Conductive Labs NDLR: Creating Generative Music
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 เม.ย. 2020
- The NDLR can be a tricky device to classify. It is not a traditional sequencer, but it certainly does sequence. To call it an arpeggiator would be to undersell it significantly, but arpeggios are very much an intrinsic part of its DNA. It is obviously far away from a traditional midi controller but it offers hands on control over midi instruments.
So I think that maybe it's better to think about the NDLR in terms of how it influences your relationship with your instruments. When you use a keyboard controller, you are playing the role of performer. When using a sequencer your job is more that of composer, with the sequencer then in charge of the actual performance.
With the NDLR you are more acting like a band leader during a jam. You set up a musical environment with rules, and as the performance happens, you direct the flow of the music with broad strokes; the details are left up to the performers jamming away inside the NDLR.
This blurring of the line between composer and performer really speaks to my interest in generative music so in this video, starting with a blank slate, I look at how you can use the NDLR to create generative music, taking an in-depth look at some features that I think are really cool when working in that kind of environment.
Here's Loopop's video on the NDLR: • Loopop review: What is...
Transparency Notice: The NDLR was kindly provided to me by Conductive Labs
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Terrific video!! I just put this on every night before bed and I'm sound asleep within minutes! No more sleepless nights, rolling around in bed, mind racing. This video seems to shut my brain down COMPLETELY! Well done
You are like the Bob Ross of electronic music. Thank you for your soft and soothing delivery.
This is literally a happy little accident machine!
Thank for for this walkthrough. Very helpful.
I found a used one, mint condition, in my country, reasonable price, that should be here today. Thanks much for this tutorial.
Back a dozen or more years ago, there was a TSR program that ran in what was Window95 called Windchimes. You could configure a type of windchime that would play in the background while you worked. There were parameters like wind type, scale, chime construction and as you worked, these pleasant chimes would tinkle in the background. Later versions of the program would modify how the chimes played based on the keys you hit while you were typing. This kind of reminds me of that!
I had used that and refer to it often. BTW, Lexicon in the pcm 81 or 91 had an algorithm called MIDI resonator or just resonator. Using steeply sloped band pass filters, one would input noise or other random, no-musical sources like wind. The band pass were tunable to various scale and would, as in the case wind chimes, output the result, BUT those filters and the tuned notes were sent out via MIDI...you can imagine the possibilities.
Your exploration of the NDLR was far better than what Conductive Labs could show.
Given the UI and code are there, this would be very easy to port over to an iOS app or a VST to fight the semiconductor shortage they are facing.
Thank you for this journey.
hard agree, I hope they make it happen soon. there are other tools out there but none quite like this.
Thanks so much for this wonderful and brilliant production! You inspired me to buy one (and more synths while at it). Last night I almost fell asleep while creating my own composition. It's so soothing and relaxing for the mind, especially with a good single malt. Cheers!
"Best" 45 minutes of UK Lockdown 2.0 so far. Thanks, you've given me lots of good ideas to play with and relaxed my whirring brain at the same time.
Such an awesome tutorial, had to watch it a few times as I kept falling asleep in all Oscillator Sink NDLR ambience
This video was one the reasons I purchased the NDLR. It has become my one of my favourite gizmo's, filling my lockdowns with lush soundscapes.
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying it!
What is GIZMO?
@@OscillatorSink Imagine putting NDLR-into-MIDI HUB? 🤯
@@basstradamus1 slang term for nice piece of equipment 😃
@@basstradamus1 brother of GADGET!
After Inspiring me to buy the ndlr in lockdown 1. Your video popped up in my timeliness again today and you've inspired back into the studio in lockdown 3 (4,5,?), after period in the creative doldrums.
Think I'm going to stick a reminder in my calender to watch this ever 6 months or so 🤔
Glad to hear I could help in some small way. I hope you're keeping as well as possible in these weird times.
