This is what i've been trying to resist doing in my studio.. but i think you've pushed me over the edge since this is so cool, it seems really fast to just turn on and start jamming on things.... damnit @BoBeats !!
Explaining how a hardware setup isn't necessarily the way to go to create a full song / arrangement was super helpful for folks like me coming from a more conventional multi-track recording background. I'm a guitar player who has getting more and more into synths over the past several months, but until this video, I have never been able to connect the dots between a) I'm having fun improvising, tweaking, and evolving a groove in a live hardware sequencer session! and b) now I want to compose a more structured song that moves between very different sections with many different parts, etc. Love your videos and your general approach, BoBeats. You're a good teacher!
Just another excellent and inspirational video. Been moving across from an "In the Box" to a "Hybrid Creative Process" and it does take more effort and the rewiring of your brain, but the ability to touch and morph with the instruments is worth the challenge. Computers are just fantastic too but tactile and complex expressiveness can never be replicated with a mouse, everyone just loves to turn knobs, what can I say it just creates a live magic that can't be repeated. Thanks Bo, you're the best mate.
I got myself a Behringer Neutron to get started with hardware synthesis and get a taste of how it is to use and work with a Eurorack setup (It's got this cool patch bay on the right). And I begin to see that this thing alone can create sounds in ways you can never, and I actually mean, never, get out of any virtual VST instrument - no matter if it is a free one, five Euro, or a super expensive one like Omnisphere. Already I have made sounds I was unable to create with VSTs and I'm really enjoying it. For that reason I already built a small 62 HP skiff Eurorack case to be filled with modules. I then record everything into Ableton... create some scenes with all sounds, and see where the journey goes. Until I have an Emperor's studio like you have, it will take time - but I will get there.
I cant express enough my gratitude to you. I was a bit skeptical on going this way and never pushed myself to create an organic setup of instruments. At the same time i keep getting frustrated just sitting in front of DAW all the time and doing everything on the screen. But after watching this video i have decided to order a Arturia Keystep Pro, a Merger and a Thru box. I just already bought a Minilogue xD, Hydrasynth & Minifreak. Of course the larger goal is to create some music like you demoed in this video.
I think that setup videos like this are MUCH needed. Thank you again. Any other deep dive on setups would be appreciated. Although boring to some it is much needed information. It’s only boring if you have it working. For those of us who do not it’s necessary information. Thank you again
You can see the difference 4 years make in what gear you had then and what gear you have now. :) I am on the same journey without having a TH-cam channel currently. Still in that midrange of synths and drum machines and still learning how to put it all together. Always enjoy your videos!
Thank you Bo. You answered a lot of questions about your hardware/software workflow and routing! This is exactly what I’m trying to accomplish in catching the inspiration that often comes with the use of hardware and then being able to integrate it into software for editing. That mixer looks like a key player in accomplishing that goal. Thanks!
Thanks a lot for this great video. It is challenging to survive between a hardware and software environment without constantly unplugging and plugging cables. You just gave me a nice way to go. I hate to see my productive mood ruined by routing issues.
Nice Bo was just thinking this video was needed this morning after watching an arturia video, and hey presto your channel read my mind thanks, just got 5 instruments triggering/sequencing from the beastep pro, works very well but this is next level, nice to see your full setup
Again great timing Bo. I’m reconfiguring my midi to accommodate a keystep that should be with me tomorrow. I like to mix and match my midi flow, but the brains of the outfit will probably still be my iPad.
@@BoBeats you are most welcome. I really liked the commentary on the immediacy of playing hardware when you've spent most of a day in front of a screen! Once I get the rig set-up and a couple of songs down, I'll send you a TH-cam link for your feedback if you wouldn't mind. I'm just an amateur and have no plans to quit my day job (plastic surgeon). I just have loved electronic music since the early 80's.
well done. I got a MOTU MIDI express XT to distro Midi from keyboard to hardware synths. I got the MOTU because I was trying to work around all the bugs in the beat step pro... and I sold the BSP after fighting with it for way too long. I haven't really found a sequencer I like yet aimed at recording your notes, easy editing. I also run a setup like yours : real hardware + soft synths running on separate mac as if they were real instruments. They run on analog or digital outs from one USB interface into the recording machine's so I can easily patch hardware FX in.
Steve Oakley same here! It’s like searching fir the holy grail. I’m thinking about getting the MIo and I hope to have solved a nasty weirdness that I have when connecting to my prophet 8 via a through, where it plays all 8 voices. I don’t have that when I play the keyboard. But as soon as the midi sequence is played back from FL Studio it starts using up all voices. Really annoying. I think a motu or mio will solve that. And hopefully soon a proper hardware sequencer comes out with the flexibility of a DAW
@@rdoetjes yes the MOTU can filter out various midi msgs to a particular port going either in or out, remap channels, block channel data, etc. a lot of things you can do. I was playing around a lot with them to get the BSP to work with other gear nicely, but eventually gave up on the BSP. thinking maybe the novation keyboard is now they way to go seeing it actually work in a complex setup.
I'm using a mio10. While it's only 10 in/out, it does have the benefit of being able to filter MIDI messages. For example: Synths on port 2 only get messages for MIDI channel 2 and so on. I also block program and bank changes across all devices, so that changing presets on one synth does not randomly change presets on all other synths. I have a MIDI keyboard connected to port 1 and every synth can also send MIDI to any other synth - the Elektron Model:Samples for example can sequence other (mono)synths. There can (theoretically) be some timing or bandwidth issues when many synths are connected to the same MIDI cable/bus because MIDI does not have a lot of bandwidth. By keeping the stuff that's being transmitted to my other synths down to only what that synth needs, I have more bandwidth available. I also like having a setup that doesn't require me to start a DAW. The mio10 (or any other thru/merge) accomplishes this on the MIDI side - and I'm using the mixer in my audio interface to provide a stereo mix when I'm not using a DAW. I saved two presets - one with the stereo mix active and one without, so that I can quickly switch between using a DAW and not using one. I'm also using a Push 2 to have a different perspective and mindset when using my DAW - however, some fiddly bits still need to be adjusted on the PC side (input/output routings, more complex editing/fixing of my bad playing…). I've also found the Elektron workflow to be quite inspiring and freeing :) Ultimately, everything is connected to my PC, keeping separate audio and MIDI channels - but I don't have to use my PC to play.
