separate track on the drummer’s headphones?

Elektron Gear Model:Samples
1

Hello,

Can I use an Elektron Model Samples to create a separate track on the drummer’s headphones that’s just for him and does NOT go to the main output?

How would that work on the Digittakt II?

Thanks for your help!
Johannes

2

In both cases your only option is to use one stereo channel for the drummer, and the other for the main mix.

3

I don’t have a model samples but can speak to the Digitakt 2: the device itself only has one stereo output and no sort of internal submix type feature, so it’s not possible.

However, the Outbox 8 should be getting released any day now which will allow 8 outputs to a mixer where a submix for the drummer could then be setup

Edit: not ideal but if you’re desperate for now and ok with mono, you could:

  • pan everything you want going out to main in the center so it goes out both L/R
  • pan whatever you only want the drummer to hear (like a track used as a click track) to hard L
  • Drummer hears only mono left channel, everyone else hears mono right channel
4

Doh … forgot about that … thanks for the correction, don’t know whether it will work with the model:samples though … the fact the M:S never supported overbridge suggests M:S support in the outbox is unlikely.

1 Like
5

Another way to go would be to use something else as a clock master like a drum machine to provide a click (I am assuming this is what the drummer wants) with the Elektron slaved to it and both machines going into a mixer that can provide a submix with the click to the drummer and a main mix to everyone else without the click. Adds a bit more complication with another machine/midi tho. But, possible without needing a computer involved

Edit: Or, get an Octatrack instead :wink:

Edit 2: Here is another option that I used in a semi-pro touring band a while back. It is viable only if the Elektron doesn’t need to be played/tweaked during live performance: Cymatics LP-16. It’s a backing track player with 16 tracks. You record the Elektron’s songs as audio tracks (stereo or stems) and then another audio track for the click track and have the LP-16 simply playback the audio (leave the Elektron at home). It has 16 outputs so in this case it would be Elektron recorded audio + click goes to the drummer, Elektron’s recorded audio only to everyone else. The nice things about this option is that 1) you can create full sets of songs with options to have it wait until input to start the next song or wait X seconds to automatically start next song, etc. 2) you remove a lot of variables so a lot less chance of something going haywire during a live performance. What it does NOT do is send/receive a midi clock so it cannot be a master or a slave (it does have midi in/out and has midi tracks so we used its midi out to a MIDItoDMX converter to drive a synchronized light show)

6

[quote=“CreepBeat, post:5, topic:251700”]
Another way to go would be to use something else as a clock master like a drum machine to provide a click (I am assuming this is what the drummer wants) with the Elektron slaved to it and both machines going into a mixer that can provide a submix with the click to the drummer and a main mix to everyone else without the click. Adds a bit more complication with another machine/midi tho. But, possible without needing a computer involved

Thanks for the replies.

Could the following work? The drummer gets his own drum machine. Something like an Alesis SR16. My Elektron Model Sample goes first via MIDI into the Nord Stage 4 (to control the arpeggio there). From there (via MIDI Out, hmm? Is there no MIDI Through??) to the Alesis SR16.

Then the drummer would get the click from the Alesis, which doesn’t go into the mixer.

My question: Does this kind of setup run in sync? In other words: I start the Elektron Sample (with 2 or 3 blank bars for the drummer) and the Alesis kicks in at the same time? Is there even such a thing as program change commands, or do you have to switch it manually?

Or would (if it’s even possible) a different setup be better? Alesis controls the Elektron Sample, and from there a cable goes to the Nord via MIDI.

Thanks for any help

7

Would this mean the following?

The Elektron Model Samples is the master device and is connected to the Alesis SR16 (slave) via MIDI. When I start the Elektron, the SR16 starts automatically. Its sole purpose is to provide the drummer with a click. At the beginning of a song, I program a few empty measures into the Elektron so that the drummer can count in for the band.

The Elektron sends via Thru to the Nord Stage 4 (as a clock for the arpeggiator). Apparently, you can set the MIDI Out output to be used as Thru on the Elektron.

The Elektron goes via the two main outputs to the mixer and everything runs synchronously. Program changes are also made via MIDI.

Does this work or is it wishful thinking?)

8

It sounds like that should work. If the drummer only needs the click coming from the HR16 as a slave (it can be a slave, ya?), that makes things a bit easier when it comes to the capabilities needed for the mixer.

Back when we were running our entire live set to a click with the LP-16 driving the entire show, we had 3 bars of click lead-in for each song. The first two were for me to get the clicks in my in-ears and the last bar or me to count off for the band (I’m a drummer and ran the LP-16). This was a rock setting so there were no drum machines/synths involved (horror-themed band so the backing tracks were mostly synchronized sound FX and sometimes a Farfisa track). It took a lot of work prepping all of the tracks for the LP-16 but it worked flawlessly as the solution for our particular use case over many many shows

Fair warning that the drummer better be very comfortable playing to a click :slight_smile:

Edit: I think if I were wanting to synchronize a set these days that involves multiple midi devices, I’d probably use a laptop, small interface, and Ableton honestly to build out the entire sequencing of the live set which is where things can get tricky.

As I don’t have a model samples, are you planning on using Song Mode (does it have Song Mode?) and then switch songs manually on the model samples?

9

Thank you for your response.

Unfortunately, I can’t answer the last question, as I’m currently putting together a set that should make all this possible.

Ultimately, only a few rhythms will come from the Elektron – the drummer will play most of it – and possibly a few backing vocals, especially in the chorus, to enhance our vocals and make it sound more like the studio recordings.

Since some songs will be played with the Nord 4’s arpeggiator, we need a reliable clock to control this and also send it to the drummer. So far, we have managed without an external clock in the rehearsal room, which has worked reasonably well.

10

No problem and right on - you’ll find a solution that works for you and it sounds like you’re on the right track. Best of luck and most of all, have fun!