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 !!
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.
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 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!
@@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.
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!
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+.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
@@bssitsmmsunrr 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.
@@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.
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.
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).
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!!
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 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.
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
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
@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!
Very interessing info Bo. I've recently decided to go back to using my outboard synths and modules with the conventional midi cables. I'm using my Minilogue as my master keyboard, with the output connected to the input of my Akai ME30P midi patchbay, with the outputs going to my Emu Proteus 2000 and Yamaha CS1x. I a few other synths but these are enough for the moment. My problem is understanding how to send MSB and LSB commands to the Proteus, the patch commands are no problem, they are on a drop-down menu on the track info section within Logic ProX. The track info secion also has a drop-down for choosing the MSB but i can't find how to send the LSB message to change the banks on the Proteus. I have scoured the net for this info but as yet, there's no step by step video showing exactly how to use the MSB and LSB commands to change the banks on the Proteus. I would be so grateful if you could help me in the matter, or point me in the right direction to understand how they work. Kind regards Bo.
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?
3 months ago I bought my first synth, a volca keys. Got very excited and bought in the same time volca kick, moog minitaur, drumbrut impact and analog four MK1. Since then im having a real bad time trying to figure out how to connect and integrating them. I could not enjoy playing with then to this day. You helped a little, but I still have some doubts. Anyone knows any reading material that explain all this?
Great videos. Thank you very much. It helps a lot. Let me ask you one question : what do you think about using a deluge synthesizer like a sequencer for a hardware setup and for building a song. Thank you a lot.
Hi - cc @RickyTinez - could you both consider doing a full song tutorial? I am setting up Pyramid squarp and maschine and looking at ways to develop a full song framework using a classic song structure. Any tips?
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
I can't realistically have your wonderful setup, but I'm just looking to sync my DAW to a half dozen synths, and I've got the Maschine as well. Could this be done with a merger and thru box, only?
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
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?
I enjoyed the vid. I've had my yamaha rm1x since around 99/2000 or so it seems and have made a lot of different types of music but it's passed time to open up my sound a bit. I also have a Korg emx-1 which is a huge contrast in sound from the yamaha. I'm trying get over the hump of midi synch using the yamaha as master and korg the slave. Now my problem. I can trigger the korg to start/stop but the pattern in the korg I start off with changes as I'm keying the patterns on the yamaha. It always changes to the same preset in the korg (electro3/A.42). I've consulted the manuals for both pieces and it appears that everything is set up correctly but I'm obviously missing something. Can you or anyone help me with this very annoying issue. Thank you.
@@BoBeats I have seen a guy who enters his room and powers up everything with a remote control, just like a car, but I don´t know if that is a good thing for the gear unless he has a very stable power supply in his home.
Can you explain in a little more detail how youre able to control 16 synths from both Digitakt and the SLmk3? I have an SLmk3 too and template wise it can send out data on 8 individual MIDI tracks right? So how do you utilize the other 8 sent to Digitakt to control a synth that does NOT have an SLmk3 template assigned to communicate with its assigned MIDI channel?
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
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!!
Good video Bo! I have the Midi Thru Box, but this video made me realize that I need a Midi Merger too.
same!
Lovely setup Bo! Quite the collection of synths you got going! Great work on the video compiling your workspace! 🔥
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.
Excellent and fun video!
Thank you my friend
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
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.
Some people like me arnt great with the tech side of things and I have to tell u I really appreciate help like this!
You are a born teacher... great way you talk about your passion
You are a true educator Bo, nice video.
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....?? :)
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
This video is a lifesaver on merging midi paths, thank you Bo!
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
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!!
Bo you are the best tutor in the TH-cam! great contents always
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.
ALL GAS NO BRAKES 😎
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!
FINALLY. What a good video. Thanks Bo, just what I needed at the exact moment I needed it.
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+.
That bell sound in the first tune is utter bliss
I would never leave my studio if it were mine....great synths and set up, Bo!
Thanks Bo. That was really informative. Very much appreciated. I'm glad you took the time to cover the creative aspect here. Very inspiring.
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
Great series Bo! You rock man... and are such a blessing to this amazing community of creative Sonicnauts!
Those Kenton Midi thru boxes are major league. I love my thru 25.
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.
Tremendously helpful video. Thanks!
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.
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.
Bo this series is great! Inspiring stuff, & now I’m super jealous of that mixer
I've seen a few of your videos, but I'd never heard any of your music until watching this... it sounds amazing 👏
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?
@@bssitsmmsunrr 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.
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.
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.
12:01 Bo, your accent is the best thing EVER!
Thanks so much; most helpful. Your presentation style is very easy to watch and listen to; great teacher. :)
Awesome video. I have "only" six synths and routing drives me crazy. You gave me a number of ideas!
Thank you so much I desperately needed this video. I have a similar setup and was lost.
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..
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?
