Thank you for NOT editing this! Watching the process of any artist is way more informational and interesting than any class or finished piece IMO. Great stuff! Now to wait until my Volca FM arrives!
@@natebrooks7015 I sold it not that long after receiving it. There is nothing wrong with it and I think it sounds the best of all of the Volcas and is the most versatile. The only flaws are how velocity is handled and the limited polyphony. Velocity can actually be done in a few ways and works well, but requires some workarounds. Programming it directly is kind of impossible for me and not worth the effort, transferring from Dexed or other options is way easier but i ended up just going in the box for all of my FM. Programming is a joy and very visual and with Dexed or Arturia's (which even models the DX7 DAC) I have never enjoyed working with FM and sound designing as much.
People don't realize you can jam with a stick and a tin can. Of course gear opens doors, but it closes some too. Sometimes I miss jamming on the toys that I had when I started.
Great jam! I found a trick to sync the keystep arpegiator/sequencer to any volca, without having the transport buttons affecting the playback on your volca! So no need for the app, you can go full dawless. The idea is to slave the keystep's clock to the device it's controlling. Example: with the volca fm, set the clock to internal, plug the sync out of the fm to the sync in of the keystep, and set the sync on the keystep to USB. Strange, but it works!
Man this sounds freaking awesome! Reminds me of something from the Genesis/Megadrive. That's exactly why I bought the Volca FM! It's such an amazing little machine. Next on my list is the Keystep. Cant wait.
Love it! New subscriber. I did get a chuckle how the PO-12 kept trying to escape. I put mine in a little LEGO-like case, then put that on an old mousepad to keep it from running away from me.
Arturia or Roland or Korg need to come out with like an expanded keystep with 49 full size keys and some extra headroom to rest (multiple) modules on. With the Volcas, Boutiques, Refaces, etc. Taking off, I feel like the market is screaming for one of those.
Andre could you imagine also being able to split those keys between separate volcas? For example the vocal bass on the left side and volca keys on the right? Possibilities would be endless with 45 keys👌👌👌👌👌
hi!! hey how do you get the arpeggiator to work when playing live but not active in the sequenced pattern? Amazing stuff, your videos have inspired me to buy a couple volcas, my alesis synths are collecting dust now :)
+davidevoid indeed it does! The Sega Megadrive had a 4 operator (I think) FM chip by Yamaha. Very similar sound, but a bit more rough around the edges. The Volca FM has got a 6 operator FM system, with a very smooth implementation in my ears.
+cuckoomusic I never really understood much about FM until Marc Doty did some tutorials on the Volca FM, seems complex but pretty interesting, especially the way envelopes work.
Watching this after midnight on my living room tv and stereo instead of my iPad, I don't think the next door (wall-to-wall) neighbor appreciated the bass in the beginning. :P
@ cuckoomusic Thanks for the awesome videos once again:) Can you please explain how you connected the iPad to your set up and what cables you used I'm unfamiliar with the iPad connection and how you used Midiflow. Cheers :)
So this inspired me to grab up the Teenage Engineering robot pocket operator and try to sync it to my novation circuit, but I read on the TE site that if you don't set things up properly you could hurt the Pocket Operator's input. Do you have any tips on sync the PO with external clocks?
+Adam Beck cool. Hm. I haven’t tried that many sources. I think it’s tuned to accept the same level as the Korg Volca series, no? I suggest you search forums of Modular people and see how they do it
Hey cuckoo, I'm considering getting the keystep but I already have the beatstep pro and beatstep, would you say it's worth it? I love the polyphonic sequencing and arp. As well as the other additional little features it has like the way you can record the sequences into it like the microbrute. But please help me decide. I'm very indecisive. Haha awesome sounds and video by the way
+Jonathan Zambrano thanks :) Well, if you're a keyboard guy, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun. But if you're happy with the Beatstep pro, and don't really miss any keyboard, then you probably don't need it that much. I was surprised how much fun the sequencer was!
