A few notes on softsynths I've been digging up:
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Though it has to be said, once again the trusty old MicroFreak is a winner here. So easy to add into this setup. For a small and cheap synthesizer, this thing just keeps giving.
@reinderdijkhuis I'm not very experienced with this stuff but I've been using Reaper for a few months, after Garageband & then Ardour, and I gotta say, it's pretty dang user-friendly
I recommend you check out Kenny Gioia's videos, they're hands down the best, super-easy to follow, extremely comprehensive 
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Though it has to be said, once again the trusty old MicroFreak is a winner here. So easy to add into this setup. For a small and cheap synthesizer, this thing just keeps giving.
The hardware end of my next synth setup is starting to take shape: I dug out Spouse's #MicroBrute in the hope of making usable bass sounds with it, and on the suggestion of a kind user here, dug out the Alesis SR-16 along with the Zoom R16. Testing them individually before digging out the MIDI hub (Icon, barely ever used before) and adding the BeatStep Pro to the session, which is currently still hooked to the desktop computer.
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The hardware end of my next synth setup is starting to take shape: I dug out Spouse's #MicroBrute in the hope of making usable bass sounds with it, and on the suggestion of a kind user here, dug out the Alesis SR-16 along with the Zoom R16. Testing them individually before digging out the MIDI hub (Icon, barely ever used before) and adding the BeatStep Pro to the session, which is currently still hooked to the desktop computer.
The SR-16 was as I left it, with one output channel broken. That was the reason I didn't initially consider it for this project, but y'know, that still leaves three channels: one for the kick drum and two (left/right) for everything else.
The MicroBrute was all gunged up so I'll have to wash the knobs before doing any more work. No one wants a sticky knob. -
The SR-16 was as I left it, with one output channel broken. That was the reason I didn't initially consider it for this project, but y'know, that still leaves three channels: one for the kick drum and two (left/right) for everything else.
The MicroBrute was all gunged up so I'll have to wash the knobs before doing any more work. No one wants a sticky knob.Dunno why that happened, it was in a bag all the time.
The MicroBrute was also bought second hand and has some bits not working, including the highest key on the keyboard. And the built-in sequencer doesn't appear to work (or we're doing something wrong) but since I'm going to bypass that entirely, it doesn't matter.
The MIDI hub is the one I bought years ago to solve a problem with a previous setup; it took a while to arrive and I ended up not using it for that purpose.
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Dunno why that happened, it was in a bag all the time.
The MicroBrute was also bought second hand and has some bits not working, including the highest key on the keyboard. And the built-in sequencer doesn't appear to work (or we're doing something wrong) but since I'm going to bypass that entirely, it doesn't matter.
The MIDI hub is the one I bought years ago to solve a problem with a previous setup; it took a while to arrive and I ended up not using it for that purpose.
So it would be nice if that finally became useful.
It's been a while since I've used the Zoom R16 as anything other than an interface, but it works well on its own. It's in good shape, and I know what to do with it.
That leaves me with what to choose as the third synth, for pads and arps. My first choice is the MicroFreak, but I have MicroKorg sitting around that I've barely used and I"m tempted to give that a try.
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So it would be nice if that finally became useful.
It's been a while since I've used the Zoom R16 as anything other than an interface, but it works well on its own. It's in good shape, and I know what to do with it.
That leaves me with what to choose as the third synth, for pads and arps. My first choice is the MicroFreak, but I have MicroKorg sitting around that I've barely used and I"m tempted to give that a try.
On the software end, it's gonna be Reaper and I should be ready to use it with the same ease as I use GarageBand now by February. The timeline is basically: October: test the setup and make decisions; November, December: Learn to use Reaper and the BeatStep Pro with this setup; January; record some instrumental DAWless jams: February: FAWM, electronic edition.
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On the software end, it's gonna be Reaper and I should be ready to use it with the same ease as I use GarageBand now by February. The timeline is basically: October: test the setup and make decisions; November, December: Learn to use Reaper and the BeatStep Pro with this setup; January; record some instrumental DAWless jams: February: FAWM, electronic edition.
So far the only money I've spent is on a license for Reaper. It'd be nice if that was it and everything else is covered by equipment Spouse and I already own.
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So far the only money I've spent is on a license for Reaper. It'd be nice if that was it and everything else is covered by equipment Spouse and I already own.
