Point me in the direction re:solo performance

Refined_dialogue · Post by **Refined_dialogue** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:20 pm

Hello all,

I'm new to the Kronos, I just purchased mine in November, and have been drowning in information since then. This is my first synthesizer purchase, and I bought it with the intention of using it to create layered arrangements of songs I've written that I can play live while I sing.

I'm sure this information is on the forum, and I'm sorry if it gets asked all the time, but I've had difficulty pinning everything down. Can anyone out there point me in the direction I want to go, or share their experiences as far as what their workflow is? There's a lot of information on this forum, but I'd really like to home in on things specific to creating arrangements of songs.

Thanks a lot, and further apologies if I'm spamming this topic!

enigmahack · Post by **enigmahack** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:35 pm

When you say live arrangements, do you mean running everything via the sequencer and using it as a backing track, or playing along with a pre-built sequence (like a backing track) and you want to set up Combi's to play the parts you can live with the backing track?

They all have their own approaches it seems, but maybe more information might help!

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:44 pm

Ah, another person crazy enough to dive right into a Kronos. Kronos was my first keyboard of any type! Killer learning curve. I doubt I can help much with your issue but my suggestion would be record all the parts you want as a backing track in the sequencer then save it as a song and play it back using the set list. Maybe that sounds easier then it is, honestly I can't say as I have not tried to learn the sequencer in the Kronos. Good luck the smart guys like enigmahack will help a lot just fill him in with the questions he asked and you'll be golden and drowning in information! Good luck!

Refined_dialogue · Post by **Refined_dialogue** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:05 pm

Enigmahack,

I guess I meant running everything via the sequencer, but how does that translate in a live setting? The other way you mentioned also sounded intriguing, and it sounds like it has more potential.

I'm not sure why this is so tricky to address for me, but essentially:

You have songs you want to perform solo with as many moving parts/layers as you can coordinate in a solo context. How would you do it?

Derek Cook · Post by **Derek Cook** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:19 pm

Yes, create a song with your backing track in, and use spare timbres in the song (not used for play back) for the parts you wish to play live. In the set list entry set the "keyboard track" to the timbre you wish it to play. In set list you can set consecutive set list slots to the same song, but have different keyboard track settings to allow you to step between the different tmbres you play live. In this case, the song will keep playing as you select different timbres, which is neat

enigmahack · Post by **enigmahack** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:46 pm

Depending on the layers and complexity of your tracks, personally I would sooner create pre-recorded backing tracks that simply don't include what you're playing, and play along with it as a separate input to your mixer. The reasoning:

If you're running a bunch of sounds via the sequencer, you're essentially taking polyphony away from the Kronos. This may not at all be an issue, but it's something I'd personally worry about if you're doing a bunch of layers with strings and piano.

That's just the approach I'd take - get a dedicated mp3 player or laptop or something that'll play your backing tracks, and play along with them.

Refined_dialogue · Post by **Refined_dialogue** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:47 pm

Derek, can you elaborate just a bit on that? I'm not quite sure I understand

19naia · Post by **19naia** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:07 pm

Learning curve is still the main thing. knowing how to use set list and how to use sequencer is first, before being able to make any suggestions or ideas happen.

Start in sequencer is best and then set list organizes whatever work you did in Sequencer.

Set list is where you assign any sequencer arrangements, combi or programs and then you can scroll through them easily with a better user interface for scrolling through the selections. The SST (smooth sound transition) lets you seamlessly change from one set list or set list slot, all in realtime performance.
Thats when Derek's "keyboard track" option will make more sense.

The youtube videos should help. If you are a really fresh begginer, you owe some time on the "Kronos video manuals" that are on your included CD-Rom or found on youtube.
There are a series of them and even at my expereince level, video tutorials make a lot more clarity than reading the manual or guides.
Look out for other videos aside from Korg video manual. Lots of videos specific to areas such as Sequencer and Set list, on youtube.