Great job with this video, it's such a well produced and performed video, congratulations. I was just writing up some suggestions for how to explore the generative possibilities with the NDLR for the forum, and this video is a fantastic example of that, I will be posting a link to it in my post. One thing I've had a lot of great results from, which I wanted to recommend, is using the patterns as modulation sources. For example in the LFO config menu you could pick one of the LFOs and set the rate to something like 2 or 4 beats, then set the shape to any of the patterns. Then in the mod matrix, you could send that to things like motif clock div, pattern number, pattern length, and especially chord degree. Afterwards, while the NDLR is playing, you can go to the pattern editor and edit the control pattern while it's modulating the whole system. This method creates some really interesting results while allowing for real time feedback to the parameters. I think you will find the results to be right up your alley. Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see what else you get up to!
Great tip, I need to experiment more using the patterns in the Mod Matrix for sure!
@@OscillatorSink Here's an embarrassingly low quality example to illustrate the technique th-cam.com/video/Nw_m9LrRAHc/w-d-xo.html
Outstanding. One of the best videos I've ever seen... Ever! Thank you.
Great video! Thanks for posting. Love the NDLR content :)
Very helpful, I learned a few things that were new to me. Such a soothing sound, I love it!
Superb video, everything about it was brilliant - well done! The dive into the editing was much appreciated. I have not given my NDLR the attention it deserves, but that will change now. Thank you for sharing!
The begining is just amazing... Fantastic... Great explanation... Chapeau...
Wonderfully relaxing esp good for cabin fever! Thanks for covering the features in depth, you managed to teach and carry on a jam at the same time, your have truely a great talent! I liked it so much I just bought a 1000 more NDLRs! :-)
Beautifully done video on the NDLR! Informative, and entertaining... it's the video I should have done but, life happened.
Thank you, and happy to fill that gap for you!
Thank you! I’ve learned a ton, special thanks to explanations and the inspiration.
Did that yesterday after watching this. Highly recommended. Was barely scratching the surface with the NDLR
Waiting for my NDLR to arrive - finally getting some kit again after years with just a piano. What a brilliantly inspiring video, thanks for this! :)
You're in for a treat when it arrives! Enjoy it!
Lovely! Thanks for the thorough walkthrough on the NDLR. Great to fully understand how it works it’s magic.
You're very welcome, glad I could help you get to know it!
I love your video, made me buy a NDLR and I don't regret it at all. thanks for taking us for the ride!
Thanks for coming along, and I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for the great demo and for sharing some interesting options to generate new ideas and evolving soundscapes. I will apply them while experimenting with and learning more about the NDLR, which opens up a world of possibilities. the NDLR is an amazing device to add to your musical toolbox and workflows. It is worth every penny.
Just got hold of a NDLR and found this to be the best tutorial of this wonderful unit. Much appreciated.
Enjoy your NDLR!
Thank you! Great upload, learnt alot whilst waiting for delivery, will watch it again once its connected to my iridium and kyra
Thanks again
Excellent job with this video - as relaxed and interesting as the sonic results you ended up with - thanks for taking me along on the journey...
Really glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for coming along!
That was lovely and informative, thank you!
Subbed. Fantastic video and the reason I just bought a NDLR. Taking notes and looking forward to trying this out when I get home. Thank you so much.
Enjoy ndling!
Yes man! Mastering this toy is magic!
Fantastic video. Extremely helpful in understanding my NDLR. Thank you.
Fantastic video, thank you. Incredibly informative, well paced and clearly explained. An excellent accompaniment to the manual. Mine will hopefully be here in May when I shall be watching this again.
I hope you have lots of fun with it when it arrives!
Loved this. Some of the best NDLRing out there and really helpful. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you took away some new tips.
@@OscillatorSink Very much so. Last gig I did someone commented that it all sounded a bit Phillip Glass-y and system-like. Now I've got some leads on how to counteract that. Thanks again!
oh yeah... I've got a NDLR on order and this is exactly what I needed to see... I was so hoping it could be randomized for more generative creation.. I'll be using it with a mostly Euro system and some MIDI components. Should be interesting getting it all to work together.. I can't wait. Thank you for this video!
