Am I crazy? AR vs MD UW +drive

guga · 2014-11-18T13:20:08.000Z

i have a similar setup to the one you’re currently working with and trying to completely remove the pc, only difference being: a MM which i also use to sequence the Blo (AR,MM, Blo)
perhaps the only thing that could push me to swap an AR for a MD is the sampling capability of the latter (although an OT is always there on the shopping list…one day!) but it would be a though choice because, well, as any Elektron machine, you’ll probably need all of them
i would suggest, as others have done already, to either use the computer to sequence the Blo or an iPad. risk is, once the pc is on, you could end up staying too much time on it (again) or else, get an hardware sequencer just for the Blo, a Midibox would probably help (but you need some soldering experience) or else, what about the [url=“http://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/beatstep”]Beatstep?

benwadub · 2014-11-18T14:48:02.000Z

i have a midibox sequencer v4 for sale if you want?

secretmusic · 2014-11-18T15:15:52.000Z

I love the Ipad, and it’s certainly an incredible tool. However, as a sequencer, I have always been disappointed. I have not yet found an app that is rock solid, and I’ve tried about 90% of them. They all have pretty serious jitter issues. Of course, it may not be an issue for you, depending on the kind of music you do, but it’s something to keep in mind.

However, the Ipad can do other things as well, so it might be a good solution if you are looking for more sounds. That being said, I’m not sure there’s much difference between an Ipad and a laptop, to be honest

Beatstep is definitely cool, cheap, and does one thing well !

Cheers

klerc · 2014-11-18T15:27:54.000Z

Thanks everyone for your comments and help.

If I sum up my alternatives to a swithc AR/MD:
[ul]
[li]Octatrack: Hell no! Sorry but it is not for me. I had one and it was not a good experience…[/li]
[li]Beatstep: I had one as well. Cool for sequencing but you can’t save the sequences or really do advanced sequencing…[/li]
[li]Ipad: I have an old one, first generation, as said before, I am afraid that it will be buggy and unreliable. Besides, it is very close to a laptop…[/li]
[li]Cirklon or midibox: that would be good but big and difficult to get.[/li]
[li]An old RM1X or Electribe: why not…not excited about it [/li]
[li]MPC: probably the best option and value. advanced sequencing and more samples capabilities[/li]
[li]Trigger Finger Pro: My last discovery. It looks cool but it is a new product so there is not so much feedback or video online. It seems that the sequencer is less powerful than a MPC.[/li]
[li]Design my own sequencer with Arduino solution. Time consuming and distract me from the musical composition…[/li]
[/ul]

Where is the magical solution?

rikrak · 2014-11-18T15:50:50.000Z

MPC or look into something from the Yamaha QY series or an RS7000.

SB-SIX · 2014-11-18T15:57:30.000Z

""secretmusic"":

I love the Ipad, and it’s certainly an incredible tool. However, as a sequencer, I have always been disappointed. I have not yet found an app that is rock solid, and I’ve tried about 90% of them. They all have pretty serious jitter issues. Of course, it may not be an issue for you, depending on the kind of music you do, but it’s something to keep in mind.

However, the Ipad can do other things as well, so it might be a good solution if you are looking for more sounds. That being said, I’m not sure there’s much difference between an Ipad and a laptop, to be honest

Beatstep is definitely cool, cheap, and does one thing well !

Cheers

I haven’t had much success on the ipad too. Spend around $300 on music apps, not using anything seriously. Sequencers with piano rolls are especially dissapointing. That just doesn’t work with touch. Trying to edit notes in a piano roll on an ipad is pure torture.

klerc · 2014-11-18T16:22:47.000Z

That could be a good idea.
I would need to setup the connection through the laptop tough.

I have the feeling that you are really pro-ipad. Nothing wrong with that but I am really afraid of crashes…I should give it a shot tough.

klerc · 2014-11-18T16:54:07.000Z

I am getting a 6$ connection kit for the test as well.
We will see
I liek the fact that it would be quite compact and flexible and may even invest in a Ipad mini if the tests run good.

guga · 2014-11-18T17:07:33.000Z

i would rather go for something hardware rather than software though.
unless buying an iPad is something you really need or was already in the plan, you may find yourself spending more than you would like to…not sure about prices though but if i had to spend say €300 to buy an iPad just to use it as a sequencer i would rather look for an hardware solution that does what i’m looking for, rather than another pc …and you already have one
sure the iPad is more portable than a laptop but each time i use it, i always miss the feedback of a knob and if there’s no available USB on the machine you want to use (assuming you can use the iPad with that) you’ll need a computer (once again) to do all the USB->MIDI stuff, more cables…perhaps is just me, but i would probably leave the iPad option as the last one

klerc · 2014-11-18T17:18:49.000Z

Baddcr:
There are not tons of option for IPad1 as connection…
Sync between AR and Blofeld/its sequencer is a good point.
Ableton is already a bitch for this matter and has to be master rather than slave (different topics about this in the forum).
Anyway an ipad editor for the blofeld would be cool…not much to lose.

