Chris, honestly I can't thank you enough. You saved me from going bananas. It' all makes sense now. I tried to read the manual but I found only bits and pieces of the functionality none for the actual workflow. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Yea the manual sucks honestly. I have a love hate relationship with my lo fi 12. I love the sounds that come out but I hate the display or lack there of. It's definitely not the easiest workflow by any means without a decent manual or tutorial
I really appreciate that Sonicware made a groovebox/sampler that doesn’t seem explicitly targeted to people who make EDM. And with 10-voice polyphony. And more interesting features than monophonic boxes costing 2-4 times as much. And I like the limitations.
Thanks for the tutorial, great work as always! This thing is really powerful and the pricepoint is just insane for the amount of features you get. At first I thought the drum programming workflow was a bit slow but as you build a little muscle memory it becomes second nature. I hope they add resampling and tap tempo to match the bpm to the loops on the fly. Thanks again!!
Glad to help 😁 There's plenty to dig into on the Lofi-12. Be sure to check out the additional features in firmware v2.0 too th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Mine arrived last night! I was worried it would be difficult to program, but your tutorial was very straight forward and it seems super easy! Happy sampling!
Good work on this man. 15 minutes in and starting going off on my own to make a beat… then cleared everything and continued the tutorial to learn more.
another wonderful tutorial video! I got the lofi12 shortly after the bass and beats. I think ill hold off on learning the B&B and learn this one first. Thank you very much for this.
Thanks Chris. This is by far the clearest and most in-depth explanation available on TH-cam. Mine is on order so I'll be watching again once it arrives 😀
I have ordered this unit (on the way to me now!) , and it's the first of it's kind for me, and this video has really raised my confidence - very nice and easy to understand. Thanks so much!
Off for Christmas dinner now. Will defo be studying this video as soon as I return/sober-up/regain consciousness. Merry Christmas Chris and season's greetings to everybody in the Liven community (if that's a thing).
Mine just arrived today. This is my first ever groove box and needed a tutorial like this thank you so much for doing such a detailed walk through. This video will serve as my manual 👍 haply I found your channel
Fantastic video; thanks very much indeed... just about to revisit as it covers so much. One thing: I'm using it to play live (chromatically); is it possible to play two samples in unison, i.e. two tracks simultaneously?
Thank you. The only way to you'd be able to do that is if you were using an external controller. You could set two tracks to the same midi channel, 1 for example and then play in channel 1 from your keyboard and that would trigger them both
Hi, very awesome tutorial!! I'd like to know more about a few things (I already read the manual...) could you reply me? 1) is it possible to trigger patterns using the program change on the global midi channel? 2) selecting the 12-bit mode, will it play all samples at 12 bit despite of the quality they were sampled at? I mean: if I sample something at 24-bit freq, then I switch on the 12-bit mode, will it play back my samples at 12-bit? 3) Does the LoFi-12 save the single track status (muted/unmuted) along with the Pattern data? Thanks!!!!
Thank you for this video! I'm getting my unit tomorrow, so this is very helpful. Also, random note: you look a lot like another TH-camr named Ivan Djurić.
I was going to buy a korg samples but somehow I stumbled upon this video but this looks more like an op1 style. Much more advanced than volca samples it seems like a better value to me
Yes the Lofi-12 does all the things that I wish the Volca Sample could do and a lot more. I've had the Volca Sample for a few years so I own both. The Sample is arguably better at drums with it's 10 channels Vs 4 on the Lofi-12, but the sample selection can be automated on the Lofi-12 so it's not as restrictive as it sounds. Also there is no length restriction for sample length on the Volca Sample, but all patterns are 16 steps so it's tricky to make use of long samples within a sequence anyway
You'd have to ask Sonicware staff but they always seem to want to improve them, the 8 Bit Warps is on version 3 now. I'm not sure they'd be able to add individual slice points though, I think what they've done might be as good as it gets with a 4 character display
Great tutorial! Thanks for all the work you put into this! One question. I'm trying to figure out if the random arpeggiator can be routed to the sample startpoint rather than pitch?
Thank you. Sorry no you can't target the sample start parameter like that. You could program different steps with different start times and then use the random playback feature to randomly trigger those. I know it's not the same thing but that's an option at least
Thanks for this mega video, I wish to know more about the pattern chaining functions in the future if possible (set numbers of repeats of a pattern before swithing to the other, changing orders of patterns, etc.) and if it's possible to use the Lofi 12 as a sample "module" to sample into it and then trigger samples from an external sequencer. I use a Squarp Pyramid as "brain" of my setup and would be nice to use the Lofi 12 also as a sample module beside using it standalone
There's no way to set patterns to repeat when pattern chaining but you can chain all 64 patterns one after the other if you want so the best thing to do is just to copy the same pattern into multiple slots to get it to repeat Yes you can definitely use it as a module. Each track can have its own midi channel plus there are lots of things that can be automated using midi CCs including the Sample and Bank knobs so you can sequence the hell out of everything. There is a midi implementation sheet to download on the Sonicware website if you'd like to know more about that
@@ChrisLodyMusic Making multiple copies of a pattern is totally fine, I guess the limit of midi events you can sequence on the Lofi 12 should be high enough to make full songs. It's also great to know that it can be used as a totally sequenceable lofi sampler, thanks
Very useful video man, i have to try to set every step of the drums with different laid back valige for a drunk beat! Also, Is there a way to rename a pattern?
Damn, difficult to say which is the best, it depends what you're looking for. The Lofi-12 is probably the best all rounder and is the simplest to use, I'd happily make whole tunes on that with nothing else. The XFM is in a similar league because it also has 4 tracks but is more complex and is focused on FM synthesis rather than samples so the tone is more specific. The Texture Lab is really well suited to experimental tones which is much more of a hands on synth than the groove box focused models. The 8Bit Warps just received an update too which adds a bunch of useful features which kicks it up the list quite a bit, it's designed for old school chiptune music but is surprisingly versatile, it has an audio looper instead of multiple tracks. Keep an eye out for the 'ELZ_1 play' which has yet to be released, that's shaping up to be pretty versatile too with it's drums, multiple synth engines and looper. Not sure if that was any help at all, there's lots to chose from! 😄
I realize this is a little late, but I can't seem to get my step sequencer to get more than 16 steps. I have been pressing both the 1/3 and 2/4 buttons, and nothing has changed. I guess i was just wondering if there was some button I had pressed that made it that way, as there was a point before where I could increase steps.
It's never too late 😁 The page select buttons will only work if there are more than 16 steps in a track. By default this is set to 16 but you can alter this with the per track Length setting. I talk about this towards the end of the section that starts at 12:03
So I just bought this and I need to know how to make a samples drum kit with multiple samples in a drum kit? Most samplers from the Roland S and W series to the Yamaha A and RS/SU series allow this. Korg does as well. But can I do this on the Liven? Also, how do VOCAL samples sound on this? I have more than enough instrument/synth sounds so my main use is vocal bytes like on SFX DJ panels and MPC2000XL
I'm out of the studio at the moment but just so I don't have to keep you waiting you can check out this video. It will show you how drums work which was added in version 2 th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Hi Chris. I wanted to ask you if you are aware whether the LFO can be used running continuously throughout the sequence play, because as far as I understand the LFO envelope is retriggered every time a key is pressed. That's not handy in many cases, especially if you want to modulate the cutoff frequency coherently without the envelope restarting from the beginning when notes or chords change in the sequence.
Yes that's correct. It will retrigger on new notes and there is no free running option unfortunately. If you'd like that though you can always send a feature request to the tech support email, they're pretty receptive to ideas if find
ChrisLody, is there any possibility to latch the arpeggiator? I'ven been looking for it and seems that I just can't find it, many thanks it will be so helpful ! Cheers !
