The Best Multi Sequencer Setup Ever ?!
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2020
- Experimenting with my new multi sequencer setup.
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Creating MIDI parts from scratch on Squarp Pyramid, MPC Live, and Beatstep Pro with hardware synth and drum machines - fastest music-making workflow - from a blank canvas to multiple music sketches in minutes.
The Best Multi Sequencer Setup Ever ?!
Preamps - everything recorded using Midas F16 mixing console - midas AD converters. Outboard: Drawmer M500 compressor, FMR RNLA, Klark Teknik KT-2a - 2x, Klark Teknik EQP, Klark Teknik KT - 2A, Yamaha Rev5000, SPL Vitalizer , Roland Space Echo RE-201, Strymon Timeline, Strymon Mobius, Strymon. Strymon Big Sky, Elektron Analog Heat, Sherman Filterbank 2,
Sequencers: Squarp Pyramid, Beatstep Pro.
Synth: Moog Rogue, DSI Prophet 08 module, Roland JD 990, Moog Sub 37, Make Noise 0-Coast.Korg Volca FM, MAM MB33.
Drum Machines: Roland MC-307, DSI Tempest, MFB Tanzbar, Jomox AirBase 99, TE-PO, Roland R-8, Yamaha RX-5, MPC Live MK 1.
MIDI Gear - iConnectivity MIO 10, Kenton MIDI Thru, Kenton MIDI Merge Roland MPU,
+ some random guitar pedals. - Hudba
Great walk-through , thanks!
So helpful. Thanks for sharing your process. I like your choice of sounds too!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Dreamy set up!
Pyramid currently in storage but can't wait to try this out as well :-)
I use pyramid as my main sequencer too, clocking a mpc one and a digitakt. It's awesome. Mpc recognising synths over usb and pyramid having the midi cc's names per synth is a killer combo. I keep everything sync with an expert sleepers es40 but unsure if that isn't overkill:)
nothing is overkill, if you ask me, it just a new level of awesomeness, lol!
Intro music makes me thing of dego, good shit !
Just checked out Dego - very cool stuff, thanks!
@@MusicianParadise You can check Kaidi aswell and the whole neroli/2000 black label for more broken beat goods :)
@@poneymagik1337 Thank you very much ! I love discovering new stuff
Hi.. nice video! I just got a Pyramid but I'm quite novice at using a pure sequencer, so please forgive me if I sound dumb. When you say the output from your beatstep pro into the mpc, don't you mean the thru? I'm trying to use Pyramid in a DAW-less setup, and can't understand how to setup my synths midi in and out of the sequencer.
MIDI output from the Beatstep Pro goes into the MIDI in of the MPC Live and MIDI out of my MPC Live goes into MIDI in of the Pyramid (it kind of MIDI thru, but when I want to record MIDI from Beatstep Pro into MPC Live, I can do that as well) In this video I'm recording Beatstep into Pyramid , but MIDI data passing thru MPC (technically MPC does not have thru ports - 2 MIDI inputs and 2 MIDI outputs).This video was shot before 2.9 MPC update, which brings whole new extensive MIDI routing to the MPC lineup, including MIDI over USB. Now my setup turns into one MIDI nightmare... hope this helps!
@@MusicianParadise thank you my friend.. I have to study more but I will follow your channel because I'm sure my setup will benefit as I move forward!🙂
@@badoverman Thanks !
Is the keystep also involved in some way? I've been trying in the past to record it's arps and sequences into another sequencer in the past. But it became a real hassle as everything would play double etc.
The keystep was not involved I just used it as a MIDI keyboard. Both MPC Live and Pyramid have very capable arpeggiators. To be in sync as an arpeggiator Keystep must receive midi sync signal from the master sequencer. Thanks for watching!
Turn off midi thru option and it should go simple. Midi has a bit latency at all so if u record your keysteps arp into another sequencer and play it on from both, you can easily get some double notes (ofc depends a lot on gear connected to that sequencers)
I assume sequencing vsts from your daw could be added into this setup as well?
Yes!
Liked and subscribed. Great video. Just got a live but can you recommend a cheaper sequencer that can do what your pyramid is doing? Also with your setup can you record into the mpc live?
Probably old iPad with some compatible midi interface can be an amazing and cost effective addition to the multi- sequencer setup. You can record incoming midi into the Apps like Cubasis or Garageband. Apps like Genome MIDI , LittleMIDI, TNR-i, Sequence, midiSequencer, Arp Pro,StepPolyArp, amongst many others can bring a lot of fun to the game. Midi clock on iPads usually are rock solid. Of course, nothing wrong with the use of DAW of your choice in this kind of setup.Thanks for the sub!
