I’ve got three track writing setups: Laptop Bitwig, iPad Logic, Tracker Mini that all work for me and I’m very happy with.
I’ve never managed to get into the whole hardware DAWless jamming thing.
My last attempt was Drum Brute Impact, Roland T8 and S1 into MC-707, but it was too unwieldy and I never really used it. The Drum Brute Impact is awesome though.
As a result I’ve stripped back to a Drum Brute Impact running into the audio input of the Donner B1.
This has been really fun. I like that it’s all big knobs with WYSIWYG controls I’ve been really enjoying it.
It has the disadvantages that it’s mono, there are no FX and it’s a bit simplistic.
I’m wondering if I should just leave it as is as a very simple fun setup or try and improve it a little.
One option would be adding a mixer like the Spirit Folio 12-FX which would allow me to have an aux effect, or the ultimate would be the Bluebox, but it’s very expensive and actually costs more than the two synths I’d be using!
Another option would be using the MC-707 just as a 4 channel mixer with FX. In some ways that’s very silly as it’s a really expensive, box to use that way, but it doesn’t really cost much more than a Bluebox and I have it to hand.
Am I over complicating things for no reason, or could I go from good to great?
for me, adding a mixer changed the live jam game. my Xone 96 definitely made it fun and easy to get everything going and just play it like one big instrument.
Before i had it, it was tough to not look at a computer screen because there was really no immediate controls for bringing my instruments in and out, EQing, and FX sends. i used all the inputs on my discrete 8 and now i just use the Xone and run the master thru my analog heat using just two inputs on my discrete.
(side note, the xone has a sound card too so that was a huge plus for me when i was between it and the model 1.)
long story short, it is awesome and i never plan to change it……
until i can get a big six to keep at home
so to answer yes, i say mixer for sure.
i also recommend to get a mixer you will likely perform with if that is your goal.
Because like i said, i see my xone as another instrument for my musical puzzle!
(2 year noob with no serious intent to make releaseable music)
I just bought a Xone db4 for dawless jamming and it is clearly too big and too expensive to keep. The family only enjoyed the LPF and the arena reverb.
The absolute fastest most fun thing I’ve bought is the Deluge. You can crank out drums/bass/chords in a literal minute
The most fun affordable drum machines I’ve tried are the Electribe ES-1 and ER-1. Most fun affordable synth was Uno Synth for bass arp, micro freak for lead arp.
I think you would enjoy the Electribes more than the Impact, or they could compliment it. I am seriously interested in the Donner B1 and I think that was a good choice.
I have my eye on every kind of novation circuit, just waiting to pull the trigger on one that comes up cheap. People on this forum have likened it to a baby deluge.
For the mixer, I’m also thinking about the bluebox but my intuition tells me to wait a minute. I bet there is a mk2 coming soon, then a mk1 bluebox could be $200.
You can run audio in to some of these devices and each device will have volume/filter, so a mixer might be redundant for non-serious applications.
Tried to make an acid setup two months ago with drumbrute impact, Erica DB01, TD3 and SP404mk2. Too much. So, for me, simple always better. One or two boxes. Polyend play+ is the only thing I need right now to make a very good (for me) live set. Is simply a piece of art, it’s meant to be played live. Complete setup with a 404mk2 and I could jam until the end of the world with it. What a combo!!
Interesting, I have almost the opposite problem, I have created lots of live jamming setups I am happy with, but struggle with ‘writing’ set ups! Anyway, as others have said (and you have alluded to) FX and mixers are a big benefit for live jamming. Anything with faders and knob per functions works great for me.
I love the drumbrute impact but preferred the TR8S because of the controls, but certainly you can go a long way with the drumbrute and the Donner B1.
I reckon give the MC707 a go as a mixer with FX and maybe 1 track for a pad sound or something and see how you get on with that. Makes sense since you already have it. The faders and hands on control should make that fun to play and you have a bunch of FX at your disposal.
