beat going all night if you want... The Megamix feature is also useful live as it lets you further "mix" up your sequenced bits allowing you to bring sequence data and patch setup from one pattern into another on the fly (like you can switch out basslines, leads or whatever...).
The 505 has also got good control over individual tracks, the sliders, knobs, and so on are well laid out to be able to manage multiple tracks at once, you just need agile fingers. The arp is damn skippy, too. Very flexible and able to be tweaked in realtime, I use the arp as much as I do the pattern call function... Not as fully featured as the EMUs, but still well implemented. I also gotta mention the D-Beam. I first just wrote it off as a gimmick, but after I got to using it I really use it a lot. It makes for an eexcellent alternative controller, you can play scales with it, and it's a massive crowd pleaser. I like it enough I'm trying to get one of the actual Dimension Beams from Interactive Light as they have a lot more configurability, are more accurate, and have a bigger range than the D-Beams licensed by Roland. Anyhoos, I really enjoy controlling MIDI data with them, a lot like using a theramin.
The downside of the 505 is a fairly vanilla sequencer (although the grid sequencer is nice old style Roland...), and weak "out of the box" sound. When I say "weak" I mean that most of the sounds that are preset patches in the 505 (and I won't even touch the preset patterns in this writing as presets are generally lame in any machine....) are a bit dated. They also suffer from a lack of low-end unless you're using the Main Stereo Outs with the low boost feature on. The synth engine IS an abbreviated JV2080 though, so as long as you don't mind doing some programming the issue of weak sound is largely eliminated. The FX are decent, even good in some areas, lame in others. Anyhoos, I obviously had a bit more to say about the 505, but again I've used it more than the other bits. Also, I want to note that a lot of the things I like about the 505 are available in other boxes, too.
All this said, remember, one can get deeper into ANY of these machines than I did, including the 505. Hence, you can't take what I'm saying as gospel, just some opinions based on my own experience and preferences. What has made the 505 so valuable to me is that I spent a great deal of time learning it. I know lots of "tricks" on the 505 that I don't know on the other machines. that's not to say these other critters don't have tricks, too, I just haven't had the time to learn them like I have with the 505.
I'd also like to mention I'm always altering my setup, trying new machines out, making adjustments and practicing. Right now I'm after adding an analog step sequencer and an independent ARP box to my rig. Maybe then I'll "retire" the 505 to the studio for awhile. Then again, I have also been enjoying the RS, and maybe I'll end up finding ways to use it in a live situation that are more to my liking...
One last bit, if you've read this far, methinks you understand there's more than one way of doing this. That includes avoiding these boxes all together. As Influx pointed out, the MMT8 is a very useful live sequencer, not terribly complex, yet more than adequate for most dance bits. That and a couple of synths, maybe a sampler, will take you a long long way. Most important is to figure out, usually with a little forethought and a lot of trial and error, how you want to do a show and buy the equipment that is best suited to that. It may take awhile, and maybe you'll end up like me, constantly refining your kit, but just keep prodding and you'll sort out what works for you. There just ain't no "box of the gods" IMO, least not so far....
Peace and sorry for the massive post....
Message 5/34 10-Apr-02 @ 09:39 AM - RE:
Damn Mindspawn, your kitlist is almost as massive as your post!
Great explanation of the different pieces. I started off with the MC-505 myself and must say that I *do* miss that Megamix function... come to think of it, does anyone know if the MPC can do that. Gonna grab the manual tonight, never do use that "2nd sequence" function- might be just that.
cheers,
-M-
Great explanation of the different pieces. I started off with the MC-505 myself and must say that I *do* miss that Megamix function... come to think of it, does anyone know if the MPC can do that. Gonna grab the manual tonight, never do use that "2nd sequence" function- might be just that.
cheers,
-M-
Message 6/34 10-Apr-02 @ 09:43 AM - RE:
Heheh - I can be a long winded bastard, eh... As for me kit, I've been doing this for awhile. Things sort of "collect" over time....=)
Peace
Peace
Message 7/34 10-Apr-02 @ 10:32 AM - RE:
thanks, mindspawn. that was above and beyond...
i've always wondered about the 505 but never had the opportunty to work with one. i really like the idea of the pattern call function. if you could combine that with the ability to change banks or presets in a sampler on the fly, it would be an ideal way to make a lot of variations in a pattern oriented set. i also like the sliders and think it would be cool if the RM1X had a mixer for its individual tracks, leaving the knobs available for other functions. and more outputs, for christ sakes.