+cuckoomusic thanks bro, yeah I am very much so a keyboard guy haha but t I have a keylab 61 and a mini lab and minibrute. I'll just get it. It seems worth it for sure. Thanks again man
You frikkin rock dude! I also have a keystep for the volca fm. Works great!! Except.... I can't seem to figure how to assign the mod slide on keystep, with velocity/value slide on fm? Much appreciate any advice You could share about this probably simple fix
Ah it's always so enjoyable to watch somone getting into the groove. Funky FM vibes. Any plans for future volca FM patches out of curiosity ? Cheers man
Hey Cuckoo - love your channel so much! I know this video is nearly three years old, but the internet seems stumped - This whole jam is made possible by the midiflow app, without it, the FM and Keystep wouldn’t be able to pull of any live playing of this type. How is the midi flow app connected to the keystep? Is the USB out going into the iPad’s USB adapter in? Or are you using a USB to Midi out/in splitter and connecting that to the midi output of the keystep and the midi input of the FM? It’s the most important part, but there’s no time spent on this crucial connection, and internet searches are turning up nada for using midiflow and non-USB hardware synths (which Volcas are) - any help would be greatly appreciated.
I believe everything is synced through a combination of conventional MIDI and CV. Note information over MIDI from the keystep to Volca. Clock information over CV from Keystep to Volca. To sync the PO it's either a CV splitter or a thru connection between the volca and PO. I realise this comment is a year old but I hope this helps. It took me so long to get my head around MIDI and CV so I get when it seems a bit strange
@@ManOfManyHats94 Thanks for responding to this! I still refer to the video when I'm looking for inspiration. What I think I didn't specify in the original comment, looking back, is the fact that during play, Cuckoo will press the play/pause button on the keystep to activate arpeggio mode and start/stop keystep sequences he's programming in real time. The issue with this is that the keystep sends a play/pause message to the Volca when this happens (when the keystep is directly connected). But in this video, the Volca FM is unaffected by the play/pause messages being sent when he taps the button. So that message data is somehow being stripped from the MIDI data before it's sent to the Volca FM. That's the ingredient I'm trying to get my hands on.
I have tried to jam like that but when I connect my Volca through the 'sync in' jack the 'stop' button on the keystep won't have any effect. I can't not use the arp effect, the sequencer is always on. ;(
hey cuckoo! amazing work :) can I use this as soundtrack for a video essay I'm working on? nothing fancy, just a project for my small yt channel. btw, do you sell your songs somewhere?
Hey hey. Yeah go ahead and sample it for your essay. I have published some music on mainstream streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, etc. You can also buy them on iTunes. I have one vinyl out, and working on making a vinyl of my latest album as well.
I just got this exact set up and I’m having a hard time getting it running right. How do you get the clock in the volca to control the Keystep? Right now if I play the Keystep the speed of the pattern quadruples and I’m not sure why.
@@harrybutt6374 idk if you ever figured it out, but you can cycle through the sync types by holding + and clicking the metronome. www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwitjuSn9YDgAhUSnKwKHRB_Az0QzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fpocketoperators%2Fcomments%2F4h3l8k%2Fsync_modes_explained%2F&psig=AOvVaw3nAY7id3hF2qrdRuKuO2No&ust=1548230262295299 Here is a nice reddit thread about it!
Uhhhh can you go back to the 80's real quick and bring this badassness to the younger us's in order to change the fabric of time for the greater good? Thanks
Hi Mister I discovered your work a few days ago abd i find it great. I try to do the same kind of things but i' ve got a Yamaha reface as a midi keyboard, do you think i could do the same kind of things with it, it has a midi in and an aux. And do you have a tutoriel about that PO 12 machine? Best.
