Kaossilator Pro + ESX : Play stays in sync?

polyoptics · Post by **polyoptics** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 3:32 pm

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Kaossilator Pro, I love it, but find the limit of 4 banks to be a bit of a road block.

In my research I was looking at the ESX and wondering if it would be a good companion for sampling from the Kpro, so that I can free up the banks for new patterns, as the ESX loop plays the recoded patterns.

The ESX can do a lot of other great things too, of course, which I am excited about, but as a base I am wondering if it would be able to fill this roll.

Specifically:
I used to use a Kpro + a Kp3, but I returned the Kp3 as it would not play nice with the Kpro going out of sync within a few minutes of play.

Does anyone know if the ESX would play in sync with the Kpro, without the use of computers and midi clock syncing? Currently I have 2 Kpros as they play in perfect sync, but this is not ideal and I would rather just have 1 kpro and a proper (simple) sampler.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have found these forums to be a fantastic wealth of information, thanks to all contributors!!

chrisjmolina · Post by **chrisjmolina** » Mon May 10, 2010 5:46 am

I am in the same boat as you. I've been looking everywhere for a real time sampler to sync with my KPro. I do NOT want to use a laptop, rather I'd like to play songs live, loop them, record those loops to individual banks on a sampler, stop the song while simultaneously triggering the sampled loop, then add synth or percussion over it in sync via midi clock send/receive... live!

I'm currently looking at the roland sp-555 but I'm not sure if this will fit my needs since it looks like you need to stop the sample before you can assign it to a pad... which SUCKS. I don't want a break in my set; I want it to be fluid.

Anyone know of a good real time, external audio sampler? I don't need a MPC because thats targeted for music production of hip hop beats. I play french house, and would rather loop a disco measure, speed it up, sample it, then add my own disco stabs and arpeggiated bass via midi clock synced KPro. Then sample another loop at the same sped up BPM from the same song and record it into a bank, then toggle between the two recorded loops while the synth stabs and bass line continue to play in sync. A live DJ remix set. I know I could do all of this in ableton, but staring at a computer screen is no fun. I'd rather twist knobs and look busy... and have FUN.

Anyone know of a sampler that can help me achieve this? I'd be indebted to you.

chrisjmolina · Post by **chrisjmolina** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:55 am

Ahah!!!! Found it! RC-50 you are mine!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqdPvBJg3aE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3V1hWpE ... re=related

polyoptics · Post by **polyoptics** » Mon May 10, 2010 2:55 pm

Ahh cool. I had been looking at the rc50!

It seems like it ends up being 'the master' device for looping everything, and I was really unsure if its loops would keep time with the Kpros loops, have you had a chance to test it out?

I went with the ESX and am pretty pleased so far. I think you are more into live performances, where as I lay things out and record tracks to playback later on. FYI, with the kpro as master, the esx plays in sync as expected and its pretty simple to make loops on the kpro and port them over. You do need to stop the music, but that's not a problem for me.

If you end up getting one, let me know how the rc-50 works (sync wise) with the kpro!

darthballs · Post by **darthballs** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:42 pm

Be careful when you're getting the RC-50.. buy it from a legit store that you can return it to.

I don't own one myself, but after my crazy tempo/syncing problems I had with my KP3, I've started doing lots of research before buying gear.

I've read lots about issues with the RC-50 as well, mainly that when it is slaved to a MIDI clock, the tempo will wobble (and this absolutely kills syncing, along with some interesting audible pops and warbles). From what I could gather, the RC-50 does do very well when it clocks as the Master and sends a perfect signal out (whether or not our KP3 or KOPro will take the signal well is a different issue).

Just make sure you're getting the RC-50 from a legit store and keep the receipt. $500 is far too much to waste for something as stupid as clock syncing problems.