Should I Flip All my Synths?

[PeteeBee]

So UC, can you explain how your setup actually works? I'm really dense regarding synths and am really trying to get past going simply by what looks coolest. How do the op1 and the ipad work together?

Sure thang! It goes>

OP-1 > Tåken > Mixer > Mercury7
iPad > Mixer > Mercury7

And you're right. The OP-1 is connected to the iPad as a controller. I only use the connection to play the synth apps on the iPad because playing keys on a screen is pretty terrible.

It's also pretty fun to use the OP-1 as a normal synth + a controller for the iPad. That way I can play something like an FM synthesis from the OP-1 with something like the iMS-20 app with the same keys.

Thanks! Is the op1 actually easy to play as a keyboard? I worry that it’ll be a little wonky, like how the pocket piano keyboard seemed a little tough for me as far as really playing on it? I really think I need to jump in and buy one. It’s just a big jump.

[D Rock]

I think it's all about finding sounds you like. I've found I love my minilogue for pads, behringer model D for bass duties, and a Bass Station 2 for melodies and arp. Running all of that into a mixer with a digitakt for drums is incredible. Super quick and easy to jam around on and I find myself sketching out new ideas effortlessly. That is my core and I switch out a volca fm, volca bass, and Ipad as needed. I'm sure I'll move some stuff around eventually but it is nice to find where each synth excells and then use the strong points to your advantage.

This sort of thinking is what led me to my current setup, though. I bought a bunch of tools for essentially one-purpose each. While this gives me a TON of flexibility in terms of sound, it comes at the cost of portability and productivity.

So, I need to rethink my setup to tailor it for what I need to be productive. In doing that, it *should* simplify my setup and make it more portable.

I can understand that. I tend to look at my electronic setup like a live band. I like to have one instrument for each member I would have in a band. My setup does take up one 60 inch desk but I'm not sure I could go any smaller and achieve the sounds I want. I had intended to keep mine portable and still is possible but it would be a little on the harder side to move around.

[UglyCasanova]

So UC, can you explain how your setup actually works? I'm really dense regarding synths and am really trying to get past going simply by what looks coolest. How do the op1 and the ipad work together?

Sure thang! It goes>

OP-1 > Tåken > Mixer > Mercury7
iPad > Mixer > Mercury7

And you're right. The OP-1 is connected to the iPad as a controller. I only use the connection to play the synth apps on the iPad because playing keys on a screen is pretty terrible.

It's also pretty fun to use the OP-1 as a normal synth + a controller for the iPad. That way I can play something like an FM synthesis from the OP-1 with something like the iMS-20 app with the same keys.

Thanks! Is the op1 actually easy to play as a keyboard? I worry that it’ll be a little wonky, like how the pocket piano keyboard seemed a little tough for me as far as really playing on it? I really think I need to jump in and buy one. It’s just a big jump.

I've had a pocket piano and didn't like playing it. OP-1 is more like playing on a mechanical keyboard, which is much easier and more fun (for me)

[coldbrightsunlight]

I also preferred playing the op1 to the pp quite a lot when I tried them. Still prefer even mini keys to either though!

[fcknoise]

i think flipping stuff for a digitakt, and then using the roland boutique thingies sounds like a very good idea.

[Psyre]

i think flipping stuff for a digitakt, and then using the roland boutique thingies sounds like a very good idea.

Completely agree, although the digitakt hasn't gotten past the honeymoon phase for a number of ILF'ers now.

I'm certainly a more is more type of guy, but only if it's all being used. If something is going unused....it's got to go

[JTurbide]

That jazzmaster looks badass

I would also flip what you don't use much, what doesn't inspire you at all or if you have something that does mostly the same thing as another piece of your gear. It really depends on how you use your setup but I'd say drums + a poly synth + a mono synth + fx + some kind of looper/sequencer/mixer or whatever that brings them all together should get you a long way

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

+1 on the sampler tip.

samplers can go a long way to replace many pieces.
of course you need to load it up w/ sounds somehow.

when i play live i just bring my sampler, so i don't have to bring anything else.
got all my sounds i need on there, ready to go.

i also think that samplers can take a bit longer to really get into.
it has no sounds, so its all about the sounds u put in. which can be good and bad.
also u could take like one sound and make like a thousand sounds out of it.

i love samplers w/ all my heart.

[01010111]

i think flipping stuff for a digitakt, and then using the roland boutique thingies sounds like a very good idea.

This is what I’m leaning towards currently, but I need to take it slow and see how much mileage I get out of my current synths.

My initial impression on the Rolands is the internal sequencers are garbage and make song-writing incredibly difficult, the SE02 less so. They’re both really intuitive and fun to use for sound-sculpting, though making adjustments live is a little tricky for both of them. Playing the keys on them is a ton of fun.

The Volca Sample could very easily be replaced by the Digitakt, but I need to play with one for a minute so I can see if I like the workflow. If the Digitakt makes its way into my setup, I won’t have any reason to keep either of the volcas (the FM is just there to give me whatever filler synth sounds I need).

The SV-1 might stick around because it’s an extremely handy noisemaker (and if I get the digitakt, it’ll be an excellent sample source). If it works well with the vidiot and assuming I like video synthesis, then I don’t know if I’ll ever get rid of it.

The digitakt could be the answer I’m looking for, but I really like turning knobs and whatnot to change the feel of a song. Though, the digitakt offers a lot of flexibility there as well

[tremolo3]

OP-1 is more like playing on a mechanical keyboard, which is much easier and more fun (for me)

I've been avoiding the OP-1 because of a lot of reasons, one of them, the keys.

Are those clicky switches? I'm familiar with most cherry MXs, alps, buckling spring and some other shitty ones... so feel free to elaborate.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

theres an keyboard replacement guide on ifixit

they are like rubber membrane type keys.

[tremolo3]

oh

[01010111]

I just played with a digitakt for like 20 minutes. It’s lit. It could easily replace the BSP and volca sample. That might be my answer:

Flip the bsp, sample, and fm
Use the money to get the digitakt

I’ll think I’ll play with just the JP08, SE02, BSP, and volca sample for a while. Because that’d be essentially be quivalent to the digitakt rig functionally, but in a larger package. If I dig that setup, then I’ll roll with just the digitakt/JP08/SE02

[01010111]

Digitakt’s out. Found out you can’t transpose sequences.

[fcknoise]

Digitakt’s out. Found out you can’t transpose sequences.

Octatrack