urbanhusky i have been talking with iconnectivity by email...in order to figure out if the MIDI 4+ is the equipment that will solve most of my issues. i had considered having a mixer,,so as to having a direct & physical control over the whole setup.. but, i am giving it a lot more relevance after Bo’s video (both this one and the one reviewing the mixer) and a few comments here, including yours. which mixer are u using , then ? thanks. ;)
@@V4D2 I'm using an RME Fireface UFX, that's a 12 channel USB or Firewire (newer models use more modern connectors) audio interface. It handles up to 30 channels (at 44.1/48 kHz 24 bit)and I've expanded it with an RME ADI-8 DS Mk III and a cheap Behringer 8 ADAT interface for a total of 28 line level channels (+2 channels from AES, which I use to stereo-expand and process my microphone - for TS, Discord and such). The Fireface has a DSP zero latency mixer/monitoring. I also use a few patchbays: one in my synth rack to bundle all synths onto multicore cables (and provide additional patch points, for feedback/overdrive on the Voyager for example) - those multicore cables are connected to patch bays in my gear rack, going to the Fireface, ADI and Behringer. I use those to insert effects. I built this with more of a software-recording setup in mind, so it's not exactly an easy to use mixer - but the configuration software works just like a mixer and I can save the presets on the Fireface itself - and change the presets there. You wouldn't be able to change volume, panning and such like you would with a dedicated (motorised) mixer, as that would involve a bit of menu-diving with a single encoder knob - or running the software. The Fireface routing is quite powerful and you could set up auxiliary send/return channels, if you have channels to spare. It's not easy to expand further tough and I "have to" record in 44.1/48 kHz - but higher sample rates don't provide any benefit anyway (higher bit depth does, but it's still 24 bits). Higher sample rates would require to bundle both ADAT ports (i.e. I could only use the ADI-8 once I get to 88/96 - or only 4 ports of the ADI on even more ridiculous sample rates). I'm a bit of an audiophile so I prefer to keep my audio path as direct as possible - plus having 28 channels available for parallel recording is a nice thing (note that a stereo synth uses 2 channels). I would also like to reduce my studio down to fewer devices, because I have too many that I don't really use - and then there's ergonomics.... Oh, and, yes, getting rid of the Behringer for sound quality reasons might also have something to do with that. P.S.: I patch my effects in as needed. I (sadly) don't have a patchbay for my effects, but I also want to keep the cable lengths short - so if I would like to chain a boost, overdrive, chorus, delay(s) and reverb, I'd run the full cable length 10 times - instead of just twice. It sucks a bit having to redo the wiring on the pedal board, but on the other hand, I do save a lot of cables and space. I hope that helps :)
urbanhusky cheers man, for sharing that. when i got my Metric Halo 2882, i contemplated the RMEs too. pretty powerful audio interfaces. i eventually went with the easier&cleaner software interface.. but i probably regret it, now. i don’t use many synths..but i also have considered going the ADAT route, for a cheap expansion. yes...it kind of sucks, s bit....losing channels, as you go up to 88/96kHz.. when i posed the question...i thought u already were using a physical mixer.. My bad. it’s funny that i also have worked with HiFidelity, in the past, selling Dynaudio, NAIM, Transrotor, and Burmester, brands you should be familiar with. i believe you might do well considering the MIDI mixer controller route. ok, you don’t lose the PC, but you can stick to your current approach, and gain that hardware touch.. even with just a basic AKAI APC 40 MKII . i am still undecided on which route to choose. Bo’s option of going with the PreSonus mixer, with the digital SD card recording is VERY close to what i have been looking for_ not needing to turn the PC ON ..in order to start jamming. But the audiophile in me is learning that the iPad is actually pretty good, both sound-quality wise,..and standing in as a replacement, touch friendly digital mixer..solution..so i might, in deed go, towards the iConnectivity route. do you find you don’t get away from the PC enough....with yours ? ;)
@@anonymous_friend I pretty much always have Ableton running now when I want to play with my synthesizers, this way I can capture any nice ideas I had after having played them and it's easy to add effects etc. I stopped using hardware sequences and no longer own any Elektron gear. I also have 28 channels of audio via my interface and it is nice to have every synth immediately playable. I also added a patch bay to my synthesizer rack so that I can patch in effect pedals that are also hardwired to the patch bay.
This is a very good video Thank You. It would helpful if you can discuss the midi play back latency we all experience when we are working on a full song within a DAW, because sequencing midi notes within a DAW for several External synths is a USB/MIDI interface nightmare, which did not exist in the 90s and early 2000s. I am speaking strictly about Midi note playback from within a DAW, not sending MIDI clock with something like an ERM multiclock to get superb timing with hardware that has its own sequencer. I believe the Presonous Set Up you have is one of the best ways, because some of us would like to just sequence midi notes within a DAW and then capture the audio from the instruments on a SD Card and later bring into a DAW (audio, plugin environment only), just do the Digital mixing, just like having a tape machine with 24 tracks back in the day. Can you please discuss this in a future video. Love all your work. Cheers!!
This is super helpful right now as I'm trying to design my setup. I have the SL MK 3 and Squarp Pyramid (which has 2 midi outs/thru), the latter I plan to use in lieu the SL's arps and sequencers. My question is I want to SL to send midi notes and clock to the Squarp. How do I do this? I have a thru and merge box also an old iConnectivity iMidi4+.
My MIDI keyboard controller and patchbays have made my gear infinitely more productive, easy and, most importantly, fun to use. Still need to rethink the MIDI on my setup to eliminate using THRU ports on gear as much as possible, hopefully completely, using the MIDI THRU and MIDI MERGE boxes I already have. Then I can be more selective on what needs to be powered up. One thing I do is keep MIDI controller mappings relatively simple as it can become challenging to remember lots of unique controller mappings. So the same knobs and sliders are assigned for the same functions across all hardware synths. All that hardware sequencer track capability would be nice to have.
Haven't watched all the video, so maybe yes talking about it in the video. I already have a Kenton midi 1 to 5 thru, but using thru on a few synths because I don't have more midi space in the Kenton. So what's wrong with thru's?
@@bastianm5478 Nothing is "wrong" with synth thru, but if you reach synth C via the MIDI thru on synth B, then you have to power up synth B to control synth C. I had 13 or more synths in my setup, it would be nice to power up only what is needed. And, I had to power up in a specific order or else I had MIDI issues.
Can you cover mixing down with your setup? Do you use multiple speakers/headphones? Do you use Cubasis? Or can you mix entirely from the Presonus? Do you master yourself? Lastly, can you create a _simple_ (perhaps 4 synth) song and walk us through it from start to finish highlighting all of the stuff we’ve learned in this series?
Jay Carr Couldn’t have said it better myself. if it is not too much to ask, Bo, all of the above would make a couple of great videos, following these really good ones you’ve made. Speaking of which.... hehe. THANK you!!
Hey Bo. I was wondering how all your equipment is powered. Do you use UPS/Battery backup? Do you need line filters to prevent ground loop feedback hum?
I use two MOTU USB Midi Express units with Cubase. Every one of my synths, drum machine, etc has a dedicated midi input and output. That way I can use any input to controller any of my synths, drum machines, etc. I can even use NI Maschine to remotely control Cubase and send midi messages to control other VST or hardware instruments using there Maschine editor. Routing is simple and quick, just select (in the Cubase inspector window) which midi input you want to control which midi output. With MOTU clockworks I can mute or send any kind of midi message (like midi clock or sys excl) on any port, on any channel making it a very open end midi patch bay.
That sounds like a dream setup! Just purchased the MOTU and hope to do something similar. Using Logic as the DAW and hope it has some of the same capabilities where Cubase shines.
I’m trying to combine a simple Roland drum module and my synth / controller / keyboard into my DAW. Would you recommend some sort of midi interface with multiple INS to blend the midi data before going into my DAW? Thanks great vid awesome studio
Thx for your insight Bo. Everything you say always makes perfect sense. I am somewhat surprised you have the PreSonus StudioLive 32. This very much makes me want one too.