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
This is excellent, thank you!
Thanks for this video, I bought a ndlr thanks to this. Having great fun with it already.
Glad to hear you're enjoying it!
Thank you so much!!! Loving your content!! Thnx
awesome. thank *YOU*
Made me pulli out my unit again and give it a go. Thank you!
Yes! Have fun!
Just beautiful and very educational, thanks
Thank you!
Just picked one of these up, vid definitely helps to see what's under the hood. Should be here tomorrow :)
Yay! Enjoy!
I have a NDLR but have only had too little time with it. This video was an incredible inspiration to spend more isolation time with it! Thanks!
Yay! Have fun!
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
@@Amatteus Just so you know in future - if you reply to a bunch of comments on a single video with the same text it gets blocked by TH-cam as spam - I've just released the comments because it's a legitimate question, but it's best to word the question differently for each post because if you get blocked no one will see any of them until the channel owner notices that their spam folder has filled up.
@@OscillatorSink Ah.. Ok. Thanks for the advice. Good point.
EXCELLENT
The C Labs slammed this out of the park ! Every time i sit down with my noodler , i get happyfaced - next step will be getting the Digitakt drums implemented , the options are staggering , its so versatile- contrary to what youll think at first glance - ...NOT a onetrick pony , but indeed a time thief ! :-)
I definitely need to set it up alongside my elektron boxes soon!
Looking forward to sequencing NDLR with an Elektron!
Good stuff, watched the whole thing and learned a good bit.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad you took some new tips away with you!
WoW 🚀🙏
Excellent video 😊. Love the comparison to a band leader, and will try to combine the chord sequencer with the techniques you use here.
I still need to sit down and really dig in properly with the chord sequencer. I'm glad I've given you some new ideas to try.
Thank You so very much, extremely informative and inspiringly beautiful.
I am still wrapping my head around this and would love to see more of your take on it's somewhat intimidating capabilities, please.
How it gets hooked up and implemented to out board sequencers would be of interest to me.
Beautiful creation, I'd love to hear a longer playout.......actually a much longer playout, tbh. :)
Thanx for doing this.
You're very welcome. I'd recommend checking out Loopop's video if you haven't seen it already as he gives a good detailed overview of everything.
And keep an eye on the channel regarding a longer version of the final patch 😉
wow - well done!
Thanks a bunch!!!
Thanks for the video
This is do tasty. I just ordered it. Thanks Oscillator Sink 🙏🏻😁
I’m commenting and I haven’t even watched it yet! 🤣 A job for the weekend. You said you’d put this together and I’m so glad you have. It is an incredible piece of gear. Will report back in due course.
Stay healthy 👍
Ok, just had 45 mins time out! Great video, thank you. I’ve only used mine for more up tempo rhymic pieces, so this has given me something else to try! Would you consider further videos on this? I’d like to see how people are implementing the chord sequencer-the Manual in this regard isn’t very clear.
The chord sequencer is something I need dig into more myself - I'll report back with my findings (in video form).
Yeah, finally I see someone else doing that good old prime number trick!
Perfection.
awesome video
Thank you! With this tutorial i made a really nice patch for my Video. The sequence Starts at 0:40 (played by the new monopoly) i credited you in my posts! Auf 😁👍
th-cam.com/video/Pso0t1W4Zn4/w-d-xo.html
Just received mine today ! This thing looks so deep.
It is! I hope you enjoy it!
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
Brilliant video. I need to spend more time with my NDLR. Enjoy your beer mate
It was delicious.
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
superb video! My NDLR comes next month and I'm now going to be counting the days!
Edgar John Robinson do you already know whats the total cost including import duty and shipping?
I was wondering the same as Christian, what would be the total cost to the UK.
I'm waiting too. Surely from Hong Kong it's import tax exempt
@@isoldeisobelle552 I was wondering the same as Christian, isolde & isobelle, what would be the total cost to germany?
