Norns

Syncing is often pretty straightforward to sort out - are you using USB midi?

And do you have a Grid ? MLR seems difficult without one, to be honest.

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Yeah not sure it’s possible to use MLR without a grid.

Have you seen this demo? Just released the other day and provides a pretty good overview: https://youtu.be/0sLX6baLqYw

One thing I think they missed was that you can assign each track to any buffer. I like to use that to create multi-tap/loop delays. Happy to explain in more detail. :slight_smile:

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Would recommend a look at Cheat Codes 2. Has a better UI for use without a grid (although it’s still not ideal), and has built it support for being controlled with a Launchpad or OP-Z if you have one.

i wish i could help but i never try to sync any of my instruments

do any of the tools you’ve got use ableton link? that’s probably the easiest way i can think of syncing to norns

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Just to iterate I do have a grids

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MLR and cheat codes are great but they have a lot going on if you’re just jumping in. Otis and wrms do a lot of fun delay/buffer mangling with a much more shallow learning curve, I’d start with little things like that and work your way up.

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Another good entry point is something like oooooo, which doesn’t necessarily need a grid but is even better with one for faster control of loops and lfos.

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I’m waiting for my Shield to arrive

I’m wanting to use it to output MIDI to Ableton. Can it handle midi over usb and will Ableton recognise this or will I need to get a usb to midi cable?

Midi over usb no problem. Also link capable. :+1:

:edit: whoops, not sure what I was thinking, sorry!

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How could MIDI notes and clock be sent to Ableton Live using only a USB cable (not interface) from Norns? I’ve been under the impression that isn’t possible since Norns acts only as a host. How do you connect it?

You may need something else depending upon your setup.

Check that thread for more detailed info.

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Nope, you’re right. Been awhile since I got everything setup (through my midi router) so I totally glazed over this. Sorry!

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probably late for the train but how do I get my hands on a norns?

For a factory-made model, the Monome website indicates that the restock date is unknown (this is due to supply chain issues, particularly with the Raspberry Pi Compute module it uses).

A DIY Norns Shield is another option, for which you can find various makers online (I got one from an eBay maker in Germany a couple of years ago, who is still active; there are others on Reverb too, one of whom is a known active Lines member.

You can also download the PCB images and have your own board made for onwards full DIY construction, 3D case printing etc, but that will require soldering skills too, and of course finding a suitable Raspberry Pi (not Compute) as well.

Good luck!

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I think a Norns is a great investment and you can learn a lot with it! (i do have learnt a lot)
In this video I use it with a tracker script called zxcvbn by @infinitedigits , that has built-in synths, samplers and FX, so you can make complete tracks, in a very creative way.

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A quite useful overview of what Norns (in this case a Shield) is and some of what it can do (which need not of course be as ambient as in most of the examples in the video):