People don't like watching videos to help solve a problem they're having right now (too slow, too unpredictable) but this five-minute video on YouTube told me exactly the things I needed to know to make the Beatstep Pro and the SR16 talk to one another, even though the note chart is a little off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeYGHKVICKY
Basically, the notes on the drum section of the BeatStep Pro aren't organized like on the two other sequencer sections.
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People don't like watching videos to help solve a problem they're having right now (too slow, too unpredictable) but this five-minute video on YouTube told me exactly the things I needed to know to make the Beatstep Pro and the SR16 talk to one another, even though the note chart is a little off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeYGHKVICKY
Basically, the notes on the drum section of the BeatStep Pro aren't organized like on the two other sequencer sections.
When I went to take the midi hub box of its box, for the first time in years, I finally remembered that it was intended for use with a computer and DAW. Which is fine, that was the use case that I bought it for. But it means that with this device, the hardware-based version of the setup won't be DAWless. Which is fine! Except it's not because it means more desk space, more sockets in use and more complexity.
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When I went to take the midi hub box of its box, for the first time in years, I finally remembered that it was intended for use with a computer and DAW. Which is fine, that was the use case that I bought it for. But it means that with this device, the hardware-based version of the setup won't be DAWless. Which is fine! Except it's not because it means more desk space, more sockets in use and more complexity.
I'll still do it, because I got this far already and it's a learning experience. Also, I want to see how far I can get with the stuff I already have and without spending any money. But the all-virtual variant is looking more attractive now. Though I will need to look into drum plugins again, because until now I've been relying on whatever came with GarageBand, and I won't be using GarageBand in this project.
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I'll still do it, because I got this far already and it's a learning experience. Also, I want to see how far I can get with the stuff I already have and without spending any money. But the all-virtual variant is looking more attractive now. Though I will need to look into drum plugins again, because until now I've been relying on whatever came with GarageBand, and I won't be using GarageBand in this project.
I guess I could just admit that hybrid is the way to go: one or two hardware synths at a time, as many as fit on the upstairs desk, and virtual otherwise. Or I could completely clear out the upstairs desk and try to fit everything in. Which, meh, if it doesn't fit on the dining table, it's not gonna fit on the upstairs desk.
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I guess I could just admit that hybrid is the way to go: one or two hardware synths at a time, as many as fit on the upstairs desk, and virtual otherwise. Or I could completely clear out the upstairs desk and try to fit everything in. Which, meh, if it doesn't fit on the dining table, it's not gonna fit on the upstairs desk.
Progress today: tried using the MIDI out.through of the SR16 to control the MicroBrute and after fixing the channel in Midi Control Center, that worked. Made a usable bass patch on the MicroBrute and recorded some garbage to prove that it was working.
Meanwhile, upstairs, I tried out the Cube MI5 MIDI interface within Reaper, and played the MicroFreak through the virtual keyboard in Reaper. Nice.Tomorrow I may put all the things together. Or leave the house for a bit, IDK.
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Progress today: tried using the MIDI out.through of the SR16 to control the MicroBrute and after fixing the channel in Midi Control Center, that worked. Made a usable bass patch on the MicroBrute and recorded some garbage to prove that it was working.
Meanwhile, upstairs, I tried out the Cube MI5 MIDI interface within Reaper, and played the MicroFreak through the virtual keyboard in Reaper. Nice.Tomorrow I may put all the things together. Or leave the house for a bit, IDK.
Oh! I also found a USB hub so I will have enough ports on my laptop to hook up the audio interface, MIDI interface and controller, and cleared up desk space upstairs. In a pinch, I can get everything on there as long as I don't use anything larger than the MicroFreak/Brute.
And there was one more thing, but I forgot what it was again.
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Oh! I also found a USB hub so I will have enough ports on my laptop to hook up the audio interface, MIDI interface and controller, and cleared up desk space upstairs. In a pinch, I can get everything on there as long as I don't use anything larger than the MicroFreak/Brute.
And there was one more thing, but I forgot what it was again.
In case you were wondering why I'm writing up all these tiny steps in a public place: it's for days like today when putting it all together fails miserably. I tried to do, with three devices at the time, what I did successfully with one device on a different computer, from memory. So that was a much bigger step and after an hour and a half of scratching my head, I have nothing to show for it.
