Whats a decent rig setup for the Volcas

[alive555]

I have the keys the sampler and a kp3

Q1. is it worth buying the beats or going for something like the sonic potion lxr which is 300usd, or second hand MTB Tanzbar or other ?

Q2. whats the bass like or is there anything significantly better under say 3-400usd. heard the sample can do the same as the bass only a bit better ?

Q3. Effects. I was thinking of a waldorf rocket and/or even the streichfett. Any suggestions ?

Q4. I am also looking at the microbrute or the Bass station 2. Any suggestions between these 2 ?

thanks in advance !

[Dragan]

I have the keys the sampler and a kp3

You are already pretty well equipped.

Q1. is it worth buying the beats or going for something like the sonic potion lxr which is 300usd, or second hand MTB Tanzbar or other ?

A1: Beats is worth the cash IMO, but it depends if it fits to your personal style. The same applies to all other options. Don't know the Sonic Potion, but MTB Tanzbär is a top notch machine, but it also costs top notch cash. More than your whole rig. You should settle for a style and a price region more precisely. Check the Akai Rhythm Wolf also.

Q2. whats the bass like or is there anything significantly better under say 3-400usd. heard the sample can do the same as the bass only a bit better ?

A2: Bass is great in terms of small package, intuitive UI, good sound, fast results and has a character of its own. If you like the Volca philosopy (since you own 2 of them) chances are high you will like Bass too. You can become highly productive with it right after the moment of unboxing. Surely there is a plenty of better things out there for more cash. Only the sky is the limit and offcourse your bank account.

Q3. Effects. I was thinking of a waldorf rocket and/or even the streichfett. Any suggestions ?

A3: Waldorf Rocket & Streichfett are synthesizers with no audio-in. How do you intend to use them as FX? Did you mean accent? I don't quite get you here.

Q4. I am also looking at the microbrute or the Bass station 2. Any suggestions between these 2 ?

A4: I was looking at these beasts quite closely for my own rig. Add the MiniBrute to the mix. They are all quite similar in terms of monophonic compact synths with lots of hands on control. Different philosophies though. They overpower the Volcas, have far better control, playability etc. I own the MiniNova and I really like Novation but I found Arturia to be a better synth. Somehow Arturia has more grit and is more fun, can't quite explain that. Probably you could find Novation owners who would say the opposite. You have to try on your own. There are often small details that prevail over a individual decision. In the end I went for the MicroBrute and don't regret it.

Q5: What kind of music do you make?

Q6: Which way do you want to develop in future?

Q7: Where is your current set having limitations?

Cheers, D

[alive555]

thanks

Q5: What kind of music do you make?

EDM . Ambient House

Q6: Which way do you want to develop in future?

Just getting back into it have used cubase (6/10) reason (8/10) and had a recent go at presonus studio one (looks promising). Didnt like FL .

Want to try hardware !!

Q7: Where is your current set having limitations?

Its not but im trying to put together a hardware rig and presumably can use effects in the daw ?

I also own an old ESX which is ok not great. Always wanted to know why u cant import samples into these samplers directly from external drive via usb and not using an sd card !!!! Painful process.

Q9. Ill need a simple mixer - assume will need around 6 inputs. ? any suggestions ?

On budget i have circa 800-1000 dollar budget. (i can get a 2nd hand tanzbar for 500 dollars) in which case i can drop the beats.

thanx for the reccs appreciated !

[Dragan]

Just getting back into it have used cubase (6/10) reason (8/10) and had a recent go at presonus studio one (looks promising). Didnt like FL .

Seems like you are searching for the ideal DAW. Did you try Ableton? If you want to combine external gear Ableton is great. Also check Bitwig Studio, this is a completely new DAW, in some fields it is more sophisticated than any other software.

Want to try hardware !!

Good move!

Q7: Where is your current set having limitations?

Its not but im trying to put together a hardware rig and presumably can use effects in the daw ?

Upon your initial post I had the impression you are putting together a live rig. If you're using DAW relax a little. This way you can combine the best of two worlds, you may be using a drum sequencer plugin instead of hardware. For some reason I found it ideal to make drum sequences on screen. Maybe I'm just used to graphic representation of a beat.

