Workflow: helping tame the machines

dobermate · 2016-10-28T12:24:15.713Z

So, I’ve recently completed my move from computer based composition to trying out the hardware approach instead. My AK has been joined by an AR and just a week ago, the OT.

I’m now trying to think of best workflow and routing bits. My aim is to jam out as much “finished” elements as possible from AK/AR and mangling that with the OT.

Since I reckon final tweaks must be done in DAW, I’ve kept my Macbook Air with Duet FW to bounce things into (using Logic/Mixbus in there) a Presonus Monitor Station V2 for the monitor control. I have also added a Roland JU-06 that I intend to sequence from the OT.

Now, how would you guys route the different audio streams in this setup (AK, AR, OT, JU-06, Mac and Monitor Station v2)? I’m not really interested in relying on the Mac when jamming but need it to be able to receive audio easily.

Monitor Station V2 is quite well equipped in terms of in/out. Basically, it allows for running up to 3 stereo streams at the same time. It also has independent outs for Cue and Main (x2).

I’m not in a need of using multi out from AK/AR/OT.

Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated :).

krusty4president · 2016-10-28T12:24:58.667Z

If there is anyone out there who could produce an awesome tutorial on this about organization and workflow, I guess it would be @cuckoomusic or @CarlMikaelBjork
Any other Elektrontubers out there that have already dunnit? I hanent found anything yet…

UkeeSoul · 2016-10-28T12:25:35.423Z

Just got the OT and playing around with it for a couple days feeling comfortable enough to start making tracks with it in a dark trinity setup with a4 and RYTM. I have previously been doing one track per pattern with the a4 and RYTM but now with OT in the mix it won’t quit work as each pattern carries over the same samples in the tracks with only 4 parts available for different “kits”. I am interested in live setups and performance rather than recording songs. Any thoughts?

vitek · 2016-10-28T12:26:19.132Z

Hi guys,

My first post in Octatrack forum, so I’d like to take the opportunity to say hi to everybody!

It started with A4, ultimately I’ve liked the workflow, so I’ve bought a RYTM, although I’ve said to myself I’m not going to spend more money on the gear, guess what

So I wen’t mental and I’ll have a Black trinity next days.

I was wondering how do you guys use this trio together, perhaps if you have any tips on routing, connecting things together and things what to try and avoid?

I love house, techno, more ambient stuff, when working with textures and melodies and I also play guitar and do a bit of vocals

I’m looking forward to hear from you guys,

Best,
Vit

Ryan · 2016-10-28T13:14:17.692Z

I’ll definitely watch that when I get a moment. Thank you for sharing.

I guess for your gigs the audience is mostly dancing instead of staring at the stage?

wowzer · 2016-10-28T13:22:19.302Z

We Used to have big screens, when screens were special (15y ago)
A vj did the visuals with resolume
I think resolume can be synced to ot, just like with ableton
But i prefer no video’s these days…

And the weird thing is, i also prefer not to perform and not to go to parties these days…
Maybe i am just getting old, soon our 2nd child will be born.

I have go be very positive about my live set to bring it on stage. Still have the contacts, it was asked a few times last 2 month, but i keep on saying no at the moment. Just because i dont feel right about the parties at the moment.

VDB · 2016-10-28T13:32:54.274Z

Hey cmb
A quick question with your pattern selector.
Couldn’t you do the same with clips in live sending program changes?
The MPC sequences are set per program, is it not possible to do the same with the analog keys/rytm?
Cheers, cool videos btw

CarlMikaelBjork · 2016-10-28T15:08:48.557Z

VDB:

Couldn’t you do the same with clips in live sending program changes?

Sure. You could do it with clips in Live containing program changes. I just wanted a more graphical UI showing what I picked. And, of course, the M4L device could also be altered to send program change.

Cosmic · 2016-10-28T15:26:12.000Z

Still trying to figure it out.

CarlMikaelBjork · 2016-10-28T15:51:26.966Z

krusty4president:

awesome tutorial on this about organization and workflow

I’m flattered that you think of me.

The workflow thing is hard since there are so many ways. The workflow is really only relevant when you’ve also established what you’d like to accomplish. But I’ll definitely put it on my ideas/to-do list. It’s a good one. I’ll see if I can find an angle.

VDB · 2016-10-28T15:55:55.131Z

Ok cool, thanks,
Other than that, this is exactly how I want to setup my gear.
Work on patterns in hardware and then launch them from push2 and add pads from there as well!
Thanks again.

William_WiLD · 2016-10-28T18:20:47.843Z

Actually that’s exactly what i tend to done at some point. So i bookmark this thread and i will update later… and yes that’s a HUGE work !

BUT i have started … what i can’t tell is when i will delivered and how …

Vandamme · 2016-12-28T20:49:17.124Z

dubathonic:

For me the answer has been to keep a notebook. Every jam I do, no matter how small, gets an entry.

Still struggling with this topic, but for the meanwhile I started to use Apple’s Music Memos app, record a jam and write down the project and patterns for each device.

DynaSoar · 2017-02-21T19:20:40.115Z

Personally, I currently use the RYTM for the Drums, the A4 For Lead & Bass Sound. And the OT as mixer, but I’m completely lost on how to make them sound them properly. I must surely miss something.

T1 - THRU - AR
T2 - NIS
T3 - FLEX
T4 - FLEX
T5 - THRU - A4
T6 - NIS
T7 - FLEX
T8 - MASTER

Any ideas for that to sound better? Maybe it’s a matter of sonority that does not match between her … I do not know.

Can it be better to make a song by machine ??

CarlMikaelBjork · 2017-02-22T04:58:35.853Z

Surely that’s down to…

sound design
awareness of eq, pan, vol
final polish (masterbus compression, limiting)

…in that order.

And also “make them sound properly” is a subjective matter. I think many of us are evry influenced of what we here recorded or on radio. This has definitely had a hefty dose of 3 - hard compression for a LOUD feeling. Which could be misleading.

In summary - no, not down to the instruments or the combinations there off.

PeterHanes · 2017-02-22T13:02:52.657Z

A post was merged into an existing topic: Thread about the basics of electronic music production

DynaSoar · 2017-02-22T07:36:31.931Z

Thanks for your referral, as usual is very useful for me.

What I find complicated with the non-use of the computer is the equalization of the different tracks of my A4 on the OT that has only one dedicated track for the 4 track of the A4 , I use enormously the peak filter of the one but I do not arrive at things that correspond to me.

I think my sound design and compression are probably misused.

Thanks For Your Time Here & Youtube.

nfim · 2017-02-22T11:31:22.510Z

Recently realised that I’m easily overwhelmed. Just because you have a lot of gear doesn’t mean it all has to be on active duty

DynaSoar · 2017-02-22T21:12:46.797Z

I totally agree with you, the fact of having several machines gives really want to overload the pieces being created. Thank you for your remark which helps me to open a little better, it is not obviously nobody to show us, except the internet.

Open_Mike · 2017-02-23T00:41:10.593Z

I always turn all my stuff on when I’m having a music day and I keep realizing that I’ll never advance too far on any one piece of gear that way. So I keep telling myself to just go deep into one piece next time, but when the day arrives I always find myself compelled to turn everything on again… I’m starting to think that while programming or learning more advanced techniques to just turn on one piece, and then when it’s time to actually play music or do crazy experiments, turn everything on. I just turned all my gear on right before I read this😉…