Hi. It doesn't have a latch mode but it does have a hold mode which works with the other voice modes too and can be useful. By holding OK and playing some notes they are added to a stack of held notes. Notes can be removed from the stack by playing them without holding OK and other notes can be played alongside the held notes too which is useful for the arpeggiator. Hope that helps
Cool , got it straight ! it is not the same as latching but work fantastic, just get the ARP mode (or any mode), press OK and then any note and will get latched in the order you play (this might afect the direction of the arp but c'mon it's a good way of solving it. Many thanks Chris Lody !@@ChrisLodyMusic
Thank You Chris! Is there a way to copy an entire "pattern" in one go? Using th e Liven's with EXTERNAL midi controller (i.e. DAW) what's te best way to assign say MOD WHEEL (CC1) to a sound/performance?
No problem. Yes you can save a pattern into a new slot to copy it. Just press Func+Save, then choose a new slot using either the Value knob or using the Bank and Step buttons the same way you load a different pattern. All the controls on the Liven have preset midi CCs assigned to them. If you want to control one of those with your mod wheel you would need to have a keyboard where the midi CC can be changed for the mod wheel, or perform this in your DAW using an appropriate midi plugin. There is a list of midi CCs here: www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_Lofi-12/DOC/Lofi-12_v2_1_manual_MIDI_en.pdf
Hello Chris, I’m unsure if I can record all 4 tracks simultaneously in a DAW? I want to master the beats I have on the Lofi 12 as well as on the XFM or on the bass and beats. But I didn’t find any information about how to do that. Maybe you can help. Have a good week and take care..
Sorry for the late reply. You can't record all 4 tracks separately from the Lofi-12 or XFM as they're only stereo devices, they'd need to have 4 outputs to do that. Your best bet is to record 2 tracks at a time. As an example, mute tracks 3 & 4 then hard pan tracks 1 & 2 left and right. Record tracks 1 & 2 to separate tracks in your daw. Once you've done this do the same for the other tracks with panning and muting reversed. You'll need to manually line up the second recording to the first but that's not too tricky to do
Thank you for your great videos! However, I still a question: Is it possible to connect individual sounds with individual keyboard keys (for example with individual drum and snare sounds in order to have a single track only made up of drum sounds that do not come from a coherent drum loop)?
Since the version 2.0 firmware update yes. I explain in the attached video but it can now split a sample into equal length parts and spread them across the keys in the Drum and Chop modes. That way you can build a drum rhythm on just one track. It's not done with individual samples but it's still very useful th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
@@ChrisLodyMusic Sounds pretty good, thanks for your quick response ♥ But what I meant in particular was if its possible to add single one shot drum sounds from the onboard data (not from a chopped drum loop) to single keys or alternatively? I'm asking this because I usually do not work with drum loops 😉 Greetings from Germany!
Yes but you still have to use the Drum and Chop modes. In the video link I shared there are a few drum kits that were provided with the update. These are just single drum hits spread out across the length of the sample, so the Drum and Chop modes are used to chop these up instead of a drum loop. You can build your own kits directly on the Lofi-12 too by creating a short sequence that has multiple drum sounds within it spread across separate tracks, then using the resample function to record that into a new single sample. Or you can create them externally and sample them in.
Hey Chris is there a way to program a single track like a drum machine? E.G., use different keys for different drum sounds and then be able to mute or solo the individual drum sounds inside the track as it plays without having to create another track or pattern to switch to?
Since the version 2.0 update yes. It adds Drum and Chop modes which can slice a sample into equal lengths to play across different keys. There's no way to mute or solo different drum sounds but it does the job. You can find details here: th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks @@ChrisLodyMusic I saw that and really like that feature, was just hoping there was a way to mute those slices individually on command. Maybe you can make a suggestion to them for the next firmware update? I can't imagine that being outside of what is possible or really use much memory or require much additional code and it would make the Lofi 12 a powerhouse for live performances. Having probability would be nice too but being able to mute individual sample slices in drum mode is the best firmware update I can think of that they haven't already done.
There’s litt about midi function with any depth in the manual, it says what receiving and transmitting, but they don’t even explain if you can use a midi keyboard. Even the diagram in the front only has a computer go to midi in. So there’s no real info on the midi functions. Like if I use a midi keyboard to play polyphonic samples over the keyboard, a sound comes up that repeats in a weird manner and doesn’t play the sample selected. It’s the Lofi 6 but they seem to be similar.
Yes you can plug a midi keyboard and play polyphonically and the settings are the same for the Lofi-12 and Lofi-6. Each track (1-4) has it's own midi channel which are set to midi channels 1-4 by default. You can edit these by pressing Func+MIDI CH to cycle through the setting for each one. So if you attach a midi keyboard set to midi channel 1 it will play whichever sound is loaded into track 1. What is also useful is the auto channel setting (AT.CH in the MIDI CH menu) which is midi channel 6 by default. If you connect a midi keyboard set to channel 6 it will play whichever track is currently selected which can be very useful. Hope that helps. I'm planning on covering the same subject in more detail in an upcoming Liven video for a different Liven model if you'd like to see examples
Sorry for not responding sooner. It would depend on what you're trying to achieve to be honest, there's a few things you need to know. Firstly make you know about Tied notes, also pitching down samples to make them longer, also check out the section on sample editing. You can loop your samples there to which will obviously make them last longer. There's been firmware updates since this launched too which adds feature like sample slicing
Excuse me if I missed it but I'm a bit tired after a very long work day. But I've watched many videos and I haven't really seen anyone simply explain how to start a fresh project. I don't want to override the internal samples and stuff I just want to have a blank canvas is there a way to do that? I'm a bit nervous to experiment because I know it's easy to accidentally override the internal sounds and patterns. And due to Sonic where being quite lazy they made it very difficult to restore factory settings. I'm actually a bit baffled by how lazy some of the quality of life things are. I'm all in with the old school stuff I learned on ensoniq samplers, and this machine makes the eps sampler look like a simple machine, as far as understanding its features. Anyways I digress, is there a simple way to start a fresh project per se? Also do you know how much internal storage there is again I can't find that information anywhere even though I have the sampler in front of me
It depends how you define 'project'. The Lofi-12 doesn't really use a project based setup (unlike the Lofi-12 XT), it just uses separate patterns which can be strung together to make an arrangement. So by default to load a blank pattern you just have to select any pattern that's not in bank 1, these are all blank by default. As for restoring samples etc, all that functionality is there and I certainly wouldn't describe it's implementation as lazy. Samples are not restored during a factory reset because of the amount of internal memory they occupy. Sonicware could have reserved a chunk of memory to backup the samples but this would how severely reduced the number of sample slots available, so instead they are available to download individually in the download section on the Sonicware website and can be written to the device using midi sysex. You'll need a midi interface to do this as shown in the update tutorial below. I talk about this at the end of the overlay section that starts at 51:15 Update tutorial: th-cam.com/video/bHxyV0qwFns/w-d-xo.html You can also backup the whole device in a similar manner by holding Track 4 on boot up and selecting import or export from there. Using that you can restore everything including the samples. It will take a long time though, 1.5 hours approx. I've made a factory backup image that you can download here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wl47na829az9ay9ogzjw1/ANSxex1Wpji070NNeesl3pg?rlkey=85xnot16osmttc1garnxps58b&st=ppjqaofo&dl=0
hi thanks for the video, its been really helpful. Im wondering if there is a way to easily convert wav files to sys ex that will work on the Liven? apols if this is covered elsewhere....
