HOW I SEQUENCE & SYNC 15 SYNTHS — midi routing and DAW integration

VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:

Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)

MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
Soundcraft MTK 22
Soundcraft MTK 12
Tascam Model 12
Presonus 16 channel
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)

MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)

GOOD FX
Zoia
Blackhole
Tricerachorus

PATCHBAY:

SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:

SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler

GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
Korg Minilogue XD
Cobalt8
Argon8
Microfreak
Dreadbox Typhon
Korg NuTekt NTS1
Reface CS
HydraSynth

DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
TR6S (tiny!)
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
Drumbrute Impact

#synthesizer #midi #homestudio

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[BoBeats]

Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)

MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
Soundcraft MTK 22
Soundcraft MTK 12
Tascam Model 12
Presonus 16 channel
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)

MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)

GOOD FX
Zoia
Blackhole
Tricerachorus

PATCHBAY:

SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:

SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler

GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
Korg Minilogue XD
Cobalt8
Argon8
Microfreak
Dreadbox Typhon
Korg NuTekt NTS1
Reface CS
HydraSynth

DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
TR6S (tiny!)
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
Drumbrute Impact

[RickyTinez]

This is what i've been trying to resist doing in my studio.. but i think you've pushed me over the edge since this is so cool, it seems really fast to just turn on and start jamming on things.... damnit @BoBeats !!

[eab]

Explaining how a hardware setup isn't necessarily the way to go to create a full song / arrangement was super helpful for folks like me coming from a more conventional multi-track recording background.

I'm a guitar player who has getting more and more into synths over the past several months, but until this video, I have never been able to connect the dots between a) I'm having fun improvising, tweaking, and evolving a groove in a live hardware sequencer session! and b) now I want to compose a more structured song that moves between very different sections with many different parts, etc.

Love your videos and your general approach, BoBeats. You're a good teacher!

[marcussVRLinux]

I got myself a Behringer Neutron to get started with hardware synthesis and get a taste of how it is to use and work with a Eurorack setup (It's got this cool patch bay on the right). And I begin to see that this thing alone can create sounds in ways you can never, and I actually mean, never, get out of any virtual VST instrument - no matter if it is a free one, five Euro, or a super expensive one like Omnisphere. Already I have made sounds I was unable to create with VSTs and I'm really enjoying it. For that reason I already built a small 62 HP skiff Eurorack case to be filled with modules. I then record everything into Ableton... create some scenes with all sounds, and see where the journey goes. Until I have an Emperor's studio like you have, it will take time - but I will get there.

[rspmusic]

I cant express enough my gratitude to you. I was a bit skeptical on going this way and never pushed myself to create an organic setup of instruments. At the same time i keep getting frustrated just sitting in front of DAW all the time and doing everything on the screen. But after watching this video i have decided to order a Arturia Keystep Pro, a Merger and a Thru box. I just already bought a Minilogue xD, Hydrasynth & Minifreak. Of course the larger goal is to create some music like you demoed in this video.

[cjlewis]

You can see the difference 4 years make in what gear you had then and what gear you have now. :) I am on the same journey without having a Youtube channel currently. Still in that midrange of synths and drum machines and still learning how to put it all together. Always enjoy your videos!

[tsgodman]

Just another excellent and inspirational video. Been moving across from an "In the Box" to a "Hybrid Creative Process" and it does take more effort and the rewiring of your brain, but the ability to touch and morph with the instruments is worth the challenge. Computers are just fantastic too but tactile and complex expressiveness can never be replicated with a mouse, everyone just loves to turn knobs, what can I say it just creates a live magic that can't be repeated. Thanks Bo, you're the best mate.

[metronohm_]

That bell sound in the first tune is utter bliss

[cybernitemusic]

You are a born teacher... great way you talk about your passion

[SvenFx-]

I think that setup videos like this are MUCH needed. Thank you again. Any other deep dive on setups would be appreciated. Although boring to some it is much needed information. It’s only boring if you have it working. For those of us who do not it’s necessary information. Thank you again

[phoenixrising]

Some people like me arnt great with the tech side of things and I have to tell u I really appreciate help like this!

[urbanhusky]

I'm using a mio10. While it's only 10 in/out, it does have the benefit of being able to filter MIDI messages. For example: Synths on port 2 only get messages for MIDI channel 2 and so on. I also block program and bank changes across all devices, so that changing presets on one synth does not randomly change presets on all other synths.
I have a MIDI keyboard connected to port 1 and every synth can also send MIDI to any other synth - the Elektron Model:Samples for example can sequence other (mono)synths.

There can (theoretically) be some timing or bandwidth issues when many synths are connected to the same MIDI cable/bus because MIDI does not have a lot of bandwidth. By keeping the stuff that's being transmitted to my other synths down to only what that synth needs, I have more bandwidth available.


I also like having a setup that doesn't require me to start a DAW. The mio10 (or any other thru/merge) accomplishes this on the MIDI side - and I'm using the mixer in my audio interface to provide a stereo mix when I'm not using a DAW. I saved two presets - one with the stereo mix active and one without, so that I can quickly switch between using a DAW and not using one.
I'm also using a Push 2 to have a different perspective and mindset when using my DAW - however, some fiddly bits still need to be adjusted on the PC side (input/output routings, more complex editing/fixing of my bad playing…). I've also found the Elektron workflow to be quite inspiring and freeing :)

Ultimately, everything is connected to my PC, keeping separate audio and MIDI channels - but I don't have to use my PC to play.

[ThePedroAPB]

Mr BoBeats, a timelapse video of a day (or even a week) while using the studio would be amazing!
Thanks for the content, keep it up man!!

[KWHCoaster]

My MIDI keyboard controller and patchbays have made my gear infinitely more productive, easy and, most importantly, fun to use.


Still need to rethink the MIDI on my setup to eliminate using THRU ports on gear as much as possible, hopefully completely, using the MIDI THRU and MIDI MERGE boxes I already have. Then I can be more selective on what needs to be powered up.


One thing I do is keep MIDI controller mappings relatively simple as it can become challenging to remember lots of unique controller mappings. So the same knobs and sliders are assigned for the same functions across all hardware synths.


All that hardware sequencer track capability would be nice to have.

[UndoomedOne]

Good video Bo! I have the Midi Thru Box, but this video made me realize that I need a Midi Merger too.

[Wil_Dsense]

WOw, 15 synths. THat's a bit excessive right? maby you should have stick with 14 synth...
*drinks coffee*
Actually 15 sounds about right...

[THEREALDATALORD]

Those Kenton Midi thru boxes are major league. I love my thru 25.

[janahodgson]

Thank you Bo. You answered a lot of questions about your hardware/software workflow and routing! This is exactly what I’m trying to accomplish in catching the inspiration that often comes with the use of hardware and then being able to integrate it into software for editing. That mixer looks like a key player in accomplishing that goal. Thanks!

[orfious]

I've seen a few of your videos, but I'd never heard any of your music until watching this... it sounds amazing 👏

[ShineRecordings]

Bo you are the best tutor in the YouTube! great contents always