Q9. Ill need a simple mixer - assume will need around 6 inputs. ? any suggestions ?

I use Xenyx 802 from Behringer for my live rig, works fine.



Cheers, D

[alive555]

Just getting back into it have used cubase (6/10) reason (8/10) and had a recent go at presonus studio one (looks promising). Didnt like FL .

Seems like you are searching for the ideal DAW. Did you try Ableton? If you want to combine external gear Ableton is great. Also check Bitwig Studio, this is a completely new DAW, in some fields it is more sophisticated than any other software.

Want to try hardware !!

Good move!

Q7: Where is your current set having limitations?

Its not but im trying to put together a hardware rig and presumably can use effects in the daw ?

Upon your initial post I had the impression you are putting together a live rig. If you're using DAW relax a little. This way you can combine the best of two worlds, you may be using a drum sequencer plugin instead of hardware. For some reason I found it ideal to make drum sequences on screen. Maybe I'm just used to graphic representation of a beat.

Q9. Ill need a simple mixer - assume will need around 6 inputs. ? any suggestions ?

I use Xenyx 802 from Behringer for my live rig, works fine.



Cheers, D

thanks
nice gear !! Ill race ya !!

quick question on the mixer. does that mixer allow enough inputs for all that gear ? i thought u would need more inputs ( the volcas are monophonic ?) so u need 1 input each and keyboard and possibly others later.

Also assuming i have sample and keys would you go for bass and beats or something else . If so what . Budget 800k usd total.

thanks for the info on the DAWs . Of course i need whatever works best with this kit. Presonus One is very interesting. Check it out !!

[Dragan]

quick question on the mixer. does that mixer allow enough inputs for all that gear ? i thought u would need more inputs ( the volcas are monophonic ?) so u need 1 input each and keyboard and possibly others later.

Xenyx 802-mixer has 2 mono-inputs with preamps (for guitars or mic) and 2 stereo inputs. This makes all together 6 mono instrument inputs plus stereo RCA aux-in which I use for the sampler. Volcas do have stereo output, but since there are no stereo effects (except on Volca Sample) it doesn't matter.

Also assuming i have sample and keys would you go for bass and beats or something else . If so what . Budget 800k usd total.

Although I am not familiar with gear prices in the U.S. 800$ seems a lot of cash for upgrades. Except the Akai Rhythm Wolf I would not like to give any gear advice. You have to analyze your needs & wishes first. In the end the decision will be yours not mine.

thanks for the info on the DAWs . Of course i need whatever works best with this kit. Presonus One is very interesting. Check it out !!

My setup changes a lot and at the moment I don't use Beats for live anymore. I sample them and run them from MPX16. I have solved my DAW quest long ago: Apple Logic is my first choice for studio, for everything else I use Ableton.

[alive555]

quick question on the mixer. does that mixer allow enough inputs for all that gear ? i thought u would need more inputs ( the volcas are monophonic ?) so u need 1 input each and keyboard and possibly others later.

Xenyx 802-mixer has 2 mono-inputs with preamps (for guitars or mic) and 2 stereo inputs. This makes all together 6 mono instrument inputs plus stereo RCA aux-in which I use for the sampler. Volcas do have stereo output, but since there are no stereo effects (except on Volca Sample) it doesn't matter.

Also assuming i have sample and keys would you go for bass and beats or something else . If so what . Budget 800k usd total.

Although I am not familiar with gear prices in the U.S. 800$ seems a lot of cash for upgrades. Except the Akai Rhythm Wolf I would not like to give any gear advice. You have to analyze your needs & wishes first. In the end the decision will be yours not mine.

thanks for the info on the DAWs . Of course i need whatever works best with this kit. Presonus One is very interesting. Check it out !!

My setup changes a lot and at the moment I don't use Beats for live anymore. I sample them and run them from MPX16. I have solved my DAW quest long ago: Apple Logic is my first choice for studio, for everything else I use Ableton.

actually heres a question for you.

are there any samplers or drum machines which dont require you to load samples from an SD card.

Why cant you load them from say an external hard drive via usb the same way you can into software samplers .