@@MusicianParadise yeah I have some of those apps on my iPad. I was thinking a cheaper hardware alternative. Any suggestions on that?
@@spot1119 well, the only hardware sequencer what can come close to Squarp Pyramid it´s Pioneer Toraiz Squid sequencer. It slightly cheaper them Pyramid but also on the expensive side. Cheaper alternatives like the beatstep pro (which I love) , new Novation Launchpad Pro (newer tried) lacking in depth of editing due to the luck of the screen, so we don't have much choice, at least for now.
@@MusicianParadise Yeah kinda what I figured. Think I’m gonna just break down and buy the Squarp Pyramid. Thanks for responding and thanks for the vids. Keep up the great work! 🤘🏼 btw is your SP the 2 or 3?
@@spot1119 My is SP 2
Do you think a Deluge could take the place of the sharp? Thank you. Additionally you think a cme widi or blokas midi hub would work as the midi interface?
Deluge definitely perfectly fits in any complex HW setup! Widi, most probably will add some latency into the whole system, I would avoid that, just because every device clocking slightly different in terms of latency and whole setup can gain some sloppiness. The Blokas Blokas MIDI Hub seems like a very feature rich and cost effective device, so you can't do wrong using Blokas MIDI Hub! I'm currently digging Midronome kickstarter project - I hope it will help me to keep everything in sync with my DAW. I'll planning to make a video about hardware sequencer setup then I'll get my hands on the Midronome unit!
@@MusicianParadise nice. Thank you
@@MusicianParadise ended up buying the midihub
@@TheRhyne91 great choice!
I love what you are doing here! But couldn't you do about 95% of this on the MPC Live by itself? I have a Pyramid and I could never get a good feel for the workflow. I recently ordered an MPC One and am waiting on it to be shipped. I plan on selling my Pyramid and Korg Electribe 2 Sampler when it arrives. Do you think I would be losing too much functionality to sell the Pyramid or maybe not since I feel no inspiration trying to use it.
Yes, you're right! Now I can do 95 % of that with the MPC! I did this video before the 2.8 firmware update, which expanded greatly on MPC MIDI functionality, so by today's standards, the setup featured here is total overkill, lol! For me, the Pyramid is still working great as a MIDI/CV hub for my studio. (I have the MPC Live MK I, so no CV there).Personally, I like Pyramid's MIDI FX and whole workflow thing is just fine.If Pyramid is not working out well for you, it ok to sell it. MPC One is a fantastic device, and for the price, it offers much more! Thanks for watching!
possible to have a list of your total gear, pre amps etc?
Preamps - everything recorded using Midas F16 mixing console - midas AD converters. Outboard: Drawmer M500 compressor, FMR RNLA, Klark Teknik KT-2a - 2x, Klark Teknik EQP, Klark Teknik KT - 2A, Yamaha Rev5000, SPL Vitalizer , Roland Space Echo RE-201, Strymon Timeline, Strymon Mobius, Strymon. Strymon Big Sky, Elektron Analog Heat, Sherman Filterbank 2,
Sequencers: Squarp Pyramid, Beatstep Pro.
Synth: Nord Stage 88 Classic Edition, Moog Rogue, DSI Prophet 08 module, Roland JD 990, Moog Sub 37, Make Noise 0-Coast.Korg Volca FM, MAM MB33.
Drum Machines: Roland MC-307, DSI Tempest, MFB Tanzbar, Jomox AirBase 99, TE-PO, Roland R-8, Yamaha RX-5, MPC Live MK 1.
MIDI Gear - iConnectivity MIO 10, Kenton MIDI Thru, Kenton MIDI Merge Roland MPU,
+ some random guitar pedals.
probably I forgot something,
Thanks for watching!
@@MusicianParadise wow you are a beast!! thanks a lot, I suggest this should be in the description of every video, or on future website of yours, love your stuff keep doing it!
@@Twinkz0r665 Thank you, this is really good Idea , I going to add my equipment list to the descriptions of my videos!
How abou using only the Sequenix Cirklon?
At the time I made this video, I wanted to purchase the Sequentix Cirklon. However, there was a never-ending waiting list for it at that time. To compensate, I ended up buying every sequencer available on the market at that time 🤣
Needing both the MPC and Pyramid seems overkill, awesome setup though! But which one should you choose if you can have only one and why.. I hear many complaints about the MPC and almost not hear any complaints about Pyramid.. What would be the key features the pyramid can do, that the MPC cannot? Should be the best way of asking the difference between these two..