Hey cukoo! I had a question about Midi flow because I'm having trouble with my MidiGAL freezing while receiving CC from my Minilogue and sending to my Digitakt. Are you running USB midi in and out via USB to keystep then sending MIDI thru to the FM or are you using something in between that chain or something totally different. I noticed your setting said Mio, so I'm curious on how you've routed from keystep to FM. BTW. Take a look at MidiGAL to make your Digitakt up to an 8 voice poly synth.. Pretty awesome.
I'm seriously considering the keystep, but I would really like a little multi-channel sequencer with midi and CV, like the Beatstep but with keys. Any suggestions?
hi cuckoo listen no one else seems to be able to enlighten me including suppliers ,mad or what ,does the sequencer work in the same way as the microbrute can you tell me ,had the microbrute sold it but loved the sequencer cheers
+James Thomas Winn The Volca FM sequencer, or the Keystep? I don't know the Microbrute very well, but I think the Keystep sequencer is an evolved version of the Microbrute sequencer. Someone cut in here to correct me. You can build up steps, and then also live record on top of a playing sequence to change it, kind of. 8 sequencer banks.
nice jam! I cannot get my Volca FM to react to my midi keyboards at ALL. it's driving me nuts. I tried a roland PC-200, Yamaha SHS-10, and another old 88 key with midi out I have laying around. The SHS-10 will start/stop the sequence, but none of the keys will go. everything is on channel 1, and the roland as well as the shs-10 only have midi out, so there's no way the connection is wrong. I set vocal to ch1, and my devices to ch1. I tried to control my nano piano with ch1 and it worked perfectly. I hope my volca is not defective. arrrgg
+Jeffrey James oh, that's odd. I don't know if you can turn off midi note response. Let's check that ridiculous manual.. you sure you set the Volca to respond to channel 1 (by holding down Memory while booting, then pressing 1, then play)?
Volca is on CH1. the only communication that works is the play/stop button on the SHS-10. I am starting to think my volca FM is defective because I can't seem to find anything in the manual or online. I plugged the keyboard into my ancient Alesis NanoPiano, set to CH1, and it worked perfectly.
Hi Cuckoo, i very much appreciated your activities and you are always an inspiration for me! My Quest: I have the same set up but I cannot sync my teenage engineering PO 32, do I need a special,link cable for that (my audio cable doesn’t work)?
Great to see how the Keystep works with the FM. It's hard to see from your playing, but are you still limited to 3 poly with the keystep? I notice in jam 4 you have the sequence playing but also play some 3 key chords at the same time?
this might be a super noob question but: how do you sync the mod strip (from the keystep) to the velocity slider of the volca fm? cant manage to make it change when i slide the mod strip in the keystep! HALP!
i've tried setting modwheel midi ch to channel 1 but nothing happens, i've also tried changing the little knobs from the front panel to internal mode, midi mode but nada! is there a configuration on the volca FM im missing?
i found it! I set the modwheel cc to the number 41. my bad I couldn't understand it in the description. BTW is there a way to arpeggiate without pressing play on the arturia? and last one but not less important: how can I record in the Volca through the rec button of the arturia? is that possible?? thanks dude!
¡Realy good channel Cuckoo! I have a question... ¿Does the Volca Fm Increases it's polyphony with Arturia Keystep? ¿or it is restricted to 3 polyphony anyway?
Sounds great. As I understand the fm is 3 note polyphonic. When you are using the keystep are you still limited to 3 note polyphonic? It didn't seem to be limited to 3 note in your performance. I have a keystep and I am considering the fm. Your presets are awesome. I think with you vast knowledge of synthesis, you could do a intro to synthesis video and that might bring you a few more viewers. I certainly would enjoy it.
+Big Bad Wolf thanks a lot mate! The VolcaFM is limited to 3 poly regardless. I'm pushing it though, he he. I handle it as if it was a 4 or 5 note poly. The reason it sounds more is in part because I keep interrupting the bass with full chords and melodies. And I keep two sequencers running.
