Greetings, fellows of the electronic space congregation.
I’m happy to report that this time I seem to be disciplined — and following gratefully received wisdom: record everything during the exciting phase of exploring a new machine (because, as experience shows, it cannot be repeated).
That said, I got my hands on a Machinedrum UW, and have started The Machinedrum Chronicles. Despite some hassle with a minimal recording setup, I’ve managed to record and upload observations and reports from The Discovery of the Machinedrum.
After watching and listening back to the material, I find myself having meta-thoughts and comments — and I’d love to read yours too, especially on specific sub-topics.
The goal is to deepen shared knowledge and co-develop techniques, patterns, structures, and routines for the MD.
Here’s what I imagine this thread could become:
- ongoing posts of individual Machinedrum Chronicles entries
- comments and discussion on the specific topics touched, with cross-references etc.
- posting of videos, sounds, snippets, SysEx files — like in the famous A4 (Isn’t the Analog Four the most incredible and deep instrument from Elektron so far?) and AR 1.70 (That RYTM 1.70 Sound) threads
- collecting pointers, links, and references to other relevant threads (new, ongoing, or deep from the archive)
- a living TOC to collect subject streams
If at least 3 people are interested, I’d be happy to begin.
Here’s the link to the playlist so far:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcXzmadL_0tGJ_4AHccshV-x3H2zDKG_T&si=_ZdKQ40bUfXETSP0
And here the entries of yesterday and today:
The Machinedrum Chronicles 013 - true polyrhythm - short early morning live performance
This is the documentation of exploring Elektron Machinedrum. This time: found out how to achieve true polyrhythm with RAM and Playback machines (and RAM → ROM machines/sample slots). Short description of the how-to is on the card at the beginning of the video.
Short morning performance/jam. Some structures from yesterday night reused, like different kits that are used as snapshots called in live during performance. MD main outputs → Tascam iphone i/o ixj2 → iPhone 6. Ambient.
The Machinedrum Chronicles 1995 - Digital Hardcore and 12 bit sampling and resampling
From the exploration and discovery of the Elektron Machinedrum.
Inspired by the distorted computer falling pitch sounds I discovered by accident, I sampled something that it reminded me of.
I found a process of resampling end emphasizing bass frequencies within MD and also cutting the sample be resampling when start and endpoint and pitch have been set. The sound of the samples and resamples is amazing with the 12bit engine.
I also show briefly manual sample chain and chopping technique as well as manual pseudo time stretching (with the retrig) that is also useful for creating some vocoder like intergalactic sounds.
Then I messed around with the digital hardcore style. This is part sound exploration and part jam. Found out there is some cancelling out when several instruments are sent through distortion. This is reduced if sounds are resampled.
At the end single sounds of the created kit.
Thinking about importing some working TR-909 samples, however, the built in stuff worked nicely and has its own distinct character.
Cheers!