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
Thanks a lot for your impressions at the last part of the video
Woah, the intro track is sick!!!
Great video. What an EPIC setup! Looks like so much fun.
You have my dream synth setup dude.
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.
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.
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?
Thanks Bo. Very elucidating. I am reorganizing my stuff and this series came very handy :)
Hey Bo, thank you for this and all the other videos. I found this one specially useful, keep going!
That use of a merger for the MIDI is a great idea. Sort of a digitally controlled MIDI router.
Great. Midi box with 25 channel thru. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!
Thanks for the series. Serious question from me is how do you keep your setup clean, dust free?
i don’t
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!!
Thanks, Bo! Just what the doctor ordered.
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
Great video on setup was having issues with clock. Thinking of getting the erm to solve midi drift
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
those Kentons look great. thanks for such a helpful video
This is nice. But what is that driving bass at 1:02?
how about using the "E-RM multiclock"?
Awesome video! Thanks
Thanks Bo. Inspirational video.
This was a really useful video Bo. Thank you.
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)?
.... you got a new fan.
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.
I really enjoyed the series. Thanks a lot!
Excellent video !
Hey Bobeats, great videos. I wonder if you have in mind a video about digital (ADAT, ethernet) connections. We would appreciate it.
Never heard of the merger. Very cool device!
do you have any latency issue when your master clock is Ableton?
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!
Love your videos
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?
Such a nice setup. So flexible. I would love to hang out with you in your studio.
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 !??
@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!
Very interessing info Bo.
I've recently decided to go back to using my outboard synths and modules with the conventional midi cables.
I'm using my Minilogue as my master keyboard, with the output connected to the input of my Akai ME30P midi patchbay, with the outputs going to my Emu Proteus 2000 and Yamaha CS1x.
I a few other synths but these are enough for the moment.
My problem is understanding how to send MSB and LSB commands to the Proteus, the patch commands are no problem, they are on a drop-down menu on the track info section within Logic ProX.
The track info secion also has a drop-down for choosing the MSB but i can't find how to send the LSB message to change the banks on the Proteus.
I have scoured the net for this info but as yet, there's no step by step video showing exactly how to use the MSB and LSB commands to change the banks on the Proteus.
I would be so grateful if you could help me in the matter, or point me in the right direction to understand how they work.
Kind regards Bo.
Love your compositions Bo, weird in a good way
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?
Best sounds ever heard
3 months ago I bought my first synth, a volca keys. Got very excited and bought in the same time volca kick, moog minitaur, drumbrut impact and analog four MK1. Since then im having a real bad time trying to figure out how to connect and integrating them. I could not enjoy playing with then to this day. You helped a little, but I still have some doubts. Anyone knows any reading material that explain all this?
Great videos. Thank you very much. It helps a lot. Let me ask you one question : what do you think about using a deluge synthesizer like a sequencer for a hardware setup and for building a song. Thank you a lot.
Yeah that would work super well! Got the deluge and its amazing
@@BoBeats thank you very much
Hi - cc @RickyTinez - could you both consider doing a full song tutorial? I am setting up Pyramid squarp and maschine and looking at ways to develop a full song framework using a classic song structure. Any tips?
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
track at 1"30 is dope Bo!
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?
I can't realistically have your wonderful setup, but I'm just looking to sync my DAW to a half dozen synths, and I've got the Maschine as well. Could this be done with a merger and thru box, only?
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
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?
I enjoyed the vid. I've had my yamaha rm1x since around 99/2000 or so it seems and have made a lot of different types of music but it's passed time to open up my sound a bit. I also have a Korg emx-1 which is a huge contrast in sound from the yamaha. I'm trying get over the hump of midi synch using the yamaha as master and korg the slave.
Now my problem. I can trigger the korg to start/stop but the pattern in the korg I start off with changes as I'm keying the patterns on the yamaha. It always changes to the same preset in the korg (electro3/A.42). I've consulted the manuals for both pieces and it appears that everything is set up correctly but I'm obviously missing something. Can you or anyone help me with this very annoying issue. Thank you.
HI, nice sound :) I just wonder how do you power up everything, do you have an one knob power up switch or something?
nope :-) i do it per device
@@BoBeats I have seen a guy who enters his room and powers up everything with a remote control, just like a car, but I don´t know if that is a good thing for the gear unless he has a very stable power supply in his home.
so why don't you use MIDI 8x8 in order to get both 128 channels all up and any midi routing combination possible?
Ya why don't you? Is it because of midi loops?
Great job Bo, loving these informative vids, many thanks :-)
Can you explain in a little more detail how youre able to control 16 synths from both Digitakt and the SLmk3? I have an SLmk3 too and template wise it can send out data on 8 individual MIDI tracks right? So how do you utilize the other 8 sent to Digitakt to control a synth that does NOT have an SLmk3 template assigned to communicate with its assigned MIDI channel?