The keystep has a chord mode and a polyphonic sequencer. If both were used with the volca fm, I bet we could get a polyphonic mess. Might be something like the difference between monophonic and paraphonic.
Cuckoo as always your jam made me smile and inspired me to practice even harder. I have a question for you; why do you prefer to play your pocket operator without the silicone case? Shine on my friend!
BibleStorm while I will whole heartedly agree with you on that point they do serve to protect it. But I suppose I should have specified if he preferred the tactile sensation and response of the exposed button vs the softer feel and maybe not as sharp click of the silicone. and if either of those maybe had an impact on his playing. as always shine on my friend!
Does anyone know how to control the velocity slider with the mod touch slide on the keystep like he does at 2:45? I con't figure it out. I have the midi out from the keystep to the midi in on the volca and only my pitch touch slide on the keystep works. Thank you kindly,
Hey man, having issues playing my volca fm with my keystep via midi. sequencer works but the keys don't. Did you have to do anything specific to make them work together? Thank you for your videos!
Wow Cuckoo, very inspiring stuff as always :) This makes me want to buy an Arturia Keystep to accompany my Volcas even more. Would you have some sources/tips on how and where to learn to play keyboard? (Apart from the obvious; practice a lot, learn music theory etc..)
+Rogier van der Heijden it's a nice keyboard! Play melodies that you like. And keep changing them too, to slowly get into cooking up your own melodies.
Learn scales with appropriate fingering, and try to improvise with them asap. Don't be afraid of trying stuff outside the scale, that's where the good stuff is. It's good to learn scales first though as it gives you a safety net.
Hey @cuckoomusic! I am trying to sequence using the Keystep's sequencer instead of FM's, but they seem to "fight" with each other. Any tips? All I need is that the Keystep sequencer plays and not the Volca's...
Is the problem that when you press play on the Keystep's sequencer it begins playback of the sequencer on the Volca FM? The workaround is to clear the sequence stored in memory bank 1 of the Volca FM and save it. Then when you press play on the Keystep it will play an empty sequence on the Volca FM.
4 years later... What is going on from the start? You play the volca with the midi-controller, but then the sound changes? Does the keystep have a synth built in? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I'm super noob.
love ur vids. was looking to get something cheap and portable to compliment my novation circuit. would a volca fm be a good choice? would a volca keys or something else be a better choice? thanks!
+Mac Joseph make sure both units are speaking on the same midi channel. Keystep: shift+midi channel (labelled above the keys). Volca FM: turn unit on while holding down Memory - then select midi channel and press REC.
+Mac Joseph sounds like you're communicating on different channels. Rate and play is not tied to a channel, I believe. But notes are. Perhaps there are more midi settings to turn off incoming notes.
Hey cuckoo, love the channel! It's always really explanatory! Myself as a volca fm owner, I'm thinking of getting a keystep as well. How did you manage to control velocity with the mod "wheel"? Thank you for yoyr videos!
+Emilio Agustín Galerato thanks! The velocity slider corresponds to the cc41 midi message. So in the Keystep midi control software, set the mod slider to cc41. The Keystep is pretty nice!
@@truecuckoo hi cuckoo. seems like a lot of people trying to figure out, how assigning mod wheel to velocity can work. could you help us? no feature like that on midi control center.
I have a question. When you are in the menu and the volume parameter means something other than the volume (let's assume it's feedback) Is it going to change the feedback feedback by giving automation to the volume knob ???
Hey Cuckoo, where is the Pathreon link? Btw, this was great, really inspirational. Could you also go into a bit more detail why you needed the Midiflowapp? I have a Volca Sample that i'd like to pair up with a Po-20 and po-28 and was hoping to play the sample with a Alesis Micron as a controller (sequence loops, and arps). You think I would need midiflow in the middle? (Will have all the gear at one place early Sept so cant just try, so would like to know if i need to prepare for iOS connected to it). Thanks again, and keep these coming
The Patreon link: www.patreon.com/cuckoomusic I was using MIDI-flow to filter out the Keystep MIDI clock, and to translate the Modwheel to VolcaFM Velocity. The PO series is using sync pulses, so a MIDI solution won't help in that respect, unless you can produce a sync click over a little audio cable. MIDI-flow is a great MIDI solution to filter, translate and distribute MIDI. If you head into some sort of MIDI trouble, like I did (I got two MIDI clocks, and couldn't turn off one of them) it's handy.