@bobeats I'm curious if you designate specific midi channels to outboard synths/modules and stick with those assignments throughout your setup. Also, do you designate one midi channel for synch purposes or is synch handled as a one-off situation with each target device? Do you often send synch on the same midi channel as you're sending the performance data? Thanks!
Excellent Video!!! Would like to see how/if you use the Cubase External Instruments feature to control any of your external synths (e.g. program changes).
I've found that USB MIDI is problematic in large setups. 9 out of 10 times you'll end up with some sort of ground loop or USB device that isn't recognized by the host. 5 pin all the way. Save USB for sysex update, librarian work or using one device with a DAW.
@@diegomolinaf I have never regretted bringing instruments into my life. I don't have much money, but synths, (& saxophones in my case) brings me so much joy. And- it's better than blowing your money on booze or any number of dumb things people buy these days.
Amazing Bo as always and really nice demo...i hope to make video explaining how do u connect everything sounds to patchbuy (in’s & out’s)and to mixer ! And do u take mono or stereo from ur gear (elektron,novation) to the mixer or patch bay !?really appreciate ur help..Tnx a lot
Excellent video Bo! You covered a topic often left alone in this day of USB MIDI and software synths. Does your setup have a way of recording MIDI played on the hardware synths themselves? I chose a Native Instruments S61MK2 as my main MIDI controller but quickly learned it wouldn't support MIDI channels other than 1 for the pedal and wheels. I see you have the Novation MKIII as a primary controller. I'm going to look at that as an alternative as the S61. Thank you for sharing this extremely helpful video.
@@BoBeats I use a couple of MIDI Quadra Merge boxes from MIDI Solutions. My setup is similar to yours in that I want to be able to operate everything without a computer. Sometimes though I want to be able to hit record on my DAW when I enter the studio and record every sound and MIDI transmission from each device. You never know when something magic will happen. Details on my MIDI setup are here richsstudioproject.wpcomstaging.com/2018/06/06/midi-solutions/ Here is the product page for the MIDI Quadra Merge: www.midisolutions.com/prodqmr.htm
Thank you for sharing so much useful information! I have one question for you. I'm considering purchasing the 64s version of the Presonus. Are you still happy with your mixer almost a year later?
Its been working real good. A few downsizes that I touch on: sluggish screen, FX doesn’t record onto SD card, same for compression etc. But in terms of mixer duties: very happy with it. faders are snappy, and its not too complicated to operare
Thanks for sharing your tips, great video. I get how you route Midi Out from your main midi controllers to all of your synths using a merger and a thru-box. However, you didn't explain whether you also route Midi In from your synths back into your controllers or the computer. Would I need a separate Thru Box and Merge box for that (with all the synth's Midi Outs connected to it)?
I got a couple TOA D-4 rack mixers from the 80s. Really nice preamps and they have MIDI THRU built right in. That's MIDI IN/4 THRU or 8 THRU with mixer expansion.
Very useful Bo! Great setup. Love the Kenton Gear. Very popular in UK for touring and playback systems. Would love a little more insight into DAW integration. One QUESTION please. I understand you have your Cubase DAW Setup MIDI out going into the merger. However, do you have a separate MIDI/USB controller connected to your DAW to record the MIDI into Cubase and is this passing directly out to control your Hardware Synths? Hope this makes sense, thanks. Remy
Boooo!!!! loved this video think ur jam at the beginning was really amazing... one question How do you deal with latency of all the gear, specially if you go into the daw and use time based effects in the daw with ur gear. Also have you run into any ground loop "noise" issues with your rig (guitar pedals specially like distortions) and how do you deal with them????? :D cheers would love to see a video on that not much on youtube on these issues with a huge set up like urs....
Quite like the new series. Kudos! So, about your setup - have you had any trouble with MIDI feedback loops or sync issues caused by multiple devices trying to be master clock? I guess since you only have 4 devices feeding into the merger, you only have to keep those 4 playing nice. Which is good, since some instruments / sequencers don't like to stay quiet in that respect.
I actually avoid using more than one clock source. So i turn of sending clock from my digitakt and always run clock from either sl mk3 or the computers
Wow, this is almost exactly the setup I have, sl mk3 and digitakt controlling digitone, microfreak, minibrute, and more. Could not have asked for a more perfect video. What about the desk tho? I need advice on getting all this junk organized 😂
Nice! - After 3yrs of working with a DAW, - Logic - i recently decided to go back to my original 30yr old, 100% hardware setup.. Currently using my old MPC60ii and ASQ-10 for sequencing, with a secondhand 2000xl as backup, an old Phillips Rees midi thru box and 3x Kenton dual midi-cv converters, - and everything is so much easier... DAWs are amazing, but for me, they can easily become too much of a distraction, - just gonna start using Logic as an archive/post processing tool, essentially just grabbing everything that exits my mixers main stereo out via an Apogee Duet... Been looking for a modern equivalent to the MPC, just something with the same connectivity options and solid midi timing, - no sampling required, no onboard sounds -, just a dedicated sequencer with the ability to send all midi, cc and events and visual step-editing, - so far nothing comes close to the MPC or ASQ, except for the MPC-X, - but that's overkill, and essentially a self-contained DAW... If anyone knows of a simple, solid device that might appeal to me, i'd welcome suggestions.. - must be able to save data to card or stick, and atleast 2 midi-in, 2-midi-out and a generous amount of assignable tracks... thanks in advance. ~ love to ALL, feel no hate ~
Hi @BoBeats. Greetings from Switzerland to Sweden. Great videos! Very inspiring, for music, gear and also how you set it up. Much appreciated. I hope the special times go well for you. Question, very practical: What stand are you using on the left side of your hardware rig, with the Microfreak on top? I also need to build into the height... ;-)
I'm in love with this channel! 🔥🔥 And great song that you've just released there! Btw got to ask; have you got some connections to Finland? Your surname would imply that 😎
@@BoBeats sweet! Please keep up the invaluable work that you've been doing here on this channel ☺️🤙 Solely because of you I had the courage to buy my first analogue synth, need I say, the Korg Minilogue! Thank you Bo!
I had 2 things I would've liked to hear you elaborate on a little bit... One is about daisy chaining a lot of synths. How to do it and what kind of problems can come from it. (Also does it matter if you have a Microfreak or something else that uses the dongles in the chain, and what would that affect?) The other thing is a little bit more... philosophical...? But I really want to know why exactly... what makes us want to avoid the computer so much when making music? I mean there's plenty of easy answers to that, and I'm sure it's likely I'll never get an answer I'm really satisfied with... but I'm just really interested in the subject. All I know is... I absolutely LOVE all the amazing things I can do with my DAW and everything that's made recording and editing SO much easier than ever on the computer...but also that I absolutely HATE even the thought of GOING to my computer when I want to make music....much less turning it on. 🤣 I avoided using it for so long it's been a hell of a catch up. Lol. Thanks!
Hi Bo, loving the vids as usual, should the DAW supply the clock data or can a instrument supply the clock info? Do all instruments have internal clocks?