No sorry not on the Lofi-12. Because the midi sysex not only contains the sample but also the loop points, start & end points, pitch, fade etc the only way to prepare a sample is from within the Liven itself. It may be possible for them to do one day but it would require a bit of code that allows the user to edit and preview all those parameters
Hey Chris, I recently bought the Liven 8-bit warps synth but the plug hole for the power supply wont fit common sized power supplies. Is that normal or does it have to have a specific power supply to fit it?
Yes that's normal. There is a technical name for the plug type but the easiest thing to do is to buy a Korg Volca power supply from somewhere like Amazon as they are the same
Sadly not. You can run external audio only through the global effects section which contains reverbs, tape and vinyl effects. Though on v1.00 of the firmware external input to tape isn't working. This is a bug that's been reported. So yeah, just sample your audio and filter it that way instead
To do that you'll need a mixer to connect the turntables to and cables to convert the output of the mixer down from either 2x phono connections or 2x 1\4" outputs to a stereo 3.5mm. Find a mixer that has more than enough inputs for what you need as they're always useful
Yes you can, I talk about it near the end. Once you press Func+Sample and add the overlay you'll be in select mode, if you press the button with Rename under it from there you can rename the bank
How do I put in a long note without getting a trig on each step? I have a one bar loop that fades out near the end. The sustain is at 127. Could you walk me through what I am doing wrong. Thank you!
It sounds like you need to enable the note Tie function. I can't remember where I mention it in the video so hold Func and press the rubber button with Tie under it to the right of the Liven so it lights up. Then you'll be able to program long notes by switching on record, pressing a step, holding a note and pressing another step
It's been a while since I watched my own tutorial, but apart from what you can see me sampling in during the tutorial everything is included. There's a section with individual hits, a section with loops and after the v2.0 update it supports chopping up drums so there's some extra kits to import via midi on the Sonicware website
The procedure is slightly different on each Liven so it's worth checking the manual for the specific model. But make sure it's firmware is up to date, then check the Midi menu and make sure TX.PC is turned on (program change transmission) then changing patterns will transmit program change messages depending on he pattern number. It works slightly differently on the 8Bit Warps where sounds and patterns have different memories so there is a separate setting to choose which transmits the program change.
@@ChrisLodyMusic Thanks Chris! I have the Lofi-12. I couldn't find it in the manual. I would love to sequence the program changes but the manual only shows how to turn them on
@@ChrisLodyMusic So weird to link patterns and program changes. It would make more sense to use the sample selection to change the patch of an external synth. You could sound lock external gear like you can do with the digitone
I hope you can answer this question for me and save me a bit of frustration. What setting do I need to have the lofi in order to use it has a sequencer to control external gear. Example 404mk2. Thanks again for this video and for impact in the community!
You just have to hook up a midi cable between them and change the settings in the midi channel menu (Func+Midi.Ch key) to make the track you'd like to control external gear match it's midi channel.
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks for you reply. Does each track has its own specific midi channel. I want to use it as a sequencer to control my 404mk2 using the lofi parameter locks.
Ah I see. If you want to use the parameter locks it gets more complicated. The midi cc settings per knob on the Livens can not be altered so it depends if any of the parameters on the 404mk2 have matching parameters or definable ones, I don't own a 404mk2 so I can't test it. You'll need to check the midi implementation chart for both and see if any of them match. Btw yes, tracks do have their own channel which can be defined as I described above
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks again for the follow up info! Looks like I need to hit up the manuals. I was hoping it would be a little bit easier then this tbh 😝 But getting to know your machines on this level is a positive.
You can yes but it's on the sample editing overlay. So you'd make a copy of your sample to a new save slot and then reverse that version to use in a track
Thank you! One more question if you don't mind. Does it HAVE to do lo-fi? Can I do normal 16bit 44khz audio? I just want to use it as a simple house and techno drum beat machine and I don't want the lo-fi sound. I'm sure there could be better options for me like the Roland TR-6S but I just like the low price of this device.@@ChrisLodyMusic
Well it is geared towards a softer sound, but the overall output is actually 16bit 48khz. So if you're able to pitch your sounds down before sampling them in, sample them at 24khz, then pitch them back up you'll crisper but shorter sounds. Be sure to check out the version 2 video btw, added some useful features for programming drums if that's what you need: th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
That's not a dumb question at all 😁 It depends which way you want to record. If you want to record sounds from the laptop to the Lofi-12 to make new samples you can just connect the laptops headphone socket to the line in on the Lofi-12 using a 3.5mm stereo cable. These are very common and you may already have one if you own a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. If you want to record your music to your laptop you'll need an audio interface. There are a huge array of these available with lots of different prices and with widely varying features but simple ones like the Behringer UCA222 will do the job very cheaply. If you choose this interface youll need a 3.5mm to phono cable to connect them together. You then need some software to record it with. I recommend starting with Audacity as it's free and there's plenty of information around about how to set it up to record. Hope that helps.
Is it possible to delete the onboard sounds of the liven lofi 12? I tried to "INIT" them in Sample & Edit Mode, as it is described in the manual, but nothing was deleted.. My aim is to fill the groovbox entirely with my own sounds
Yes the Init option will wipe the sound and reset everything but you then have to remember to save the sound too. Alternatively you can pick an empty sound and save that over the others from the overlay or just record over them all
@@ChrisLodyMusic Alright, now it works. Thanks again :) What still doesn´t work is the import of own samples from PC (Windows). What I do is to convert wave files to syx-files with the "Audio file converter for LIVEN Texture Lab" (I didn´t know what converter could be better!?). After transferring them to the Lofi12 via MIDI SysEx nothin happens. There is no file arriving at the groovebox. Can you tell me what am I doing wrong?
Glad I could help 😁 Unfortunately there is no equivalent wav to sysex possible for the Lofi-12, they are structured differently too so the sysex formats are not compatible. The advantage the Texture Lab has in that regard is that it's sysex files don't contain any setting such as loop points etc while the Lofi-12's do. So it would require Sonicware to build a webpage or app that could also set all the settings available from the overlay in order for that to work. So you have to make all thse setting using the overaly and transfer the sysex file out for later use. Personally I just like recording samples directly in though, this takes 4 seconds max where as transferring sysex files in over midi takes about 60 seconds each.
@@ChrisLodyMusic I'm really sorry, but I'm not sure if I understood everything you wrote 😬 I think I understood that there is a way to get my wave files into the lofi 12 but it is very laborious, right? Or is it just impossible? If it is possible, do you know if there is a detailed description of the entire process somewhere online? This whole thing is quite new to me. Until recently I was working with a Korg Electribe where I could just import wave files from the SD card. In the case of the lofi12 I do not really know what's going on 😅
Sorry I'll try to explain in more detail. The Texture Lab is a different Liven so it's wav to midi sysex web page is not compatible with the Liven Lofi-12 so there is no way to turn a wav into midi to transfer in. The only way to get your samples onto the Lofi-12 is to record them in as audio. After you've done that you can make changes to the settings etc from the overlay and then transfer them out of the Liven as midi (also from the overlay) onto your computer so you can preserve your work if you'd like to transfer them back in later, this midi file also contains the audio any edits you've made to loop points, the sample name etc. Transferring the midi version of your samples out and in takes much longer than just recording the audio in though.