+cuckoomusic aha i see. It seems i wont need it as the plan is midi-clock from the micron to volca, and sync-out of volca to the POs. but sure seems like a capable app. Will give it a go in the future. Thanks for the link.
Thank you for NOT editing this! Watching the process of any artist is way more informational and interesting than any class or finished piece IMO. Great stuff! Now to wait until my Volca FM arrives!
how do you like your volca fm? did it work good?
@@natebrooks7015 I sold it not that long after receiving it. There is nothing wrong with it and I think it sounds the best of all of the Volcas and is the most versatile. The only flaws are how velocity is handled and the limited polyphony. Velocity can actually be done in a few ways and works well, but requires some workarounds. Programming it directly is kind of impossible for me and not worth the effort, transferring from Dexed or other options is way easier but i ended up just going in the box for all of my FM. Programming is a joy and very visual and with Dexed or Arturia's (which even models the DX7 DAC) I have never enjoyed working with FM and sound designing as much.
So the volca is not the same as the Yamaha DX7? You have to Daw it in your opinion??
Cuckoo performing an important public service here: showing you can create some good jams for a measly couple of hundred bucks' worth of gear.
People don't realize you can jam with a stick and a tin can. Of course gear opens doors, but it closes some too. Sometimes I miss jamming on the toys that I had when I started.
@@samothrace2106 Mic 'em up!
This has become my favourite channel overnight. Rad stuff man.
+texhkt thanks a lot mate!!
I keep coming back to this one
jam 4 is absolute funk it even made me dance
Great jam!
I found a trick to sync the keystep arpegiator/sequencer to any volca, without having the transport buttons affecting the playback on your volca! So no need for the app, you can go full dawless.
The idea is to slave the keystep's clock to the device it's controlling. Example: with the volca fm, set the clock to internal, plug the sync out of the fm to the sync in of the keystep, and set the sync on the keystep to USB. Strange, but it works!
I came here just to be inspired. Mission accomplished 😊
That first jam starting at 2:45 is sick af!!!!!!
Definitely the best YT Channel I know today.
This is awesome. Each jam sounds like something you’d hear in a cool indie game
Man this sounds freaking awesome! Reminds me of something from the Genesis/Megadrive. That's exactly why I bought the Volca FM! It's such an amazing little machine. Next on my list is the Keystep. Cant wait.
Great use of these tools ! Very inspiring !
Cant get enough of your jam sessions. So good!
Ha ha.. thaaaanks Dude!!
Mate you're flipping amazing. Love your videos.
Cuckoo, this so inspiring to do this with so little equipment. very nice!
Pure gold. More jams please
I love your sounds!!
The Keystep looks like a blast to play with, going to get one. Great jam, with a little extra peanut butter :P
+jean luc Dubinator thanks :)
Love it! New subscriber. I did get a chuckle how the PO-12 kept trying to escape. I put mine in a little LEGO-like case, then put that on an old mousepad to keep it from running away from me.
Must have MIDI controller - Keystep Must have Volca - FM.
That funky part! I 😍 it! Great! Thanks!
Arturia or Roland or Korg need to come out with like an expanded keystep with 49 full size keys and some extra headroom to rest (multiple) modules on. With the Volcas, Boutiques, Refaces, etc. Taking off, I feel like the market is screaming for one of those.
Andre Akai mpk49?
