Sequencing the Little Phatty

Jerry Sinefeld · Post by **Jerry Sinefeld** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:57 am

So I'm having a blast with my LP so far, but I'm debating what to use to sequence it.

I sold my laptop and bought the LP in an effort to get away from computer-based music stuff, so I don't want to sequence it with software.

I'm considering either the Future Retro Orb or possibly a Machinedrum, because I know at some point I'm going to want an excellent drum machine as part of my setup.

So fellow forum members, if you had to pick one - what would you choose? Without ever having used either machine, the Orb seems a little more intuitive... but the minimalist in me says just figure it out with the MD. Any ideas?

jcsveth · Post by **jcsveth** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:29 pm

Having played with the Orb for a while now (feeding a F-R XS), I can say it is very intuitive and a lot of fun but I think it and the MD (hardly minimalist) are two different beasts. I have to think that the flexibility and storage capability of the MD is vastly greater than the Orb (I have never used the MD). If you want to turn out some great repetative sequences, mix them up with the Orb's mangling function, and can use the control voltage outputs of the Orb, I can highly recommend it. One down side with the Orb is that you can not program the volume for each note - it is either middle or full (with the accent on). Another great controlling machine is the Spectralis - I tried this with the LP today and am really enjoying it (big learning curve on the Spectralis, though).

I would download both the MD and Orb manuals and compare the features of each.

jlugomiller · Post by **jlugomiller** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:42 pm

the future retro orb is not a drum machine. the machine drum is. they are two different animals completely. the machine drum is very sophisticated sequencer offering up alot of options when it comes to sequencing. you can step, or you can pattern sequence, or a combination of both. the orb is a step sequencer, but it's very intuitive and you can achieve very happy accidents with it which you'll be unlikely to come across with the machine drum. the machine drum has sounds built in and it can sample new ones. the future retro has no internal sounds.....i'd say that you don't need a computer with the machine drum to come to a complete song idea, whereas you'll probably need some multitrack recording device with MIDI if you go the future retro route.

Jerry Sinefeld · Post by **Jerry Sinefeld** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:25 pm

When I speak about the Machinedrum - I'm ONLY talking about it's external MIDI sequencing capabilities. I realize that it's a capable sequencer -and- drum machine and that the Orb is a sequencer only.

I guess my fear of sequencing external midi gear with the MD is that I'd be digging through LCD menus a lot more... whereas on the Orb that seems like it would be less of an issue.

And lastly, I guess what I was implying when I said "eventually I want a drum machine too" is that at that point, I'd have the Orb and the MD and I'd be looking to sync them together.

earsmack · Post by **earsmack** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:50 pm

Both Elektron boxes (MD and MM) are wonderful with Moog gear in sound and function. I've done more MIDI sequencing with the MM than the MD but both are capable - just in slightly different ways. I know nothing about the Orb.

Jerry Sinefeld · Post by **Jerry Sinefeld** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:12 pm

I went through a MnM lust phase for a long time too...

One other thing I've considered is that I could use the MnM as a companion synth for the Little Phatty, as it seems to be more digital in nature. Could be a nice compliment to the LP.

Then I could just use the beatbox kit on the MnM for drums, limiting myself might be good as I tend to get carried away with percussion when it shouldn't be 90% of the song... hmm.

r05c03 · Post by **r05c03** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:57 pm

I use a MD MKI. I do not like sub-menus typical on most digital gear and I can say that the MD is not menu intensive. In fact the LP has more menus than does MD. It is fast and intuitive and you'd like be able to exploit a broader range of the LP's capabilities using the MD, due primarily to the limited CV controls available on the LP.

Jerry Sinefeld · Post by **Jerry Sinefeld** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:14 pm

ok here's what i don't understand - how can you create melodic patterns with the machinedrum? where do you set the note for each step?

it seems like a total pain in the ass... maybe i'm wrong

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:44 pm

I use an Akai MPC 2500 which Rocks.

Jerry Sinefeld · Post by **Jerry Sinefeld** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:56 pm

Jerry Sinefeld wrote:ok here's what i don't understand - how can you create melodic patterns with the machinedrum? where do you set the note for each step?

it seems like a total pain in the ass... maybe i'm wrong

yeah i read some manual excerpts and doing that with parameter locks on the md sounds like sheer hell. i guess i'm probably wrong.

monomachine seems easier but who knows. bleep elektron for being so expensive, for one thing.

r05c03 · Post by **r05c03** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:33 pm

You pay for quality. It is a synth with 16 independent, route-able LFOs. It is a professional piece of equipment.

anaivemistake · Post by **anaivemistake** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:40 pm

I never got used to the Machine Drum interface. I used it to drive a future retro xs and it worked, but it always involved more tedious programming than I had hoped. I sold the machine drum and started using an electribe in conjunction with the sequencer on my revolution. The revolution and orb have almost identical sequencers. I love the way it works. It kept me away from the computer and helped me get on with being creative with my synths/drums/space ship sounds/etc. Its all step programming, but its intuitive. At least thats how I felt, for what its worth.

Moog LP/Future Retro Revolution/ Future Retro XS/ Electribe R/ Electribe S