Yes you can use the backup feature. Connect the midi out of the Liven you want to backup to the midi in of the other. Hold track 4 on the Liven you want to overwrite and select IMPT (import) then press OK, do the same on the other and select EXPT (export) and press OK. Be warned though, this will overwrite everything on the IMPT Liven deleting any work you have on it. It will take quite a while, about 15 minutes. You can also export individual patterns and samples using midi in a similar way. This is done from the pattern edit level and sample edit level respectively
@@ChrisLodyMusic Chris - FYI SYSEX between LF-12 and iPad works. I have an iPad 8 with iOS 16.2, a Fore MIDI to USB interface from Amazon and the MIDI Tool Box app. In the app you just have to check USB MIDI Interface in and out in I/O Setup once and it stays checked. So far I saved a bank of samples successfully and also saved and sent a single sample successfully. Further testing to be done but it looks like everything works as expected. 🎉🎉🎉
Oh that's good to know. I haven't tried it myself yet because I still haven't got round to buying a lightning to USB adapter for my iPad. There will be a firmware update shortly so it would be interesting to see if that setup can handle that
@@ChrisLodyMusic no reason MIDI should change as far as I can see. Basic functions should still be there. Of course now that I’m getting comfortable with LF-12 they do an update and I’ll be lost again! 😆👍🏼
You should be fine if you've managed to export a whole bank because I think that's a bigger file than the firmware update. It's just that some midi devices struggle transmitting lots of data accurately so that can cause transfers to fail. Slowing transmission can fix that though so fingers crossed 🤞
(In sample edit mode): I'm a little confused on the difference between the procedure for renaming a sample and renaming a bank. Is it simply a matter of selecting "edit" for samples and "select" for banks?
Yes that's right. When you hit Func + Sample you're in select mode so the import, export and rename functions work on banks. Selecting a sound a pressing OK takes you into edit mode at which point the export and rename functions work on individual sample slots. There is no import button here as it's always listening for Sysex midi to be received for a single sample import in edit mode
Yes you can, just be aware of the differences shown in this video th-cam.com/video/zPkocC5YxCo/w-d-xo.html Also the features added in the Lofi-12 v2.0 update appear on the Lofi-6 too th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Would be grat to have oportunity to scroll thru FX or other parameters withot them working unles we want them to. Without that all parameters are useless in live recording. Something so simple culd take whole liven series way higher. Maybe duble tap "shift" while holding "func" culd alow that, then taping "shift" again will activate parameter (like FX). Scroling thru all those realy mess up everything while playing. There is wayaround with diferent tracks have diferent parameters/fx but its such a waste of patterns/time/overall potential.
If you have a suggestion for a feature the best thing you can do is share it on the official Liven Facebook page of contact them directly. I have very little say regarding features etc but I can steer them towards ideas that are popular among users
Found this really hard to follow. Started with the most complex thing , had resampling before sampling and basically you should have had an empty machine to show beginners exactly what to press or push. Had a lofi for 3 days and still dont really have a clue...probably send it back.
@@iainbozfelt Not sure if this comment has landed on the wrong video, but resampling wasn't available on the Lofi-12 when I released this video. Regardless, it's a decent machine so I'd recommend giving it a chance before sending it back
Worst case scenario it's a fantastic drum machine, maybe start there before jumping into sampling? Or at least that's how I'm going about it, have had it about 3ish months and I've come back to this video when I'm ready to learn more about it, or "absorb" more from it rather lol
@@handyandyradio I saw your earlier comment, glad you're working it out now 😄 There's quite a lot to get through if you're new to this but hopefully if you just work through step by step and try everything it will all make sense
So as one who is trying to avoid a computer given how much screen time I have on the daily. What is the best way to record these ideas? Hans recorder with line in, usbc to 3.5mm on the line out to record to my cellphone? Given the quality is intentionally lofi, I've been searching for the best way without the need of a computer. I have this "vision" of using my new found groovebox out in thr wild on the go. But struggling to find the best and most cost effective way to record this ALONG with my new Orba 2 I just got as well. Also my two pocket operators.... sorry for the long comment but have landed at 3+year old videos that seem to only give an overview. Any recommendations? My initial thought is even a cheap Zoom H1 but don't really know if that's the right or shall I say "good" approach
I was just about to recommend something like a Zoom recorder so I think the H1 or H1n would be perfect. I use a Korg SR1 which also has a line in socket but I think I might upgrade that because the H1n looks like a better field recorder. The Volcas have a line in so you'll be able to plug at least one of you other devices into that and record them at the same time, plus there is a Pocket Operator compatible setting so you'll be able to chain those together into it too
My pleasure 😁 I love it even more since the update. Just being able to have polyphonic drum tracks is a huge bonus and there's plenty more that can be done with chopping too
I NEVER buy anything that doesn't come with an actual physical instruction manual. Too bad, too. I'd really love to get this one and the other sampling one.
PLEASE NOTE: The Lofi-12 has now been updated with extra features. Please see this video for more details th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Just got my lofi because of this video. Thank you!
Chris, honestly I can't thank you enough. You saved me from going bananas. It' all makes sense now. I tried to read the manual but I found only bits and pieces of the functionality none for the actual workflow. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Glad to help 😁 Yes the Lofi-12 manual is an improvement over the previous models but it's still mostly a list of functions
Yea the manual sucks honestly. I have a love hate relationship with my lo fi 12. I love the sounds that come out but I hate the display or lack there of. It's definitely not the easiest workflow by any means without a decent manual or tutorial
I really appreciate that Sonicware made a groovebox/sampler that doesn’t seem explicitly targeted to people who make EDM. And with 10-voice polyphony. And more interesting features than monophonic boxes costing 2-4 times as much. And I like the limitations.
Yeah the lofi quality is really the only serious restriction and even then the 24khz mode is pretty crisp.
@@ChrisLodyMusic Just got notified that mine has shipped from Perfect Circuit in the states.
Thanks for the video, I’m 4 days into the Lofi 12 and I feel like i have this mastered now because of your tutorial!
Glad to help 😁 Make sure you check out the version 2 features as well, there's some good stuff th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the tutorial, great work as always!
This thing is really powerful and the pricepoint is just insane for the amount of features you get.
At first I thought the drum programming workflow was a bit slow but as you build a little muscle memory it becomes second nature.
I hope they add resampling and tap tempo to match the bpm to the loops on the fly.
Thanks again!!
Thanks for watching. Yes it's been very popular so I'm looking forward to seeing what features can be added
Chris, you showed me in 15 minutes what I could not figure out in 3 hours with the manual THANK YOU
Glad to help 😁 There's plenty to dig into on the Lofi-12. Be sure to check out the additional features in firmware v2.0 too th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
This is ridiculously well done/helpful/what I wish for every piece of gear.
And responding to all the questions!
You are epic, sir.
Thank you very much 😁 Yes I wish that all gear had tutorials like this. But then again I'd probably buy more gear then 😄
And yes, your tutorial did convince me to buy one.
Ha sorry 😄💰
So much work put into this!
Thanks, Chris, and merry Christmas to you!
Yes it took some doing 😄 Merry Christmas 🌲
Mine arrived last night! I was worried it would be difficult to program, but your tutorial was very straight forward and it seems super easy! Happy sampling!
Oh nice one. The Livens are deep and powerful machines so I'm glad you found this easy to follow 😁
Good work on this man. 15 minutes in and starting going off on my own to make a beat… then cleared everything and continued the tutorial to learn more.
Good to hear. I can usually only last about 5mins before getting distracted with things like this so you're doing well 😄
This was really thorough, and a great way to get familiar with the lofi12.
Got this today I was so wrong this thing is epic I thought the workflow would be convoluted but it’s super easy
Glad to hear you're enjoying it, have fun 😁
another wonderful tutorial video! I got the lofi12 shortly after the bass and beats. I think ill hold off on learning the B&B and learn this one first. Thank you very much for this.
Thanks for watching. I still need to return to the B&B at some point to show some of the deeper synth engine functions
Thanks Chris. This is by far the clearest and most in-depth explanation available on TH-cam. Mine is on order so I'll be watching again once it arrives 😀
You're welcome. Glad to help and I hope you have fun with it
I have ordered this unit (on the way to me now!) , and it's the first of it's kind for me, and this video has really raised my confidence - very nice and easy to understand. Thanks so much!
