Jump to content
aberdeen-music

Keyboard/Synth/Modules Advice


Alkaline

Recommended Posts

I have recently acquired a Roland JV-1080 (http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/jv1080.php) and i'm looking for ideas for integrating it with what I have at the moment.

 

My current set up is:

 

Mac Mini 2012

Logic Pro Studio

Native Instruments Maschine

Massive

Korg Nanokey 2

 

I'm guessing i'd be better off getting a full sized controller but would it be worthwhile getting a more modern synth that has midi in/out?

 

The type of music I like making is stuff like Purity Ring/Disclosure/MS MR/Chvrches etc Kind of echoey beats with 80s vibes.

 

Also, it would be great to get a bit more synth chat on here :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Alkaline.

 

I'm sort of hoping I may be able to help you out here as I use a lot of hardware alongside VSTi's.

 

A JV-1080 is on my wants list (as are a JP8080 & JV-2080 along with many other rack synths I want to add to my setup, ha ha ha).

 

I'm just going by the brief outline of your equipment detailed above, other people may have other ways of working which may be better, but this is how I'd use it in your setup.

 

At the most basic, you should be able to integrate it into your current system via a MIDI to USB adapter, using Logic to control it (unless you have an external audio interface which has MIDI ins/outs, then you should be able to patch it in to that instead).

 

Chances are (from the setup described in your post above) you'd sequence/control it from Logic via MIDI and then record the output from your JV into the line inputs on your audio interface/lappy back into logic as audio (I don't know whether you have an external soundcard/audio interface/mixer/desk or what not as it wasn't mentioned above so am assuming that you don't).

 

I wouldn' worry too much about the size of the keyboard/MIDI Controller your using, after all, once the MIDI data is in logic, you can do heaps more with it, unless of course you want to play it live, then a 4 octave or more controller keyboard would be ideal.

 

Feel free to hit me up and we can hang out/have a look/get it working.

 

Have a gander at my profile for details of my own kitlist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I'd do it the same way as DistortedScience.

 

I have augmented my synth/outboard gear collection quite a lot recently almost to the point I need a bigger space to put it all.  I notice you are using the Maschine, how you finding it?  I really like mine and now starting to go down the resampling route - create beats using the maschine then loading them into my Elektron Octatrack.  Planning on doing any of your electronic stuff live? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as an interface goes I'm using a Line 6 Studio UX2 and it doesn't have any midi inputs unfortunately.

 

I was actually thinking about getting a synth with keys previously but when my father in law offered me the JV-1080 for free I just about bit his hand off. I was originally thinking of getting some sort of keyboard controller with midi rather than USB then using the left and right stereo out and plugging directly into the UX2 to record using the Line In on the back (L and R). Are there any reasons why the other way would be better?

 

What midi to USB devices would be worth looking at?

 

I've not played enough with the Maschine but I've been very impressed when I have. There's definitely a learning curve but it's an enjoyable bit of kit to learn with and the software that comes with it is pretty comprehensive!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any stuff online to listen to?

Oh god no. No no no no no no no. Everything I did was terrible and very amateur hour. It was me going "i like the sound of that, let me try to copy it. I CAN'T DO IT LIKE THEY DO IT. Fuck it that'll do."

 

I am very keen to get back in to it though. I don't think I'd make two songs the same though. Is that a bad thing? I mean, would you want to have a gameboy track then a hip hop track then a dub track all on the same record?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any stuff online to listen to?

Actually fuck it. Here's some of the first things I'd tried to make. I can listen now and laugh, but at the same time, I do think back "well if I did that differently this track could have been semi-good".

 

I didn't have the patience for mixing. My levels were always terrible. And I wanted everything to be heavy as fuck. But here goes.

 

I went under the name Mr Hyde, before finding out someone already used it. I only just found this now trying to make sure you'd never hear the noise I made, ha.

 

soundcloud.com/mrhydedubstep/

fish & CHIP, is, as the title suggests, chiptune heavy. A lot of the synths came from my gameboy running an LSDJ cart.

the aid remix is something I did for aid, but because I, in all honesty, had no fucking idea what I was playing at, it never got used.

Edited by Jaaakkkeee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else into the idea of Modular Synthesis?  It's a bit of a specialist/geek thing to get into but I'm thinking of saving up to get a Eurorack setup.  I've finally started work on live electronic performance and really enjoying tweaking aspect, thinking that some kind of modular rack might be an interesting addition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else into the idea of Modular Synthesis?  It's a bit of a specialist/geek thing to get into but I'm thinking of saving up to get a Eurorack setup.  I've finally started work on live electronic performance and really enjoying tweaking aspect, thinking that some kind of modular rack might be an interesting addition.

 

If i had the money i'd look at that sort of set-up as they look like epic amounts of fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, a pricey route to go down.  If you are interested I am happy for you, or anyone who is genuinely interested to come round and try out different synths that I have.  I'm currently renovating my flat so it'll be a month or so before the music room is back to fully functional but once ready, everything should be set up for recording live jams.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, a pricey route to go down.  If you are interested I am happy for you, or anyone who is genuinely interested to come round and try out different synths that I have.  I'm currently renovating my flat so it'll be a month or so before the music room is back to fully functional but once ready, everything should be set up for recording live jams.

 

I'd be interested in coming round for a play with some juicy hardware synths if the offer is still open. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd be interested in coming round for a play with some juicy hardware synths if the offer is still open. 

 

Yeah definitely.  Carpets are going down in a few weeks time so any time after that.  My favourite at the moment, although not a synth, is the Elektron Octatrack.  Tricky to get your head around at first but I feel like I can do a lot even having just scratched the surface.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a JV1080 too, picked it up the other week and now resides in my rack, great piece of kit.

I could bring my Creamware Minimax ASB to the audio melting pot if anyone is keen?

Cost me a fortune, bought it new from R&B a few years ago, lots of knobs to twiddle with :)

 

Also, as I noticed smeone had posted their soundcloud link earlier on, I thought I would be as bold as to add mine.

Not sure this will be everyones cup of tea musically, there is alot of different stuff here though so you never know.

http://soundcloud.com/distortedscience

Edited by DistortedScience
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a JV1080 too, picked it up the other week and now resides in my rack, great piece of kit.

I could bring my Creamware Minimax ASB to the audio melting pot if anyone is keen?

Cost me a fortune, bought it new from R&B a few years ago, lots of knobs to twiddle with :)

 

Also, as I noticed smeone had posted their soundcloud link earlier on, I thought I would be as bold as to add mine.

Not sure this will be everyones cup of tea musically, there is alot of different stuff here though so you never know.

http://soundcloud.com/distortedscience

 

Really like that stuff man, nice and gritty in places.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...