How I set up my Volcas for overdubbing with Keystep sequence
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2022
- I'll walk you through the setup used in my track "Aggressive Classical Work". I show all the connections and hardware needed to send different midi notes to two instruments at once using the Arturia Keystep 37. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop a comment.
Watch the original performance here: • KORG Volca Keys / Keys...
Or see me build up the sequence from nothing, so you can try covering it yourself on your own hardware: • Song Tutorial - "Aggre...
#KORG #VolcaKeys
KORG Nu:Tekt NTS-1 digital synth kit
Arturia #Keystep37
Nikon D750
Nikkor 18-55mm VRII
M-Audio M-Track Plus
Midi Y-Splitter
Midi to 3.5mm TRA (A) Adapter
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/ @nicholasburgher
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When I first saw the volca on CZcams I thought to myself I gotta get one of those. Volca Drum 1st which was the only one I had intended to buy and not buy any more. I became instantly addicted 😁😁😁😂😂😂 Them I bought TheVolca Sample 2, VOLCA Beats, NTS-2, NTS-1, Koasillator S2 and white metronome-tuner with pickup. I'm quite sure they will be more added to my collection 😂😂😂 I suffer with one of the most painful diseases known to man I have 3 autoimmune diseases and nothing touches my pain but Music and gadgets are one of my best distractions and painkillers. Thanks again, for your tutorial. 👏👍👏
The absolute clearest answer to my 'can i control two volcas with the same keystep?' question I've ever found. Thanks!
Awesome! I’m glad to hear that 😊 hope you get a chance to try it some day!
Very cool setup. I have all three and will definitely give it a try.
Yes! Finally found this solution. Wanted to control two volcas at same time. Now I can. Thanks!
That’s great! You’re welcome, I’m really glad the video was helpful.
OH Nice setup! 😊😊😊
Thanks for this! I'm still very unpracticed at handling the Keystep but this does give me more insight. Receiving the RAKIT Drum soon and hope to successfully sync and combine that with the NTS-1 one way or another. Would be fun to be able to do that DAWless as well.
Very useful video, just nothing left to say.
Well done!! Actual DETAILED How To info on CZcams!f. More rare than one might think...(new subscriber). Also, lovely melody,
Wow, thanks!
THX!!! You helped me out! An i give you thumbs up.
You’re very welcome 😊
Dude! Nice. I have the NTS-1, MPC ONE, ALesis 18 drum machine and a Bear-Ringer TD-3 and will try using something resembling your mix with my spanking new Akai MPK miniplus controller. I have too much stuff for a beginner and needed this simple guidance.
the tipp with the nts 1:40 is super too
Thank you so much for clarifying the process! So grateful to you for showing us this trick!
One last question Do you set CC commands to the knobs using the MIDI control center?😅
You can set the control change values for each knob and each bank directly on the device. You just hold onw of the buttons extra long and it will start flashing. Then when you turn the knob, you’ll be changing which value you want it to control. I don’t remember the exact commands at the moment.
dude, you just open a world to me, thank you so much!!
do the same apply to connect more volcas? i have a keys, a bass, a sample and the nts1. Can i control them all the same way you did? (with a midi port instead a splitter).
again, thansk a lot!
Yeah, absolutely!
Hi Nick, thank you very much for your valuable time in making this explanation. I am quite clear. I wanted to ask you if instead of a cable (midi Y) could go a (hub midi)? and would fulfill the same function. Thank you
I’m fairly certain that would work and would be a better solution. I haven’t teated myself but essentially it’s doing the same thing, splitting the signal!
Great video mate. One question, you said you were turning the knot to keep the sequence going, didn’t understand that bit, could you explain a bit more?
Yeah. The Keystep 37 has 8 sequence banks. When in sequence mode, pressing play starts the sequence you currently have selected on the nob. Each sequence can hold 64 steps (or 64 beats) or information. If you turn the sequence knob mid sequence, the Keystep 37 will not stop midi playback. Instead it will continue with the previously selected sequence until it finishes, then move on to the next one you have selected. This allows you to manually chain sequences together to make a longer sequence or more complex musical patterns.
Hey Nic. I have that setup too - and asked u in the original video, how it works...now, after a few month i experimented a few with that two beauties, but i have massive sound problems with my NTS1. i can HEAR the LED Screen rolling in the audio....i tried all, powerbank, other usb port, selfmade power adapter, batteries...i hear always the LED screen, when it scrolls. any idea how to fix that?