Oh that's good to know, glad to help 😁
Off for Christmas dinner now. Will defo be studying this video as soon as I return/sober-up/regain consciousness. Merry Christmas Chris and season's greetings to everybody in the Liven community (if that's a thing).
Merry Christmas to you to, hope you find it helpful 😁
I wish I were having a Christmas dinner.
Surprised i havent come across you sooner. Excellent, informative stuff. Well done. Subscribed
Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement 😁
Thanks for covering this sampler. Definitely an interesting instrument.
Looking forward to this. Thanks Chris!
I've watched this video at least 4 times now. Every time I learn something new :-) Thanks again Chris!
Glad to help, hope you're having fun with it 😁
Thanks for the tutorial. Helps a lot.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family.
Thank you 😁
Mine just arrived today. This is my first ever groove box and needed a tutorial like this thank you so much for doing such a detailed walk through. This video will serve as my manual 👍 haply I found your channel
Nice one, glad to help. The Livens can seem a bit daunting at first but only because they pack in a lot of power. Have fun 😁
I really appreciate you taking the time to go so in depth on this video. I'm a beginner so this video really helps 👏
Glad to help, have fun 😁
I ordered this sampler tonight, much obliged on the breakdown.
Nice one. Glad to help, have fun
Fantastic video; thanks very much indeed... just about to revisit as it covers so much. One thing: I'm using it to play live (chromatically); is it possible to play two samples in unison, i.e. two tracks simultaneously?
Thank you. The only way to you'd be able to do that is if you were using an external controller. You could set two tracks to the same midi channel, 1 for example and then play in channel 1 from your keyboard and that would trigger them both
Thanks very much for the quick reply, and for clarifying. I may actually create a composite sample of both instruments in unison, for speed.
They always said you were a genius!
Ha it's all lies, I'm just a big nerd 😆
Top tutorial, best I've watched in a long time
Thank you, hope you found it useful
@@ChrisLodyMusic oh yeah convinced me to purchase one, got the mega coming soon too, amazing bit of kit for the price and size
@@mattwebster6046 Nice one 😁 Be sure to check out the extra features in Lofi-12 v2.00 too: th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the detailed tutorial. 😊
Hi, very awesome tutorial!! I'd like to know more about a few things (I already read the manual...) could you reply me?
1) is it possible to trigger patterns using the program change on the global midi channel?
2) selecting the 12-bit mode, will it play all samples at 12 bit despite of the quality they were sampled at? I mean: if I sample something at 24-bit freq, then I switch on the 12-bit mode, will it play back my samples at 12-bit?
3) Does the LoFi-12 save the single track status (muted/unmuted) along with the Pattern data?
Thanks!!!!
Thanks for the great tutorial, and helping me with my accidently latch button push.
No problem, glad that fixed the issue for you 😁
Thanks for this amazing video...Yes, I have to say that I would have paid more, if they had used a larger and darker font below those knobs!!! 😂
Ha yes I wondered if the grey on beige thing was a good idea 😅 Could be worse though tbh
I think you have covered everything !! 👌
Ha I think so 😄
Thank you for this video! I'm getting my unit tomorrow, so this is very helpful.
Also, random note: you look a lot like another TH-camr named Ivan Djurić.
Glad to help, hope you have fun.
I guess I've just got one of those generic dude faces 😄
@@ChrisLodyMusic nah, you're more handsome than a generic dude face would be. 😉
I was going to buy a korg samples but somehow I stumbled upon this video but this looks more like an op1 style. Much more advanced than volca samples it seems like a better value to me
Yes the Lofi-12 does all the things that I wish the Volca Sample could do and a lot more. I've had the Volca Sample for a few years so I own both. The Sample is arguably better at drums with it's 10 channels Vs 4 on the Lofi-12, but the sample selection can be automated on the Lofi-12 so it's not as restrictive as it sounds. Also there is no length restriction for sample length on the Volca Sample, but all patterns are 16 steps so it's tricky to make use of long samples within a sequence anyway
Hello...the big problem with volca sample, IS you can'trecord samples direct in,,, there is no line in !!! You have to load it with USB or sd??
Great video man!!! I learned a lot
Love this sampler any future updates? would love chop individual adjustments. thx for the vid.
You'd have to ask Sonicware staff but they always seem to want to improve them, the 8 Bit Warps is on version 3 now. I'm not sure they'd be able to add individual slice points though, I think what they've done might be as good as it gets with a 4 character display
Great tutorial! Thanks for all the work you put into this! One question. I'm trying to figure out if the random arpeggiator can be routed to the sample startpoint rather than pitch?
Thank you. Sorry no you can't target the sample start parameter like that. You could program different steps with different start times and then use the random playback feature to randomly trigger those. I know it's not the same thing but that's an option at least
Thanks! That is an option! 😀
WOW! Great Video! Thank you so much!!
Thank you. My pleasure, have fun
Thanks for this mega video, I wish to know more about the pattern chaining functions in the future if possible (set numbers of repeats of a pattern before swithing to the other, changing orders of patterns, etc.) and if it's possible to use the Lofi 12 as a sample "module" to sample into it and then trigger samples from an external sequencer. I use a Squarp Pyramid as "brain" of my setup and would be nice to use the Lofi 12 also as a sample module beside using it standalone
There's no way to set patterns to repeat when pattern chaining but you can chain all 64 patterns one after the other if you want so the best thing to do is just to copy the same pattern into multiple slots to get it to repeat
Yes you can definitely use it as a module. Each track can have its own midi channel plus there are lots of things that can be automated using midi CCs including the Sample and Bank knobs so you can sequence the hell out of everything. There is a midi implementation sheet to download on the Sonicware website if you'd like to know more about that
@@ChrisLodyMusic Making multiple copies of a pattern is totally fine, I guess the limit of midi events you can sequence on the Lofi 12 should be high enough to make full songs. It's also great to know that it can be used as a totally sequenceable lofi sampler, thanks
Thanks well done
Very useful video man, i have to try to set every step of the drums with different laid back valige for a drunk beat! Also, Is there a way to rename a pattern?
Thank you. Yes I mention that briefly towards the end of the section that mentions Misc Menus. It's in the Data menu below one of the keys
in your opinion whats the best sonicware instrument?
Damn, difficult to say which is the best, it depends what you're looking for. The Lofi-12 is probably the best all rounder and is the simplest to use, I'd happily make whole tunes on that with nothing else. The XFM is in a similar league because it also has 4 tracks but is more complex and is focused on FM synthesis rather than samples so the tone is more specific. The Texture Lab is really well suited to experimental tones which is much more of a hands on synth than the groove box focused models. The 8Bit Warps just received an update too which adds a bunch of useful features which kicks it up the list quite a bit, it's designed for old school chiptune music but is surprisingly versatile, it has an audio looper instead of multiple tracks. Keep an eye out for the 'ELZ_1 play' which has yet to be released, that's shaping up to be pretty versatile too with it's drums, multiple synth engines and looper. Not sure if that was any help at all, there's lots to chose from! 😄
I realize this is a little late, but I can't seem to get my step sequencer to get more than 16 steps. I have been pressing both the 1/3 and 2/4 buttons, and nothing has changed. I guess i was just wondering if there was some button I had pressed that made it that way, as there was a point before where I could increase steps.
It's never too late 😁 The page select buttons will only work if there are more than 16 steps in a track. By default this is set to 16 but you can alter this with the per track Length setting. I talk about this towards the end of the section that starts at 12:03
@@ChrisLodyMusic thank you so much!
