MicroFreak: Episode 3 (Arps and Sequences)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- This is the fourth video in my series about the Arturia MicroFreak. The MicroFreak has an interesting arpeggiator+sequencer combo with a lot of features. I cover the basics of using the arpeggiator, the Spice and Dice features, and recording sequences. I also talk a little about syncing the MicroFreak with other gear.
TIMELINE BELOW
CHANNEL UPDATE - I've had the following idea: KEEP the same approximate upload schedule for the standard channel videos [overviews, tutorials, concepts, etc.] and then ADD IN some new content along the way. I've always wanted this channel to be sort of relaxing, enjoyable to listen to, as well as interesting/educational - so I'm planning to start uploading 5-10 minute ambient music/soundscape/videos, alternating with the standard videos. I want my new overall upload schedule to be every 5 days. Why ambient music? Because I really love listening to it and would like to understand more about making it. I've been trying to play it on the piano since before I knew what it was called and now I have quite a bit of electronic music gear for the exploration. Some of this is gear that I haven't really used on the channel yet, so this is a great opportunity to share that, and I want to include other things like tapes, loops, acoustic recordings, etc. - as well as working entirely in a DAW, iOS, PureDate, and more - which I normally don't do for the channel. I intend to put some fairly detailed discussions in these video descriptions (not planning to appear or talk in the ambient videos, btw), and, as always, I hope that this new type of video invites comments and discussion with you. I've decided to just call every one of these new videos Delta_Wave_mmss (where the mmss is the video length), for now at least. Thanks for watching!
TIMELINE
00:00 MicroFreak synced with Korg Volca Beats
00:36 Intro
01:38 Arpeggiator Basics
05:53 Arpeggiator: Pattern Mode (i have found this to be a really interesting feature)
10:35 Spice and Dice (maybe another short MF video down the road just about these settings. i found it kind of hard to accurately and completely explain them in a short segment. being able to SEE their effects within a DAW - via MIDI - is probably the best way to understand them.)
14:52 Mod Matrix Redux (using the key/arp modulation source, with arps and sequences, can give a lot of cool effects. this can be sort of like a filter keyboard tracking feature, but where anything can be the modulation target [not just the cutoff frequency]. note: it is the NOTE, not the pitch. so pitch modulations don't impact this modulation source.)
17:38 Sequencer: Real-Time Recording
20:51 Sequencer: Step Recording
23:33 Modulation Sequences (oh boy, i REALLY fricked up the audio in this part! i had my headphones [left ear only] plugged into a field recorder for the synth sound, as usual, BUT the field recorder line-in cable was apparently just DANGLING. the MicroFreak was going into a tabletop SPEAKER instead of the field recorder, and my brain was like "well, i hear it fine". i'd already broken down the setup, but was able to kind of salvage the segment by using the camera's audio to hear the synth. sorry for the poor quality. FORTUNATELY, you can hear the final result - correct quality - in the last part of the video, along with a PO-32 Tonic adding drums.)
26:51 Outro. Channel update discussion.
28:54 MicroFreak synced with PO-32 Tonic. Discussion of synchronization how-to. The "Spice It Up" card is from a really nice tea and spice shop that I visited while passing through Black Mountain, NC a few weeks ago.
LINKS
www.arturia.com - เพลง
This is a great video but seems like I have a little issue, for some reason once I am done with the sequence and press play nothing is playing, the light on the play button does not even light up. Anyone has an idea what I might have messed up here? I do everything as in the video. Thanks
Hey, it has been a minute, but I think there was an update that really changed some of the sequencer stuff. I recall that it made some of the stuff I was doing, like changing sequences, no longer worked. Anyway, not sure if this is the root of the issue you have encountered? Do arpeggios work? In sequencer mode, can you start the sequence by pressing a keyboard key? Let me know. I probably need to update mine but I can try to help.
@@undulations ohhhh that makes sense, I'll have to check what version I have and look up how the sequencer works with it. Thank you!!
@@undulations yea so I just checked and when in sequencer mode I can't start the sequence, pressing any keyboard key does not make amy sound
@@viktorplevnes9958 Well, I guess the first thing to check is one of the Arturia sequences. So, make sure to save stuff if you need to, and then go down to the lower preset numbers and scan for a preset with a sequence (arp/seq light blue is probably the best way to find one). Then try the basics: play button, sequence B button, sequence A button, stop (play button again), and see if the keyboard plays the sequence (transposed). Let me know👍🏻.