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
Great Video. I have NDLR and never used it in this.way,,, Until now.
Enjoy exploring a whole new world of noodling!
I fucking love your videos.
Brushes are the way forward! I love mine!
Great demo! I like how you gravitated to the prime numbers. (That is what I would have done)
Prime numbers are super useful for this kind of jam. It's amazing the patterns you can get with a small number of instruments with overlapping sequences that way.
Oscillator Sink I have been looking at the LaunchPad Pro Mk3 for the same reason... 4 sequencers, with randomness and various step lengths.
Great video! The NDLR shines within my sea of gear. Its much easier to create rhythms and patterns than the Kordbot. I have a couple Skupts hooked up in polychain mode for the chord track and 2 craftsynths 2.0 for motifs. So much power in one little group and I can power all with one usb hub.
Thank you and that sounds like a super fun setup!
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
Well, I know what I’m purchasing next. Guess I’ll need a polyphonic synth too :/ argh GAS. Great video. Didn’t know about the mod to MIDI CC messages tip, that will come in handy modulating the Volca Bass filter cutoff.
A polysynth... or lots of monosynths polychained... :D
@@OscillatorSink :O well, I've put money where my mouth is and ordered the NDLR from Schneiders' - just waiting on a restock now. I can be patient, damnit :) now looking at the Yamaha Reface CS or DX for polysynth options (maybe both, who knows???!!!!) polychaining FTW
loved this video, consider me inspired.
Im waiting for mine to show up. My Buddy showed me this. I really appreciated this video for some nitty gritty of programming it. I just hope I can suss the midi chaining. Im still very new to all this and having a difficult time figuring out how to connect all my gear in a meaningful way.
It's hard to know what to suggest without knowing what you have in your setup, but generally, with midi, go from the outputs of the NDLR into instruments that also have MIDI THRU connections, then go from those into other instruments. If you don't have enough thru's to work with, you may need to look at a midi splitter like the Kenton Thru5 to split the midi connection. Then just make sure that all of your instruments are set to receive midi on different channels.
@@OscillatorSink Thank you. Part of my issue is that not all of my gear has 5 pin MIDI. My Electribe 2 for example requires a breakout but I have been warned not to buy just any but to only buy Korg brand. I think a MIDI though hub is in my future though. thank you.
Really nice - thank you. Out of interest, do you use logic audio...I recently got a NDLR and I am trying to make it work with the soft synths in logic audio, i load 4 soft synths, each set to a different midi channel but when i try to use the NDLR, all of the midi info for pad, drone, motif 1+2 is played by each soft synth...i cant figure out out how to send the midi info for drone, pad, motif 1+2 to each soft synth - any thoughts or ideas where i can find a solution for this?
Thankyou so much for video. What a journey! Watched 3 times already, amd have just purchased a ndlr. Only got cheap synths (circuit & Electribe), but should still be a blast.
So the 4 encoders on the right are like quick access to certain motif parameters when you aren’t in the pattern editors?
I hope you enjoy it when it arrives! The knobs are kind of contextual, so if you're not in a specific editor you have control over the motif, pad, drone parameters etc. yes.
Thank you! Excellent demo and tutorial. I have had my eye on the NDLR since the first run - just can not find the total cost including shipping and import charges to the UK. Things that I have bought in the past either get substantial charges on entering the country or get none at all! I may just bite the bullet and order, even though I wish that the screen was a bit larger.
Yeah, it's a gamble whether or not it gets caught up in customs. As a guide: add 4 percent to the purchase cost including shipping, then add VAT (20 percent) on top of that total, then finally, depending on the shipping company add 10-15 quid for "admin and handling". Or, you know, you might not be charged anything extra, who knows?!
I remember when I was at university, it was basically 2 dollars to a pound, it was worth buying stuff from the US, because even if you got done in customs, you'd still saved money on the UK RRP... how times change...
