One of the things that frustrates me about Elektron devices, for all I love about them, is the limitation of the pattern. This is helped on devices with Song mode (and many tracks, like Machinedrum), and even better those where the kit isn’t tied to the pattern. I think I’m not alone when I speak of a desire for a marriage of longer-form composition and live modulation … one wants to feel like a “conductor” more than a frantic micro-manager of things that could more easily be pre-written, leaving one free to do other things like play a live rhythm or melody while the track goes on, yet is synthesized live for that extra something. Model Cycles lacks song mode (though pattern chaining is a good-enough replacement), and only has 6 tracks to live mute. The problem is that the kit is tied to the pattern.
I’m eager to try out Megacommand Live once it arrives. Besides supercharging my Machinedrum, the hope is to combine p-locked patterns on Model Cycles with live-sequenced sections that have more length and freedom, sequenced on MCL. (CC input on Cycles doesn’t work the same as p-locking, it “glides”, thus the compromise of using both sequencers.) Let’s say 4 tracks sequenced on the Cycles, 2 on the MCL, no pattern switches means sounds can evolve independently of the song’s progression. I’ve tried Pyramid, but decided it was overkill and am really looking forward to the integration with MD that MCL provides.
Still I was wondering does anyone have their own workflow for breaking out of the pattern on M:C, without an external sequencer? Or do you use an external sequencer? The dream is something that evolves compositionally but doesn’t necessarily “reset” all the sounds every 4 or 8 bars.