i do like the way the electribes are setup, especially the ES1. you can have a 100 variations on the same beat using the play effects, roll button, changing samples, dropping them in and out, etc...
just wish (again) that it had more outputs.
i have some more stuff i would like to add, but its late and me and zube just got back from an all nighter at The Yucca...
thanks again, and any more ruminations are appreciated
i've always wondered about the 505 but never had the opportunty to work with one. i really like the idea of the pattern call function. if you could combine that with the ability to change banks or presets in a sampler on the fly, it would be an ideal way to make a lot of variations in a pattern oriented set. i also like the sliders and think it would be cool if the RM1X had a mixer for its individual tracks, leaving the knobs available for other functions. and more outputs, for christ sakes.
i do like the way the electribes are setup, especially the ES1. you can have a 100 variations on the same beat using the play effects, roll button, changing samples, dropping them in and out, etc...
just wish (again) that it had more outputs.
i have some more stuff i would like to add, but its late and me and zube just got back from an all nighter at The Yucca...
thanks again, and any more ruminations are appreciated
Message 8/34 10-Apr-02 @ 11:19 AM - RE:
I'll definately vouch for the lack of a 'best box' in existence. Something Minspawn did not mention is combing boxes. I've got a friend that uses an XL-7, an ES-1, and an RM1x, all sync'd and chucked into a mixer, and this cat has for a long time been considered the undisputed king of the European underground tekno scene. He's bouncing tempos around, doing crazy polyrythmic shit, stuff that just leaves you confused for a second then slams you so hard with a bumpin groove that you just have absolutley no choice but to boogie. All of his boxes although sync'd are running completely independent sets of grooves, and he just mashes them up together and unleashes them on the crowd. Admittedly, each of the boxes is loaded with sound sequences and sounds, all niceley arranged in ProTools before hand, and he's got a really nice studio. Hell, he's goten tothe point where Paul Solomons doesn't even touch his stuff, but for the vinyl EQ templating come cutting time. No compression, no touch-up. This guy is that good. His sound is close to that good live. It's not a case of having one great box, but several very useable boxes that works well together, and REALLY knowing how to mix the shit out of your stuff. One minute of watching this guy play his mixer will explain why. It's not the only wayto do things tobe sure, and personally, I work a lot differently most of the time, but I'm going to give his method a try, sooner or later.
Ape
Ape
Message 9/34 10-Apr-02 @ 12:26 PM - RE:
I totally agree about the multiple boxes idea, I simply didna mention it as I was just looking at the functionality of the individual machines. Although, to be sure, I can envision a kind of "command center" type affair with myriad sensors, sequencers, and synths, maybe with a cup holder, too...
Seriously though, for what's available out there right now, the multi-machine approach is the way to go if you have the dosh for the bits. An' actually, a lot of the bits are pretty affordable on the second hand market. I've seen 505s, RM1xs, and MC303s all go for under $400 lately. Plus, as Pongoid points out, you dunna have to use them all "together," so to speak, but you can run completely different lines independently. I've gigged with a 303 and 505, a 505 and an Xbase and the SP505 running loops, and a long time back, a pair of MMT8s and the XP50 as a sequencer, and in all those cases all the machines were independent from each other save they shared a common clock. That, for me, is a very fun way to work cos you've got so many options. The only real downside is expense and portability.
I'd really love it if someone made a good tight sequencer like Influx was talkin' about, something highly interactive with a lot of real-time control. 'S why I've gotten interested in the step sequencers. I tend to play a lot of arps out live and the step sequencers operate in a very similar way but with a lot more options. I think I could get into gigging with one or two of those, maybe an independent arp box, one good controller or combination, the Jomox, and say one or two good synths like the Virus, those little Technosaurus critters, a Q, XT, or similar... maybe a little sampler, too, but that's about it. Small, portable, flexible, and very straight-forward....
THAT, the straight-forward bit, is one thing that doth suck about most of the multi-boxes. They're generally a bit cryptic to get used to and they vary a lot between manufacturers as to how things get implemented. You generally have to spend a lot of time with the manuals and tinkering with the machines before you're working really quickly with them. With a simple setup like an MMT8 and a couple synths, everything is streamlined and simple.