I hear complaints about The MPC has MIDI clock issues, furthermore sluggish UI and slow workflow menu diving, bad step sequencer and no good for live loop jamming.. Pyramid, would be described as pure one of a kind power house that is easy to use and truly opens up the possibilities of jamming they way music should be made - maybe combine a mixer that can record wave files could beat the MPC a whole and actually makes recording music while playing fun again.. Mpc for stand alone vacation all in one box I can understand, but for dawless home studio fun and or even live performance recording the Pyramid should make most sense, but then again why would MPC name there device 'live' and even 2?
Many questions and philosophy, feel free to add please.. Another important question for Pyramid would be is it possible to have synth connected and play some notes that will be looped and then switch to another preset sound on that synth and do for example some ambient, or would those first notes played also change into the newer preset sound? And or would it be possible to record that 2nd preset to another track (easy) while the first preset/notes are still looping?.. I am trying to avoid destructive over dubbing recordings, or else a Simple Boss rc looper would actually be more powerful than the Pyramid.. Because a synth that is stuck on one preset for the whole jam is somewhat too expensive for what the synth can do (I need to multitask one synth recorded on multitrack and while having the option to adjust each track 'non destructive') It makes total sense what I ask here for a center piece device, so I wonder can it be done?
1. You don't see many complaints about Pyramid simply because the MPC user base is an order of magnitude larger, so it's just easier to find the complaints about MPC!
2. MPC lacks real-time MIDI effects, while Pyramid offers advanced, automatable MIDI effects.
3. Pyramid is just a MIDI sequencer and does not include a sampler or internal sound sources. To use it, you need a complete studio setup with synthesizers, drum machines, effects, and a mixing table. You can do full-blown production just on the MPC. Recent updates to the MPC platform have included really good internal instruments and effects that cover almost any synth and fx you could imagine.
4.MIDI clock is a complex issue just because you are dealing with MIDI gear from different eras and manufactures.Some synthesizers and drum machines have sluggish MIDI response, and daisy-chaining MIDI devices can add latency, among other factors. Therefore, it is important to understand your gear well and eliminate the weakest links before blaming the MPC. Additionally, MIDI has never been famous for it’s perfect timing…
5.Looping (audio) is possible on MPC. Like any looper, it has its pros and cons. In the past, I have experienced some minor latency-related issues. Pyramid is capable of working as a MIDI looper.
6. "The way music should be made" - there is no right or wrong way to make music, however, different styles of music require different music-making strategies and genre-specific techniques. You will have a really hard time trying to replicate J. Dilla's sample-based workflow using the Pyramid. On the other hand, you can produce synth wave music equally easily on the MPC or using the Pyramid (assuming you have a studio full of synths and drum machines).
7.You can perform live on the MPC Live, or even on the old MPC 60. In fact, there are many well-documented examples of artists performing on MPC standalone since 1998. Therefore, I don't see any problem here.
9.Pyramid can act as a MIDI looper, so you actually can loop different presets on different MIDI channels on your synth using the Pyramid, but ONLY if your synth is supports multitimbrality - i.e you can assign different patches to different MIDI channels.
10. You don't have to use only one preset on your synth throughout the entire song. Pyramid can send program change MIDI messages, so if your synth supports program changes, you can switch between patches during the song on the same MIDI channel.Beware that some synths have a slow response time to program change messages, so you may need to perform some tests.
I hope I have answered all of your questions ;)
@@MusicianParadise Awesome thank you very much for that in depth reply! I highly appreciate knowledge from someone who has miles on these products.. I understand the power of the MPC being a jack of all trades and master of none, great tool especially for compact standalone type stuff.. But yes I have for example Kawai MP7SE digital piano and Novation Summit multitimbral synth and more to come to be considered a modest home studio.
So I now understand that changing presets on the Kawai would not work on the Pyramid (the drum preset on there could have saved me a whole drum machine, if that makes sense, is why I asked that) but the Summit should support program change, but I still doubt the Pyramid would let me ambient on one preset and let me play some melody with another preset on top or does it?.. And if so how much different ambient presets can I stack on top of each other on one channel?! o.0..
And yes having 2 channels for summit is somewhat nice, but still specific task since having both Peaks/synths layered stereo usually has the best sound..
"by the way music should be made" I mean in context of home studio Dawless playing, like designing music intuitively on the fly by playing and layering some sound all while they get played back in Realtime, like sound designing on the spot should be immersed all focused on the instruments on hand - and not the user interface of MPC and all there hotkey patterns.. But rather focusing on the knobs of the synth to get the sound of that jam in play tweaked right..