Hi Fellpower! I have had similar issues too. When you get the noise, how are you powering the NTS-1?
A lot of the times I try and power it completely separate from the other devices, like through a USB power bank. Then, if I still hear something, I might have to reduce the noise floor by turning down my volume. It could also be poor cable sealing, but I don’t know. Have you tried different rooms? I’m just as curious about this.
One thing that didn’t work for me in the past was powering the NTS-1 with a computer with which I wish to record. I think that creates some sort of audio loop issue. You would have to use the midi in port in that case if you want a computer to send midi data to it and you wish to record the same audio to the same computer.
Hi! thank you for this awesome video. I have a couple of volcas, been using them for a while and i love them, but you are right, its hard to play on its own. So i am about to buy a midi hardware, and im not sure if keystep or beatstep from Arturia. Do you have any suggestion?
You see, I have volca sample, kick, and fm, and my biggest dream is to use same midi hardware for all. I don't know how actually works sequence in keystep neither in beatstep so i am little bit lost. Thank you again!
Hi Nicolás, sounds very cool! I guess it sort of depends on what you’re hoping to create with your instruments, and your comfort-level with Keyboard instruments. I grew up playing piano since I was 4 so I knew a keyboard would be a good option for me to send midi data to the volcas. But if I was just making beats usually, I could see reason for the beatstep, but I would feel just as comfortable inputting beats with a keyboard (though I prefer the touchpads just fine on the volcas). I also needed something for Ableton and that’s why I decided on something with a keyboard. I have an APC-40 but it isn't great for even typing in beats, in fact, it’s not designed for that, and definitely not keyboard playing. I think a cheap keyboard that sends midi through a midi out port and doesn’t have an onboard sequencer is perfectly fine. Truthfully, Keystep’s sequencer is underwhelming for me, but formfactor is great. Don’t get hung up on gear.
@@NicholasBurgher Wow, thanks for the long answer, i really appreciate! Yeah i have actually found a possibility to buy a cheap korg microkontrol mc1, which is a really old midi controller, and i love the idea to complete the setup with korg hardware. But im not sure if i can send more than 1 midi channel with that old controller, can't find good information about it, plus my english is not perfect, plus i am kind of new with midi. Anyway, thank you from Nicolas to Nicholas xD.
Ah man the sustain thing! It had been driving me crazy for so long too. Everytime I press stop/start it changes it back to zero sustain it's super annoying. So you're saying just map the sustain to one of the knobs so if it does happen it's quicker to sort?
Precisely!
Thanks very useful! I use a midi thru box with 5 devices. Is it possible to also overdub drum machines as a key input?
I’m pretty sure Yes, that should work. I could make a video sometime of me doing this. I haven’t tried it though because I prefer a drumpad for drum not a keyboard.
ty so much will this setup work with keystep.... i dont have the 37 but can easily borrow a friend has an og
keystep
I don’t know, actually it’s worth a try though! Let me know if it works 😊
Great video, thanks. Is it necessary, possible or even logic sync the tempo between the three devices, having the keysetep as the master one?
In some cases, yes. Tempo syncing can help. But in this case, we didn’t need to because we weren’t using the sequencer on the Volca Keys. Also, I wouldn’t loop it back to the keystep.
@@NicholasBurgher Thanks!!!!
For a setup like this - Would it be possible to sync another volca (like a Bass) with the Keys, so that they play the same pattern/sequence (or perhaps a different to add even "deeper layers"?). Thanks for the great content :)
Yes, it would be possible to send identical midi data to the Bass and Keys. The question I have is what octave they would sound in. You might want the Bass down an octave which might be challenging to accomplish.
It would be nice if you could tell the keys to listen to only a certain range of midi notes. Then you could layer instrumenta more effectively in this way on a single midi channel.
@@NicholasBurgher Thank you! By the way, you have inspired me purchase this set up. Made an order today. Looking forward to experiment and learn (alot!) in the coming cold winter months here in northern Sweden! Much appreciated!
Henrik, that’s incredible. Let me know if you need any other help in your music making! I am glad I could bring some joy to your life today! Blessings
@@NicholasBurgher I am very happy to hear that! Thank you Nicholas ☺️
Thank u so much. I learn a lot from this video. My question how should i sync an nts 1 with a microfreak a keystep and a sp404. So i send midi out from 404 to midi in to microfreak and I notice that I have to buy a splitter. So should I sync nts out to sync in to microfreak? Or is it bad? Am I wrong? This midi stuff makes me really confused hahaha im sorry. Hope u can help me please with all of my doubts. Cheers!