Regarding the computer - a lot of keyboardists will go to great lengths to avoid using a computer. I have the opposite issue - for me, songwriting in Logic Pro with plugin synths is so fast and it's a pain to record a real keyboard, because I end up recording the MIDI for the real keyboard track as well as the audio for it, and then I have to have the physical keyboard connected to change notes and I have to re-record the keyboard output, none of which I can do if I'm elsewhere with my laptop... but in the box, I can go in and change notes in MIDI, revoice chords, switch synths, and it's all instant. BUT sometimes you have to go with the hardware sounds because they just flat out sound better.
hey hey! thanks bo! great video! just one quick question, what is the routing from your computer to your hardware? Is it from the cpu to the machine to the hardware?
Hey Bo, nice video again. Watching them is contributing to me spending a lot of money (Bass Station 2, Circuit- reviews were helpful), but also learning to understand my gear better. Correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to use midi to send data to synths and then record the audio. I would also like to record midi-data from several synths to my audio-interface. Could it be done using the same 2 Kenton thru and merge boxes (as in without being another merger)? Like: Bass station and Mac (both midi out) -> merger -> thru-box -> Mac (midi in), Bass station and other synths. Goal is to be able to record/play using several synths and midi-controllers . Or would it cause some digital feedback-loop?
Hey! Thanks!! If you have the merger you can split it into two separate mergers. Thst way you could have one going into the thru box and one going into the computer.
5 pin Din Midi is the way go with hardware, personally Î’ve used a 20 output thru box combined with a iConnectivity Midi 4+ for years now . The mid4+ has USB host capabilities and it can be stand alone, no computer needed. It’s bloody magical.
Great video! This series has really helpped with my setup. One question though, what are you using for MIDI clock master / set tempo for all external devices, and does this sync with your DAW too? I find in my setup i want my Arturia BSP to be the master clock for my synths and equipment, but the DAW (logic) won't sync. So i have to have the DAW on and running just so i can have tempo/clock when i'd really just like to hardware jam. Maybe there is something i need to buy to "tie" it all together? Thanks.
What i am curious about, using mainly hardware controllers and midi channelling, how do you deal with Latency between devices? What are some of the Issues you have seen with Latency and how has this helped or created issues in your setup?
I would like to see a video where you integrate all of your hardware composition sections into a full song. Maybe you have done this vid and I have missed it. Also I would like to see how you wire all your synths to the DAW and what midi sends you may configure in your DAW to control your hardware. And finally, what is your method for printing a synth track?
Thanks Bo! Great video, great info. I am currently in the state of reorganising my own setup (which is by no means as complex as yours) and so your videos 3 & 4 have been of tremendous help to me. I am runing a smaller Kenton midi thru box, but I am definitely trying to get a merger too. And may I add, that a flow chart of both your midi and sound conections would be awesome to see. I would promise to publish my own flow charts in return. BTW how does your CUBASE work with the analog setup? I am having some issues to combine it with my Mother 32 and I am now thinking about changing to Ableton with the CV tools.
Hi Bobeats, I have a problem with my Mpc Live II: I need to work via midi din with 5 old synths but I don't know which gear to buy. I bought a Kenton Midi Thru 5 but found that it produces identical copies to the 5 midi thru jacks ... I don't want all 5 synths working on the same channel at the same time ... I need 5 distinct channels, which product is right for my purpose? Thank you very much!
Very informative video again, thank you! Just the MIDI part is not very clear but most important. You have a 25 out but only 1 MIDI input... but I also see another box, with 5 or??? Does the DT go to the other box or how did you do that??? I would really love to know, this could be the key to the problem I'm trying to solve for very long already. Hope you have time for some tips and help here... Thank you for all the great videos man!!!
Did you send the Digitakt and the Keyboard MIDI signals, first to the KENTON MERGE 8, and from the MERGE 8 to the KENTON MIDI THRU-25? I guess that could be what you did...
Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623
Soundcraft MTK 22
US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=1&affid=623
Soundcraft MTK 12
US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=1&affid=623
Tascam Model 12
US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=1&affid=623 (affordable!)
Presonus 16 channel
US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=1&affid=623
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)
US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=1&affid=623
MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)
US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=1&affid=623
GOOD FX
Zoia
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MAL
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/463334?offid=1&affid=623
Blackhole
US: imp.i114863.net/jExYb
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503207?offid=1&affid=623
Tricerachorus
US: imp.i114863.net/MXJDDK
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/529760?offid=1&affid=623
PATCHBAY:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg
SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy
GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
Korg Minilogue XD
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
HydraSynth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2
DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR
TR6S (tiny!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=1&affid=623
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
Drumbrute Impact
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3
This is what i've been trying to resist doing in my studio.. but i think you've pushed me over the edge since this is so cool, it seems really fast to just turn on and start jamming on things.... damnit @BoBeats !!
join the anti-minimalist train brother
I love watching my two favorite youtubers egg each other on :D
Hmmm...motu midi express 128? XT? Or iconnectivity Mio10?
Ahhhh all the gear!
ja, might be time to go this way here, me thinks
Explaining how a hardware setup isn't necessarily the way to go to create a full song / arrangement was super helpful for folks like me coming from a more conventional multi-track recording background.
I'm a guitar player who has getting more and more into synths over the past several months, but until this video, I have never been able to connect the dots between a) I'm having fun improvising, tweaking, and evolving a groove in a live hardware sequencer session! and b) now I want to compose a more structured song that moves between very different sections with many different parts, etc.
Love your videos and your general approach, BoBeats. You're a good teacher!
Just another excellent and inspirational video. Been moving across from an "In the Box" to a "Hybrid Creative Process" and it does take more effort and the rewiring of your brain, but the ability to touch and morph with the instruments is worth the challenge. Computers are just fantastic too but tactile and complex expressiveness can never be replicated with a mouse, everyone just loves to turn knobs, what can I say it just creates a live magic that can't be repeated. Thanks Bo, you're the best mate.
I got myself a Behringer Neutron to get started with hardware synthesis and get a taste of how it is to use and work with a Eurorack setup (It's got this cool patch bay on the right). And I begin to see that this thing alone can create sounds in ways you can never, and I actually mean, never, get out of any virtual VST instrument - no matter if it is a free one, five Euro, or a super expensive one like Omnisphere. Already I have made sounds I was unable to create with VSTs and I'm really enjoying it. For that reason I already built a small 62 HP skiff Eurorack case to be filled with modules. I then record everything into Ableton... create some scenes with all sounds, and see where the journey goes. Until I have an Emperor's studio like you have, it will take time - but I will get there.
marcus-s I did exactly the same, the Neutron is a beast, I love it
That bell sound in the first tune is utter bliss
I cant express enough my gratitude to you. I was a bit skeptical on going this way and never pushed myself to create an organic setup of instruments. At the same time i keep getting frustrated just sitting in front of DAW all the time and doing everything on the screen. But after watching this video i have decided to order a Arturia Keystep Pro, a Merger and a Thru box. I just already bought a Minilogue xD, Hydrasynth & Minifreak. Of course the larger goal is to create some music like you demoed in this video.