So I just bought this and I need to know how to make a samples drum kit with multiple samples in a drum kit? Most samplers from the Roland S and W series to the Yamaha A and RS/SU series allow this. Korg does as well. But can I do this on the Liven? Also, how do VOCAL samples sound on this? I have more than enough instrument/synth sounds so my main use is vocal bytes like on SFX DJ panels and MPC2000XL
I'm out of the studio at the moment but just so I don't have to keep you waiting you can check out this video. It will show you how drums work which was added in version 2 th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Hi Chris. I wanted to ask you if you are aware whether the LFO can be used running continuously throughout the sequence play, because as far as I understand the LFO envelope is retriggered every time a key is pressed. That's not handy in many cases, especially if you want to modulate the cutoff frequency coherently without the envelope restarting from the beginning when notes or chords change in the sequence.
Yes that's correct. It will retrigger on new notes and there is no free running option unfortunately. If you'd like that though you can always send a feature request to the tech support email, they're pretty receptive to ideas if find
ChrisLody, is there any possibility to latch the arpeggiator? I'ven been looking for it and seems that I just can't find it, many thanks it will be so helpful ! Cheers !
Hi. It doesn't have a latch mode but it does have a hold mode which works with the other voice modes too and can be useful. By holding OK and playing some notes they are added to a stack of held notes. Notes can be removed from the stack by playing them without holding OK and other notes can be played alongside the held notes too which is useful for the arpeggiator. Hope that helps
Cool , got it straight ! it is not the same as latching but work fantastic, just get the ARP mode (or any mode), press OK and then any note and will get latched in the order you play (this might afect the direction of the arp but c'mon it's a good way of solving it. Many thanks Chris Lody !@@ChrisLodyMusic
Thank You Chris!
Is there a way to copy an entire "pattern" in one go?
Using th e Liven's with EXTERNAL midi controller (i.e. DAW) what's te best way to assign say MOD WHEEL (CC1) to a sound/performance?
No problem. Yes you can save a pattern into a new slot to copy it. Just press Func+Save, then choose a new slot using either the Value knob or using the Bank and Step buttons the same way you load a different pattern.
All the controls on the Liven have preset midi CCs assigned to them. If you want to control one of those with your mod wheel you would need to have a keyboard where the midi CC can be changed for the mod wheel, or perform this in your DAW using an appropriate midi plugin. There is a list of midi CCs here: www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_Lofi-12/DOC/Lofi-12_v2_1_manual_MIDI_en.pdf
Hello Chris, I’m unsure if I can record all 4 tracks simultaneously in a DAW? I want to master the beats I have on the Lofi 12 as well as on the XFM or on the bass and beats. But I didn’t find any information about how to do that. Maybe you can help. Have a good week and take care..
Sorry for the late reply. You can't record all 4 tracks separately from the Lofi-12 or XFM as they're only stereo devices, they'd need to have 4 outputs to do that. Your best bet is to record 2 tracks at a time. As an example, mute tracks 3 & 4 then hard pan tracks 1 & 2 left and right. Record tracks 1 & 2 to separate tracks in your daw. Once you've done this do the same for the other tracks with panning and muting reversed. You'll need to manually line up the second recording to the first but that's not too tricky to do
Thank you for your great videos! However, I still a question: Is it possible to connect individual sounds with individual keyboard keys (for example with individual drum and snare sounds in order to have a single track only made up of drum sounds that do not come from a coherent drum loop)?
Since the version 2.0 firmware update yes. I explain in the attached video but it can now split a sample into equal length parts and spread them across the keys in the Drum and Chop modes. That way you can build a drum rhythm on just one track. It's not done with individual samples but it's still very useful th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
@@ChrisLodyMusic Sounds pretty good, thanks for your quick response ♥ But what I meant in particular was if its possible to add single one shot drum sounds from the onboard data (not from a chopped drum loop) to single keys or alternatively? I'm asking this because I usually do not work with drum loops 😉 Greetings from Germany!
Yes but you still have to use the Drum and Chop modes. In the video link I shared there are a few drum kits that were provided with the update. These are just single drum hits spread out across the length of the sample, so the Drum and Chop modes are used to chop these up instead of a drum loop. You can build your own kits directly on the Lofi-12 too by creating a short sequence that has multiple drum sounds within it spread across separate tracks, then using the resample function to record that into a new single sample. Or you can create them externally and sample them in.
@@ChrisLodyMusic Alright, thank you so much!
Hey Chris is there a way to program a single track like a drum machine? E.G., use different keys for different drum sounds and then be able to mute or solo the individual drum sounds inside the track as it plays without having to create another track or pattern to switch to?
Since the version 2.0 update yes. It adds Drum and Chop modes which can slice a sample into equal lengths to play across different keys. There's no way to mute or solo different drum sounds but it does the job. You can find details here: th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks @@ChrisLodyMusic I saw that and really like that feature, was just hoping there was a way to mute those slices individually on command. Maybe you can make a suggestion to them for the next firmware update? I can't imagine that being outside of what is possible or really use much memory or require much additional code and it would make the Lofi 12 a powerhouse for live performances. Having probability would be nice too but being able to mute individual sample slices in drum mode is the best firmware update I can think of that they haven't already done.
There’s litt about midi function with any depth in the manual, it says what receiving and transmitting, but they don’t even explain if you can use a midi keyboard. Even the diagram in the front only has a computer go to midi in. So there’s no real info on the midi functions. Like if I use a midi keyboard to play polyphonic samples over the keyboard, a sound comes up that repeats in a weird manner and doesn’t play the sample selected. It’s the Lofi 6 but they seem to be similar.
Yes you can plug a midi keyboard and play polyphonically and the settings are the same for the Lofi-12 and Lofi-6. Each track (1-4) has it's own midi channel which are set to midi channels 1-4 by default. You can edit these by pressing Func+MIDI CH to cycle through the setting for each one. So if you attach a midi keyboard set to midi channel 1 it will play whichever sound is loaded into track 1. What is also useful is the auto channel setting (AT.CH in the MIDI CH menu) which is midi channel 6 by default. If you connect a midi keyboard set to channel 6 it will play whichever track is currently selected which can be very useful. Hope that helps. I'm planning on covering the same subject in more detail in an upcoming Liven video for a different Liven model if you'd like to see examples
I can’t seem to make a sample play all the way through a 16 note sequence. Any help would be appreciayed
Sorry for not responding sooner. It would depend on what you're trying to achieve to be honest, there's a few things you need to know. Firstly make you know about Tied notes, also pitching down samples to make them longer, also check out the section on sample editing. You can loop your samples there to which will obviously make them last longer. There's been firmware updates since this launched too which adds feature like sample slicing
Excuse me if I missed it but I'm a bit tired after a very long work day. But I've watched many videos and I haven't really seen anyone simply explain how to start a fresh project. I don't want to override the internal samples and stuff I just want to have a blank canvas is there a way to do that? I'm a bit nervous to experiment because I know it's easy to accidentally override the internal sounds and patterns. And due to Sonic where being quite lazy they made it very difficult to restore factory settings. I'm actually a bit baffled by how lazy some of the quality of life things are. I'm all in with the old school stuff I learned on ensoniq samplers, and this machine makes the eps sampler look like a simple machine, as far as understanding its features. Anyways I digress, is there a simple way to start a fresh project per se? Also do you know how much internal storage there is again I can't find that information anywhere even though I have the sampler in front of me
It depends how you define 'project'. The Lofi-12 doesn't really use a project based setup (unlike the Lofi-12 XT), it just uses separate patterns which can be strung together to make an arrangement. So by default to load a blank pattern you just have to select any pattern that's not in bank 1, these are all blank by default.
