I mainly use the Elektron Samples since I am most of the times away from home so most of the stuff I released so far was done on the M:S.
Now. The M:S is perfect for travelling. But I want to add some new layers but still keep the setup travel friendly.
Was looking into the 1010music Blackbox or maybe get a Microfreak. I am really undecided and need advice.
It has to be something idiot proof since I still consider myself a beginner and still learning, anything with too much menu diving scares me off. We all know how much we love the function per button on the M:S…
Please shoot me some suggestions about the next gear to get as a companion to my M:S.
Something that can be an effects processor would probably be nice too. Do you have a mixer? Once you get more than one piece of gear involved, you’ll probably want one.
I’d advise koala sampler on your phone usb’d to the M:S, I use this all the time and it’s powerful. That or Flowtones on your phone if you’d rather have synth accompanying. I switch between the two. Here are links to the apps:
Its really hard to suggest anything because your tracks sound great already.
Sequencing some synth with M:S will eat up a track that otherwise can be used for internal sounds, so you wont gain more layers that way (+ i believe M:S midi is mono-note only? so you wont be able to sequence chords on a poly synth like Microfreak)
I think your music might benefit from having something like OTO BOUM, as master saturator and compressor. Its hard to overstate how that can positively change creation process.
If you really enjoy M:S and want to master it, you can always expand your playground area by using single shots and sound locks, instead of drum loops. It generally takes more thought and some planning, but in return it will double the amount of layers you can have.
Just an idea that’s budget friendly. You could buy a Roland s-1 and use up to 4 tracks from the Samples to get full polyphony on the s-1. Sequence using the Samples and then record that sequence to the internal sequencer on the S-1. You can then clear the midi tracks on the samples to be used for sample sequencing, so you wouldn’t be sacrificing tracks.
I would advise against Microfreak to go along with M:S unless you’re using other effects.
BlackBox has an interesting workflow, so just make sure you’re on board. It does have effects so it could be useful. I had one but I got frustrated with syncing.
For keeping it « idiot proof » so you don’t lost time with too much hassle using it.
Would add another box with a sequencer into it.
M:C obviously would be a good choice, or an old Electribe E2, or another M:S.
Thanks for this. I am trying to skip the mixer in the chain since everything becomes less portable once I include one. I do have one in my studio at home of course.
But this here is more about a small setup I can easily carry with me for a few months while away. I was totally happy so far with recording straight of the M:S with a Tascam DR05 and onboard effects that the M:S held.
I love the Microfreak but probably will have more sense in my home studio then on the road.
Hi, there, thanks for your reply.
As much as I was tempted by the Cycles, the fact that it has quite a particular character kept me away from it. It has a sound signature in its own and I try to multi-verse my sounds not single-verse them, I don’t know if I makes sense.
Noted about the S1. It is a cool bit of kit, not a big fan of the Volca style knobs and size though.
As much as I need portabilty I hate fiddling with little knobs ;)).
The M:S knobs were just perfect.
But I will look it up and who knows, maybe me and Roland gear will become closer friends in the future. I am not a Roland hater, don’t get me wrong, my TR-8 stands proof, but that’s another toy.
As much as I am an 80s boy and no stranger to trackers I wasn’t very keen on the tracker workflow. So far! BUT I am avid follower of the Polyend Traker, I admit.
You plug your phone into your into your M:S with a USB lead, then the M:S and whatever audio apps you use can speak to each other with midi and exchange audio…