Thank you and good luck on this journey of yours!!
I think that setup videos like this are MUCH needed. Thank you again. Any other deep dive on setups would be appreciated. Although boring to some it is much needed information. It’s only boring if you have it working. For those of us who do not it’s necessary information. Thank you again
You are a born teacher... great way you talk about your passion
Some people like me arnt great with the tech side of things and I have to tell u I really appreciate help like this!
Mr BoBeats, a timelapse video of a day (or even a week) while using the studio would be amazing!
Thanks for the content, keep it up man!!
You can see the difference 4 years make in what gear you had then and what gear you have now. :) I am on the same journey without having a TH-cam channel currently. Still in that midrange of synths and drum machines and still learning how to put it all together. Always enjoy your videos!
Its a journey indeed! Change, rearrange! All part of it
I would never leave my studio if it were mine....great synths and set up, Bo!
Good video Bo! I have the Midi Thru Box, but this video made me realize that I need a Midi Merger too.
same!
This video is a lifesaver on merging midi paths, thank you Bo!
Thank you Bo. You answered a lot of questions about your hardware/software workflow and routing! This is exactly what I’m trying to accomplish in catching the inspiration that often comes with the use of hardware and then being able to integrate it into software for editing. That mixer looks like a key player in accomplishing that goal. Thanks!
Bo you are the best tutor in the TH-cam! great contents always
I've seen a few of your videos, but I'd never heard any of your music until watching this... it sounds amazing 👏
Those Kenton Midi thru boxes are major league. I love my thru 25.
Thanks Bo. That was really informative. Very much appreciated. I'm glad you took the time to cover the creative aspect here. Very inspiring.
FINALLY. What a good video. Thanks Bo, just what I needed at the exact moment I needed it.
Thanks a lot for this great video. It is challenging to survive between a hardware and software environment without constantly unplugging and plugging cables. You just gave me a nice way to go. I hate to see my productive mood ruined by routing issues.
Nice Bo was just thinking this video was needed this morning after watching an arturia video, and hey presto your channel read my mind thanks, just got 5 instruments triggering/sequencing from the beastep pro, works very well but this is next level, nice to see your full setup
Bo this series is great! Inspiring stuff, & now I’m super jealous of that mixer
Lovely setup Bo! Quite the collection of synths you got going! Great work on the video compiling your workspace! 🔥
Great series Bo! You rock man... and are such a blessing to this amazing community of creative Sonicnauts!
Again great timing Bo. I’m reconfiguring my midi to accommodate a keystep that should be with me tomorrow. I like to mix and match my midi flow, but the brains of the outfit will probably still be my iPad.
I really love how you explain things. I am slowly setting up my own hardware based rig. Your videos have been very helpful. THANK YOU!
Thank you for watching buddy!
@@BoBeats you are most welcome. I really liked the commentary on the immediacy of playing hardware when you've spent most of a day in front of a screen! Once I get the rig set-up and a couple of songs down, I'll send you a TH-cam link for your feedback if you wouldn't mind. I'm just an amateur and have no plans to quit my day job (plastic surgeon). I just have loved electronic music since the early 80's.
Excellent and fun video!
Thank you my friend
Thanks so much; most helpful. Your presentation style is very easy to watch and listen to; great teacher. :)
well done. I got a MOTU MIDI express XT to distro Midi from keyboard to hardware synths. I got the MOTU because I was trying to work around all the bugs in the beat step pro... and I sold the BSP after fighting with it for way too long. I haven't really found a sequencer I like yet aimed at recording your notes, easy editing. I also run a setup like yours : real hardware + soft synths running on separate mac as if they were real instruments. They run on analog or digital outs from one USB interface into the recording machine's so I can easily patch hardware FX in.
Steve Oakley same here! It’s like searching fir the holy grail. I’m thinking about getting the MIo and I hope to have solved a nasty weirdness that I have when connecting to my prophet 8 via a through, where it plays all 8 voices. I don’t have that when I play the keyboard. But as soon as the midi sequence is played back from FL Studio it starts using up all voices. Really annoying. I think a motu or mio will solve that. And hopefully soon a proper hardware sequencer comes out with the flexibility of a DAW
@@rdoetjes yes the MOTU can filter out various midi msgs to a particular port going either in or out, remap channels, block channel data, etc. a lot of things you can do. I was playing around a lot with them to get the BSP to work with other gear nicely, but eventually gave up on the BSP. thinking maybe the novation keyboard is now they way to go seeing it actually work in a complex setup.
Thank you so much I desperately needed this video. I have a similar setup and was lost.
I'm using a mio10. While it's only 10 in/out, it does have the benefit of being able to filter MIDI messages. For example: Synths on port 2 only get messages for MIDI channel 2 and so on. I also block program and bank changes across all devices, so that changing presets on one synth does not randomly change presets on all other synths.
I have a MIDI keyboard connected to port 1 and every synth can also send MIDI to any other synth - the Elektron Model:Samples for example can sequence other (mono)synths.
There can (theoretically) be some timing or bandwidth issues when many synths are connected to the same MIDI cable/bus because MIDI does not have a lot of bandwidth. By keeping the stuff that's being transmitted to my other synths down to only what that synth needs, I have more bandwidth available.
I also like having a setup that doesn't require me to start a DAW. The mio10 (or any other thru/merge) accomplishes this on the MIDI side - and I'm using the mixer in my audio interface to provide a stereo mix when I'm not using a DAW. I saved two presets - one with the stereo mix active and one without, so that I can quickly switch between using a DAW and not using one.
I'm also using a Push 2 to have a different perspective and mindset when using my DAW - however, some fiddly bits still need to be adjusted on the PC side (input/output routings, more complex editing/fixing of my bad playing…). I've also found the Elektron workflow to be quite inspiring and freeing :)
Ultimately, everything is connected to my PC, keeping separate audio and MIDI channels - but I don't have to use my PC to play.
urbanhusky i have been talking with iconnectivity by email...in order to figure out if the MIDI 4+ is the equipment that will solve most of my issues.
i had considered having a mixer,,so as to having a direct & physical control over the whole setup.. but, i am giving it a lot more relevance after Bo’s video (both this one and the one reviewing the mixer) and a few comments here, including yours.
which mixer are u using , then ?
thanks. ;)
@@V4D2 I'm using an RME Fireface UFX, that's a 12 channel USB or Firewire (newer models use more modern connectors) audio interface. It handles up to 30 channels (at 44.1/48 kHz 24 bit)and I've expanded it with an RME ADI-8 DS Mk III and a cheap Behringer 8 ADAT interface for a total of 28 line level channels (+2 channels from AES, which I use to stereo-expand and process my microphone - for TS, Discord and such).
The Fireface has a DSP zero latency mixer/monitoring. I also use a few patchbays: one in my synth rack to bundle all synths onto multicore cables (and provide additional patch points, for feedback/overdrive on the Voyager for example) - those multicore cables are connected to patch bays in my gear rack, going to the Fireface, ADI and Behringer. I use those to insert effects.