My tip would be to focus on getting a device with a sequencer you like which can send several tracks of midi data. if you have a sequencer which you know like the back of your hand which you can use with eyes closed, then you can rotate synths and drum machine and still have solid base for jamming.
For me its been the OP-Z since 6 years back.
But other options would be Torso T-1, OXI one, Polyend PLAY, Octatrack to name a few.
The problem with the drumbrute impact is that although is absolutely stellar for live performances it soon fall short at least for me. It’s always the same, going in circles during a long live setup with the same sound. Yes, you can add external FX but I’m not a fan of external FX. It’s the most fun instrument that I’ve had but it’s very limited. It sounds huge, but at the end it’s always the same.
But… Countless legendary sets have been made only with 909s and other machines so it’s a very personal thing.
Model 1.4, 4 channels, 8 stereo inputs. 2x Aux Ensoniq DP/4
Ch.1 Denon SC6000 + Live (Push2, new purchase)
Ch.2 Denon SC6000 + AR MKII (2xBOSS SE-70’s BD/CY & Live → sample input)
Ch.3 Denon SC6000 + A4 MKII ->Yamaha PROR3 (series & Live → ext. in)
Ch.4 Denon SC6000 + DT II → Acidbox III (series & Live → ext in.)
Wish list: Faderfox EC4
Started using D16 group plugins for acid/industrial 90’s inspired techno in Live and Kick2/Phaseplant for Tekno. I am a long way from being fluent with the latter 2.
I normally start mixing/re-mixing 2 tracks, then 3, and then start introducing some hardware.
For improv I have to agree, less is often more. I keep to a 4 part structure mostly, sub, low, mid, high or something. While I miss the 16-channel pan on my old mixer I am happy to condense.
That said I can groove-box on any of the hardware alone, play the decks or the DAW.
I am not going to say I will never buy another piece of gear, but I am pretty happy (bar a EC4). I am trying to keep myself to what can be permanently connected to the Model 1.4 although I do have Ch.1 free atm I haven’t found anything better than the laptop to have plugged in…
Clean slate recommendation for mon:
Buy a second-hand Digitakt & a Minifreak. (Upgrade from your DB/DB1 combo. Lots of free tutorials, presets and online resources for both to get you going and keep you inspired)
Adding a mixer in is cool but then you are looking at 3-4 instruments the mixer and some FX, you can blink and spend $5k. If you are shy about spending the money best you don’t invest that much or get a mixer as it is a gateway device to more instruments and spending more $$$.
as everyone has said less is more for sure…. especially when starting fresh.
whatever instruments you choose, spend time exploring/learning them (jamming is a great way to do it) and don’t just go blowing money on the first thing people recommend/you see… spend time researching and watch youtube videos read reviews, etc.
next as someone else mentioned, think about it like you are going to build a band/sound stage….(drums, bass, lead/arps, sampler/mic/pads maybe depending on what you are making, and FX )
for example:
i have a digitakt on channel one, a sub 37 on a send channel (in mono so it rips thru this mixer), some modular FX on my second send channel (melotus, fx aid), a dfam coming thru that modular channel as well, and then i did only have a subharmonicon for one channel but the new labyrinth is taking that star light away rather quick.
in short, digitakt (drums), sub37 (bass/heavy leads), dfam (heavy rhythm or bleeps and bloops), and either the subharm or labyrinth on Arp duties with Fx.
I also will mention i have acquired this all throughout 4-5 years so take your time! if you really don’t use something, spend one hour with just it and if you don’t like it at the end, sell it!
I’ve noticed one synth/one drum machine + effects works best for me for jams. Usually it’s DrumBrute Impact + EHX Platform + synth, like Novation Peak, DB-01 or Model D + Strymon Blue Sky and El Capistan for reverb and delay. Hands-on, not too complex but has enough options for techno. If I have two synths I tend to ignore drums too much.
I love the DrumBrute Impact I would really like it to be part of any setup even though it’s very limited as you mentioned I kind of don’t care because it’s so good.
Do you have any YT vids of you jamming with the play or the DBI?