@@undulations I figured it out. Since I am playing dawless I had to change the source to INT...it was set to USB before...so if someone else is asking and looking for an answer, utility>sync>source> INT
in the best way possible, you are the bob ross of synths! WONDERFUL STUFF!!!!
Many thanks🙏! I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks a lot for watching!
OMG a bonus cat! :)))) Thank you very much for your MicroFreak series!!! A real treasure on TH-cam!
You are welcome! Thanks a lot for watching! ps in latest video (MicroGranny sampler) intro has like 5 minutes of manx on the table, mostly asleep :)
@@undulations Thank you! MMmmm! Exactly like mine - big, black and also on the table :) Again, many thanks for all your videos - they are extremely useful and inspiring!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
And I really like how you go in depth, best and deepest tutorials I’ve seen on the mf, and relaxing too. Keep up the good work. Thank you
I really appreciate the feedback!
I want to thank you. I have been learning and checking back on this for a full year. Merry Christmas 🎅
You're welcome, that is great to hear! Best wishes 🎄
thank you so much for making these. the best microfreak videos anywhere. very incredible stuff
christdolphin69 You’re welcome! I appreciate the feedback. I’ve had some ideas for more MF videos down the road. Thanks for watching!
I haven’t seen anywhere else what you explained in this video. Just gave me a good idea of how to couple the MF with the keystep pro. Thanks!
Hey, you're welcome! Thank you very much for the feedback!
ps I'm not 100% certain but I think some of the MF sequencing behavior has changed since I did this video (specifically, switching from one sequencing preset to a neighboring sequencing preset won't play seamlessly anymore; it just stops - not sure how that was a bugfix, tbh). That won't apply to sequencing it or playing it from the KSP, but I just figured I would mention it.)
@@undulations I am still evaluating wether to buy the MF or not so I will keep in mind your tip. So far I like everything that offers, specially with sequencer and arp. I think there is ni way to store an arp in a sequence in the keystep pro like you showed for the MF, that is why I think that could be something to take advantage of using the two. Keep up the good work, this is good synth academia.
Love how your sooo Calm when you talk...I think i wanna get one now...Sounds so Sci-Fi...right up my alley...
Yes, it does seem kind of futuristic! Thanks for watching!
Greatings from Germany and thank you for the calm speach that i can understand and follow 🤩 there is nothing to compare in german language 😨🌸
Reinhard Wolf I’m glad to hear that😀! Thank you for the feedback🙏🏼!
The best I’ve seen on the MF. Great teacher and the perfect tutorials. You are responsible for me buying the MF. 👍👍
Jo Azaredo Thank you, it means a lot to hear that🙏🏼 Enjoy your MicroFreak!
"Sliding window"...you've got a great way of explaining things :)
Thank you🙏!
this was my FAVORITE episode out of the 4. Arp/Seq. stuff is very exciting ... performing live with something like Pocket Op. would be sick ... and perhaps sing/rap over it towards the end too
Glad you liked it! So true, arpeggios on the MF are really fun - the keyboard and arp features really seem to go well together. I really enjoyed doing arps with the 3.0 update Noise Engineering oscillators👍🏻!
Awesome!
Many thanks for these tutorials. I tried using the Microfreak as soon as it arrived and I wasn't overly impressed. I plan now to get more out of it by using your tutorials. Much appreciated..
richard irons That is great to hear! Many thanks for the feedback👍🏻
Great sounds!
Thank you!
Great stuff. Thanks!
Luke You are welcome👍🏻!
Super informative videos! THANK YOU :)
Sonya Ziegler You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback!
Great. Very informative. Thanks
Thank you!
Very relaxed. Thank you.
You're welcome🙏🏼!
Sir, you are awesome! Awesome explaining, thanks a million!
Thanks very much for checking out the video🙏🏼!
Very informative! Thank you for taking the time to do this video!
Peace.