Pax
Seriously though, for what's available out there right now, the multi-machine approach is the way to go if you have the dosh for the bits. An' actually, a lot of the bits are pretty affordable on the second hand market. I've seen 505s, RM1xs, and MC303s all go for under $400 lately. Plus, as Pongoid points out, you dunna have to use them all "together," so to speak, but you can run completely different lines independently. I've gigged with a 303 and 505, a 505 and an Xbase and the SP505 running loops, and a long time back, a pair of MMT8s and the XP50 as a sequencer, and in all those cases all the machines were independent from each other save they shared a common clock. That, for me, is a very fun way to work cos you've got so many options. The only real downside is expense and portability.
I'd really love it if someone made a good tight sequencer like Influx was talkin' about, something highly interactive with a lot of real-time control. 'S why I've gotten interested in the step sequencers. I tend to play a lot of arps out live and the step sequencers operate in a very similar way but with a lot more options. I think I could get into gigging with one or two of those, maybe an independent arp box, one good controller or combination, the Jomox, and say one or two good synths like the Virus, those little Technosaurus critters, a Q, XT, or similar... maybe a little sampler, too, but that's about it. Small, portable, flexible, and very straight-forward....
THAT, the straight-forward bit, is one thing that doth suck about most of the multi-boxes. They're generally a bit cryptic to get used to and they vary a lot between manufacturers as to how things get implemented. You generally have to spend a lot of time with the manuals and tinkering with the machines before you're working really quickly with them. With a simple setup like an MMT8 and a couple synths, everything is streamlined and simple.
Pax
Message 10/34 10-Apr-02 @ 12:39 PM - RE:
What about that Doepher sequencer with the bunch of knobs? Fooled around with a demo once, seems flexible, not as stand-alone though....
Message 11/34 10-Apr-02 @ 12:43 PM - RE:
You talkin bout the Schaltwerk? Fugging monster... pricey. When you say "not as a stand alone" whatcha mean? I'm curious about 'em too.
Pax
Pax
Message 12/34 10-Apr-02 @ 01:31 PM - RE:
It was the MAQ 16/3, 3 rows of 16 knobs, dial in the notes/length etc as far as I remember.
I mean not using it as your soul sequencer for live use... I can imagine (my first live set is yet to be experienced) that it's mainly not as intuitive as an MPC for drums. But I do think it'll let you do crazy things with basslines in a matter of a second, Your basically 'grabbing' two notes simultaniously and altering them in pitch, gate etc. Gonna look up that Schaltwerk thingy, never heard of it.
-M-
I mean not using it as your soul sequencer for live use... I can imagine (my first live set is yet to be experienced) that it's mainly not as intuitive as an MPC for drums. But I do think it'll let you do crazy things with basslines in a matter of a second, Your basically 'grabbing' two notes simultaniously and altering them in pitch, gate etc. Gonna look up that Schaltwerk thingy, never heard of it.
-M-
Message 13/34 10-Apr-02 @ 01:38 PM - RE:
Wow..... wow. Now there's a nice option for live use me thinks, 8 x x0x style sequencer, lots of CV/gate outputs and at 1190 euro's, it isn't *that* expensive.
http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm
http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm
Message 14/34 10-Apr-02 @ 02:09 PM - RE:
The thing with all of those knob sequencers is that they are REALLY slow to program to get something good out of. It takes time to build a killer pattern. Anybody can give a monkey an atomic bomb. The thing is to not be a monkey. I'm still workin that one.
Ape
Ape
Message 15/34 10-Apr-02 @ 02:36 PM - RE:
one thing you didn't mention about the rs7000 (and i think this is crucial for live stuff) is the ability to select tracks 1-8 / 9-16 or ALL at the same time and twist knobs to affect everything.
the end result if you put drums on 1-8 and music on 9-16 is phenominal...
the rs7000 is the only controller i have ever seen that will transmit across 8 or 16 midi channels a particular CC like that.
the net result of the sections and the mutes and the knobs onboard and the ability to send out knob movements across 8 channels etc ensures that even if i add other stuff later (laptop running kontakt or reaktor, new groovebox whatever) that the rs will be the central point of whatever i am doing live.
jamey
the end result if you put drums on 1-8 and music on 9-16 is phenominal...
the rs7000 is the only controller i have ever seen that will transmit across 8 or 16 midi channels a particular CC like that.
