Thanks, this is what I thought also, just load song by song and have some improvisation in every song (that is what is all the fun is about) But the way I work is a bit different. I work pattern by pattern so I build the song while I go. On the Elektrons that was pretty easy to do and offcourse its the same with the Deluge, just load the next pattern, that doesn’t have to be the next in line. But when I tested it out yesterday, it hasn’t got the same flow for me, you cannot choose from a row of patterns but you need to dail to that pattern. That is why I thought of clip sections or simply loop a part in the arranger. Clip sections is allright but for an hour liveset… No go. So I think I will divide my liveset in four or five parts (songs) and within that make sections…
Why not take an Elektron then, well I like how i can create things on the Deluge, samples, synths, the sequencer. I am having fun doing that and its fast, I can just simply lay down ideas and work that out, that flow is there. Plus there is CV/gate out so no need for midi to CV module in my rack.
Maybe I need to just dive in and adjust my workflow in a liveset, I will get there eventually
Thanks for the ideas all. I will get to work now…
Edit: In between the Elektrons and Deluge I have been working with modular sequencers… So I have been out of the Hardware sequencer game for about 2 years, but for a longer liveset I don’t like modular sequencers…
You could probably make it work using a combination of Deluge arrangement songs and Deluge “song mode” songs? So use the song mode songs (maybe even use multiple songs for 1 “song”?) so that you can have pre-defined “patterns” mute states etc - eg song1a, song1b, song1c etc. Then use arrangements for pieces with a more pre-defined structure, when the arrangement ends the next cued up song or arrangement will load and play IIRC. So a kind of mix and match approach, could be worth a try?
This is what I have tried last night and I think I can work with that. I need a bit of arrangement mode for the fundamentals of the song. Switching from and to arrangement mode is very doable and I have enough overview where I am at. I stick to one song, so one arrangement, per song and make some transitions in separate songs without arrangement. I have multiple layers (clips) but I know what is what so thats no problem. There is a video of someone on the Tubes that explained switching from and to arrangement in a live performance. I will gonna try that and make it my own.
Thanks for the suggestions and help. I need to think a bit different then on the Elektrons. But I can adapt to that and eventually I will be happy to perform longer sets with the deluge.
Well I’ll be interested to know how you get on, sadly I have not been using my Deluge much lately but one of the things that I plan on doing is a live set (just at home, not a gig) so if you find a way to get it working well for you please report back
I will do. I have had my Deluge sitting in a box for over a year because I used modular sequencers, so I had to do some learning but it was easy to get on with it again. The only thing I never used was the arranger. I think the arranger and I will get along just fine.
I’ve had a Deluge for almost two years, and I love it. I’ll be taking delivery of my first Elektron box next week, a Digitone Keys.
Anyone have tips or videos that really helped you, to learn the Elektron workflow coming from a Deluge background?
This is what I came from, too. Just be patient. It’s different, but once you get to know it, it really is one of the most intuitive workflows out there and everything else pales in comparison IMO.
I honestly try to figure a lot out on my own at the very beginning, and then resort to the manual. I believe there’s a good Cuckoo video where he does a whole tutorial of the Digitone.
@neilbaldwin I made some kits using the synthesis in the drum kit directly, assuming that you used the synth mode as you mention these are not saved as kits, it has been a while since I used my Deluge but any particular reason why you did not use the drum kit mode to make these?
Two reasons: you can’t clone Kit rows and you can’t load Synths into Kit rows. This makes the creation of variation/iterration on a particular synthesis method difficult as you have to start from scratch every time you make a new drum sound. I’m hoping Synthstrom are going to address this. In the meantime you can use my Python script to build a Kit and I am almost done with a GUI version of the same tool. The guy who’s writing the sample kit builder has said he’s going to look at adding the ability to create kits with synth sounds in too. The best solution would be for Synthstrom to address the Kit row cloning and loading of Synths into kits but until then, creating individual sounds gives you the most flexibility and experience when you’re in the flow of crafting sounds (you can just save endless variations on the SD very easily and then cull later)
Ahh yeah the lack of row cloning in kits is a (nother) weird omission, especially given how easy it is to clone a track - hold grid pad then press empty grid pad to clone track, should be the same for kit rows, I asked for this in a FR a while back, I guess you did too
“Write a song withing twelve minutes. Perform it for three minutes.” These were the rules to participate in the Synthstrom Deluge Dozen event.
Using patterns with independent different lenghts for each track, and also with heavy use of probabilities made the pattern look a lot longer than what really it is. This is a common technique in ambient music that makes the Deluge a dream machine for this kind of songs, I think
I’m thinking on buying a Deluge, but as far as I can tell you can only buy them directly from Synthstrom and the shipping + Customs taxes to Europe make it crazy expensive. Does anyone know of any European retailers that sell them?
Be patient and regularly check eBay and reverb. From my experience They’re not that rare to turn up in the £650-£750 range and tend to come in waves too. None for months then 3 or 4 in a week.
I didn’t keep mine for long but I did recognise it was a wonderful device. My issue? It was so much like a DAW to me that I kept thinking “why not just use a DAW?!” if that makes sense. Well worth investigating though because if it works for you it’ll blow your mind!
but it was easy to get on with it again. The only thing I never used was the arranger. I think the arranger and I will get along just fine.