Absolutely! Thanks for checking it out🙏!
ps I think a couple of things have probably changed in the MF updates since this video. I don't think you can easily keep a sequence flowing when you change presets any more. Also, things like scale mode and chord mode hadn't come out at this point.
Great tutorials
Thank you!
Merci beaucoup très bien expliqué. Muito obrigado Muito bem explicado. Thank you
Thanks very much for
checking it out🙏🏼!
Great video and presentation, thank you
Thanks very much🙏🏼!
Great episode, excellent mood and great tempo for slow learners, congratulations and thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much! I really appreciate the feedback🙏🏼
Wow, your knowledge and presentation are amazing. Thanks! Just subbed!
Thank you very much🙏🏼!
I'm getting one of these next week. They sound like fun, and that's what music is supposed to be fun. And watching your tutorials has helped me figure out how to use this thing when I get it. THX
Hey, you're welcome! Thanks for watching🙏🏼 I'm uploading a new video about the 3.0 update in a few days (make sure to update when you get a chance, btw). Agreed, it is a very fun instrument, can do quite a lot👍🏻
@@undulations here is my question that you can help me out with I'm a guitar player start the dabble in the synthesizer stuff so I'm going to get this to you in it but am I going to have to upload the second one to or will that one already be in the new one when I get it the firmware?
@@sennstrato7281 Hey, I'm not exactly sure. BUT, in my experience, the Arturia Editor software (I think that's the name🤔) - it works well and you just sort of keep clicking "okay" and eventually will be all set. Let me know how it goes👍🏻!
Thank you so much for these lovely instructional sessions using the Micro Freak.
I have a sneaking suspicion that you are versed in the art of hypnotherapy or perhaps meditation.
I look forward to your explorations of the wide field of ambient music as it is a balm for the over stimulated mind of the present culture.
You're welcome! I really appreciate the kind response. No hypnotherapy but I have studied meditation quite a bit over the years. I guess I try to keep the vocal pacing steady, partly because I think it helps gets the point across, particularly to people that might speak English as a 2nd (or 3rd...) language - but mostly because it just has always seemed to suit the topics/format. I typically use an outline but rarely script more than a few important lines here or there - so going methodically helps me kind of stay on track and cover what I want to cover in the right order, more or less. I agree that ambient music can really help to bring _all_ of the intensity down a notch. Thanks a lot for watching!
Nice tutorials, boss!
Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback!
Great review, thanks
Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!
I should point out that some of the various updates have potentially changed things. Scale Mode is a nice addition (I talk about it in a follow-up video), but I think one of the updates made it so that you can't smoothly switch between sequences (between presets, or even between A & B). The sequencer just halts. I really don't see the logic. Maybe it has been re-updated to work again or maybe I just missed a setting or such? Anyway, thanks again!
@@undulations interesting, I'll check that out. Thanks for the quick reply!
As a non-keyboard player, I find the Microfreak's keybed harmonious -- I can intuit it in a way I can't with piano/organ-style keyboards. Thanks for this. It was useful, especially the idea of duplicating a voice in order to get more than two pre-recorded sequences. That screams for experimentation.
Hey, thanks for checking out the video! I get what you mean about the keybed, have always found it very expressive. I am not entirely positive, but I think that some of what I showed in this video became impossible with a later update, particularly shifting between sequences (and presets) without missing a beat, the update requiring each sequence to be initiated. I'm not sure why, but I hope it got switched back or has become a setting. Anyway, let me know how it goes and thanks again for watching!
Thank. You. I feel i hsve to watch this video religiously for e few weekz lol
Many thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!
ps I think some of the details have been changed by updates (have done a few videos about that). Thanks again!
Funny : You seem to pick the grear I also chose to explore. Just that you dived much deeper. And yout tutorials are really excellent. I also like that you change locations and explain acoustic phenomena and priciples a little bit.
Nice work. Go ahead!
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback! Enjoy the gear!
Thank you , very helpfull Tutorial
That's great! I appreciate you checking it out!
Just unboxed mine. This hilariously answers my first question: Screen brightness 🕶️
Always dig this channel.. thought I was subbed! Please keep it undulating, doc 👍
Hey, enjoy that MicroFreak!
ps not sure what firmware they are shipping with but make sure to get the Noise and Vocoder synthesis modes in the latest version👍🏻!
