Synths only, No computer

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jido-genshi
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Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by jido-genshi » Tue Oct 20, 2015 3:42 pm

DavyP wrote:Hi Jido, I can follow what you are saying re the connections but does that allow me individual control over each Mother 32? So if for example I had each set to a different midi channel does the set up you suggest allow the signal to bypass say the 1st and 2nd mother 32 and only play the third if I wish?

I'd also wanted to allow for a bit of expandability, I'm currently in the process of arranging for repair to my Voyager RME which I shall then include in the setup.
I'd also like to add various pedals and use my guitar with it. I perhaps should have mentioned this in the intial post.

What I was hoping to achieve was the ability to create music, with each mother playing individual parts and all synths perfectly synced whilst I have a bit of a play along with my Guitar. I want to exclude the computer as I find I then get more caught up in fiddling with logic and adding further to my array of half-finished songs. I just want to have fun playing music.

Anyway I appreciate your thoughts and am open to consider all suggestions as I have only a little bit of knowledge regarding this. I know in my head what I want to achieve I just have no idea how :D

Davy
Well, it seems like you want to do everything, so then yes, you will need to get other boxes (MIDI splitter, hardware sequencer, etc.) but then you keep going back to this statement: "What I was hoping to achieve was the ability to create music, with each mother playing individual parts and all synths perfectly synced whilst I have a bit of a play along with my Guitar." and my initial suggestion will let you do exactly that. No offense but, it sounds like you are trying to run before you learn how to walk...

You need to learn how these things work in the first place before you go off buying all sorts of other accessories/utility items you may not need. If you are getting the Sub 37 and 3 Mother-32s, work with that first. See what they are capable of, then you may find you don't need anything else.

Again, you can have the clock of the Sub 37 sync'd to the first Mother-32, then the first Mother-32 sync'd to the other two Mother-32s via CV, with all 3 Mother-32s playing their own sequences perfectly in sync with the Sub 37, where you could at the same time be playing a lead line, or having it's own [Sub 37] sequence playing. That's FOUR sequences all playing their own thing, in sync, with only one MIDI cable and two CV cables needed! Not a bad setup to start with...

Then if you want to add other MIDI synths and pedals or whatever else, you could then get a MIDI splitter, or a central master sequencer like the Cirklon, or go Eurorack where you can add all sorts of clock generators, MIDI to CV modules, etc. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of options and configurations that can be had... but try to walk first before you start sprinting towards that finish line.

jsharpphoto
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Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:18 pm

Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by jsharpphoto » Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:56 pm

I recommended the beat step pro because it allows one single interface to control lots of gear at once. Program your two separate melodic sequences based off of the root of C, and then hit the transpose lock and play your key changes with one hand, freeing up the other to do more important things. If you were going to play guitar and run multiple live synths, this is the kind of hardware you need.
Moog Format Modular
Model D (2016)
Moog Subsequent37
Oberheim OB-6
Sequential Rev2

DavyP
Posts: 148
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 2:34 am

Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by DavyP » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:33 am

[quote="jido-genshi"That's FOUR sequences all playing their own thing, in sync, with only one MIDI cable and two CV cables needed! Not a bad setup to start with... [/quote]

It sounds like a great setup put like that. That's if it ever arrives. The Sub37 isn't due to be delivered until the end of the month and I have to wait until the end of November before the Mother 32s arrive.

I get your point about being patient and learning more about what I have, saying that I think I take the learning serious as I took a 2 year break from synths in order to learn Guitar so I can include it in my songs so I guess I'm committed! I just wanted to be sure that I could achieve what I had in mind and having picked through some of the excellent recommendations here I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I will certainly spend the time with the set up you suggest with the single midi lead and cv connections and then grow the setup as fits my needs. My priority was to eliminate the computer for the reason previously mentioned plus I spend all day working in front of a monitor and want to avoid it where I can in my down time.

lvdtsimulator
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:32 am

Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by lvdtsimulator » Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:59 am

My whole setup is essentially computer-free. I only use a computer for sysex (saving and restoring patches, sequences etc.) I have a few mixers for the sound, and I use an old Yamaha hardware sequencer, an 8-port MIDI THRU and a 8-port MIDI merge from MIDI Solutions to manage all the MIDI. With this setup, I can control all 5 of my keyboards from each other, send data to several sound modules and MIDI-enabled effects, and they are all in sync with the hardware sequencers clock.
--
Sub 37, MOX8, Z-1, D-50, D-110, NS5R, DS-8, PK-5A

DavyP
Posts: 148
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 2:34 am

Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by DavyP » Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:44 am

Well after some prolonged research I have achieved my goal.

Firstly I cancelled my mother 32s as the delivery date kept changing.
I have reordered them though and they should arrive in March.

The set-up I went for is as follows.

Master Clock/sequencer and sampler duties are in the able hands of the Octatrak.

I have the Sub 37 and an Elektron Analog Rytm and Analog keys all routed via audio and midi
Into the Octatrak.

They are all in perfect sync and give endless musical opportunities.

I did have a bit of a learning curve as the Elektron gear all arrived at once
but I got stuck in and am slowly getting to grips with the possibilities.

Also managed after searching everywhere (as well as being turned down by sweetwater
because I live in the UK) to locate a Mooger Foogef delay. I got it from the Music Store Cologne, Germany.
Excellent service and they even did cash on delivery. I can't recommend them highly enough.

So thanks for everyone that gave some pointers. I'm delighted with my setup and most importantly have ditched the computer.

Vondragonnoggin
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 4:21 am

Re: Synths only, No computer

Post by Vondragonnoggin » Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:59 pm

I closed my laptop last year after years of multitracking on it. Switched to a much more tedious and limited MV8800 as mastr sequencer/sampler and have it controlling 4 other synths with one midi in from my keyboard. The midi connected on my Mother 32 is getting CV and gate out from mother 32 into minibrute and a modular., so 6 synths plus sampler/sequencer and no computer.

I actually like the limitations.
VCO+VCF+VCA+EG
8)

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