I built this with more of a software-recording setup in mind, so it's not exactly an easy to use mixer - but the configuration software works just like a mixer and I can save the presets on the Fireface itself - and change the presets there. You wouldn't be able to change volume, panning and such like you would with a dedicated (motorised) mixer, as that would involve a bit of menu-diving with a single encoder knob - or running the software.
The Fireface routing is quite powerful and you could set up auxiliary send/return channels, if you have channels to spare. It's not easy to expand further tough and I "have to" record in 44.1/48 kHz - but higher sample rates don't provide any benefit anyway (higher bit depth does, but it's still 24 bits). Higher sample rates would require to bundle both ADAT ports (i.e. I could only use the ADI-8 once I get to 88/96 - or only 4 ports of the ADI on even more ridiculous sample rates).
I'm a bit of an audiophile so I prefer to keep my audio path as direct as possible - plus having 28 channels available for parallel recording is a nice thing (note that a stereo synth uses 2 channels). I would also like to reduce my studio down to fewer devices, because I have too many that I don't really use - and then there's ergonomics.... Oh, and, yes, getting rid of the Behringer for sound quality reasons might also have something to do with that.
P.S.: I patch my effects in as needed. I (sadly) don't have a patchbay for my effects, but I also want to keep the cable lengths short - so if I would like to chain a boost, overdrive, chorus, delay(s) and reverb, I'd run the full cable length 10 times - instead of just twice. It sucks a bit having to redo the wiring on the pedal board, but on the other hand, I do save a lot of cables and space.
I hope that helps :)
urbanhusky cheers man, for sharing that.
when i got my Metric Halo 2882, i contemplated the RMEs too.
pretty powerful audio interfaces. i eventually went with the easier&cleaner software interface.. but i probably regret it, now.
i don’t use many synths..but i also have considered going the ADAT route, for a cheap expansion.
yes...it kind of sucks, s bit....losing channels, as you go up to 88/96kHz..
when i posed the question...i thought u already were using a physical mixer.. My bad.
it’s funny that i also have worked with HiFidelity, in the past, selling Dynaudio, NAIM, Transrotor, and Burmester, brands you should be familiar with.
i believe you might do well considering the MIDI mixer controller route. ok, you don’t lose the PC, but you can stick to your current approach, and gain that hardware touch.. even with just a basic AKAI APC 40 MKII .
i am still undecided on which route to choose.
Bo’s option of going with the PreSonus mixer, with the digital SD card recording is VERY close to what i have been looking for_ not needing to turn the PC ON ..in order to start jamming.
But the audiophile in me is learning that the iPad is actually pretty good, both sound-quality wise,..and standing in as a replacement, touch friendly digital mixer..solution..so i might, in deed go, towards the iConnectivity route.
do you find you don’t get away from the PC enough....with yours ?
;)
Are you still using the same setup? Have you made any changes or found a better way to do things? Im brainstorming. Thanks
@@anonymous_friend I pretty much always have Ableton running now when I want to play with my synthesizers, this way I can capture any nice ideas I had after having played them and it's easy to add effects etc. I stopped using hardware sequences and no longer own any Elektron gear. I also have 28 channels of audio via my interface and it is nice to have every synth immediately playable. I also added a patch bay to my synthesizer rack so that I can patch in effect pedals that are also hardwired to the patch bay.
This is a very good video Thank You. It would helpful if you can discuss the midi play back latency we all experience when we are working on a full song within a DAW, because sequencing midi notes within a DAW for several External synths is a USB/MIDI interface nightmare, which did not exist in the 90s and early 2000s. I am speaking strictly about Midi note playback from within a DAW, not sending MIDI clock with something like an ERM multiclock to get superb timing with hardware that has its own sequencer. I believe the Presonous Set Up you have is one of the best ways, because some of us would like to just sequence midi notes within a DAW and then capture the audio from the instruments on a SD Card and later bring into a DAW (audio, plugin environment only), just do the Digital mixing, just like having a tape machine with 24 tracks back in the day. Can you please discuss this in a future video. Love all your work. Cheers!!
Did you ever figure out a way to do this without many problems?
WOw, 15 synths. THat's a bit excessive right? maby you should have stick with 14 synth...
*drinks coffee*
Actually 15 sounds about right...
😂
Try 50
Appropriate number of synths is: n+1. Where n equals the number of synths you already have.
@@jackthemurray finally, a real-world application for the stuff I learnt in pre-cal
what, only 15....?? :)
Awesome video. I have "only" six synths and routing drives me crazy. You gave me a number of ideas!
You are a true educator Bo, nice video.
This is super helpful right now as I'm trying to design my setup. I have the SL MK 3 and Squarp Pyramid (which has 2 midi outs/thru), the latter I plan to use in lieu the SL's arps and sequencers. My question is I want to SL to send midi notes and clock to the Squarp. How do I do this? I have a thru and merge box also an old iConnectivity iMidi4+.
My MIDI keyboard controller and patchbays have made my gear infinitely more productive, easy and, most importantly, fun to use.
Still need to rethink the MIDI on my setup to eliminate using THRU ports on gear as much as possible, hopefully completely, using the MIDI THRU and MIDI MERGE boxes I already have. Then I can be more selective on what needs to be powered up.
One thing I do is keep MIDI controller mappings relatively simple as it can become challenging to remember lots of unique controller mappings. So the same knobs and sliders are assigned for the same functions across all hardware synths.
All that hardware sequencer track capability would be nice to have.
Hi KWHCoaster, what's wrong with using midi thru's?
Haven't watched all the video, so maybe yes talking about it in the video. I already have a Kenton midi 1 to 5 thru, but using thru on a few synths because I don't have more midi space in the Kenton. So what's wrong with thru's?
@@bastianm5478 Nothing is "wrong" with synth thru, but if you reach synth C via the MIDI thru on synth B, then you have to power up synth B to control synth C. I had 13 or more synths in my setup, it would be nice to power up only what is needed. And, I had to power up in a specific order or else I had MIDI issues.
That use of a merger for the MIDI is a great idea. Sort of a digitally controlled MIDI router.
You have my dream synth setup dude.
Great video. What an EPIC setup! Looks like so much fun.
Hey Bo, thank you for this and all the other videos. I found this one specially useful, keep going!
Synth RPG: You start at the lowest level with only one synth and, many songs and a few years later, you become the boss and have this many synths.
Can you cover mixing down with your setup? Do you use multiple speakers/headphones? Do you use Cubasis? Or can you mix entirely from the Presonus? Do you master yourself?
Lastly, can you create a _simple_ (perhaps 4 synth) song and walk us through it from start to finish highlighting all of the stuff we’ve learned in this series?
Jay Carr Couldn’t have said it better myself.
if it is not too much to ask, Bo, all of the above would make a couple of great videos, following these really good ones you’ve made.
Speaking of which.... hehe. THANK you!!
Hey Bo. I was wondering how all your equipment is powered. Do you use UPS/Battery backup? Do you need line filters to prevent ground loop feedback hum?
