Can Karma mimic the Intellijel Metropolis sequencer?

[DungBeatle]

Hi,

(context: I don't have a Karma, but considering buying one)

Yesterday evening I got a pretty impressive demo of a Kronos owned by a knowledgeable chap. He demoed quite a few Karma things.

Having slept on it, I'm wondering whether Karma can go as far as being able to imitate the functionality of the modular Intellijel Metropolis sequencer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9-XA5MPwY

Any Karma/sequencing experts out there who can answer this (maybe a bit outlandish) question?

[amit]

Karma by it's very nature is not a sequencer.

It's a dynamic Midi Generator. However what/from what - all it generates can be governed by underlying algorithms/or user sequences and live user input.

It can generate arpeggios, Stabs,licks, embellishments, cc sweeps etc directly or based of dynamic conditions (dynamic midi).

And then Generate tons of variations of the above in real-time based on the parameters (switches/ sliders).

It's a great improvisational tool. You can surely do quite some of the what is shown in the intelljel video if not all.

[19naia]

Its safe to say that it can "mimic" and it's safe to say it can do much more.
If you are really interested in the kind of things the device on your video link does, you will be happy with kronos and karma with the added software version linked via a computer.
Software version gives you more karma module at least double what comes on kronos, plus certain options not available on kronos such as edit and access deeper into Karma features.

Karma lets you change the patterns in realtime as you play and you can run 4 patterns together and control them separately. Thats just whats on Kronos. The software lets you run (i am guessing) 8 or more patterns. Kronos has 16 combi slots which means you can actually drive 16 sounds with patterns if you have enough modules to midi in.
The patrerns can be drum beats or metro synth arps like your link shows. Can be more than that also.
Karma has 32 parameters over the patterns that can be changed/ set as you like as you play. They change various aspects of the movement and more. Ways of starting and stopping or how high or low it runs up and down the key range as it runs patterns along the notes. You can make it staggered timing or add more syncopation. Some parameters even mimic what sound like special effects. the dynamic midi aspect is another aspect. The list of CC# that karma lets you select from to use dynamically in your karma setup.... It is huge if not the entire library of possible CC# functions.

The down side is that karama is complicated to learn compared to what i saw on your link. Not that it is complicated at adding one plus one. It is complicated in that it can do so much and knowing what is what ,comes after sifting through more than just a screen page. People get lost in karma playing around before knowing what to do. Get lost and not find the way out. Like shutting a program sound down by stumbling over midi setups they are not sure of.
Its a very good thing in the long run of learning it.

Karma is much like kronos when it comes to control assign flexibility. You choose which karma control will do what.

The main thing is that if you have kronos, you have karma integrated with 16 layer combis including a drum track. The same goes further in sequencer mode with pattern RPPR and recording ability with midi looping of your own midi recordings along side Karma and realtime controls. Also sample inserts of virtually any sound track you like. SAMPLE INSERTS IN COMBI OR SEQUENCER MODE. You can have Karma drive programs made of sample recordings you make right off your mic, such as your own voice. i recorded an amazon jungle bird that sounded like a far out space sound effect. I have that on my kronos wavefile list in disk mode. Work it as a sample and save it as a program and it will be treated like a synth sound which can then be driven by Karma.
Then while karma is doing what it does to your sounds, you can go into synth parameters and start to tweak parameters that shape the sound separate from the midi pattern play and more that karma does to the sound. You will be be overloaded when you see step sequencer and wave seq. Options on many of the sounds before ever getting them under karma control. AMS, LFO, IFX and just simply do not miss out on kronos if you can get one and like what you described. The device you described , it is not going to give you the sound options that kronos has available to put under midi patterns or whatever else.

I think with Kronos and karma software version added, you will do more than mimic and have a lot more options integrated into fewer pieces of hardware.
Just be prepared to take some time and effort to learn Karma. I suggest Karma-lab youtube videos and look for the "how to create drum roll" videos( in several parts), for the basics of getting into what and how to do across the tabs of karma pages. Karma labs youtube videos also demo performances of what Karma can do without explaining how. And still there is so much more karma can do besides what Karma labs videos demonstrate.

[spaceman3]

This is just my little opinion.
I listened to a few demos of the METROPOLIS.
To my ears the KRONOS karma even without the software can run huge rings around the eurorack sequencer.

[EJ2]

This is just my little opinion.
I listened to a few demos of the METROPOLIS.
To my ears the KRONOS karma even without the software can run huge rings around the eurorack sequencer.