Modulate This! - News, Tips and Links for Electronic Musicians and Producers

FAW Circle Synthesizer Sound Design Tip: Hidden Tab Parameters + Modulating Filter with Keyboard Tracking

I’ve been doing some sound design work with Future Audio Workshop Circle Virtual Synthesizer.

While most of the parameters are visible on the main page of the user interface, some are only accessible via tabs along the bottom of the interface. So to search for sounds, access keyboard and arpeggiator controls, global settings, effects, and midi modulation routines use the tabs at the bottom.

For example, if you ant to modulate the filter so that it tracks the keyboard (the higher the note the brighter the sound):

1. Click the “Keyboard Tab”
2. Drag the grey modulation output dot on the bottom pane marked “keyb1 and…
3. Drop it on the modulation input hole for “Filter Frequency”

That’s all there is to it. Note this same modulator is mapped by default to oscillator “Course” tuning. If you remove this modulator from “Course” tuning the pitch for the oscillator will be static and not track with the keyboard.

In my previous post, I talked about the using the Wacom Tablet with Ableton Live. This same posts mentions how to configure Ableton Live to "-_EnsureKeyMessagesForPlugins". You'll need to follow the instructions in this post if you want to enter keyboard data into Circle - such as patch info. It's worth mentioning that the Wacom also works really well with Circle interface and is extremely well suited to the drag-and-drop modulation interface.

Links:

• Official web page for Circle
• Modulate This Review of Circle

Mark Mosher
http://www.modulatethis.com
http://www.markmoshermusic.com
http://www.twitter.com/markmosher

Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorial: How to Use the Step-Sequencer

One of the new features in Ableton Live 8 is the ability to step-sequence in the Midi Note Editor. This is covered only briefly on age 204 of the manual so I put together a 5 min. video tutorial to help you get your mind around how this feature works.

Update: I've gotten a lot of comments that people like this video but they feel this implementation leaves something to be desired. I want to mention that the upcoming add-on Max for Live has an "off the hook" step sequencer device. Check out more here.

I also want to point that that there is utility in the feature set shown here especially for step-sequencing chord structures.

Watch the video on YouTube.

See other Modulate This! articles, tutorials, and ideos on Ableton Live.

Mark Mosher
www.markmoshermusic.com
www.modulatethis.com
www.twitter.com/markmosher

Video Tutorial: How To Use Ableton Live Racks To Create Multi-Sampled Instruments

Watch Video: How To Use Ableton Live Racks to Create Multi-Sampled Instruments

I’ve seen questions recently in Modulate This comments, and on the Ableton Live forum regarding the creation of multi-sampled instruments in Ableton Live. This video tutorial is  step-by-step how-to video that walks you through the creation of a velocity switched multi-sampled instrument using Ableton Live, Ableton Simpler, Instrument Racks, and Drum Racks.

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com
www.markmoshermusic.com
www.twitter.com/markmosher

If you like what your are reading, please SUBSCRIBE and comment.

Ableton Live Tip: Sequencing on the Fly and Insert Captured Scene

For some time, I've been using a fantastic keyboard shortcut in Ableton Live called Insert Captured Scene. It has the potential to save you a lot of time and allow you to further enhance your zen-like ability to create and sequence on the fly.

Let me talk a little about an approach I often use to create a new phrase (say for a verse) then create variations of the phrase without stopping playback.

• I create a Live set with basic instruments - you know, drums, bass, pad etc...
• I then lay a bass or drum track down with the metronome running
• At this point, I switch off the metronome and use the new track as a rythmic reference
• I'm now free to select different tracks and start laying down other parts within the scene

The illustration below shows the end result of this process with a scene made up of 5 clips in 5 tracks.

Now I want to create a variation of the scene with tracks 1,2, and 4. However, I want to do this instantly without stopping the sequencer or having to drag clips to a new scene.  By pressing Ctrl-Shift-I on a PC, or Command-Shift-I on a Mac, the selected clips in the current scene are instantly copied to a new scene and the scene begins to play.

Give it a try. I think it might change the way you work within Live.

M-Audio Trigger Finger Tutorial & Enigma Preset for FL Studio FPC

None of the default Trigger Finger mappings work with FL Studio's FPC. I've created a preset that works with FPC using the Enigma Editor.  In this article I'll show you how to download my Enigma bank then copy the preset for FPC into one of your Enigma banks.

The article is rather long, read on, and feel free to comment with your own tips...

Tutorial: How to use the Axiom 25 with Ableton Live and with Live's Impulse Drum Sampler

+

Ableton provides a free Live Pack containing three custom programs for M-Audio Axiom series keyboards. These programs contain mappings that allow you to control Live's transport, switch scenes, launch scenes, control volume, control instrument/effects parameters, trigger clips, and play impulse sounds with the Axioms drum pads.

This article offers tips for setup and usage and goes beyond the information in the Ableton Lesson by offering illustrations and examples. The article is specific to the Axiom 25 but owners of other Axiom 49 or 61 will also find this information helpful.

The article is rather long, read on, and feel free to comment with your own tips...

The Insider's Guide to Ableton Live

Ableton.com just announced that "For the second year in a row, Computer Music magazine has dedicated a special issue exclusively to Ableton Live. The Insider's Guide to Ableton Live features a mix of both beginner and advanced tutorials, a special story on Live user groups and custom Live Packs made especially for the issue. The issue is available through January on UK newsstands and at selected Borders and Barnes & Noble outlets worldwide." You can also buy this online.

Here is a description of the issue from Computer Music Magazines web site.

If you use Ableton Live - or want to - this brand-new CM Special is for you. Put together with the help of Ableton technical experts, the world’s most hardcore Live users and CM’s own crew of music production pros, this is a collection of insider’s tips and tricks that you just won’t find anywhere else. For producers, DJs and musicians.

Inside:

• Build a track in Live 6
• Make your arrangements flow
• Get your head round Live’s most misunderstood features
• Perform advanced MIDI tricks
• Put the new Racks through their paces
• Get to grips with Sampler
• Compose and sync sound to picture
• Integrate Live with a traditional DJ setup
• Discover advanced techniques and hacks

Plus! On the CD

• Exclusive Ableton Live Pack

Kicking electronic percussion and atmospheric pads from electronic master Dennis DeSantis, ready to drop into your latest project

• CM ModMachines Lite Live Pack

A collection of extreme sounds from TrackTeam Audio, featuring pumped-up drums, big synths, kicking bass, twisted effects, expressive keys, amazing atmospheres and dozens of convoluted effects chains. Bring out the best in your tracks!