My First Machine

AdamJay · 2015-05-27T12:23:20.000Z

""EarthquakeLogic"":

[quote=“AdamJay”]I think MM plus a solid drum machine or drum module (MnM’s 6 track midi sequencer could sequence a Volca or Nord Drum or other drum module) is very powerful. I used my MnM the other day to sequence 6 drum sounds on my Volca Sample and was pleased with the results. MnM can even parameter lock the Volca Sample’s parameters. The only thing lacking in that combo is midi program change, which is minor for album work.

So glad you said this, I have a Korg Volca Sample! Was it hard to sequence the Volca? I have heard mixed things.[/quote]
Not at all. Once you have the midi settings in the MnM set up, it’s rather easy.
Volca Sample has a dedicated midi channel per track though, so you’ll only be able to sequence 6 Volca Sample sounds on the MnM. But, it’s enough, really. Sequencing it with MnM is a great way to extend the Volca Sample to 64 steps.

zfigz · 2015-05-27T13:27:53.000Z

""OH/EX/OH"":

Some lovely tracks in there. Am I right in thinking the newer stuff is more than just MNM?

Yeah, they are mostly MnM. The early early tracks are DAW tracks (2005/2006), no hardware, but everything from 2007 and on is primarily MnM. I have a number of tracks that are pure MnM with very little to no processing.

I have since acquired more hardware and rarely, if ever, use my DAW. I even record to a stereo recorder and have a hardware compressor to bring my levels up so that I don’t even have to bring it to the computer. It’s nice having all my tracks backed up to a physical medium (SD cards), it makes my music feel less disposable and more intimate.

Y-NE · 2015-05-27T15:19:49.000Z

""Fuseball"":

If you need the MnM to sound more analog at times, check out the Oxford Overdrive and Immortal Waves sound packs. They really opened up the possibilities of what could be done with the MnM for me.

Same here - I use the waveforms of the Immortal Waves sound pack now and it’s like having a whole new instrument

kusalamati · 2015-05-27T15:28:27.000Z

""zfigz"":

[quote=“OH/EX/OH”]Some lovely tracks in there. Am I right in thinking the newer stuff is more than just MNM?

Yeah, they are mostly MnM. The early early tracks are DAW tracks (2005/2006), no hardware, but everything from 2007 and on is primarily MnM. I have a number of tracks that are pure MnM with very little to no processing.

I have since acquired more hardware and rarely, if ever, use my DAW. I even record to a stereo recorder and have a hardware compressor to bring my levels up so that I don’t even have to bring it to the computer. It’s nice having all my tracks backed up to a physical medium (SD cards), it makes my music feel less disposable and more intimate.
[/quote]
Your sonic aesthetic reminds me a bit of Taylor Deupree, with a little extra grit.

Like

Mantis66 · 2015-05-27T15:41:13.000Z

[quote=“” AdamJay""]

[quote=“EarthquakeLogic”][quote=“AdamJay”]I think MM plus a solid drum machine or drum module (MnM’s 6 track midi sequencer could sequence a Volca or Nord Drum or other drum module) is very powerful. I used my MnM the other day to sequence 6 drum sounds on my Volca Sample and was pleased with the results. MnM can even parameter lock the Volca Sample’s parameters. The only thing lacking in that combo is midi program change, which is minor for album work.
[/quote]

So glad you said this, I have a Korg Volca Sample! Was it hard to sequence the Volca? I have heard mixed things.[/quote]
Not at all. Once you have the midi settings in the MnM set up, it’s rather easy.
Volca Sample has a dedicated midi channel per track though, so you’ll only be able to sequence 6 Volca Sample sounds on the MnM. But, it’s enough, really. Sequencing it with MnM is a great way to extend the Volca Sample to 64 steps.[/quote]
I’m curious, which hardware compressor do you use?

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-05-27T16:24:41.000Z

""Fuseball"":

If you need the MnM to sound more analog at times, check out the Oxford Overdrive and Immortal Waves sound packs. They really opened up the possibilities of what could be done with the MnM for me.

I just checked out those sound packs, those are really nice. I will definitely pick them up once I get an MnM.

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-05-27T16:26:32.000Z

Opening the Volca up to 64 steps would be a dream. I like the constraint it forces, but I could do a lot with 6 sounds and 64 steps.

FreeFall · 2015-05-27T16:39:16.000Z

You can’t imagine how many times a story similar to yours gets told on this forum - use a computer all day, sick of looking at one by night! You’re making the right decision to get out of the box and free of a mouse. Inspiration and boundless joy are just around the corner for you!

The Monomachine was my first Elektron, and my first piece of kit aimed at getting out of the computer. I have since squired more gear. The MNM is so vast, so flexible, and so weird, it will literally provide you with years, if not a lifetime of sonic exploration. It will blow your mind. And an Analog Four does sound great, but it will always sound like an analogue synth. The MNM has a much more alien and surprising palette of sounds. The key is mastering the machine so you are able to milk the magic out of it.

