RYTM as Sound Module

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-06T04:35:38.000Z

Hey gang, I bet Overbridge will have me covered soon enough when it drops, but I’m still curious about something. I’m just experimenting trying to use the RYTM as a sound module. Im using midi clips in Ableton to control the RYTM. The bottom octave of any midi channel plays the 12 pads of the RYTM. I can play the RYTM no prob through my computer with my midi keyboard. The problem is when I start to sequence. I put in a 4 to the floor kick pattern and everything is usually fine, but sometimes I can’y get that far. As soon as I add some hi hats or another element the midi stops getting received by the RYTM and the previous kick patter will even kind of pitter out until the RYTM isn’t receiving any midi. I still plays from the keyboard, but the midi clip in ableton doesnt work. Anyone have any idea what is going on here?? Thanks a million!

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-07T07:29:56.000Z

Anyone using the RYTM as a sound module successfully? If there is another thread, or some part of the manual I have to read the F out of please let me know.

Techno_Mystic · 2015-02-07T08:15:44.000Z

I have connected my Rtym to my drum kit and on one occasion when I was playing along to a pattern it mysteriously set all the velocities to zero for all of the trigs on one track, but not on the tracks that were being fired by the drum kit. It was very strange and I am sure it is a bug. Have you tried checking if the velocities of the silenced trigs have been set to zero?

But my more burning question is: why would you want to connect a Rytm to a computer? Surely the point of owning one is that it sets you free from a computer. Otherwise, there are plenty of software synthesizers and drum synthesizers that are much cheaper than a Rytm.

The reason I play it with a drum kit sometimes is that having some live drumming in a stage performance would liven it up a bit for the audience.

stutech · 2015-02-07T08:58:32.000Z

Strange, I’m using my rytm as a sound module all the time (sequenced by an MPC), and have not encountered such problems… Are you using USB MIDI or Din MIDI?

L4rs3rik · 2015-02-07T18:15:43.000Z

I’ve been using my DAW to sequence both my AR and my A4 and it’s been working really well.

Wouldn’t say that I’m using my Elektron gear as “sound modules” really. What I normally do in these cases is that I sequence in my DAW and when I got the basic stuff going I sync my AR to my DAW and use “live record” mode to record the midi notes coming from my DAW into the AR sequencer. (For me most of the “magic” happens using the Elektron sequencer features.)

Regarding your problem; I’m wondering if using the individual tracks corresponding midi channels when sequencing would help? Or perhaps your computer is sending very sloppy midi to your AR?

Clic · 2015-02-07T22:29:01.000Z

I’m just loading my +Drive with single cycle Waveforms, e.g. these:
http://patcharena.com/analog-rytm-single-cycle-waveforms-pack/
in order to use tracks “as s synth”.

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-08T07:02:21.000Z

""Techno_Mystic"":

I have connected my Rtym to my drum kit and on one occasion when I was playing along to a pattern it mysteriously set all the velocities to zero for all of the trigs on one track, but not on the tracks that were being fired by the drum kit. It was very strange and I am sure it is a bug. Have you tried checking if the velocities of the silenced trigs have been set to zero?

But my more burning question is: why would you want to connect a Rytm to a computer? Surely the point of owning one is that it sets you free from a computer. Otherwise, there are plenty of software synthesizers and drum synthesizers that are much cheaper than a Rytm.

The reason I play it with a drum kit sometimes is that having some live drumming in a stage performance would liven it up a bit for the audience.

Thanks, ya it must be a bug. Just been experimenting with different workflows, had this crazy gas dream if I got one of those Pyramid sequencers by Squarp using the RYTM as a sound module. So wanted to practice in Ableton. Actually trying to move in the box a bit more, but just can’t stand the sound quality. Hoping over bridge will give me the best of both worlds. Oh, about the velocity of the trigs, there are no trigs in the RYTM. Although, maybe the sequencer is somehow sending weird date silencing the tracks. Maybe I’ll try again, and look at all the parameters and see if something is changing. Appreciate the help Techno_Mystic !

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-08T07:05:29.000Z

""LarsErik"":

Regarding your problem; I’m wondering if using the individual tracks corresponding midi channels when sequencing would help? Or perhaps your computer is sending very sloppy midi to your AR?

I bet this would help, but I really want to play it layed out like a kit, not having to switch tracks in ableton to record note for a different pad.

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-08T07:08:16.000Z

""tsutek"":

Strange, I’m using my rytm as a sound module all the time (sequenced by an MPC), and have not encountered such problems… Are you using USB MIDI or Din MIDI?

I am using Din MIDI. I didn’t know RYTM did Midi over USB in this way, I will experiment with that. Also, thinking about it I am using a really crappy Midi to USB cable. I should try with my OPLab and a good midi cable. Thanks for all the advice everyone. Im going to try some stuff and report back, Any more feedback is appreciated though! Thanks again!

L4rs3rik · 2015-02-08T09:51:41.000Z

""virtual_flannel"":

[quote=“LarsErik”]Regarding your problem; I’m wondering if using the individual tracks corresponding midi channels when sequencing would help? Or perhaps your computer is sending very sloppy midi to your AR?

I bet this would help, but I really want to play it layed out like a kit, not having to switch tracks in ableton to record note for a different pad. [/quote]
Yes I see, that’s a good point. For me using Cubase drum maps can be setup to use different midi ports, channels and notes so it’s a walk in the park to setup a single midi track to send to different destinations. Nothing like that in ableton? Like a midi mapping thingy?

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-13T04:52:57.000Z

Thanks again for the help guys, think it was just the shabby USB-Midi cable I was using for some reason. Tried it straight USB and it worked like a charm.

Purusha · 2015-02-16T11:49:51.000Z

For at least one of my projects, Overbridge is something that should really help.

Meantime, I’ve been trying to work out how to implement something like the parameter locks when working with Cubase/Ableton or my Cirklon as main sequencer.

Best solution I’ve found so far, is to tie everything (or almost everything) to note velocity.

That way, I don’t have to use controller messages for events which are meant to happen when a note triggers.

Any other suggestions on that issue?

virtual_flannel · 2015-02-16T13:26:47.000Z

""Purusha"":

For at least one of my projects, Overbridge is something that should really help.

Meantime, I’ve been trying to work out how to implement something like the parameter locks when working with Cubase/Ableton or my Cirklon as main sequencer.

Best solution I’ve found so far, is to tie everything (or almost everything) to note velocity.

That way, I don’t have to use controller messages for events which are meant to happen when a note triggers.

Any other suggestions on that issue?

Noticed the other day in MIDI set up that “PERF” is the default for channel 14. Maybe you could send MIDI data and automation to the RYTM like this. Not sure if that is how this works though, would have to look into it.

secretmusic · 2015-02-17T14:48:25.000Z

""Techno_Mystic"":

But my more burning question is: why would you want to connect a Rytm to a computer? Surely the point of owning one is that it sets you free from a computer. Otherwise, there are plenty of software synthesizers and drum synthesizers that are much cheaper than a Rytm.

there are many reasons why one would sequence the AR from an external sequencer.
mostly, it is because some sequencers out there are a lot better than the internal sequencer. Some people like random sequences, ping pong sequences, round robin, probabilities per step, skipping steps, and so on. None of this can be done on the AR so you can resort to using something else.
Also, some people like drawing automation in a DAW, sometimes it’s useful to see all automation lanes in one glance, and ultimately, makes precise arranging that much easier. This is a matter of taste of course.
I don’t think that everyone buys hardware to get away from their computer. In fact, at least for me, it’s quite the opposite. I buy hardware to complement my computer, not to get rid of it. The tighter the integration between the two, the better.