@@OscillatorSink Yes, it is almost parity now between Dollar and Pound and, for the most part, that does not make any economic sense. I used to live near a US air base in the Cotswolds and was allowed to shop in the store there which sold everything from food items to white goods - the low prices used to amaze me when compared to similar UK items, until I realised the low rate of pay US personnel receive in comparison to their UK counterparts. That is not to say that they were poorly paid, the two incomes were both comparative, just that your Pound would go a lot further in that particular circumstance. Anyway, I have gone very much off-topic here, so thank you again for your superb video. Best wishes!
I've been almost pulling the trigger on the NDLR for months now...I just wonder if it can do more than ambient. I work more in trip hop and synthwave, but tend to love arps overall. Many of the demos so far have sounded similar. But that might just be personal taste of the users. Thanks!
Oh, for sure that's a personal taste thing for me - like I say at the start of the video, this is not the only way to use it. I might try to record something as part of a larger setup with drums sometime - but my musical brain is definitely in an ambient place right now (probably a coping mechanism for these interesting times we're living in right now...)
Inspiring...
Thank you for a wonderful video! I'm so excited- my NDLR arrives tomorrow. Add in the Scotch and it'll be a great evening!
Cheers to you! And enjoy!
Hi OS, love your stuff. I hope you might help me with something: if you wanted to feed several Chase Bliss pedals into a single generative-midi-capable controller to let the pedals speak to each other in interesting ways, what would it be? NDLR? T-1? Digitakt? Something else? thanks!
I can't speak to the T-1 as I haven't had any experience with it, but what you're really talking about here is controlling midi CC I think (as the CB pedals can't send midi themselves I don't think)? If that's the case then Between the NDLR and Digitakt it'd probably be Digitakt, as sequencing and providing LFOs for CCs is more flexible and powerful there. The other thing to consider is Midihub (I've done a few videos on it recently) - that plus some kind of knobby midi controller (Beat Step Pro?) would allow you to set up a bespoke midi environment on very flexible and powerful ways.
@@OscillatorSink I'm on it. Thanks so much.
Wow! Fantastic! Is it possible to loop o er chords as well using LFOs?
Yes the chord degree and type are both mod destinations.
I wonder if eno bought one of these?
Great, let‘s hope the Hapax get‘s us in the same territory..
Theres another dude Jay Hosking - who used a noodler in one of his tunes , you gotta check him out O`Sink ! - by the way - i just had my Digitone connected to the Noodler - and its … well - perfect - now i just gotta connect the DTakt aswell - lockDown time is good time ! ;-)
Are you happy with it?... do you use it?
I’m curious if you’re still enjoying the NDLR. It seems cool but I find myself wondering if it will get set aside after a few weeks. I’d value your thoughts.
I still use it and enjoy it on occasion, but honestly, my preference tends towards only having one or two items out on my desk, one of which tends to be an Elektron box which doesn't leave a lot of room for NDLR. If I was a person that liked a bigger hardware setup then I would certainly use it more (probably in conjunction with an Elektron sequencer as they work together well). So I still enjoy it when I use it, but due to my usual workflow, that isn't often at the moment.
Mine finally arrived and I spent about 4 hours with it this morning. It's seriously deep; as in like, DX7 deep. One of the attributes I most appreciate is that is appears to be designed by someone with a formal education in music, for musicians.
can you modulate filter sweeps etc? is that something that might come with later firmware?
If it's addressable by midi CC, then you can modulate it with the LFOs; so it will depend on the synth.
@@OscillatorSink cool! thanks
I hear it is possible to record the different midi channels (motif, pad, etc) into different channels in a DAW (eg Ableton), but how?
I don't know Ableton but here's the right part of the manual: www.ableton.com/en/manual/recording-new-clips/
You'll need to select the correct midi input and channel.
I lasted until 26:08 and then purchased it. 🙈
Welcome to the club!
Brilliant clear! Is it possible to save the patch?
Yep, you can save all of the settings - I believe there are 32 presets off the top of my head.
I usually use the Keystep pro for this.
Seems that with this device you'll end up in that situation of noodling too long rather than getting music tracks down.