I use two MOTU USB Midi Express units with Cubase. Every one of my synths, drum machine, etc has a dedicated midi input and output. That way I can use any input to controller any of my synths, drum machines, etc. I can even use NI Maschine to remotely control Cubase and send midi messages to control other VST or hardware instruments using there Maschine editor. Routing is simple and quick, just select (in the Cubase inspector window) which midi input you want to control which midi output. With MOTU clockworks I can mute or send any kind of midi message (like midi clock or sys excl) on any port, on any channel making it a very open end midi patch bay.
That sounds like a dream setup! Just purchased the MOTU and hope to do something similar. Using Logic as the DAW and hope it has some of the same capabilities where Cubase shines.
Thanks for the series. Serious question from me is how do you keep your setup clean, dust free?
i don’t
Great. Midi box with 25 channel thru. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!
Thanks a lot for your impressions at the last part of the video
Icky. I love the sound of your entirety. It's refreshing to hear your character rather than all that bubblegum tutorial stuff. I look firward to an EP
Woah, the intro track is sick!!!
I’m trying to combine a simple Roland drum module and my synth / controller / keyboard into my DAW. Would you recommend some sort of midi interface with multiple INS to blend the midi data before going into my DAW? Thanks great vid awesome studio
Thanks Bo. Very elucidating. I am reorganizing my stuff and this series came very handy :)
Thx for your insight Bo. Everything you say always makes perfect sense. I am somewhat surprised you have the PreSonus StudioLive 32. This very much makes me want one too.
Excellent tutorial; this will save many people a lot of time figuring out how to route and integrate hardware and software quite easily
Thanks, Bo! Just what the doctor ordered.
@bobeats I'm curious if you designate specific midi channels to outboard synths/modules and stick with those assignments throughout your setup. Also, do you designate one midi channel for synch purposes or is synch handled as a one-off situation with each target device? Do you often send synch on the same midi channel as you're sending the performance data? Thanks!
Excellent Video!!! Would like to see how/if you use the Cubase External Instruments feature to control any of your external synths (e.g. program changes).
BlueJava i’ll second that. ;)
i’ve been building up for connecting my iOS FX and soft-synths to my Ableton session..
12:01 Bo, your accent is the best thing EVER!
My SL MK III died 2 months after buying it and being in use only 4 days. Does yours still work?
Yepp. And from what I hear from others its holding up OK
I've found that USB MIDI is problematic in large setups. 9 out of 10 times you'll end up with some sort of ground loop or USB device that isn't recognized by the host. 5 pin all the way. Save USB for sysex update, librarian work or using one device with a DAW.
Usb is just not made for time sensitive stuff like midi.
DIN MIDI ports all the way!
Interesting, thanks
Are you sure you don't have "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" here LOL.
We don't say that here. Besides, synths are like friends. You can never have too many. XD
shhhh we are all in the asylum ...we can hear you.
@@diegomolinaf I have never regretted bringing instruments into my life. I don't have much money, but synths, (& saxophones in my case) brings me so much joy. And- it's better than blowing your money on booze or any number of dumb things people buy these days.
Tremendously helpful video. Thanks!
Amazing Bo as always and really nice demo...i hope to make video explaining how do u connect everything sounds to patchbuy (in’s & out’s)and to mixer ! And do u take mono or stereo from ur gear (elektron,novation) to the mixer or patch bay !?really appreciate ur help..Tnx a lot
Hey! Yes! I have explained this in the episode ”how I record 15 synthesizers” or something like that
BoBeats u mean this one th-cam.com/video/H93rvSmM7ow/w-d-xo.html !??
This was a really useful video Bo. Thank you.
Best sounds ever heard
Excellent video Bo! You covered a topic often left alone in this day of USB MIDI and software synths.
Does your setup have a way of recording MIDI played on the hardware synths themselves?
I chose a Native Instruments S61MK2 as my main MIDI controller but quickly learned it wouldn't support MIDI channels other than 1 for the pedal and wheels. I see you have the Novation MKIII as a primary controller. I'm going to look at that as an alternative as the S61.
Thank you for sharing this extremely helpful video.
i have been thinking about adding some box to be able to rec the midi too. for now I can’t
@@BoBeats I use a couple of MIDI Quadra Merge boxes from MIDI Solutions. My setup is similar to yours in that I want to be able to operate everything without a computer.
Sometimes though I want to be able to hit record on my DAW when I enter the studio and record every sound and MIDI transmission from each device. You never know when something magic will happen.
Details on my MIDI setup are here richsstudioproject.wpcomstaging.com/2018/06/06/midi-solutions/
Here is the product page for the MIDI Quadra Merge: www.midisolutions.com/prodqmr.htm
Thank you for sharing so much useful information! I have one question for you. I'm considering purchasing the 64s version of the Presonus. Are you still happy with your mixer almost a year later?
Its been working real good. A few downsizes that I touch on: sluggish screen, FX doesn’t record onto SD card, same for compression etc. But in terms of mixer duties: very happy with it. faders are snappy, and its not too complicated to operare
@@BoBeats Thank you for such a quick reply, been loving your videos for now a couple of years! Cheers!
@@BoBeats I just thought of one more question. You say the effects do not record but do your eq settings get recorded?
I really enjoyed the series. Thanks a lot!
Thanks for sharing your tips, great video. I get how you route Midi Out from your main midi controllers to all of your synths using a merger and a thru-box.
However, you didn't explain whether you also route Midi In from your synths back into your controllers or the computer.
Would I need a separate Thru Box and Merge box for that (with all the synth's Midi Outs connected to it)?
I got a couple TOA D-4 rack mixers from the 80s. Really nice preamps and they have MIDI THRU built right in. That's MIDI IN/4 THRU or 8 THRU with mixer expansion.
Very useful Bo! Great setup. Love the Kenton Gear. Very popular in UK for touring and playback systems. Would love a little more insight into DAW integration. One QUESTION please. I understand you have your Cubase DAW Setup MIDI out going into the merger.
However, do you have a separate MIDI/USB controller connected to your DAW to record the MIDI into Cubase and is this passing directly out to control your Hardware Synths?
Hope this makes sense, thanks. Remy
Boooo!!!! loved this video think ur jam at the beginning was really amazing... one question How do you deal with latency of all the gear, specially if you go into the daw and use time based effects in the daw with ur gear. Also have you run into any ground loop "noise" issues with your rig (guitar pedals specially like distortions) and how do you deal with them????? :D cheers would love to see a video on that not much on youtube on these issues with a huge set up like urs....
Quite like the new series. Kudos! So, about your setup - have you had any trouble with MIDI feedback loops or sync issues caused by multiple devices trying to be master clock? I guess since you only have 4 devices feeding into the merger, you only have to keep those 4 playing nice. Which is good, since some instruments / sequencers don't like to stay quiet in that respect.
I actually avoid using more than one clock source. So i turn of sending clock from my digitakt and always run clock from either sl mk3 or the computers
Wow, this is almost exactly the setup I have, sl mk3 and digitakt controlling digitone, microfreak, minibrute, and more. Could not have asked for a more perfect video. What about the desk tho? I need advice on getting all this junk organized 😂
Curious...what are you using for that lav-mic at 21:00 (which model?) or do you have a boom out of shot somewhere? :) Great video!