@@undulations Will do, much obliged! 🙏👍
Absolutely love your videos! I recently got a microfreak and watching your tutorials has helped me tremendously. I was thinking of using a mixer (Yamaha MG06X) to connect to the microfreak plus two other korg volcas. I wanted the output to be my laptop stereo speakers (they have a 3.5mm jack). Would I be able to convert the 3.5mm to 1/4 TRS and then connect it to the mixer?
Hey, I think the easiest thing is probably a "headphone" adaptor, which is 1/4" TRS (female) to 3.5mm TRS (male), and use the phones output - that should work fine. AND, be careful using the 1/4" TRS jack on the microfreak - it is a balanced signal there, which is a special low-noise mono signal (the microfreak is a mono device, so the headphone jack is just 'fake stereo' - duplicate mono). You _could_ get a 1/4" TRS to XLR cable (they are like $10) and hook that from the balanced output on the microfreak to an XLR jack on your mixer - that would be ideal, really. Otherwise, use the 3.5mm headphone out on the microfreak, which will require some sort of adaptor to go to the mixer (I don't recommend using a mono 1/4" jack on the microfreak). As for the Volcas, not sure which ones, but catch both channels if it is a stereo Volca, if you can (I think that's Sample, FM, and Drum?). Best of luck!
Fantastic tutorial. Thank you.
Could I use it to sequence or arpeggiate an external synth via midi? And, if so, can the Microfreak still make sound?
Hey, absolutely! You can send the midi or you can synchronize the two devices (if the other synth has a sequencer and clock or sync input). Check out Episode 2.5 in this series for some examples if you get a chance. Thanks for the feedback and thanks a lot for watching🙏🏼!
Thanks so much for the swift reply.
I watched episode 2.5 as suggested and that was helpful.
Thanks again.
Hi again! I just wanted to know in the video When you assign the the arp/key to the rate of the arpeggio if you are using synced or tempo setting on the arpeggiator.
Pretty sure it was unsynced🤔 Will check my notes...
Again one great and deep review on the MF, thanks!
I found that difficult to be on time with other gears as when you hit a key the arpeggio starts with a silence and then the triggered note is heard..
It's more obvious when you set it at a low rate
-> is it possible to set the arpeggio so that the first note played is triggered instantly?
Cheers!
guitdafunkadelik Thank you much! I don’t know of any settings, maybe there is some way to try to time shift the gear you are syncing to (but for a lot of gear this might not be possible). BUT, do you have the 2.03 update? I’m looking at the info on it and it does mention fixing a lot of sync issues. Hoping the update might help. Thanks for watching!
@@undulations thanks for taking the time to reply! Indeed i only got firmware 1.1.390
I'll DL new firmware after lockdown
Cheers from Paris !
guitdafunkadelik Cool! ps If you get a chance, check out my video about the update👍🏻
Thanks much better than manual
Thank you!
I really enjoy your videos. You move at a good pace for me to keep up. I have a question: Can you modulate the arp/seq rate through the matrix?
Thank you very much🙏🏼! Yes, absolutely! You just need to scroll to a matrix node in one of the last 3 columns (Assign 1, Assign 2, or Assign 3), hold the relevant Assign button, and then tweak the Arp/Seq rate knob to set the connection. So, for example, I scroll to the Assign1/LFO node using the Matrix knob, hold the Assign1 button, and turn the Arp/Sec rate knob. Then you adjust the connection intensity as usual. I find that it usually takes some playing around with the values (and deciding about sync vs. no sync) to get the effect that I want. Best of luck and thanks for watching👍🏻
Thank you for your expedient answer. I’ll probably have more questions along the way as it seems that you are passionate about the gear and explainig how to use them. Your videos have been instrumental in my learning. Love your vids!
Hi again. So I wanted to add an important detail to the mod matrix redux section of the video. I don’t know if you mention it but in order to manipulate the rate with the key/arp, the global tempo un the utility menu must be off. Otherwise the rate will not be affected. 👍
This is a great point👍🏻!
Hi amazing video!! I have my Microfreak connected to my mpc one and when I turn on the arp on the MF, it starts the sequence (or stops it) on the mpc. Do you know why it does this and how to stop it?
