Adding your own loops/samples to Kaossilator Pro+

Dubstance · Post by **Dubstance** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:12 pm

I have a KP3+ already. I run four loops on it, and use effects on the loops and sometimes a live instrument via the mic input.

I was thinking of getting a second one, but for some different features, I am considering the Kaossilator Pro+

Having 4 more loop slots could go a long way in live performance (in addition to a couple keyboards I already play).

So I was wondering if the Kaossilator Pro+ can work with preloaded loops that I add from an SD card like you can with the KP3+. Not really planning to use the live looping.

Oh and also would these two devices (or two KP3+ for that matter) sync together properly? Eight loops (four to each device/preset) obviously set to the same tempo on each, playing perfectly together. MIDI clock?

Finally when I use the shortcut to restart the loops all together (shift + tap tempo) -- this is necessary after a while because of audio drift -- would THAT restart both devices if they are synced? (Again either two KP3+ or 1 KP3+ and 1 Kaossilator Pro+)

Thanks for any help offered.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 12:56 am

Hello Dubstance.
I've got two Kp3s .
There is a lot of posts describing problems and clicks appearing with KO pro looper.
They deffo work different than KP3. Kaoss Pad loops are awesome and two together lock solid without midi clock. Infact your samples shouldn't drift at all with one machine - as long as you resample at the tempo you are using . So if you've prepared samples with PC ,then imported via USB , you could try resampling (with shift & sample) to lock samples permanent -if this work flow works for you. Even if two samples are recorded live, but at different tempos ,there is drift , but sample live at a given tempo then samples all stay locked..for ever.
So setting tempo first, then sampling works for me..or resample at given tempo. It cures drift.
This works with two KP3s also , locked forever .
I don't use midi clock ,as this doesn't lock my samples to external sequencers very well (there is drift). I leave midi clock set internal on both machines.
I decided a KO pro wasn't for me - two KP3s is well better, then use a mini KO if I want to and sample/loop with KP3s. Like I said ,many reports about loop issues on KO pro on this forum , while KP3 loops rock.

Dubstance · Post by **Dubstance** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:48 am

Thanks for your answer and info Spheric

Looks like I should consider a second KP3+ then.

So I have to resample the same loop once I've imported it into the device? Basically all the loops I would import (4 per device)?

I create 4 loops that work together, all at a certain same tempo first, of course, and cut off the grid, 4 perfect measures. So they are theoretically the same length.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 2:20 am

Yes that's it.
Nothing is exact length as a KP3 4bar measure, apart from a KP loop sampled at that tempo .Resampling last sample(4th) will be tricky, unless you import a KP3 pre made sample.
Glad it's been helpful

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 2:23 am

BTW do you use Audacity or Ableton or something ?
And do you sample initially with KP3 then edit in PC/mac or is it external first,then KP , out of interest?

Dubstance · Post by **Dubstance** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:58 pm

I use Sonar as my DAW so I create any beats, basslines, etc in there. I'm a keyboard player so I play the parts. Beats I usually work out on a padKontrol and then quantize. Only four loops means I stick to all drums/perc/music. Would be nice to add in some vocal samples, etc. Anything else like electric piano or B3 chords/improv I can play live against the loops. My live rig is a Nord Stage 2 and a Hammond SK1, and I just picked up a little Mopho for some analog goodness.

Just slowly putting together a single/duo project that doesn't require a live drummer.

I'm just not into doing live with a PC or Mac, like with Ableton. I have too much tricky gear as it is, so laptop route isn't for me. (Neither is Muse Receptor although I've used those in the past).

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 1:15 am

Sounds nice.

Dubstance · Post by **Dubstance** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:11 pm

I'll let you know when I get the second KP3 how it all works out.

What's your application of the device, and what do you combine it with in terms of gear?

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:28 pm

I'm a DJ ,but I do bedroom production with decks,effects plus synths and mixers and i play in a band -as the DJ/electric sounds an samples.
At home I use a large (01v)mixer for my synths and a DJ mixer with vinyl/CD decks into 2 times KP3s -which are both fed into two mini KPs ,then two external reverb type units.So two chains of Kaoss/Kaoss/reverb. So the decks have two channels of effects busses to travel along to my main mixer.But I also send my synth mixer back into the DJ mixer for more effects busses.
Thats the centre of my studio and its a blast. Firing feed back loops round and round and sometimes sampling just electric noise ,as the feed back takes on a life of its own through 4 Kaoss pads. You get some amazing expression when tapping more than one XY effect at same time, plus with the motion sequence on the KP3s I end up with tracks generated largely on a selection of different effects through an arrangement and can jam tracks sounding quite complete in hours.
My favourite synths right now are the TB3 ,Volca Keys, two Monotribes (one midi'ed) and a MiniAk seems to take care of full size keys virtual analogue.
The two KP3s sample loops seem to make loop based music really well on their own and turn on/off half way through the bar an stuff while staying locked, much better than most (or all) machines I've ever played with.
Shame about their flumexed midiclock to loop length.If that worked perfect they would be truely amazing. But to sync to external seqs and drum machines for 5 mins or more, I have to sample a analogue sync signal to KP3 at given tempo then play back somehow into the midified montribe to generate a stable midi clock that syncs forever. -Thats a ball ache ,but still worth it if thats whats required.
Tech moves on fast though.I have an OP1 also now ,whos tape is so good at editing ,sometimes midi clock isnt even required.
Looking at an Octatrack also ,but concerned that more gear doesn't mean more or faster music..but thats the G A S.
Been looking at that Volca FM speaking of GAS.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:43 pm

I should add I use the KP3s in parallel ,but with the miniKPs in series after the KP3s,then reverb units after in series again.So two parallel busses of three chain effects in series.
Its when the KPs are in series that the mad sounds really build up as both are tapped on the same signal.
In fact some tunes are CDs re-recorded for three passes through these and it does sound good.I can route all four pads to series by feeding one buss to the other.
I make sure I can record at the drop of a hat and I have an external CD burner loaded at all times with remote ,ready to record live instantly ,then can whip the disk out, throw it into a deck and blitz it again.
I dont use software for those live jams as this is faster.I use Audacity for some post production edits but very little software..for now.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:39 am

Another thing I'd mention is playing keyboards straight into the 4 or 8 sample banks. I'm not a keys player as such ,but enjoy recording live into the loops (especially with two KP3s) and then mixing/editing them by using ,say, a LPF gate program and switching between two or more bass phrases on the fly, for variation.
I highly recommend playing Keys straight in and changing voices as you sample, making a quick track.Re-sample with extra effects then use something like the Gate effects to "comp" the different elements together, gelling them.
Having said that ,there are so many ways to make music that each to there own , and I appreciate you are coming at it from a slightly different angle.