Andre could you imagine also being able to split those keys between separate volcas? For example the vocal bass on the left side and volca keys on the right? Possibilities would be endless with 45 keys👌👌👌👌👌
It exists, it's the Akai Max 49, with CV out and Aftertouch. But I still prefer the Keystep =)
I'm getting some real sim city 2000 vibes from 26:00 in the best way
Dang, I really shouldve gotten a keystep instead of an mpk mini ii :C
You forgot 2 important things.
Your mirror. .. and blu tak to hold the PO in place.
nice jam.
classic Cuckoo sound!
Thank you Cuckoo ! Very inspiring =)
Jam 2 super cool and minimal. I really like the use of the arp with the time division knob in general, gotta start practicing that.
Not to mention, getting impressively creative with 3 voice polyphony!
Thanks ❤️
@@truecuckoo =)
Very cool jam. Sounds great. Patchbase looked cool. I went to check it out on the appstore, but the price floored me!
Thank you!!! can't wait to hook this up to the Radom gear I have
hi!! hey how do you get the arpeggiator to work when playing live but not active in the sequenced pattern?
Amazing stuff, your videos have inspired me to buy a couple volcas, my alesis synths are collecting dust now :)
This is amazing
Sounds great!!!!
this is magic
The Volca FM really brings to mind the sound of classic Mega Drive games like Streets of Rage, must get one soon...
+davidevoid indeed it does! The Sega Megadrive had a 4 operator (I think) FM chip by Yamaha. Very similar sound, but a bit more rough around the edges. The Volca FM has got a 6 operator FM system, with a very smooth implementation in my ears.
+cuckoomusic I never really understood much about FM until Marc Doty did some tutorials on the Volca FM, seems complex but pretty interesting, especially the way envelopes work.
SOOOOOO smooth. much funk.
Watching this after midnight on my living room tv and stereo instead of my iPad, I don't think the next door (wall-to-wall) neighbor appreciated the bass in the beginning. :P
ooops.. gotta play it cool tomorrow morning. Bass? Noo.. I didn't hear anything.
@ cuckoomusic Thanks for the awesome videos once again:) Can you please explain how you connected the iPad to your set up and what cables you used I'm unfamiliar with the iPad connection and how you used Midiflow. Cheers :)
trop cool dude !
He he, thanks mate!
Great vid man!!!
Nice Jam
How do you assign the mod wheel to velocity? been trying to figure it out for hours!
sounds good, as usual
Brilliant work!
As is your icon! Thanks bird bro!
Haha!
i love this jam!
❤️
DUDE SICK !
So this inspired me to grab up the Teenage Engineering robot pocket operator and try to sync it to my novation circuit, but I read on the TE site that if you don't set things up properly you could hurt the Pocket Operator's input. Do you have any tips on sync the PO with external clocks?
+Adam Beck cool. Hm. I haven’t tried that many sources. I think it’s tuned to accept the same level as the Korg Volca series, no? I suggest you search forums of Modular people and see how they do it
Hey cuckoo, I'm considering getting the keystep but I already have the beatstep pro and beatstep, would you say it's worth it? I love the polyphonic sequencing and arp. As well as the other additional little features it has like the way you can record the sequences into it like the microbrute. But please help me decide. I'm very indecisive. Haha awesome sounds and video by the way
+Jonathan Zambrano thanks :) Well, if you're a keyboard guy, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun. But if you're happy with the Beatstep pro, and don't really miss any keyboard, then you probably don't need it that much. I was surprised how much fun the sequencer was!
+cuckoomusic thanks bro, yeah I am very much so a keyboard guy haha but t I have a keylab 61 and a mini lab and minibrute. I'll just get it. It seems worth it for sure. Thanks again man
came for the synths. stayed for the funk
+outstretchedarm thanks :)
Great jam and very inspiring (y)
Thank you, Majesty!
You frikkin rock dude!
I also have a keystep for the volca fm. Works great!! Except.... I can't seem to figure how to assign the mod slide on keystep, with velocity/value slide on fm?