As for restoring samples etc, all that functionality is there and I certainly wouldn't describe it's implementation as lazy. Samples are not restored during a factory reset because of the amount of internal memory they occupy. Sonicware could have reserved a chunk of memory to backup the samples but this would how severely reduced the number of sample slots available, so instead they are available to download individually in the download section on the Sonicware website and can be written to the device using midi sysex. You'll need a midi interface to do this as shown in the update tutorial below. I talk about this at the end of the overlay section that starts at 51:15
Update tutorial: th-cam.com/video/bHxyV0qwFns/w-d-xo.html
You can also backup the whole device in a similar manner by holding Track 4 on boot up and selecting import or export from there. Using that you can restore everything including the samples. It will take a long time though, 1.5 hours approx. I've made a factory backup image that you can download here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wl47na829az9ay9ogzjw1/ANSxex1Wpji070NNeesl3pg?rlkey=85xnot16osmttc1garnxps58b&st=ppjqaofo&dl=0
hi thanks for the video, its been really helpful. Im wondering if there is a way to easily convert wav files to sys ex that will work on the Liven? apols if this is covered elsewhere....
No sorry not on the Lofi-12. Because the midi sysex not only contains the sample but also the loop points, start & end points, pitch, fade etc the only way to prepare a sample is from within the Liven itself. It may be possible for them to do one day but it would require a bit of code that allows the user to edit and preview all those parameters
@@ChrisLodyMusic Hey thanks for the quick response and clarification. Also the video has really helped me get to know the machine quickly. great work!
Hello,
What power supply do you need?
Hey Chris, I recently bought the Liven 8-bit warps synth but the plug hole for the power supply wont fit common sized power supplies. Is that normal or does it have to have a specific power supply to fit it?
Yes that's normal. There is a technical name for the plug type but the easiest thing to do is to buy a Korg Volca power supply from somewhere like Amazon as they are the same
@@ChrisLodyMusic cheers, I was about to try widen the hole with a mini file.
Oh blimey no don't do that 😅
Great video! Can filter be applied to external input? If not I guess we could just sample it
Sadly not. You can run external audio only through the global effects section which contains reverbs, tape and vinyl effects. Though on v1.00 of the firmware external input to tape isn't working. This is a bug that's been reported. So yeah, just sample your audio and filter it that way instead
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks for the info !!
How do you connect 2 turntables and another drum machine to this sampler
To do that you'll need a mixer to connect the turntables to and cables to convert the output of the mixer down from either 2x phono connections or 2x 1\4" outputs to a stereo 3.5mm. Find a mixer that has more than enough inputs for what you need as they're always useful
@@ChrisLodyMusic Thanks bud!
Great, really! Thank you so much. One question: is it possible to rename the banks?
Yes you can, I talk about it near the end. Once you press Func+Sample and add the overlay you'll be in select mode, if you press the button with Rename under it from there you can rename the bank
@@ChrisLodyMusic Ok, I thought I watched the video carefully… you really are the Speedy Gonzales of the answer! Thanks for all your work!
Ha glad to help 😄
How do I put in a long note without getting a trig on each step? I have a one bar loop that fades out near the end. The sustain is at 127. Could you walk me through what I am doing wrong. Thank you!
It sounds like you need to enable the note Tie function. I can't remember where I mention it in the video so hold Func and press the rubber button with Tie under it to the right of the Liven so it lights up. Then you'll be able to program long notes by switching on record, pressing a step, holding a note and pressing another step
Thank you!
Are those percussion sounds included on the device or do i need to upload my own?
It's been a while since I watched my own tutorial, but apart from what you can see me sampling in during the tutorial everything is included. There's a section with individual hits, a section with loops and after the v2.0 update it supports chopping up drums so there's some extra kits to import via midi on the Sonicware website
Hey Cris! do you know how to send program changes from the Liven to other hardware synths?
The procedure is slightly different on each Liven so it's worth checking the manual for the specific model. But make sure it's firmware is up to date, then check the Midi menu and make sure TX.PC is turned on (program change transmission) then changing patterns will transmit program change messages depending on he pattern number. It works slightly differently on the 8Bit Warps where sounds and patterns have different memories so there is a separate setting to choose which transmits the program change.
@@ChrisLodyMusic Thanks Chris! I have the Lofi-12. I couldn't find it in the manual.
I would love to sequence the program changes but the manual only shows how to turn them on
@@ChrisLodyMusic So weird to link patterns and program changes. It would make more sense to use the sample selection to change the patch of an external synth. You could sound lock external gear like you can do with the digitone
I hope you can answer this question for me and save me a bit of frustration. What setting do I need to have the lofi in order to use it has a sequencer to control external gear. Example 404mk2. Thanks again for this video and for impact in the community!
You just have to hook up a midi cable between them and change the settings in the midi channel menu (Func+Midi.Ch key) to make the track you'd like to control external gear match it's midi channel.
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks for you reply. Does each track has its own specific midi channel. I want to use it as a sequencer to control my 404mk2 using the lofi parameter locks.
Ah I see. If you want to use the parameter locks it gets more complicated. The midi cc settings per knob on the Livens can not be altered so it depends if any of the parameters on the 404mk2 have matching parameters or definable ones, I don't own a 404mk2 so I can't test it. You'll need to check the midi implementation chart for both and see if any of them match. Btw yes, tracks do have their own channel which can be defined as I described above
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks again for the follow up info! Looks like I need to hit up the manuals. I was hoping it would be a little bit easier then this tbh 😝
But getting to know your machines on this level is a positive.
@@ChrisLodyMusic is the SMPLTrek a better unit to get something like this going? I know it has a lot more features when it comes to midi.
Does this have a feature to reverse a sample? I don't see any button for reverse.
You can yes but it's on the sample editing overlay. So you'd make a copy of your sample to a new save slot and then reverse that version to use in a track
Thank you! One more question if you don't mind. Does it HAVE to do lo-fi? Can I do normal 16bit 44khz audio? I just want to use it as a simple house and techno drum beat machine and I don't want the lo-fi sound. I'm sure there could be better options for me like the Roland TR-6S but I just like the low price of this device.@@ChrisLodyMusic
Well it is geared towards a softer sound, but the overall output is actually 16bit 48khz. So if you're able to pitch your sounds down before sampling them in, sample them at 24khz, then pitch them back up you'll crisper but shorter sounds. Be sure to check out the version 2 video btw, added some useful features for programming drums if that's what you need: th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
I'm sure this is a dumb question but how would I connect this to my laptop to record ?
That's not a dumb question at all 😁 It depends which way you want to record.
If you want to record sounds from the laptop to the Lofi-12 to make new samples you can just connect the laptops headphone socket to the line in on the Lofi-12 using a 3.5mm stereo cable. These are very common and you may already have one if you own a Bluetooth speaker or headphones.
If you want to record your music to your laptop you'll need an audio interface. There are a huge array of these available with lots of different prices and with widely varying features but simple ones like the Behringer UCA222 will do the job very cheaply. If you choose this interface youll need a 3.5mm to phono cable to connect them together. You then need some software to record it with. I recommend starting with Audacity as it's free and there's plenty of information around about how to set it up to record.
Hope that helps.
Is it possible to delete the onboard sounds of the liven lofi 12? I tried to "INIT" them in Sample & Edit Mode, as it is described in the manual, but nothing was deleted.. My aim is to fill the groovbox entirely with my own sounds
Yes the Init option will wipe the sound and reset everything but you then have to remember to save the sound too. Alternatively you can pick an empty sound and save that over the others from the overlay or just record over them all
@@ChrisLodyMusic Alright, now it works. Thanks again :) What still doesn´t work is the import of own samples from PC (Windows). What I do is to convert wave files to syx-files with the "Audio file converter for LIVEN Texture Lab" (I didn´t know what converter could be better!?). After transferring them to the Lofi12 via MIDI SysEx nothin happens. There is no file arriving at the groovebox. Can you tell me what am I doing wrong?