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In case you were wondering why I'm writing up all these tiny steps in a public place: it's for days like today when putting it all together fails miserably. I tried to do, with three devices at the time, what I did successfully with one device on a different computer, from memory. So that was a much bigger step and after an hour and a half of scratching my head, I have nothing to show for it.
Yesterday: set up a MIDI track in Reaper with the virtual keyboard as its input, routed it to a MIDI output on the Icon M15, sent that MIDI signal to the MicroFreak, got successfully played the MicroFreak that way.
Today: set up two MIDI tracks in Reaper with the BeatStep Pro as their inputs, routed to two MIDI outputs on the Icon M15, sent those signals to the drum machine and the MicroBrute, got zip. Didn't even get around to hooping up the 'Freak. -
Yesterday: set up a MIDI track in Reaper with the virtual keyboard as its input, routed it to a MIDI output on the Icon M15, sent that MIDI signal to the MicroFreak, got successfully played the MicroFreak that way.
Today: set up two MIDI tracks in Reaper with the BeatStep Pro as their inputs, routed to two MIDI outputs on the Icon M15, sent those signals to the drum machine and the MicroBrute, got zip. Didn't even get around to hooping up the 'Freak.Simplifying further, bringing the Mi5 back in but hooking up only one device and starting over with an empty project: more or less the same result: MIDI not going out of the computer to the Mi5 (or not going out of the Mi5 to the synth), and while I can hear sound through my interface, nothing meaningful is making it to the tracks.
What does make it to the tracks may be audio representations of the MIDI signal? But if so, how? -
Simplifying further, bringing the Mi5 back in but hooking up only one device and starting over with an empty project: more or less the same result: MIDI not going out of the computer to the Mi5 (or not going out of the Mi5 to the synth), and while I can hear sound through my interface, nothing meaningful is making it to the tracks.
What does make it to the tracks may be audio representations of the MIDI signal? But if so, how?Anyway, I'm gonna take a break and then later today, I'm gonna retrace my steps from yesterday (one synth, on the upstairs computer, with the settings that Reaper has on that machine), and try to find out what I did differently then. There are a few variables outside of Reaper, but I'll deal with those one at a time.
Rest assured: I will also be reading the manual. It's just that at 456 pages, getting to what I need may take a while.
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Anyway, I'm gonna take a break and then later today, I'm gonna retrace my steps from yesterday (one synth, on the upstairs computer, with the settings that Reaper has on that machine), and try to find out what I did differently then. There are a few variables outside of Reaper, but I'll deal with those one at a time.
Rest assured: I will also be reading the manual. It's just that at 456 pages, getting to what I need may take a while.
Upstairs now and on the iMac, everything works just the way I set it up, and just the way I expect it to: Beatstep goes into Midi track in #reaper Midi track sends to Midi hub, Midi hub sends to MicroFreak, MicroFreak sends audio to audio track, audio track sends to master bus, master bus sends audio back out, easy as pie. Stuff gets recorded too.
Now, I this is a different MacOS version and a different audio interface, so these are variables I could check for.
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Upstairs now and on the iMac, everything works just the way I set it up, and just the way I expect it to: Beatstep goes into Midi track in #reaper Midi track sends to Midi hub, Midi hub sends to MicroFreak, MicroFreak sends audio to audio track, audio track sends to master bus, master bus sends audio back out, easy as pie. Stuff gets recorded too.
Now, I this is a different MacOS version and a different audio interface, so these are variables I could check for.
But there's a niggle: I was reminded this afternoon that I cannot work uninterrupted downstairs due to frequent borksplosions. So what I'm gonna do instead is bring all the gear back upstairs and squeeze everything onto this desk. Starting with the audio interface: I like the one I'm using upstairs for daily use, but it's only got two inputs and I need five. So after I shut the computer down for the night, I will swap the interfaces.
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But there's a niggle: I was reminded this afternoon that I cannot work uninterrupted downstairs due to frequent borksplosions. So what I'm gonna do instead is bring all the gear back upstairs and squeeze everything onto this desk. Starting with the audio interface: I like the one I'm using upstairs for daily use, but it's only got two inputs and I need five. So after I shut the computer down for the night, I will swap the interfaces.
And that's it for today because I'm very tired. Will be watching tutorials passively the rest of the evening.