[Dragan]

are there any samplers or drum machines which dont require you to load samples from an SD card.

Sure, Volca Beats for example and Volca Sample which you already have.

Why cant you load them from say an external hard drive via usb the same way you can into software samplers .

The reason is the speed of flash cards and low cost of card slot hardware implementation. For USB connection you need a controller which has to be inside of the host machine.

[alive555]

are there any samplers or drum machines which dont require you to load samples from an SD card.

Sure, Volca Beats for example and Volca Sample which you already have.

Why cant you load them from say an external hard drive via usb the same way you can into software samplers .

The reason is the speed of flash cards and low cost of card slot hardware implementation. For USB connection you need a controller which has to be inside of the host machine.

well when i said i had 2 already i mean that sample is on order here in asia delivery this week and the keys is in the uk awaiting my arrival next week !

can u elaborate on any hardware sampler i can load samples using just a usb . ie no sd card ? thats what i want as i have many cds of of samples. also do you know of any good sample library organiser ?

that would save a lot of time finding samples !!

thx

[Dragan]

can u elaborate on any hardware sampler i can load samples using just a usb . ie no sd card ?

There is a reason why samplers use flash memory: it is quick! USB-HDD isn't quick enough to stream samples, so even Elektron Octatrack (top sampler & sequencer for 1.330 USD) employs flash memory cards.

Why are you after a hardware sampler anyway? Do you want to perform live? Wanna make samples of your instruments on the fly? I remember you saying you ought to stick with your DAW for recording & effects?

thats what i want as i have many cds of of samples. also do you know of any good sample library organiser ?

that would save a lot of time finding samples !!

I'm on Loop Browser which is a integrated part of Apple's Logic. It's my main DAW and has probably the most intuitive sample library available. New samples come by drag & drop. You want to use your samples in your DAW, so it's only natural that you can find & listen your sample library right there on the spot. Most DAWs have a sample browser of a kind, so I would propose rather to stick with what you already have & know and not to go for another piece of software just to manage that particular job.

Cheers, D

[Spheric El]

Some gear suggestions..
Monotribe ,it has a ballsy sound and expressive layout.Some people don't rate it's sequencer but I like it. Pick one up while still available.
PO-12 by Teenage Engineering ,because you mentioned beats.Cheap and powerful.If you like that check out their PO 14 bass machine.Volca Sample is ment to be good for beats so plus PO12 should give you some mileage.
The Roland stuff is really good at the mo.I love the TB3.Check out their boutique synths ,the JP08 and JU06.Highly recommended.
Waldorf do look interesting.The Streichfett could be a nice addition to your set up and style.It would give a certain sound so make sure you have auditioned it.Not the best synth for effects,but most synths you can generate risers and spot effects noises.Its how you mix them in(- some noise rising in pitch,closing filter with reverb-that type of thing,pitch LFO etc).Monotribe is great at that aswell as its bass and bleeps.
All the other synths you mentioned are contenders but see if you can get cheap, good condition, 2nd hand or x display.
Mini KaOscillators are a blast (v1 and 2).Again pick up cheap.£50 say.Not nessesseraly needed but interesting.

[alive555]

thanks, will have another look at some of what you mentioned.

Out of interest what do you think about maschine 2. That looks like one hell of an all in one high end(ish) package and sounds pretty damn hot from what i have heard online. That might be an upgrade right there ? any comments ?

[Dragan]

thanks, will have another look at some of what you mentioned.

Out of interest what do you think about maschine 2. That looks like one hell of an all in one high end(ish) package and sounds pretty damn hot from what i have heard online. That might be an upgrade right there ? any comments ?

Maschine Mk2 is not stand alone, it consists of pad controller + software sampler & sequencer. Sure you can view it as a upgrade path from both a production and live performance situations. I just don't want to add a computer to my live rig.

[Spheric El]

Agreed with Dragan about Machine.It's tied to comp so its not for me.
I have also heard more internet buzz about Push controller for Ableton.This seems like a more elegant work flow.More realised and less problems to iron out.But this is just an impression and two completely different workflows.Ableton is an established workflow ,excelling in audio,while Machine will be more about instruments,maybe.
Thinking out aloud here and don't want to put you off.