Glad I could help 😁
Unfortunately there is no equivalent wav to sysex possible for the Lofi-12, they are structured differently too so the sysex formats are not compatible. The advantage the Texture Lab has in that regard is that it's sysex files don't contain any setting such as loop points etc while the Lofi-12's do. So it would require Sonicware to build a webpage or app that could also set all the settings available from the overlay in order for that to work. So you have to make all thse setting using the overaly and transfer the sysex file out for later use. Personally I just like recording samples directly in though, this takes 4 seconds max where as transferring sysex files in over midi takes about 60 seconds each.
@@ChrisLodyMusic I'm really sorry, but I'm not sure if I understood everything you wrote 😬 I think I understood that there is a way to get my wave files into the lofi 12 but it is very laborious, right? Or is it just impossible? If it is possible, do you know if there is a detailed description of the entire process somewhere online? This whole thing is quite new to me. Until recently I was working with a Korg Electribe where I could just import wave files from the SD card. In the case of the lofi12 I do not really know what's going on 😅
Sorry I'll try to explain in more detail. The Texture Lab is a different Liven so it's wav to midi sysex web page is not compatible with the Liven Lofi-12 so there is no way to turn a wav into midi to transfer in. The only way to get your samples onto the Lofi-12 is to record them in as audio. After you've done that you can make changes to the settings etc from the overlay and then transfer them out of the Liven as midi (also from the overlay) onto your computer so you can preserve your work if you'd like to transfer them back in later, this midi file also contains the audio any edits you've made to loop points, the sample name etc. Transferring the midi version of your samples out and in takes much longer than just recording the audio in though.
Is there a way to transfer all the sound/content from one lofi12 to another lofi12?
Yes you can use the backup feature. Connect the midi out of the Liven you want to backup to the midi in of the other. Hold track 4 on the Liven you want to overwrite and select IMPT (import) then press OK, do the same on the other and select EXPT (export) and press OK. Be warned though, this will overwrite everything on the IMPT Liven deleting any work you have on it. It will take quite a while, about 15 minutes.
You can also export individual patterns and samples using midi in a similar way. This is done from the pattern edit level and sample edit level respectively
@@ChrisLodyMusic Thank you so much for this, exactly what i needed. This great! I assume basic 5pin midi cable.
@HellcatTheSavage yes that's right, a single standard midi din cable will do it
Good god. 1 hour.
Nice video! Do you have any idea whether an iOS Sysex Librarian will work with Lofi-12? Like MIDI Toolbox or Sysex Base? Thanks! 😎👍🏼
I've not tried those but it looks like it would work yes. I need to invest in a lightning to USB adapter so I can try myself
@@ChrisLodyMusic Chris - FYI SYSEX between LF-12 and iPad works. I have an iPad 8 with iOS 16.2, a Fore MIDI to USB interface from Amazon and the MIDI Tool Box app. In the app you just have to check USB MIDI Interface in and out in I/O Setup once and it stays checked. So far I saved a bank of samples successfully and also saved and sent a single sample successfully. Further testing to be done but it looks like everything works as expected. 🎉🎉🎉
Oh that's good to know. I haven't tried it myself yet because I still haven't got round to buying a lightning to USB adapter for my iPad. There will be a firmware update shortly so it would be interesting to see if that setup can handle that
@@ChrisLodyMusic no reason MIDI should change as far as I can see. Basic functions should still be there. Of course now that I’m getting comfortable with LF-12 they do an update and I’ll be lost again! 😆👍🏼
You should be fine if you've managed to export a whole bank because I think that's a bigger file than the firmware update. It's just that some midi devices struggle transmitting lots of data accurately so that can cause transfers to fail. Slowing transmission can fix that though so fingers crossed 🤞
(In sample edit mode): I'm a little confused on the difference between the procedure for renaming a sample and renaming a bank. Is it simply a matter of selecting "edit" for samples and "select" for banks?
Yes that's right. When you hit Func + Sample you're in select mode so the import, export and rename functions work on banks. Selecting a sound a pressing OK takes you into edit mode at which point the export and rename functions work on individual sample slots. There is no import button here as it's always listening for Sysex midi to be received for a single sample import in edit mode
thank you so much
You're welcome, thanks for watching 😁
Can i use this tutorial for the lofi 6?
Yes you can, just be aware of the differences shown in this video
th-cam.com/video/zPkocC5YxCo/w-d-xo.html
Also the features added in the Lofi-12 v2.0 update appear on the Lofi-6 too th-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks! Still debating if I want lofi 12 or 6 but I believe I'm gonna get the 6 😂
Would be grat to have oportunity to scroll thru FX or other parameters withot them working unles we want them to. Without that all parameters are useless in live recording. Something so simple culd take whole liven series way higher. Maybe duble tap "shift" while holding "func" culd alow that, then taping "shift" again will activate parameter (like FX). Scroling thru all those realy mess up everything while playing. There is wayaround with diferent tracks have diferent parameters/fx but its such a waste of patterns/time/overall potential.
If you have a suggestion for a feature the best thing you can do is share it on the official Liven Facebook page of contact them directly. I have very little say regarding features etc but I can steer them towards ideas that are popular among users
Found this really hard to follow. Started with the most complex thing , had resampling before sampling and basically you should have had an empty machine to show beginners exactly what to press or push. Had a lofi for 3 days and still dont really have a clue...probably send it back.
@@iainbozfelt Not sure if this comment has landed on the wrong video, but resampling wasn't available on the Lofi-12 when I released this video. Regardless, it's a decent machine so I'd recommend giving it a chance before sending it back
Worst case scenario it's a fantastic drum machine, maybe start there before jumping into sampling? Or at least that's how I'm going about it, have had it about 3ish months and I've come back to this video when I'm ready to learn more about it, or "absorb" more from it rather lol
I'm getting it now...LOL
@@handyandyradio I saw your earlier comment, glad you're working it out now 😄 There's quite a lot to get through if you're new to this but hopefully if you just work through step by step and try everything it will all make sense
So as one who is trying to avoid a computer given how much screen time I have on the daily. What is the best way to record these ideas? Hans recorder with line in, usbc to 3.5mm on the line out to record to my cellphone? Given the quality is intentionally lofi, I've been searching for the best way without the need of a computer. I have this "vision" of using my new found groovebox out in thr wild on the go. But struggling to find the best and most cost effective way to record this ALONG with my new Orba 2 I just got as well. Also my two pocket operators.... sorry for the long comment but have landed at 3+year old videos that seem to only give an overview. Any recommendations?
My initial thought is even a cheap Zoom H1 but don't really know if that's the right or shall I say "good" approach
I was just about to recommend something like a Zoom recorder so I think the H1 or H1n would be perfect. I use a Korg SR1 which also has a line in socket but I think I might upgrade that because the H1n looks like a better field recorder. The Volcas have a line in so you'll be able to plug at least one of you other devices into that and record them at the same time, plus there is a Pocket Operator compatible setting so you'll be able to chain those together into it too
😎✌🏿
Thank you for this video.. immensely helpful and easy to follow. Your effort is much appreciated. How do you like the LF12 since the update??
My pleasure 😁 I love it even more since the update. Just being able to have polyphonic drum tracks is a huge bonus and there's plenty more that can be done with chopping too
I NEVER buy anything that
doesn't come with an actual
physical instruction manual.
Too bad, too. I'd really love
to get this one and the
other sampling one.
I've printed the manual. With 2 pages per page and printed on both sides it's only like 24 pieces of paper and it's easily readable like that
Sounds like a pretty arbitrary restriction you have placed on yourself that is likely to severely limit the modern gear available to you.
That's more than kind of crazy, but you do you, boo.