Source
r/WeAreTheMusicMakers•
behanger

Which drummachine can go step by step through a pattern by giving it a pulse? I need would like to sync drums to my analog gear.

Here's what I do:
http://www.youtube.com/user/behanger?feature=mhw5#p/a/u/0/t8KO_x-NyD0
Here's my sequencer:
http://www.youtube.com/user/behanger?feature=mhw5#p/u/6/pXRGxnyNCic
I drive my sequencer with a pulse that comes from an Indian Tabla machine. It also has youstick input, and it randomises melodies to it according to some simple rules.

I would like to add modern western beats. So I would like to have a drummachine in which I can easily put a drum pattern of 32 steps minimum, and then step through this pattern beat by beat, by giving it a pulse from my analog gear. Do you know of a drummachine that has this feature?

If such a machine only has a button to step through the beats and no inputjack for that feature, that is fine too, as I'm used to solder extra features into almost everything I own and I'll cook the type of pulse for it that it likes.

Posted Apr 1, 2010, 10:15 PM UTC

714
Konketsu15 yrs•

First, your music is cool. Respect for doing something really interesting.

Second, to the best of my knowledge there are no modern drum machines being made that do what you need. There are several pre-MIDI vintage drum machines that can do that, but they are very finnicky about exactly what kind of clock they will sync with.

Fortunately, you have an option available from Analogue Systems called an RS-300 that will (allegedly) convert a steady clock pulse into a MIDI clock, which means you could slave any modern drum machine to your tabla. The only caveat is whether or not the tabla is generating a pulse of the appropriate duration and voltage for the RS300 to recognize.

Downside? It's a boutique modular piece and comes with boutique pricing; you'll also have to fork out for a power supply and case which might bump it up over a grand.

Best of luck, it's a tall order you have.

2
behangerOP•

Thanks for the compliments! I included answers to other comments in this reply

It's no problem at all for me to generatie a midi command. I made a analog to midi convertor for the joystick and the sequencer anyway, based on Tom Scarff's miduino, and if I know what to say in midish, I can let the miduino say that.

Are you open to software, or do you wish to stick with hardware only?
Would [Volta] help?
At one point I learned that having a laptop on stage breaks my concentration and hence my performance. At that point I started focussing on dedicated hardware. But I do run C code in it.

I happen to be new to drumcomputers. Can they all run on a midi step command? (meaning the won't play the next step unless I tell it to?

Which ones are easy to program? Can any of them be programmed while playing?

1
[deleted]•

Don't have any ideas for you, but I have to say, wow! That's an awesome looking sequencer and very cool jam session.

2
stormborn•

Just so I understand what you're trying to do:

You want something that given a drum pattern, will advance a eighth note (or some other value) when it is given a trigger? Basically 'step through' the pattern?

Are you open to software, or do you wish to stick with hardware only?

1
behangerOP•

You want something that given a drum pattern, will advance a eighth note (or some other value) when it is given a trigger? Basically 'step through' the pattern?

That is exactly what I want to do.

1
[deleted]•

would this help? http://www.motu.com/products/software/volta

1
nxpnsvsoundcloud.com/nxpnsv•

If you can do sync24 the 707 is a great choice (i've used it synch a 303 with a c64). I have no experience with software solutions like volta and silent way, but I would look them up.

1
bibster•

What about Midi Beat Clock? Look's like you're handy with electronics, so I'll guess it won't be too hard do fiddle something around an miduino or so, like you've allready done!

You could then use the generated MBC to keep the drummachine in sync.

You could make it as sophisticated as you want, I think. Use something like 'tap' function you see on both analog and digital delays (like where you tap 'one two three' to start at a given speed)

Succes man, ziet er goed uit!

1
behangerOP•

Dank je wel!

A miduino is in fact there. I'm new to midi drumcomputers, though, in a way. A tap function would be nice, though I would like to sync a bit harder. Does a Midi Beat Clock tell te drum computer which beat to play, or does it only say "next"?

I was also thinking of making a box with 32 3-state switches, sync it up step by step from the sequencer, then generate midi for my Waldorf Blofeld from there:
Up: "Cha"
mid: note off
Down: "Boom:

But maybe I be happier with a good drummachine. 707 and 303 are cool, but I guess progress has been made since. Any input would be nice.

1
bibster•

You're welcome :-)

Do you mind having a DAW 'in between' ? Or even: Do you mind using a DAW? a PC or a mac with ableton Live or so, that would give you a poeplading of sounds, western, 'ethnic' anything. Even loops'n'shit!

Now, the thing is: is (the DAW) should be able to sync on MBC.

All you'd need to do, it so make some box that spits out MBC (24 ticks per quarter-note) at the required speed, and 'redressing' siad speed every time you feed it a trigger.

Software (midiuno) could be made very intelligent, say, not halving the speed if you miss one quarter, but hit the next etc. etc. etc.

Now, this MBC is fed into your (say) Ableton, and hupsakee, it runs the sequence/progrqm/whatever at the same speed as you're giving it the analogue triggers.

Snappez-vous?

(edit: grammar)

1
bibster•

ow, and it could drive a sequencer driving a drummachine as well...

1
behangerOP•

Yes, I'm very aware of that option. I was gigging in Paradiso (Amsterdam) one night and got commented on by Michel Waisvisch that I was looking into my screen a lot. I took that comment seriously. In that line of thought, I noticed that having a machine on stage that contains my mail too, is distracting me, even if it's only running MSP or so. So then I decided it was time to ditch the computer. This has been a major impuls in my creativity. My setup is not yet performance proof, though.

(I take it that someone who speaks dutch, with the nick "bibster" is aware of the infamous (but currently ad ridden) site retecool.com?)

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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