this is centred around the recording/playback machine with muting technique mentioned a while ago on Elektron Users.
Essentially, the idea is to have a scenario that allows changing Patterns while still keeping the first Pattern sounding with the new Pattern muted (and yet previewing through the headphones).
The MD doesn’t have a Cue button, but it does have multiple assignable outputs.
So, this technique requires one thing to work - a device that can power a signal to the headphones. A compact preamp, or a mixer. Needs to have an economical footprint if this is to work in a live context. I’m using a tiny Xenyx mixer borrowed from a friend. The main stereo output from the Machinedrum does not go through this. The Xenyx is only there to receive a preview audio signal from the Machinedrum’s extra outputs, such as Output E.
the Machinedrum’s main outputs go through the venue’s main power amp or through xlr inputs on the stage which then run through a multicore to the front-of-house guy’s desk.
Ram Record Machines 1 and 2 on Trigs M1 and M2,
Record Machine 1 on Trig 13 (M1) is an input/recording machine for an external synth sequenced by the Machinedrum, and Cue Level 1 is turned up to about 3’o’clock.
Record Machine 2 on Trig Slot 14 (M2) is for internal resampling, and thus, the Cue levels are turned down,
When feeling ready to change patterns in the not-too-distant-future, sample one bar of what is currently playing using Record Machine 2.
Ram Play Machines 1 and 2 on Trigs M3 and M4 (tracks 15 and 16).
Each Pattern in a live performance will have a Kit with this arrangement for tracks 13, 14, 15, 16.
Track 16 (Ram Play Machine #2) will be muted by default and only switched on when doing the transition.
Each Pattern in a Bank prepared for a performance will have a trig note at the start of each bar on Track 16, so no matter what Pattern is selected, anything that was resampled on Ram Record Machine 2 will be trigged to play on Ram Play Machine 2.
turn the level of Trig 16 down to zero before unmuting it. It will be playing the sampled bar. Umute the track. Before bringing the level up, ensure the track is selected, then open Global settings.
use a Global Slot change to quickly send tracks 1-12 to the small preview mixer, thus muting them on the main out,
and sending them to the Headphones through the mixer.
as you do this, smoothly bring up the level of the sampled one bar playing on track 16.
The result will be pretty seamless. Nothing would have seemed to change to the audience, but now, it is possible to change Pattern without changing the sound immediately. The sampled one-bar is looping still, as all Patterns have a trig note on note 1 for track 16, the playback track. But the new pattern is now playing out through Output E, and that in turn is feeding into the simple preview mixer or preamp, which in turn is then sending the audio signal as a preview cue out to the headphones. Coolness.
use Global settings as a way of quickly jumping between two sets of audio output configurations…
Global Slot 1 has the usual Stereo Main Out configuration
Global Slot 2 is configured to send audio from Machines 1-12 to Output E,
whilst allowing machines M1-M4 (13, 14, 15 and 16) to continue through the Stereo Main Out.