Volca Keys Arpeggiated Chords with Keystep 37!
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- Volca Keys Arpeggiated Chords with Keystep 37!
In today's video we'll be combining the Korg Volca Keys with the chord mode of the Keystep 37. Then, to take things up a notch, we'll be using the 37's arpeggiator and sequencer together with chord mode! This setup can take you to some pretty wild places, I highly recommend giving it a try! Enjoy the video :)
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Arturia Keystep 37: amzn.to/3szlC8S
Korg Volca Keys: amzn.to/3nTl4Hu
Zoom H5 (audio recorder): amzn.to/2KvmR81
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Great content as always! Actually, this video inspired me to go even one step further: I own the Volca FM which has a built-in arpeggiator which also works with incoming MIDI notes (the following should be applicable to any other synth with a built-in arpeggiator). So I used the approach from this video (sequencing chords on the Keystep), but then I also turned on the arpeggiator on the Volca FM. Have to say, it yields wonderful results! Basically it takes the Keystep chords, and arpeggiates through the chord's notes. As one can set the time division of the arpeggio on the Volca (1/16th per note up to multiple beats per note, as well as triplets), one can further tweak the complexity of the programmed sequence. For example with a random arpeggiator on the Volca, it plays random 'melodies' based on the chord material the Keystep sends to the Volca. Or with a raising / falling arpeggio one can kind of emulate the strum feature (which I think doesn't work in all Keystep playback modes).
I imagine it's also great for writer's block, as one can quickly 'flush' one's mind with random but harmonically meaningful notes, maybe even coming up with ideas for melodies. An interesting twist might be to switch on the scale quantizer and transposing the sequence all around, yet still yielding harmonic material.
I guess my 'discovery' might be an old hat for someone working with arpeggio-enabled synths for a while. Anyways, I'm proud I figured it out. Thanks for offering the inspiration starter!
That sounds awesome, thanks for sharing!
I love how much you're uploading about this controller. Very good content!!
I honestly didn't plan on making this many videos about it, but it's been a really inspiring piece of gear to play with!
Oh, I almost forgot, This is a tip I picked up from another youTuber (can't remember who) - To prevent the Keystep from starting the sequencer on a Volca, hold down the “Function” key while turning the Volca on, then press key 6, then press “Rec” to save the setting. Then when selecting “Play” on the Keystep the Volca sequencer should not start. To revert back then just turn off the Volca and do the same again.
Awesome, thank you! I figured there was some way to mess with the midi settings on the keys but that excited I just show people what happens when you use it directly without any fussing. Thanks again :)
That works - I have been annoyed with that function for some time now. Thanks!
Just to mention, doing that you are disabling the MIDI CC, so you won't be able to Clock Sync your volca and won't be able to control MIDI stuff. Just notes.
Another keeper. Again with the connections and exploration tips. Love it! Thx so much.
Glad to help as always!
Can't wait till the keystep arrives.
Thanks for the video
Thanks so much, enjoy!
Keep it up man, good stuff!
Thanks so much!
That Is my Christmas present!!! Very cool tool!!! I have to buy a midi jack and connet my keyboard... Buy the potencial Is pretty insane!!! I'm have to learn few things to play It in the corret way and yours videos are helping me a lot!!! Thank u so much and greetings from italy!!! (Sorry for my bad english) X)
Really good demo, I just wish more was done with the Volca Keys as it can sound so much better, it has lovely sweet spots. Both the Keystep37 and keys are fantastic devices.
Just bought one 👊
Volca Keys was my first synth in 2015, I sold it to pursue more advanced devices. Now I have loads of instruments and just ordered another Volca Keys, because now I can sequence it with Deluge and bus it through Eventide H9 and Oto Machines analogue delay.
Right on, thanks for watching!
Just got my Keystep 37, man! This is awesome! What's your signal chain for this? Also, do you use the 12V power supply or you used the freebie ground plug that comes with it?
I am really new with this. I also have the Volca Keys and Beats. I felt that I needed the 37 to open my vision to new horizon and inspirations. Hence, I bought one.
Me shop radio shack for cables and adapters for years, loved the reference. Thats cool all your gear can sync, my pocket operators don't always wanna do that. What setting do you use with tonic to ko the tonic levels overpower the ko mix and s2 4 and 5 sometimes sync and most times dont, your video today gave me many idears, appreciate the teaching, heck i will subscribe actually became a subscriber week you were laid off the job and said im gonna dive headfirst and pursue music, great choice, up up and away
Thanks! I've actually got a pocket operator sync modes video coming out soon that will hopefully address most of the content in your comment.
@@FreeBeat Yay !!!
Subscribed!! Thought the keys only had 3 voice polyphony though lol.
Thank you so much!
More challenges please.
A/e fig out yet
They're coming!
Is it possible to connect a keystep 37 to a Volca and then in to Ableton?
Do you suggest Arturia keystep or novation launchkey for making Synth music ? I'm not into making drum beats on midi keys
It really depends on what you want your workflow to be and what DAW or hardware you're going to be using it with.
Now I really want to get a Keystep 37! My regular Keystep seems so inadequate! One quick thing....you said 4 note polyphony? Isn't the Volca Keys 3 note polyphony? I ask because I've been researching the Microfreak (after seeing your videos on it) and one thing I liked is that the Microfreak was 4 note polyphony. If the Keys was also 4, that would be a factor in my buying decisions.
You're correct! I didn't catch that while editing, the polyphony of the volca keys is 3. Sorry about that!
Technically, it’s a 3 voice paraphonically synth
Is the volca able to save those wild keystep chords into the sequencer pattern memory?
I'm not sure, I'll have to give it a shot!
Would hitting record on the volca record the midi being played from the keystep into the pattern on the volca? (I'm terrible at playing on time so this would be a game changer.)
If you already had the sequencer running on the Keystep? I'm not sure actually, I'll have to give that a shot haha.
are the knobs midi assignable? like can I assign them with my abelton to be a volume knobs for example?
They sure are, I have a video about that on the channel as well :)
@@FreeBeat which video is that? thank you
@@johnchabo9839 czcams.com/video/udyAn8M-lFY/video.html
Can you please tell me which wattage, type/brand of power adapter you’re using for the Keystep?
Just a USB type b cable going into a random wall brick. Sorry I can't be more specific, this video is about 2 years old and I don't remember
@@FreeBeat that’s okay! Thank you! I just don’t want to damage mine
Can you use poly mode with a hardware mono synth?
You cannot.
Just an FYI. A “Sus” chord in music means ‘suspended’ 🤓
Another excellent video by the way.
Haha I might have undersold my music knowledge a little bit. When I talk about my lack of music theory knowledge, I generally mean in comparison to the master theorists out there. Thanks for watching!
@@FreeBeat Either I am the only nerdy music know-it-all or everybody else is too nice to say anything
its a "suspended" cord, not a "sustain" chord. :)
Yeah haha I know, for some reason the wrong word came out of my mouth lol.
I wish you would stop with the Keystep 37 as I want one soooo badly and I can't see how I can get my wife to support that idea (especially since my list contains (and in no particular order) the Arturia Microfreak, Keystep Pro, Beatstep Pro & Drumbeat Impact/ Korg Monologue XD, Volca Modular (Eurorack is too expensive) & SQ1/ Behringer Model D (although the Poly D would be nicer)/ and the Boss Rc-505 Loop Station.... :-)
Honestly, if you can only get one off that list, get the microfreak!
@@FreeBeat I may have to say Free Beat told me to do it hehehe. Cheers
How can you add the Valhalla sound with this setup?