Different style of presentation. Detailed but personal.
position normal I hope you found it helpful. Thanks for checking it out👍🏻!
I love the arp on the MF. It's so easy to hold some notes, switch the octave range, a bit of spice and dice, and then save it as a sequence with the shift function. It makes generating an interesting sequence very fast
Yes, so true! Even just thinking about the arps makes me want to get it out and play (I really need to update it first)! Thoughts on the new MiniFreak? It looks cool, but I dream more about some sort of hypothetical NanoFreak🤔.
@@undulations I think the minifreak is a cool evolution of the concept, especially for poly/paraphonic stuff, but the microfreak is still the one for me. The keybed with aftertouch and CV/clock outputs make it perfect for modular madness
@@Psionetics totally agree! i'm particularly keen on the fx part of the Mini (and i wish they would make a MicroFreak synthesis mode that has reverb/delay). i guess the NanoFreak i'm dreaming about would be sort of like a Volca size, battery powered, maybe 1 octave of the cap keybed, reduced mod matrix i guess, maybe fx sends that are part of the matrix? anyway, MicroFreak is still a real favorite!
@@undulations That would be an interesting little machine, a "volcafreak". I would also welcome FX voice modes. While we're at it, let's add a neural port for jacking into the mod matrix, and swap the filter for a polivoks clone.
A great Tutorial - but at time 14:27 you change the preset during playing a sequence and the sound keeps on playing and the sequence changes to A in the new preset. When I change the preset - although I copied two similar presets in follow - the sound stops and I have to press the sequence button again. How can I change the preset without stopping the play?
Thank you! Well, for reasons I don't understand, the ability to switch from one sequence preset to another sequence preset was _removed_ in the update that introduced Noise Synthesis Mode back in January. In the Information on Arturia's website, released with the firmware, this change is considered an "improvement". I'm not sure how difficult it would be to roll back the firmware on a MicroFreak if you really want this feature. I would really like to see this become a setting on the MicroFreak (Sequence Reset yes/no). Another way to deal with it would be to use some sort of control button, maybe Shift, such that if you change the preset with Shift held down it will allow the sequence to keep playing in the new preset. Thanks for watching!
Ok it’s not just me then. No worries I’ll have much more stuff to keep my mind occupied with the MicroFreak. Another great video, Sir!
i recently got a MF so this video is very helpful. it seems though that if you record a sequence in paraphonic mode it still acts as monophonic in that any over-dubbed notes you record will cut off any notes beneath them.. or am i missing something?
Hey, you are right that the MF won't let you do a paraphonic overdub on existing notes in live recording. You can just replace something already in the sequence with something new. And just to be clear, in paraphonic mode you can put chords of up to 4 notes into a sequence step (either step recording or live recording). Now, that said, you _could_ try adding a chord that contains the note(s) already playing in that slot, giving the same effect as true overdubbing (seems like it could be tricky, idk). Anyway, I hope this helps. It seems like an overdub mode would be a cool preset setting to include in a firmware update🤔 Thanks a lot for the feedback and thanks for watching!
@@undulations ok good to know, thx again
Is it possible to trigger the arpeggio externally, advancing a step which each trigger?
Well, it is, but I feel like it takes some tinkering to get it to work in a reasonable way. I think midi just sends notes, possibly shares tempo data, and doesn't really work the way you are wanting. So that makes clock-in on the MF the best choice for it (at least from the testing I've done, maybe I'm missing something🤔). BUT if you just use clock-out or sync-out from another device it will just lock to that tempo. But using gate voltages, cv pitch signals, or trigger signals (from a modular setup, for example) can work. You can play a chord, press hold, and it will wait until you hit a key (like on a KeyStep controller), or a pad (from something like a BeatStep controller), or for an external sequencer (like a Korg SQ-1). - with the gate-out of any of these devices hooked to the clock-in of the MF. But it can take some fine-tuning of the MF sync settings, gates might trigger the arp on the rising edge and the falling edge if the note is held too long or the sequencer duty cycle is too long. That said, I _was_ able to set up an arp that plays at random intervals of time using the SQ-1, pauses of very different lengths as the arp progresses. I hope this answer helps some. ps What do you plan to trigger it with?