Kronos is so versatile, that when you ask for how to do something without giving exact details of what you want to do, you end up making the most experienced people scratch their heads wondering exactly where to start. Kronos can approach just about anything from a number of ways. And easy to get confused while still learning the options available.

It will be easier if you come with exactly what you want to do, what parts, how you want them to interact and be controlled. From there, specific areas of kronos can be suggested and even explained if you have no experience in those areas.

https://youtu.be/7JHf1XqzBOU *sequencer mode basic tutorial*

https://youtu.be/8NUga0pLLgY *set list mode basic tutorial*

I found it easier to start by learning Combi mode and then moved to sequencer mode where it is the same but with added features heaped on for a nice compact recording studio.
The videos above should open suggestion in youtube to many other related videos.
These should help you narrow down your questions, because "how to make a song on kronos" is about as broad a question as you can get..

nowtime · Post by **nowtime** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:12 pm

Refined_dialogue wrote:with as many moving parts/layers as you can coordinate

here is where you need to be very specific. Give us an example of what you are envisioning in detail of what you would like to do. You want to change drum loops in the moment? Extend the chorus if you want? Or is it more about changing the sounds in realtime? Muting parts in and out at will? Or is it all set in stone on the timeline?

Refined_dialogue · Post by **Refined_dialogue** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:05 am

Nowtime, you know what I'm talking about!

Changing drum loops in rhythm is very important, as is muting parts at will.

If it's possible what's the best way to coordinate four to five parts(keys, bass, drums,lead, 2nd lead) while I'm singing? I want to perform my songs solo, but I want to fill out as much of the instrumentation as I can.

I want to create the best simulacrum of a four part band that I can on my own. Will the Kronos facilitate this on its own, or should I just put an ensemble together?

I'm not looking for the arrangements to be crazy complicated just yet, I just want to execute the songs well with a bit of embellishment

If this is making any sense, can anyone give me an example of what the workflow would look like to putting a song together and then making it performance ready?

nowtime · Post by **nowtime** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:31 pm

Refined_dialogue wrote:Nowtime, you know what I'm talking about!

Changing drum loops in rhythm is very important, as is muting parts at will.

If it's possible what's the best way to coordinate four to five parts(keys, bass, drums,lead, 2nd lead) while I'm singing? I want to perform my songs solo, but I want to fill out as much of the instrumentation as I can.

I want to create the best simulacrum of a four part band that I can on my own. Will the Kronos facilitate this on its own, or should I just put an ensemble together?

I'm not looking for the arrangements to be crazy complicated just yet, I just want to execute the songs well with a bit of embellishment

If this is making any sense, can anyone give me an example of what the workflow would look like to putting a song together and then making it performance ready?

What do you mean by "coordinate 4-5 parts" and "fill out as much of the instrumentation as I can."

A one-man band is difficult unless you really know what you're doing. An ensemble might be a better bet. I use Ableton Live for what you are talking about. Kronos has lots of cool tools but not nearly powerful as Live for one-man band action. I don't use these tools in Kronos, just the sounds. Maybe you can take an example of one song you want to do and be very detailed in writing about what you want happening. You have to know what you want before you can find the solutions.

Scarecrow · Post by **Scarecrow** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:50 pm

Go to program mode, find the drums kit you want, then go to sequencer mode, click the dropdown tab and copy from program, make sure you copy with the effects inserts and master and total effects.

This should fill up your 1st 4 effect slots in sequencer, and the total and master effects too,

repeat this for the other instruments you want but this time only click the right hand effects options tab so it doesn't wipe the others off.

Once you have your main instruments drums, bass guitar sounding good add the others you want and start recording each track,

you could also download the midi file then select the tracks for each track and set their effects, a good tip is to chop off the 1st 4 bars of the midi file in sequencer so it gets rid of its own instrument instruction otherwise it will change every time you restart the song.