I’m wondering which machines my fellow elektronauts enjoy the most for live improvisation.
I’ve really been enjoying my Norand Mono and TR-8s lately. They are both really easy to get something going and both offer motion recording of many parameters to really change up a sequence. The 8s also has the step loop function and the ability to program a variation while another is playing (The Norand might be able to do this too?). Both of these are going into the OT for live mixing / mangling / beatjuggling / fx. I must say, that I was pretty quick on the OT last time I played, and it felt like all my hours of learning it are starting to pay off.
I’m eying the JX-08 as a possible addition to this set up. I like the fact that the boutiques are finally getting sequencers longer than 16 steps and the Bi-Timbral aspect might help too.
So how about you lot? What instruments do you find are the fastest and most inspirational for playing on the fly?
Take a look in this ongoing similar thread. Lots of good ideas here!
My finger is hovering over the buy button for a Lyra-8. In the meantime, I’ve found that the Octatrack and Desktop Virus TI make a very very nice combination in terms of immediacy and flexibility.
I wasn’t sure if that thread was more focused on the wild / dirty aspect of the instruments, so I thought this one might be different enough, but if the mods want to close or merge, I’m okay with that.
That setup sounds like fun. I’ve recently been inspired by Surgeon, and also some online performances that KiNK did during the pandemic with the TR-8, Minilogue XD and a Monologue.
I have a few Elektrons but, with the exception of how I’m using the OT, I’m not personally fast enough with them yet to build something live.
I’m just curious if anyone else has some favourite machines for this sort of thing.
well if you truly want to improvise live then you need playability. some people just use loopers such as rc-505 and play everything live using multiple instruments and a mic. in reality it’s most likely a fantasy and you need a semi live workflow which I think MPC offers paired with hardware.
I use my OT to record a quantized loop and then bring in a new pattern. I’m not a great player (putting it mildly) but I like sequencers that loop and can be added to on the fly.
I’ve been building up lots of loops and I’ve made some that I’m pretty happy with, but I always end up just jamming on one pattern, or getting lost bouncing around projects. I know organization would help, but I find those kinds of tasks tedious.
Up until very recently, I wouldn’t have felt like I would’ve been good enough with any of my instruments to keep things interesting in a live situation, but the Norand Mono and 8s pairing has really clicked with me (with the OT playing a big part as well). I’ve just been using one kit on the 8s so I don’t have to plan things out.
It’s has felt liberating to just play the damn machines without getting caught up in planning and kit building and eccentric sound design (which all can be fun in their own way too).
I find TB303 super fun to play live! And even more - DynSync replica RE-303.
Same way but a bit less fun - Moog DFAM … However if combined both DFAM+303 via cv / gate outs, it’s 2x FUN : )
Depends on style and personal vision, but I always found more pedals (delays, loopers, glitchers, distortions… ) = more fun for live / jam / improvised sessions…
Bigger knob = more fun. Machines like vintage (MS20, Mono/Poly, ARPs, old SCI PRO1, etc… super playable ) and new (Waldorf, Modor, Prophets, Vermona… ) with bigger interfaces and knobs is a joy to play.
And yes, Elekrons are quite fun to tweak and jam with, but that’s we all know…
Old samplers like Rolands and Akais and especially Ensoniqs are quite fun if controlled from OT for example for live tweaking, mangling etc… A bit “alternative” kind of fun, but if samples are prepared well and uploaded then the fun starts
My rule since last years = no more than 2 machines on stage / on a jam session + pedals and mixer, otherwise it’s getting a bit frustrating. Fun starting to transform into mess : )
Zen delay is SUPPA FUN
At least all I know say so!
I don’t gel with sound unfortunately. Could be a tiny bit more “hi-end”… but prefer analog or tape emulations delays - EHX, Chasse Bliss, Eventide Rose, Strymon’s, Echorec, Echolution etc…
Yeah, I’ve been fed up with cables and routing lately. It’s a buzz kill.
I was obsessed with trying to get a mixer-less setup together with everything running into digis, then OT. Trying to get a little bit of everything, VA, FM, Monos, Drum Machine… yadda… yadda… yadda… it just became overwhelming.
How many voices do I really need? How much great music was made with drums, bass, guitar and a voice? I kept adding things and then I’d end up getting away from other machines that I really enjoyed. (Maybe this should be in the GAS thread)
Yeah… listening the Clash at the moment…
It’s basically “one drummachine” + “bass synth like 101” + “polysynth like fm” + “polysynth like analog” + “3 voices lead synth like Nord Lead” : )