@@undulations Thanks for your extensive reply. So in short, it should work if you were to trigger through a gate output to the clock input of the MF, though the duration (and possibly the voltage) of the gate is crucial in triggering it correctly. I have several modular modules such as Ladik’s Drum Girl and the DNI Dot (Euclidian) with which I’d like to trigger it, or a clock divider for instance to create a 3/4 trigger pattern on a 4 note chord. Judging from what you wrote I might additionally need to use trigger to gate. My aim is to create something similar to the Figure (phone/tablet) app which I always find highly intuitive.
@@KPsTboy Yes, between directly triggering, possibly using gates (but there's a possibility that triggers might work better because it seems like the detection algorithm might 'reset' after a while) , and changing the sync settings on the MF, I feel like you could get something to work.
Quick question. The 1/4 output. Do I need a 1/4 TRS to a split left / right 1/4 TS. Or a 1/4 TRS to a 1/4 TS ?
Hey, I can't remember exactly what I said in the video or the description. The issue with that 1/4" output is that it is a TRS jack but for a _balanced_ signal output. One way to view that is if you used a Y-cable (just my term for the the split cable you describe) you would have a mono signal on one side (say the Left), then on the Right you'd have an inverted copy of the _same_ mono signal. So, unless you have some destination that receives a balanced signal (some audio interfaces and monitors do), you might be better off using the _unbalanced_ headphone output (it's dual mono - same signal on left and right side). Now, if you just want/need a second output, you could try using just a single 1/4" TS signal from the Y-cable? I don't know about leaving the other half of the Y-cable dangling, might introduce noise? You could send both signals to a mixer and just turn one all the way down. Just FYI, the whole balanced output thing (common on microphones in particular) is just so the receiving gear can subtract Signal 2 from Signal 1, but since Signal 2 is -Signal 1 it just ends up being 2*Signal 1. Then, any sort of external noise (e.g. noise picked up by the cables) on _both_ of the Signals gets subtracted out - which is great for lowering noise. BUT, this sort of phase cancelling stuff in unexpected/unwanted situations can be mind-blowing. I've seen at least one TH-cam MicroFreak upload/review that has this problem. Basically, when you listen to the audio on separated speakers it can sound pretty much okay. There might be a "phase plane" down the middle of your listening space, which is weird, annoying. But on an older (mono) phone speaker - the sound is basically just gone. Anyway, sorry for the longwinded answer; I hope it helps some. Thanks for watching!
@@undulations You are absolutely a Mad Professor. Thank you good sir !
is there any way to record pressure for each step in the seq?
how to sync with external sequencer. my micro freak stops after a few notes when using the arp. cant figure out or configure the settings properly so that it plays continuous lmk thanks!
hey, what sequencer are you using?
@@undulations MPC One. im having a hard time trying to find info. thanks
@@newday8545 Well, I don't have an MPC, so I might not be the best help. Are you doing it through MIDI or is there some other way (like sync, clock, or cv ports)?
back again! :)
when I live record a sequence it just won't replay my initial playing : it will start with a silence or with the last notes of my sequence.
It presents also some swing when I make more rythmic patterns.
Discussing it with Arturia's support and they'll look into it for next firmware upgrade
Anyone has these issues?
be all well!
Thanks for letting me know the status. I hope the issue gets resolved in the next firmware.
Funny how there's always a cat that comes out of nowhere in these utube videos.
Well, it's a small place, 2 cats, and I guess it just works out that way? A lot of times I'll do a couple of takes of the same shot and, all else being equal, I'll pick the take with a cat vs. without. Thanks for watching!
@@undulations Glad you do. I am always amused when I see a kitty show up, haha. Love them. They always make a video more interesting. Oh yeah, the freak is cool also.
Joe Blow You said it! I'm working on a video about its new "vocoder synthesis mode" right now, should be uploading in a few days👍🏻
I get a bad vibe from this guy. Not sure why. He seems like he might be into some dark shit. If i am wrong my deepest apologies. But Im usually right. This guy has a secret
sorry u get a bad vibe, dude. i guess if it's not your cup of tea then try another brew (maybe hainbach or midlife or lookmum). anyway, peace.
sounds like youre just projecting.
wtf
@@FreddieShreddieTV idk. at least bash me on something from the last year😑.