Hi everyone. I’m at a workflow impasse and would like your thoughts!
I have 2-3 voices of Euro, an ST and an Argon 8 - all piped into Bitwig. I really, really like this set up and am being productive. However, things got a bit weird when I got the Argon and realised I didn’t really like sequencing it from the ST. Also, I’ve given up on OB as whatever I do I can’t get it lined up with audio going into my interface. And, I like processing stuff in Bitwig, the options for which have been reduced by using the ST stereo outs only.
The net result of this is that I have 2-3 mono channels and 2 stereo channels hitting the DAW, and I find I am lacking in layers. I am also sequencing the Argon from the DAW and this isn’t much fun for me when I sequence everything else from the ST. I have been experimenting with sampling into Bitwig and then triggering the samples with the ST, but I’m not sure this is for me either…
So what do I want? My ideal workflow is having plenty playing back, plenty of channels being individually processed and a “performance” that I record in as few passes as possible. I have realised that the either need more synths with sequencers, giving me the arranging and performing options I want, or a sampler, so I can make loops and hits with what I already have and arrange and perform as needed.
Options are Digitone - gives me more voices and could also sequence the Argon - but is it any good for this?
OT - would obviously pair well with the ST in terms of synch and song structure, and performable - but only 4 outs. I could process in Bitwig beforehand though, and would enjoy this process.
MPC Live 2. I like the look of this, and it could sequence the Argon possibly better than the DN, but I can’t wrap my head around how I would arrange alongside the ST. Does it have quantised clip launching? I could then play loops and hits live .
Or, just get a decent controller for Bitwig? Or something else?
I like to see how much I can squeeze out of one instrument. My take would be to sample a synth, screw around with the sample, use the synth to make whatever sound I think I need next, and repeat.
You’re trying to solve option paralysis by adding more options.
Any of those devices (DN, OT and MPC) will work, but they will all require a lot of time to learn them then implement them into your setup. I don’t think any of them will make your Bitwig integration any easier though. MPC would be the best standalone alternative to Bitwig.
If your current set up is productive, I would continue with it with some changes.
I would route the Argon 8 into the ST’s inputs and midi-sequence it from there too.
I would also tie the Euro midi to the ST.
When you’re working/recording, go into Bitwig with the ST stereo out (which will have your Argon too) and the Euro.
If you’re wanting to remix/expand, run the ST’s Overbridge app standalone in the background and capture all the individual files there to cover yourself.
Then import these files into Bitwig and align them manually to your original ST stereo in file.
I think that’s the route I would take given what you said.
Hi, thanks for the input. It’s not really option paralysis - it’s wanting more individually processable channels available earlier on in the process.
By the way, I already sequence the modular from the ST via an FH-2 - works great.
I don’t think I’d be here if I could get OB audio lined up with interface audio, but using just the stereo outs I’m using the ST more as a drum machine than originally planned. Even then, I’d have the Argon sequencing issue.
Of course, the way around this that’s free is to record lots of audio into Bitwig and process and arrange there. But I don’t find that enjoyable.
Forgive my ignorance on Overbridge, but is this a known issue/limitation with it? Or is there maybe some chance that you could get a different interface that it might work better with?
On the sequencing side of things, I’m a bit of a broken record (and probably even a fan boy), but I have a hard time not recommending the Deluge, just because it allows for so much flexibility. And it has a lot of features that people like in Elektron boxes (though, admittedly, not all of them). It has probability, iterations, ratcheting, nudging notes, ping-ping/reverse playback per track, but falls a bit short in the parameters which can be p-locked (only parameters that you can assign to the gold knobs can be p-locked or motion recorded, I believe).
But being able to assign as many midi parts as you need (dozens, if you really wanted to) and being able to assign multiple tracks to the same midi channel is nice. You could, for example, assign several different midi tracks with different patterns of varying unlimited lengths to your Argon, place them in the same color coded group and just unmute them one at a time as you need them. Then again, with Deluge, if you’re only buying it for the sequencer you would be paying for a lot of other things you may not use. But that arranger and song record mode is pretty slick. And I would only recommend this solution IF you are able to somehow resolve your Overbridge issue for audio.
Sorry for the long winded response, I just enjoy thinking through these types of things.
I don’t think my issue with OB is that widespread. There’s a few posts about it dotted around the internet, but that’s about it. I’ve just finished a track so now is a good time to have another tinker and try to get things set up how I want.
However, I’ll probably be getting a sampler/sequencer anyway - I have a workflow in mind for one! I’ve briefly looked at the Deluge and it’s on the shortlist.