Nice! - After 3yrs of working with a DAW, - Logic - i recently decided to go back to my original 30yr old, 100% hardware setup.. Currently using my old MPC60ii and ASQ-10 for sequencing, with a secondhand 2000xl as backup, an old Phillips Rees midi thru box and 3x Kenton dual midi-cv converters, - and everything is so much easier... DAWs are amazing, but for me, they can easily become too much of a distraction, - just gonna start using Logic as an archive/post processing tool, essentially just grabbing everything that exits my mixers main stereo out via an Apogee Duet...
Been looking for a modern equivalent to the MPC, just something with the same connectivity options and solid midi timing, - no sampling required, no onboard sounds -, just a dedicated sequencer with the ability to send all midi, cc and events and visual step-editing, - so far nothing comes close to the MPC or ASQ, except for the MPC-X, - but that's overkill, and essentially a self-contained DAW... If anyone knows of a simple, solid device that might appeal to me, i'd welcome suggestions.. - must be able to save data to card or stick, and atleast 2 midi-in, 2-midi-out and a generous amount of assignable tracks... thanks in advance.
~ love to ALL, feel no hate ~
those Kentons look great. thanks for such a helpful video
Hi @BoBeats. Greetings from Switzerland to Sweden. Great videos! Very inspiring, for music, gear and also how you set it up. Much appreciated. I hope the special times go well for you. Question, very practical: What stand are you using on the left side of your hardware rig, with the Microfreak on top? I also need to build into the height... ;-)
I'm in love with this channel! 🔥🔥 And great song that you've just released there!
Btw got to ask; have you got some connections to Finland? Your surname would imply that 😎
Thank you!! Yes. My family is originally from finland.
@@BoBeats sweet! Please keep up the invaluable work that you've been doing here on this channel ☺️🤙
Solely because of you I had the courage to buy my first analogue synth, need I say, the Korg Minilogue! Thank you Bo!
I had 2 things I would've liked to hear you elaborate on a little bit...
One is about daisy chaining a lot of synths. How to do it and what kind of problems can come from it. (Also does it matter if you have a Microfreak or something else that uses the dongles in the chain, and what would that affect?)
The other thing is a little bit more... philosophical...? But I really want to know why exactly... what makes us want to avoid the computer so much when making music?
I mean there's plenty of easy answers to that, and I'm sure it's likely I'll never get an answer I'm really satisfied with... but I'm just really interested in the subject.
All I know is... I absolutely LOVE all the amazing things I can do with my DAW and everything that's made recording and editing SO much easier than ever on the computer...but also that I absolutely HATE even the thought of GOING to my computer when I want to make music....much less turning it on. 🤣
I avoided using it for so long it's been a hell of a catch up. Lol.
Thanks!
Hi Bo, loving the vids as usual, should the DAW supply the clock data or can a instrument supply the clock info? Do all instruments have internal clocks?
Thanks Bo. Inspirational video.
Regarding the computer - a lot of keyboardists will go to great lengths to avoid using a computer. I have the opposite issue - for me, songwriting in Logic Pro with plugin synths is so fast and it's a pain to record a real keyboard, because I end up recording the MIDI for the real keyboard track as well as the audio for it, and then I have to have the physical keyboard connected to change notes and I have to re-record the keyboard output, none of which I can do if I'm elsewhere with my laptop... but in the box, I can go in and change notes in MIDI, revoice chords, switch synths, and it's all instant. BUT sometimes you have to go with the hardware sounds because they just flat out sound better.
Andddd now my Digitakt is controlling everything I have. Thanks much and great job on this video
hey hey! thanks bo! great video! just one quick question, what is the routing from your computer to your hardware? Is it from the cpu to the machine to the hardware?
its just a midi cable from audio interface or maschine controller to the midi splitter
Hey Bo, nice video again. Watching them is contributing to me spending a lot of money (Bass Station 2, Circuit- reviews were helpful), but also learning to understand my gear better. Correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to use midi to send data to synths and then record the audio. I would also like to record midi-data from several synths to my audio-interface. Could it be done using the same 2 Kenton thru and merge boxes (as in without being another merger)? Like: Bass station and Mac (both midi out) -> merger -> thru-box -> Mac (midi in), Bass station and other synths. Goal is to be able to record/play using several synths and midi-controllers . Or would it cause some digital feedback-loop?
Hey! Thanks!! If you have the merger you can split it into two separate mergers. Thst way you could have one going into the thru box and one going into the computer.
5 pin Din Midi is the way go with hardware, personally Î’ve used a 20 output thru box combined with a iConnectivity Midi 4+ for years now .
The mid4+ has USB host capabilities and it can be stand alone, no computer needed. It’s bloody magical.
Hey Bobeats, great videos. I wonder if you have in mind a video about digital (ADAT, ethernet) connections. We would appreciate it.
Great video! This series has really helpped with my setup. One question though, what are you using for MIDI clock master / set tempo for all external devices, and does this sync with your DAW too? I find in my setup i want my Arturia BSP to be the master clock for my synths and equipment, but the DAW (logic) won't sync. So i have to have the DAW on and running just so i can have tempo/clock when i'd really just like to hardware jam. Maybe there is something i need to buy to "tie" it all together? Thanks.
What i am curious about, using mainly hardware controllers and midi channelling, how do you deal with Latency between devices? What are some of the Issues you have seen with Latency and how has this helped or created issues in your setup?
I would like to see a video where you integrate all of your hardware composition sections into a full song. Maybe you have done this vid and I have missed it. Also I would like to see how you wire all your synths to the DAW and what midi sends you may configure in your DAW to control your hardware. And finally, what is your method for printing a synth track?
Thanks Bo! Great video, great info. I am currently in the state of reorganising my own setup (which is by no means as complex as yours) and so your videos 3 & 4 have been of tremendous help to me. I am runing a smaller Kenton midi thru box, but I am definitely trying to get a merger too. And may I add, that a flow chart of both your midi and sound conections would be awesome to see. I would promise to publish my own flow charts in return. BTW how does your CUBASE work with the analog setup? I am having some issues to combine it with my Mother 32 and I am now thinking about changing to Ableton with the CV tools.
Hi Bobeats, I have a problem with my Mpc Live II: I need to work via midi din with 5 old synths but I don't know which gear to buy. I bought a Kenton Midi Thru 5 but found that it produces identical copies to the 5 midi thru jacks ... I don't want all 5 synths working on the same channel at the same time ... I need 5 distinct channels, which product is right for my purpose? Thank you very much!
Love your compositions Bo, weird in a good way
I got the Kenton 25 but I was disappointed to learn that it is MIDI channel 1 only through all the ports. Were you able to pass MIDI channels through?
Excellent video !
This is unreal!!
Very informative video again, thank you! Just the MIDI part is not very clear but most important. You have a 25 out but only 1 MIDI input... but I also see another box, with 5 or??? Does the DT go to the other box or how did you do that???
I would really love to know, this could be the key to the problem I'm trying to solve for very long already.
Hope you have time for some tips and help here...
Thank you for all the great videos man!!!
Did you send the Digitakt and the Keyboard MIDI signals, first to the KENTON MERGE 8, and from the MERGE 8 to the KENTON MIDI THRU-25? I guess that could be what you did...