Think of it as though it were water. The cables between instruments like pipes through a house. Water only flows one direction. The “sync out” ports will send one drip of water every set amount of time, and a “sync-in” port is what’s designed to receive that signal and interpret it so that the instruments sync up musically.
Personally, I wouldn’t use the sync out from the NTS-1 unless it’s receiving something into its sync in port, the reason being, it’s pretty hard to set tempo on the NTS-1, requiring weird button knob combinations. I prefer setting tempo on instruments with their own dedicated tempo knobs. You might be thinking, but I’m sending midi data from the sp404 to the NTS-1, so it’s set to match, right. Midi sends only note information and expression, not tempo. If it’s possible, try sending tempo to the microfreak from the sp404 and send midi to the NTS-1 and see if that syncs things up.
Thabk u so much ❤️
Deadlife vibes!
That’s very kind. I had never heard of DEADLIFE until this comment. Thanks for introducing me! 🎼
what are you doing twisting the knob towards the end? Switching to different pre-recorded sequences? Thanks for your response!
Yep 👍
So you can disable the sequencer on the Volca keys. Don’t remember exactly how but it’s in the manual
One thing you could do is just clear the sequence. Second, you may be able to use another chord and put it in the sync in port, which may prevent its sequence from running if you have no pulse coming in.
hay man great vid! why do you have to keep turning the knob on the 37 while the sequence is going? what you say in 7:17
Turning the sequence knob while a sequence is playing queues up the next sequence to begin after the current sequence completes its round. I am limited to only 64 steps per sequence, so for longer musical ideas, I’ll use this queuing method.
@@NicholasBurgher ahhh i see! Nice
Correct me, w/flux on Keys can record up to 128 consecutive steps SO you could record a long sequence from the KS and then compose another while in keyboard play? Or just overdub w/out KS recording your play?
I'm curious how VK works out polyphony in Flux this way as it's a bit fiddly creating a poly flux sequence live
In concept, this is correct. With the Volca Keys flux turned on, each step of the Keys has 8 individual "sub-steps". It's possible to record a sequence with 128 steps. But, it's more challenging to accurately execute than one might think. I have recorded long sequences on Keys and used Korg's app to send really slow tempo sync information to the device while I was recording, so that I could get slower than usual tempos for recording...and playback, since otherwise it would play too fast for my need.
I think this might be possible to "beam over" a sequence from the Keystep! That's an interesting idea I'll have to try. But I wonder how well it would send information that's sent really quickly.
Polyphony works exactly the same with Flux turned on as it does with it turned off. Every time a new note is struck, it will restrike the attack, which is one of the most disappointing things about the Volca Keys, you just learn to work around it and embrace that limitation.
Hey man, this is really dope and similar to what I hope to have my setup looking like soon.
I have a korg volca fm and an Arturia keylab 49 currently and I have my keylab powered on via usb and have the volca fm connected via midi to the keylab and then have an 1/8” cable running from the headphone jack on the volca to my mackie controller knob which is connected to my interface.
So I can play the volca, and I can control the sounds from it on my keylab 49, but I’m not sure if there’s a way to change the parameters on the keylab or not, and was wondering how I run this into my daw (Logic Pro) so that I can record some of my sessions of messing around and so that I can add software audio effects from my DAW into the equation.
🤔 👀😅
Would much appreciate some guidance…Google is not lending as much help as it usually does lol
What parameters are you looking to change on the Keylab 49. Usually I would refer to the manual for the Keylab 49 as a good starting place. Learn what it can and cannot do, and try and see how it fits your needs. On sending the audio to Logic Pro, I have personally not used that DAW but I imagine there’s a place in settings to pick your audio input source. If the Mackie is an audio interface, you should be able to record the audio from your device to your computer. Again, I would study the user manual for that device to figure it out.
Will this setup work with more than two volcas or other units using a midi box with multiple inputs assigning midi channels to each unit?
I’m pretty sure that would work! 👍
Nice hack dude!!
Thanks. Not really a hack, just the way I make it work.
Hi. Does this Method only work with the Keystep and Keyboards or also with Controllers such as the Arturia MiniLab 3?