This is how your entry into Elektron will probably go (based on personal experience as well as what we see her on this forum):

You’ll buy the MNM
After a week of total frustration you’ll finally get the hang of Elektron OS and suddenly a world of possibilities begins to reveal itself.
Six months with the MNM and your having more fun making music than you ever have before, and you find yourself hooked on the Elektron work flow
You start imagining how amazing it would be if had just one more Elektron, and you find ways to justify buying another.
You bought another Elektron and you feel that soaring high of falling in love all over again. But this time the high doesn’t last as long, and you are able to imagine even more additions to your hardware collection.
By now your DAW sits either unused, or has been relegated to being a digital recording device. You’ve broken your chains and are free of computer completely.
you’ve committed to the hardware lifestyle and begin to acquire a few more synths , and even find yourself considering modular synthesis! You’ve gone too far! Your bank account cries for mercy, your home looks like the NASA control center, and all you think about is hiding in your synth lair - damn the world and its sunshine and its humans!

In a couple of years, you can tell me how right I was today!

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-05-27T16:53:06.000Z

This sounds amazing, and knowing myself, very very possible.

kusalamati · 2015-05-27T16:58:05.000Z

""FreeFall"":

your home looks like the NASA control center

he he, I was just glancing at the MD and MnM in the eit on my way past today and had similar thoughts, except the two silver boxes in such a configuration look a bit like some advanced missile launching system.
Given space constraints when I travel to work overseas in a few months, I’ve charged myself with the decision to take just one of my Elektrons, with the OP-1 for quirksome company.
I have a sneaky suspicion it will be the MnM I take, and after a year of serious GAS and different configurations, I’m actually looking forward to an enforced stripping back of options.

mokomo · 2015-05-27T17:10:33.000Z

i’ve the black elektrons & very recently got a mnm.

it is outstanding how the mnm distinguishes itself against the newer machines.
A testament to elektron design that it feels in no way ‘dated’.

i travel frequently and often can only fit one elektron in my bag. mnm is at least equalling the black boxes as my companion. It is a bit like choosing amongst your children who gets to travel on a 2 seat ticket.

AdamJay · 2015-05-27T20:47:36.000Z

[quote=“” mokomo""]
i’ve the black elektrons & very recently got a mnm.

it is outstanding how the mnm distinguishes itself against the newer machines.
A testament to elektron design that it feels in no way ‘dated’.

i travel frequently and often can only fit one elektron in my bag. mnm is at least equalling the black boxes as my companion. It is a bit like choosing amongst your children who gets to travel on a 2 seat ticket.
[/quote]

I agree. From a sound design perspective, it’s a dream to use. A digital modular synth, in many ways. I’ll often neighbor all 6 tracks together for a single voice with 18 LFOs, 12 filters, and a 6 band EQ.
The immortal waves and Oxford overdrive digipro wave packs are also essential.
I really can’t see the A4 beating it out with its limited FM and lack of wavetables.
MnM and A4 are powerful instruments in their own, distinct ways.

Hansh · 2015-05-28T11:06:07.000Z

I started last December with an A4 , and swapped it in April for a MnM. A4 sounds great, but somehow the workflow on the MnM is way more fluent. MnM synths architectures are a bit less standard, but it is a great sounding machine. Plus it has MIDI tracks, physical outputs (no overbridge stress )

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-05-29T06:04:08.000Z

Thanks everyone for your input. I have decided to pick one up.

Fuseball · 2015-05-29T08:04:36.000Z

I don’t know how other MnM owners use theirs but I find it pretty essential to have some kind of keyboard attached for playing and programming sequences. I struggled with mine as a purely standalone machine. You can get by without one (and I have on occasion) but if you’re used to playing keys then it’s a whole lot more fun and inspiring with one.

Just saying as it’s something the OP might need to take into account.

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-06-21T03:51:10.000Z

I finally ordered it, now comes the wait (about 2 weeks).

I started reading the manual in the mean time, but I had a question. I know on the Octatrack form everyone says to read the Merlin guide. Does something like that exist for the Monomachine? The manual seems pretty straight forward, but I am just looking for some tips and tricks type thing.

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-06-21T03:52:01.000Z

I have a controller keyboard with midi, I am going to have to try that. Thank you for the suggestion.

AdamJay · 2015-06-21T04:21:10.000Z

[quote=“” EarthquakeLogic""]
I finally ordered it, now comes the wait (about 2 weeks).

I started reading the manual in the mean time, but I had a question. I know on the Octatrack form everyone says to read the Merlin guide. Does something like that exist for the Monomachine? The manual seems pretty straight forward, but I am just looking for some tips and tricks type thing.
[/quote]

http://tarekith.com/assets/monomachine_tipsandtricks.htm

EarthquakeLogic · 2015-06-21T16:56:15.000Z

Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Accent · 2015-06-21T18:56:57.000Z

The Mono is great. You can absolutely make full albums using only the MNM, and it’s one of my desert island synths for that reason. I think you often see people pairing it with other things because the sequencer is great for other gear.

I would probably do a lot of searches on the old Elektron Users forum and then come ask questions here, as that place has tons of information on the silver boxes.