Guga:
Ipad mini was just an idea. it is so cute
It sounds more and more like a MPC is the best solution: it could master everyone, give more samples capabilities (no voice conflict). more output, extended midi sequencing…
MPC500 vs MPC1000?

SoundSculptor · 2014-11-18T17:45:46.000Z

""klerc"":

That could be a good idea.
I would need to setup the connection through the laptop tough.

I have the feeling that you are really pro-ipad. Nothing wrong with that but I am really afraid of crashes…I should give it a shot tough.

Not to overhype the iPad solution, because I hear you about relying on a multi-use software solution (meaning the iPad isn’t just for music making). To leave the computer out, I would recommend getting an iConnectMidi 4+ (or 2+) to handle the MIDI end of things. You can connect that to your iPad (though I’m not sure it can be used with iPad 1). I’ve not tried it yet, but it could be an option.

And since jitter is an issue with any software solution, you could also throw in the Acme-4 in to the mix. Although not cheap, it’s suppose to be rock solid! SND ACME-4 Advanced Clock Management Engine

Automux · 2014-11-18T21:16:58.000Z

""SB-SIX"":

[quote=“psicolor”][quote=“SB-SIX”]Other alternatives would be the octatrack. You can use 8 voices for drums and 8 midi tracks to target the multis of the blo.

But keep the octatrack’s infamous cc-late-bug in mind. So if you need to p-lock your external gear, you need a MnM or a MD. [/quote]
Hmm I wasn’t aware of that, I never p-lock midi notes. But it seems a workaround is to sequence the cc’s on a different midi track.[/quote]
I p-lock MIDI notes all the time and I can’t say I have seen this issue. What are the details?

LyingDalai · 2014-11-18T21:43:04.000Z

""tsutek"":

The BCR + zaquencer combo should be quite an affordable solution?

You skipped tsutek’s suggestion about hacking hardware with the zaquencer firmware !
Yet it seems a very nice and cheap solution.

klerc · 2014-11-18T22:08:13.000Z

[quote=““Lying Dalai””]

[quote=“tsutek”]The BCR + zaquencer combo should be quite an affordable solution?
[/quote]

You skipped tsutek’s suggestion about hacking hardware with the zaquencer firmware !
Yet it seems a very nice and cheap solution.[/quote]
I… didn’t realize what it was… it looks pretty awesome

SB-SIX · 2014-11-19T09:10:55.000Z

""Automux"":

[quote=“SB-SIX”][quote=“psicolor”][quote=“SB-SIX”]Other alternatives would be the octatrack. You can use 8 voices for drums and 8 midi tracks to target the multis of the blo.

But keep the octatrack’s infamous cc-late-bug in mind. So if you need to p-lock your external gear, you need a MnM or a MD. [/quote]
Hmm I wasn’t aware of that, I never p-lock midi notes. But it seems a workaround is to sequence the cc’s on a different midi track.[/quote]
I p-lock MIDI notes all the time and I can’t say I have seen this issue. What are the details?[/quote]
I googled it: Elektron-Users - Re:OT: Getting around the CC-late-bug - Elektron-Users

switchbox · 2014-11-19T09:39:45.000Z

whatabout going a little vintage?
Alesis MMT-8

http://www.mmt8.com/manual/intro.php

i have one (the black) and i love it…ok no stepsequencing but anyway nice with 8 track mutes on/off…

nightfade · 2014-11-19T10:20:56.000Z

How about the MC909 or MP/XL-7?

klerc · 2014-11-19T14:26:35.000Z

MMT8 is a sexy beast

MC909or MPXL7 could be some option as well.

The new AKAI Rhythm Wolf looks good too. I mean… 200$ and that much feature…not much too lose.

klerc · 2014-11-21T14:45:30.000Z

My conclusion:

Go back to the original plan: sell the AR to get a MD UW+
And I will probably develop my own sequencer on the side.

Magical solutions are still welcome!

Bongsau · 2014-11-21T15:15:24.000Z

""klerc"":

The new AKAI Rhythm Wolf looks good too. I mean… 200$ and that much feature…not much too lose.

I’d check this CDM article before dropping any money on the AKAI…

CDM Create Digital Music – 19 Nov 14

AKAI Rhythm Wolf Review: Analog Doesn't Always Mean Better - CDM Create...

On paper, it looks perfect - a $199 drum machine with all the sequencing and sounds you need. But that's not the whole story.

Est. reading time: 8 minutes