I do not mind to go into full Daw after playing, if all was recorded properly.. So MPC being a synth and Daw is actually not what I need since I prefer my own synth and Daw, it could be descent drum machine but seems overkill for that since there are better and cheaper drum machines available.. Then there is MC707 left, which also does not record anything and is very restricted in project size and step sequencing is nothing compared to Pyramid Realtime recording Polyrhythmic sequencing.. There is also Boss rc series loopers but is not for me, since it is destructive workflow - that does not let you adjust live looped sounds on the fly by turning some knobs on the synth..
All in all I found these 4 mentioned devices are the ones that all do something but not what I need it to do specifically.. So now I am also looking in having 2 devices, but has much overlap in functions (all being audio interface for example) and or even functions on board I do not need at all (like synth engines or samplers for example).. Making things overpriced while being less dedicated..
I am now thinking like mixer with build in wave recorder.. (having options to mute, slider volume, also being able to hear channel in headphone before sending audio to main, for when studio jamming could become live performance) combining that recording mixer with Pyramid should be somewhat dedicated with almost no overlap and allows for effective jamming freedom, raw recordings while being intuitive and could be more powerful and fun than managing the MPC infrastructure.. I am just thinking out loud, being stuck in the brainfreeze of supply and demand for audio equipment, thanks again for sharing knowledge, feel free to add!..
Hello.
thank s for the video. I'm a ex owner of Pyramid. do you still have yours ?
In the end I bought Synthstrom Deluge as a song writer cus I largely prefer its song mode, but.... have some missing.
I loved a lot my pyramid because :
1) Pyramid save and send & receives CCs parameters:
>> Deluge does send & receives code but does NOT save/record . So I wonder if, even if the song structures are different, how easy would be to save each other CC automation, and if ever they can run togheter without doube tringgerings.
2) Midi FX
>> Missing many features about midi . Wonder if those can easily be saved in the Deluge song structure ...
Would like to ask you :
1) how do you see Pyramid as salve , for mainly created patterns, on/off tracks/ On/ff midi fx and launcning clips ?
2) I would like also to ask you how do you see the midi features of pyramid compared to the MPC live ones. W hich one of the new seams a better choice for a midi pattern maker . Does MPC excels in some CC feature better than PYramid ? Liek random midi note for instance ?
Maybe you cannot answer to my question but I still want to ask how you see my idea.
Hi! 1) I mainly use my Pyramid as a master, triggering everything from the Pyramid. Everything else is in a "Slave " mode.
2) The main difference between MIDI workflow of the MPC and the Pyramid is this - MPC does not have any realtime MIDI FX. Yes, you can generate random MIDI events on the MPC and the feature works great, but it is an offline process.
The truth is you can make an amazing music on any of those devices. Pyramid need quite an extensive hardware setup, because it does not produce any sound by itself. MPC , especially with the latest updates, has an amazing collection of great sounding synthesisers (although some of the latest additions are paid features) so it can be seen as a self contained package, like the Deluge.
It would be difficult to me to give you some advise about pairing Deluge and Pyramid, because I don't have the Deluge. The only way you can really understand what will fit into your workflow, is to borrow (or pay and return after 14 days) the Pyramid and MPC and try it out.
@@MusicianParadise thaks for the reply . uuh ... sure. this is a good idea too but quite busy to order a pyramid or MPC and send them back . ...
. However I feel like Pyramid a more fun, for jaming and creting quirks tool. But I wouldn't mind to get it slave if this would enable me to Midi FX and work as a midi splitter too ...... I also wonder this . :)
@@effebidi9677 I have to try to use my Pyramid as a “slave’ device!
@@MusicianParadise Maybe you gonna like it better :D ? who knows! ;)
Pyrmid song structure is way too simple for my likes but I like its simplicity ONLY IF it is for jamming purpouses ..
funny tool in this regard and much more creative than so many sequencers in this department. IN fact Pyramid primary goods are the ON/OFF functionality and the Midi FXs , which shines when in Live mode . So I guess is an amazing tool to work as a Steorid sequencer for a master arranger. It is also a nice little object so I guess IN the future I gonna probably get it again. But hey please , lemme a sign when you ever tried that!. Thanks & Cheers
@@effebidi9677 I'll try it , you have a good point here about ON/OFF functionality and the Midi FXs. One question - what is your expectations/requirements for a song mode? Because, I have no problems to make song structures on the Pyramid, but probably I'm not a very advanced songwriter, I'm just curious, what you are expecting from the sequencer in this regard?