the net result of the sections and the mutes and the knobs onboard and the ability to send out knob movements across 8 channels etc ensures that even if i add other stuff later (laptop running kontakt or reaktor, new groovebox whatever) that the rs will be the central point of whatever i am doing live.
jamey
Message 16/34 10-Apr-02 @ 09:59 PM - RE:
not like this is at all my thing, and in all honesty i don't know that much about it.. but the 'environment' layer of logic is pretty capable stuff.. (or seems to be..) seriously looks like you could connect any controllers you'd like and make it generate whatever you'd want it to.. wonder if you could then plop that in one of those kenton racks? way outta my thing :p
Message 17/34 10-Apr-02 @ 10:03 PM - RE:
can you do that knob assign bit on the RM1X as well. i thought i read somewhere that you can, but i can't figure it out.
Message 18/34 10-Apr-02 @ 11:44 PM - RE:
knob assign on the rs7k means you loose all internal functionality for it.
dunno about the rs?
but all my reaktor/native instrument toys can have whatever cc i like so i wouldn't need to reset a knob in my case.
jamey
dunno about the rs?
but all my reaktor/native instrument toys can have whatever cc i like so i wouldn't need to reset a knob in my case.
jamey
Message 19/34 11-Apr-02 @ 05:33 AM - RE:
Formant - good point there. I really dunna know of any other machines that can do the multi track CC thing as the RS does. Not that I use it much, but it can be a handy thing now and again. Anything that can be an ace-in-the-hole like that is always cool to have...
Maarten - those sequencers are pretty neat. I just got a MAM SQ16, similar to the MAQ16/3, and I like it a lot. Very cool way of working.
Also, I dunno about the other analog sequencers as I haven't used 'em, but in response to Pongoid's comments about them being a bit complex, I'd agree on certain levels, but I'm actually thinking of taking this MAM box out and programming it on the spot. It really seems that easy and very quick to set up. Just playing around with it for a couple of hours today was fantastic. Works a lot like the Seq303 s/w, very fluid to work with. I won't really have much time to muck about with it until next week, but my quick impression is, at least the MAM, is fairly simple and straght-forward. I'll give y'all more feedback once I've had a bit of proper playing with it...
Pax
Maarten - those sequencers are pretty neat. I just got a MAM SQ16, similar to the MAQ16/3, and I like it a lot. Very cool way of working.
Also, I dunno about the other analog sequencers as I haven't used 'em, but in response to Pongoid's comments about them being a bit complex, I'd agree on certain levels, but I'm actually thinking of taking this MAM box out and programming it on the spot. It really seems that easy and very quick to set up. Just playing around with it for a couple of hours today was fantastic. Works a lot like the Seq303 s/w, very fluid to work with. I won't really have much time to muck about with it until next week, but my quick impression is, at least the MAM, is fairly simple and straght-forward. I'll give y'all more feedback once I've had a bit of proper playing with it...
Pax
Message 20/34 19-Apr-02 @ 11:26 PM - RE:
watch out for schaltwerk/regelwerk -- the doepfer forum (EZ web or something) has a LOT of posts bemoaning some pretty serious lacks, the worrst of which was: the gate time for every note on a track is fixed (i.e you can set it per-track, but no slides/etc.)... to me this in itself makes the boxes useless for anything but drums...
Message 21/34 19-Apr-02 @ 11:32 PM - RE:
anyone have a machinedrum? the newest OS lets you replace any of the 16 drum "machines" with a midi-sequencer "machine"... looks pretty damn nice too -- for each step you can set up to 3 notes, gate time, 6CCs, pitch bend, velo, etc...
Message 23/34 23-Apr-02 @ 04:56 PM - RE:
$1000 yes (more I thought..) but you get a hell of a lot back for that dough Craig. I'm even considering buying one once I have my monitors and decent mixer. Ouch, this sounds terrible... poor wallet / refridgerator.