What I want to do exactly is. Running a Sequence over the Keys, connected to the NTS and I want to switch between the Keys and NTS and alternately play and control over it withe the MiniLab 3.
I don’t know. I don’t have a Mini Lab. I would probably check the manual for any sort of features like that. Arturia is also pretty good about writing back on questions sent to them on their websites.
@@NicholasBurgher No problem, I figured it out in the meantime and it works great, thank you :)
Sorry if this is a dumb question but i i need to plug the arturia in to a computer? Or will it work with just my synth?
Not a dumb question. You do not need a computer to do what I’m doing here.
Brilliant and well explained. You played what I call REAL music by playing a simple melody over arpegiated chords that change.
How did you get the Volca keys to sequence all those chord changes.?
That is exactly what I want to do instead of just a series of impromptu sounds all stemmed on the same chord.
I hope you understand my meaning and have time to answer.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the comment. Thanks for calling it REAL music 😊 I made the complete sequence with the Keystep 37. It has a 64 step sequencer with 8 banks of memory. I input parts of the sequence into 4 of the banks then chained them together by turning the memory nob a little early before the repeat. This links it all together.
@@NicholasBurgher
Thank you for explaining that.
I only have the keystep so that needs to go and I need to go!!!!........and get a keystep 37.
I will not know exactly what I am doing until I actually experiment using your technique.
My aim..( as is yours I would imagine) is to set the whole synth set up to play a complete song ( with chord changes)......entirely on its own steam. What a break through.
I think I will have to plan it.
Draw a chart up with how many bars the piece is and slowly input the chords, melody, sequence and pattern.
I like your style a lot.
Very very inspiring.
Thanks again for taking the time to explain.
@@petercane6376, the original Keystep can do this if I’m not mistaken. Set the switch on the far left to “Seq.” Turn the first nob next to it all the way to the left to where it says “1 / Up” (the “1” represents the memory bank, this case 1). Use the record functions to add the notes/chords you want. Once you fill the first bank, turn to “2 / Dwn” and record the next group. Test the two sequences together now. Go back to the first bank and press play. While it’s playing, turn to bank 2. Once the first sequence is done, it should proceed to the next one immediately. I would not go out and buy the Keystep 37 in your case because the original has this same functionality here. I just got the bigger one because I wanted more keys.
Peter, I did a bit of research too. It’s been a long time since I’ve hooked my Keystep (37) to a computer, but there may be settings in Midi Control Center ( support.arturia.com/hc/en-us/sections/4405740766098-Midi-Control-Center ) that set how the sequence select nob functions. I must have mine set to begin playback of the next sequence immediately after finishing the one it’s currently on. You may try and mess around with some of these global settings to see if it helps you get the functionality you may not have at the moment. Wishing you the best.
@@NicholasBurgher
Thank you Nicholas.
That had not occurred to me to check the Arturia website and to look at the global settings.
I may have to experimenting around with the changes of key falling at the correct point in the sequence.
It will be educational for me and a big buzz If I manage it.
You mention that the NTS-1 can be used "like a mixer". Unfortunately, you can't adjust the volume of the input signal and NTS-1 oscillator independently. This is something that would be really nice :)
Just put a Monotron Delay between the two and you've got a cutoff filter and extra effects!
Well, I didn’t design the NTS-1!
How do you choose the midi channel on the nts-1 ?
You can find instructions for changing the global parameters for the NTS-1 from the manual that can be downloaded from the Korg Website. www.korg.com/us/support/download/manual/0/832/4368/
Great vid! Would you please be able to do a video showing how to connect all this? I mean film yourself saying and showing where to plug stuff in and set things up? Really appreciate it!! Thanks.
Ha, funny 😆 this was supposed to be that video. What are you confused about? I’d be happy to help, but don’t know if I’ll make one like that for a couple months.
Instead of a midi splitter, could you effectively do this with one channel being sent via midi cable, and another channel being sent to iPad via usb?
Maybe that would wor, but how would you keep the midi sources in sync? It seems possible!
❤❤❤ can this be done on keystep 32?
I don’t know for sure, Sasha? If you have one, it’s worth a shot. I didn’t buy the Keystep 37 over the 32 for any reason other than it had more keys.
any chance you give paid lessons about some things like this?
No I don’t give lessons, but if you have a question I’d be happy to try and answer it. There are other online resources for learning electronic music I’m sure you could find through a quick search.