I assume that since it is a basic part of music theory/western music in general, that it is possible to play borrowed chords? cant find confirmation. it would be a pretty grievous omission if so.
So on the front panel buttons alone - no, but you can do it in the chord sequencer easily enough by switching modes, I'm also pretty certain that mode is a modulation destination so you could set up patterns to switch modes to get you there. Mode is also controllable by midi CC, so you can get that done that way as well.
@@OscillatorSink thank you. I guess I should fire this thing up and find out!
Be careful with the brush on Your synthesizer. It can make microscopic scratches on the surface of displays. So it gets dull. Buy a swiffer!
I have no NDLR. I use the sequencer of Monologue and SE02 to create arpeggios which I transpose with midi tracks of the Deluge. After I created an arpeggio over several bars I record the midi data into Deluge. Now I can use the track even for internal sounds or create a motion sequence of a different length of the basic pattern on the Monologue or SE02. I also create pattern for gate trigger. There are so many possibilities to experiment with Gate trigger and key trigger.
I’m going to buy one can you tell me what I need .? I I have a waveState And I bought a minlog And Krog N 264. I love this I have played piano mostly I want to get into electronic music. I would appreciate it if you could help me thank you.
What do you mean? All the knowledge you need? What cables? What other equipment?
Thanks for the edit with the additional details. The only thing you'll need is some midi cables - your Wavestate and Minilogue both have "thru" connections, so you can go from the midi out on the NDLR, to the midi in on the Wavestate, out of the Thru on the Wavestate and into the MIDI I'm on your Minilogue.
Then you just need to make sure that your synths are set to receive midi on different channels.
Other than that I'd encourage you to read the manuals they often have example set ups for you to follow.
Is it discontinued? Can't find one for sale in retail price anywhere
If you check their website there are details. They've been struggling like lots of other small companies with the chip shortages: conductivelabs.com/ndlr/
Beer, scotch and the NDLR... what else...
So it has no synth engine it's only a midi sequencer/composer?
That's correct.
can you save all the setting you did for future use?
Yes.
Hiya fella! Just ordered a NDLR Should be here in Wednesday.. =) When is your nexr live jam? Really enjoyed the last one..
I should definitely pull it out for another jam - maybe I'll do a livestream with it soon? The opsix would pair with it wonderfully.
@@OscillatorSink Tidy! Yeah let me know when you are going live, I am going to be running 2 x TD-3's From my NDLR along with othrt things! =)
@@OscillatorSink Hello again, I need your advice.. My NDLR Came today, but it has no plug / power supply? Can you let me know what the correct plug is ? . . . Kind regards, Charlie ;)
Hi there - it's just powered over USB. So either plug it into a computer, a USB power bank or a phone charger.
@@OscillatorSink Thanks, I'm just waiting for the Midi cables now... ;)
Is the small LED screen any hindrance? Just seems really small to me.
It's small, but it's never really bothered me in use. I wouldn't mind it being bigger, but definitely not a deal breaker.
@@OscillatorSink Great. Thanks for the reply. Keep up the great work.
My shift menu function doesn’t work? Says “under construction”. Update needed?
Might be the case - some of the pages say that anyway, but you should have something there.
@@OscillatorSink Looks like just a glitch. A restart solved it. Thanks for your deep dive! Tres informatif 🍻
I thought that was Dave Myers (Hairy Biker) on that thumbnail. I can only offer my sincerest apologies...
I've been called worse!
@@OscillatorSink ;-)
Are these still available to buy ?
Yes, they're selling them in batches, so at the moment you get your pre-order in and the ship when the batch is ready. Like most small companies the pandemic has delayed things but I think the next batch is shipping next month? If you go on their forums you can find out more.
Thank you !
I have been considering buying one of these bastards for a while, but it is jostling for position with many arguably vaguely similar bits of hardware on my shopping list. This video only makes me more confused with how lovely it is for generative shit. Soon enough I'm going to own more sequencey things than things to... sequencey?
Sequence. All. The. Things.