Message 24/34 24-Apr-02 @ 02:34 PM - RE:
True dat, but I'd rather have an Xbase and a couple hundred bucks ;)
-Craig
-Craig
Message 25/34 24-Apr-02 @ 06:52 PM - RE:
yeah, well... to me it seems pretty worth it:
-13 more drum parts
-much more variety
-the jomox can't be used as a 16ch grid/step sequencer
-fx and input-processing (filtering, etc.)
so... get a machinedrum, set up 3 drum machines (TRX kick, TRX hat, and TRX snare), set up 1 channel as a gate (to process the external ins), and set up the other 12 channels as midi sequencers.... and you have an Xbase_a couple hundred bucks worth...
what i really meant was:
-schaltwerk (or whichever one's the 8ch x0x seq) is $1100US
-machinedrum is $1100US
-13 more drum parts
-much more variety
-the jomox can't be used as a 16ch grid/step sequencer
-fx and input-processing (filtering, etc.)
so... get a machinedrum, set up 3 drum machines (TRX kick, TRX hat, and TRX snare), set up 1 channel as a gate (to process the external ins), and set up the other 12 channels as midi sequencers.... and you have an Xbase_a couple hundred bucks worth...
what i really meant was:
-schaltwerk (or whichever one's the 8ch x0x seq) is $1100US
-machinedrum is $1100US
Message 26/34 24-Apr-02 @ 09:18 PM - RE:
Never used a machine drum but they look nice. Anyone heard anything about they're reliability?
I've also heard some bad bits about the Doepfers, too. Enough so that it's kept me from taking a chance in that direction. Nevertheless, I've also heard some good bits about them from some. if I ever get to actually play about with one for a few days I might change me mind, I dunno...
Pax
I've also heard some bad bits about the Doepfers, too. Enough so that it's kept me from taking a chance in that direction. Nevertheless, I've also heard some good bits about them from some. if I ever get to actually play about with one for a few days I might change me mind, I dunno...
Pax
Message 28/34 25-Apr-02 @ 01:01 PM - RE:
Hate to bust folks bubbles, but in fact the Xbase CAN be used as a three track analog/step style sequencer quite nicely, with a different channel on every step if one so desires. It also has THE kick. Dhoh! Just a penny for your thoughts.
Ape
Ape
Message 29/34 25-Apr-02 @ 06:50 PM - RE:
ape -- true; not trying to make the choice sound clear-cut. anything but...
just saying that (for me) it's pretty much a choice between 'the' kick, and 13 more tracks to sequence with...
i figure virus+machinedrum is the ultimate match -- if the virus has more polyphony, i might need more than 6 tracks of midi to seq it. but as it is now, i figure i can get by with 10 tracks of drums and 6 tracks of midi for virus sequencing. sort of minimal, but not _really_, considering both machines provide endless possibilities...
just need to save... a lot...
sigh.
just saying that (for me) it's pretty much a choice between 'the' kick, and 13 more tracks to sequence with...
i figure virus+machinedrum is the ultimate match -- if the virus has more polyphony, i might need more than 6 tracks of midi to seq it. but as it is now, i figure i can get by with 10 tracks of drums and 6 tracks of midi for virus sequencing. sort of minimal, but not _really_, considering both machines provide endless possibilities...
just need to save... a lot...
sigh.
Message 30/34 25-Apr-02 @ 11:04 PM - RE:
isn't machinedrum made by that seekers co or the co that made seekers vocoder? ask sitar how it's holding up. good, little noisy, if i remember.
Message 31/34 26-Apr-02 @ 06:25 PM - RE:
it's made by elektron; their first box was the sidstation.
i think a lot of the appeal of the machinedrum is the outright geekyness of it all. same with sidstation... LOVE that.
anyway, http://www.machinedrum.com
it's a lot, but it really seems more than worth it (when you consider it's ~ the same $$$ as a jomox)
i think a lot of the appeal of the machinedrum is the outright geekyness of it all. same with sidstation... LOVE that.
anyway, http://www.machinedrum.com
it's a lot, but it really seems more than worth it (when you consider it's ~ the same $$$ as a jomox)
Message 32/34 29-Apr-02 @ 06:29 PM - RE:
Different strokes for different folks I guess. I already have a kick ass sampler and 16 tracks of X0X sequencing, so a lot of the machinedrums' advantages mean squat in my setup. I just need kick ass analog drums 
-Craig
-Craig
Message 33/34 01-May-02 @ 07:41 PM - RE:
using an rm1x?
it really sucks the drum/grid edit won't work "live"...
it really sucks the drum/grid edit won't work "live"...
Message 34/34 02-May-02 @ 02:27 PM - RE:
Yes, I agree to that.. And I'd like more mute groups too, and the ability to sync it to MIDI clock in pattern mode. But those are my only complaints.
-Craig
-Craig
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