FM workshop livestream + Live/DJ sets

Wow, went by so quick! It was a bit unstructured but hopefully it was fun anyway. I’m up for doing more streams, I have everything set up now anyway so why not.

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@Ess So basically we can have a M:C/DN in Max plugin format? And make our own DN/DT feature requests with a bit of programming skills? Just joking ofcourse. Nice peek behind the development curtains at Elektron and nice presentation Me too would love to see that extensive tutorial series on FM and some nice ‘chiptune’ sounddesign lessons straight from the source!

Haha not quite, the Digitone is very very raw in its Max prototypes, mostly just parameter control put in place, with the ADE envelopes that I designed. The Cycles stuff is almost as the final result, just a lot more clicky and missing some great tweaks we did in the end. Basically, the Max stuff is kind of unusable for production but great as a proof of concept. It’s not like having the stuff digitally is what I’m saying, promise.

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Damn, I missed the workshop. Any chance this will be uploaded Permanently on Twitch or YouTube, @Ess?

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Thanks, that was very nice to watch.
As you said envelopes are an important part of sound design but an attack setting was not included in the model cycles, just sustain and decay. Now that cycles machines are finished would be it hard to implement ENV attack even just a setting per preset (fast/medium/low, think of DFAM) or would need code to be completely rewritten…?
I know the LFO can be used as an env but is kind of a bummer to use the lfo we´ve got for that.

Would be nice if you could show us one of those M4L cycles prototypes and what macros do, or at least part of it…not need to go very deep, I know, there are things that must be kept secret…:sweat_smile:

Yes, you can re-watch here: https://www.twitch.tv/ess_mtsn/videos

As the Cycles main focus is percussion I think it’s fine that it doesn’t have an attack envelope, and the LFO trick works - paired with the kinda crazy controls and parameter locks you can get a lot of movement with that setup anyway.

But I do see the desire of it, however the limited parameter set is what gets in the way - many have asked for Func + Decay for attack, but how would you then parameter lock it? And it would be missing from the panel - it’s a lot to consider in the end. (Also the design principles of the Model:Series goes against secondary functions for the most part)

Hmm, I will keep my macro mappings a secret. :wink:

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Well, yes, in a drum machine is not that important but could be useful for tone and chord machine…

I don’t really see the need of an attack knob; maybe one " easy" way would be to implement it as a setting like I said, that setting could maybe share menu with LFO.
ENV Atk : Fast/Medium/Slow

I am used to use DFAM as a synth and just a fast/slow setting can make a huge difference sound wise really feel the need of an attack knob, I am used to use DFAM as a synth and were just a fast/slow attack setting can make a huge difference sound wise; to be true is one of the things that bothers me more about the cycles… I will have to live with it :sweat_smile:

Anyway; it is great little machine, lots of fun…and quite powerful, as can be seen right now…:upside_down_face:

Not saying it’s a hard no, but can’t promise anything either!

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Is the show over? ?? resourceresidency disconected
Edit: working now

I loved the dude hiding behind the plant on this one for a couple minutes.

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I ended up jamming the whole stream. That was great, and a nice variety. And the whole last half had it going on. They had the best plant collection I’ve ever seen, a dancing dog, mezcal, weed, and they were all having fun. Also enjoyed the Timecop set before that. Good times, and it made this “Shelter in Place” deal a whole lot better today for sure.

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Yes That was great! Me and my two other musical bro’s streamed while doing video chat across the country so we could discuss. Very fun day. Would absolutely love a complete series on FM / PM and I don’t know how you managed to put the DT UI on screen but that (along with all the other tools) was badass. Only a matter of time before the Elektron seed takes root and one or both end up getting one :joy: The jam was super tight too! Thanks again @Ess you are the mutha truckin MAN!

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Please make this a semi-regular sound design hangout. That was a great relaxed format.

Actually that is a great question!
edit: around 32 min into the stream, Ess explains that is an inhouse tool :dizzy_face: but there is hope some version might become publicly available. :star_struck:

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Managed to rewatch the stream last night. Really good stuff, especially the drifting explanations towards the end. That was inspiring. @Ess, seeing as you’re more of a practical type, how about some more specific ‘how to create X on the Digitone from scratch’? For example, a 909 kick, a chip tune lead synth, or wherever your imagination happens to take you on the day. I’m sure we would all geek out seeing you work your magic while explaining your reasoning with the DN screen visible at all times. Thanks again!

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He has a full time job so hopefully Elektron has incentive to let him go off and add this kind of (IMO) massive value to the community as part of work assignments. From my perspective the better the core community knows these instruments and can show off what can be done through albums, YouTube tutorials, friends, couch jams, whatever, the more likely those inclined to pick them up will do so vs taking the Roland and Korg routes. Maybe it’s just me, but other than the flagship devices the Elektron line is not any harder to learn and in a lot of ways EASIER to learn than the 2 big names current equipment. Probably because of the very tight UX across the Elektron line. If it works like this here, it probably works like that over there (for the most part except for the models but even those have a LOT of the Elektron UX in them).

Just my pitch, take it or leave it :slightly_smiling_face:

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Yeah the extra care and attention given to us from the Elektron team, plus this community, is amazing! It’s one of the reasons why I prefer to buy from them over the big brands (though I do love Roland’s Boutiques too). It’s always great to hear from the synth makers about what inspires them and what makes them create these wonderful machines. The more social stuff they do, the better, plus they seem so down to earth and not only doing videos to sell more things :yellow_heart:

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Agree 100% also some GREAT info is coming out of the Bitwig community on plumbing the depths of FM / PM and other great topics so search throes up too if anyone is interested between official Elektron interactions.

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Could you deconstruct the PWM patch of you were able to grok it? I tried recreating the patch from the screenshot but got very different results.

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I haven’t tried (plus I have a JU-06A for that) and I’m about to start jamming with my partner so won’t have time to try it out. Buuuut, maybe this thread will help?

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It’s an interesting thread, but I would prefer to get a better understanding of the principle. Blindly reverse engineering it is pretty fun though :slight_smile:

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