Need help imagining this as I can’t find a straightforward video or info about it all.
I’m looking to do a live performance using a mix of gear. Maybe I’m dreaming too much, but if someone has an idea I’d be open to hear it.
What I’m trying to achieve:
A live improv performance with basically every key element of a song accessible at the fingertips but maintain a concise format for the listener that’s smooth.
I don’t need to use all my studio gear, but at least the brain for mixing, drum machine, and one analog synth. I do have a laptop to add in as well.
What I want to mainly use:
Elektron Octotrack
Elektron Analog Rytm
Moog Sub37
Ableton Push (for digital VST/fx control)
Ableton 11.1 for anything the hardware is lacking.
Main question I’m asking, when performing, I technically can setup “songs” with the Octotrack. I could even just load all my stems on it.
What I really wanted to do was have the Analog Rytm be the controller for drum channels / layers on a track, but be able to switch kits as needed. How is this not a thing? Or did I miss it?
If someone could point me to some good information on best practices for setting song project files up or at least a solution for songs that will require multiple drum kits switched in/out that would be helpful.
That’s a lot to explain in this format!
I personally don’t use Ableton in this way, but perhaps there is someone on the forum willing to share a template? That would probably be the most effective
In my eyes, it would make more sense for Ableton to be the parent machine and do your switching from there. In Ableton you can create program changes and other MIDI events within scenes.
Good luck!
You’ve given yourself too many options by having Octatrack, Ableton, Push and AR in the same set-up. You’ve so much power and flexibility that it’s impossible to decide.
You could do everything you want with just Ableton and Push. Or with just the Octatrack and careful samples, or with AR and Octatrack…
Go simpler. What’s the gear you feel most comfortable or happy playing? Make that the centrepiece and build around it.
When you’re putting a live set together you want fewer options, less flexibility, but not none.
Ok, so on to the AR. Can you explain your question about kits in more detail? Every AR pattern has a kit. You can select kits by selecting patterns. Do you want to play patterns from the AR, or only use it as a controller?
I want a mostly physical hardware driven solution for my live gear.
I didn’t think having a drum machine + using the Octotrack as a flexible mixer/sampler would complicate things.
I do DJ live 8/16 bar loops but it basically would require me to live record on the Octotrack and then load the drum kit each time.
Ableton vs. Octotrack, You cannot transition tracks with Ableton as a live loop without software hacks.
Example: in Ableton, you cannot live loop the last 8 or 16 bars at will and then keep that positioned while transitioning into a track. It seems trivial but it’s not possible with one instance.
You basically have to live sample preemptively and know where the loop is.
I would mainly be using it for some EQ, minor effects, improv sequence change, or things like MIDI time code send for light show design / visual syncs with the sends going thru 8 tracks and controlling this way.
I personally wanted the Rytm for playing patterns yes, but a typical kit I create only has maybe 8 elements/sounds. I’m asking is there a smooth way to transition with it to another new kit + new pattern without suddenness or do I need the Octotrack to live loop record or transition to another track with it first.
I don’t know a way to move from kit to kit, with the AR, whilst keeping sounds from the previous kit playing. I have tried setting up “transition patterns” with kits that mix sounds from the “previous” and “next” tracks/kits/patterns… but it was unsatisfactory. (e.g. I tweaked a sound during performance so that it hung around for ages with modulations and fun stuff, but when you move to the next kit, even if the root sound on that track is the same in the new kit, the old sound will cut off).
The next time I perform that set (or similar), I’ll bring my Octatrack.
I don’t think you need to load anything. The Rytm’s sets hold 128 Patterns with up to 128 Kits. If you have an Octatrack, or Ableton, you can sample the Rytm, play back the sample, change the Rytm, to the next pattern. This is the most “famous” use of an Octatrack.
The “Improvised Techno” thread has loads of cool stuff in it.
And on YouTube and Bandcamp, EZBot (I can’t remember his username is on here), @Dataline and @cuckoomusic have great tutorials, free and paid, for using the Octatrack this way.
if youre only using 8 sounds on rytm, you could sample them as they are with fx and whatnot and run 4 of them on the remaining tracks of the next kit, it would require a set kit order, but it would make transitions pretty seemless, you could easily copy the track patterns over
. Very well then it’s decided.