Much appreciate any advice You could share about this probably simple fix
I am still waiting for this answer :')
let's see some more volca jams please!
Is it possible to record a sequence with keystep and play it back random with rests and stuff?
Can you do a tutorial on hooking up a Volca with a Keystep Arturia?
To use it as a Midi Controller, just plug in a Midi cable to the out Midi on the keystep and the Midi IN on the volca.
Ah it's always so enjoyable to watch somone getting into the groove. Funky FM vibes. Any plans for future volca FM patches out of curiosity ? Cheers man
Really amped to see what the Korg Opsix is all about. The volca fm is awesome but difficult to create patches on.
Trop cool Cuckoo ^^
Hey Cuckoo - love your channel so much! I know this video is nearly three years old, but the internet seems stumped -
This whole jam is made possible by the midiflow app, without it, the FM and Keystep wouldn’t be able to pull of any live playing of this type.
How is the midi flow app connected to the keystep? Is the USB out going into the iPad’s USB adapter in? Or are you using a USB to Midi out/in splitter and connecting that to the midi output of the keystep and the midi input of the FM?
It’s the most important part, but there’s no time spent on this crucial connection, and internet searches are turning up nada for using midiflow and non-USB hardware synths (which Volcas are) - any help would be greatly appreciated.
I believe everything is synced through a combination of conventional MIDI and CV.
Note information over MIDI from the keystep to Volca. Clock information over CV from Keystep to Volca.
To sync the PO it's either a CV splitter or a thru connection between the volca and PO.
I realise this comment is a year old but I hope this helps. It took me so long to get my head around MIDI and CV so I get when it seems a bit strange
@@ManOfManyHats94 Thanks for responding to this! I still refer to the video when I'm looking for inspiration. What I think I didn't specify in the original comment, looking back, is the fact that during play, Cuckoo will press the play/pause button on the keystep to activate arpeggio mode and start/stop keystep sequences he's programming in real time. The issue with this is that the keystep sends a play/pause message to the Volca when this happens (when the keystep is directly connected). But in this video, the Volca FM is unaffected by the play/pause messages being sent when he taps the button. So that message data is somehow being stripped from the MIDI data before it's sent to the Volca FM. That's the ingredient I'm trying to get my hands on.
Some nice quality fucking ear candy there Cuckoo cachoo!
I have tried to jam like that but when I connect my Volca through the 'sync in' jack the 'stop' button on the keystep won't have any effect. I can't not use the arp effect, the sequencer is always on. ;(
hey cuckoo! amazing work :)
can I use this as soundtrack for a video essay I'm working on? nothing fancy, just a project for my small yt channel.
btw, do you sell your songs somewhere?
Hey hey. Yeah go ahead and sample it for your essay. I have published some music on mainstream streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, etc. You can also buy them on iTunes. I have one vinyl out, and working on making a vinyl of my latest album as well.
I get some kind of gate or click when I connect my po12 to my volca FM.
I just got this exact set up and I’m having a hard time getting it running right. How do you get the clock in the volca to control the Keystep? Right now if I play the Keystep the speed of the pattern quadruples and I’m not sure why.
Try changing the sync parameters in global mode, by powering it holding the func button?
teach about those cable connections, pls
mariauserinfo keystep midi out to volca fm midi in. Volca fm sync out to keystep sync in. Keystep sync out to pocket operator sync in
@@ryantakach1478 technology is so nice, your one comment made a year ago is helping me out today, amazing lol
Ron Steffans cheers! Lol
Ryan Takach hey do you know what sync mode the PO has to be in for this setup I can’t get my PO to sync to Volca through KeyStep.
@@harrybutt6374 idk if you ever figured it out, but you can cycle through the sync types by holding + and clicking the metronome.
www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwitjuSn9YDgAhUSnKwKHRB_Az0QzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fpocketoperators%2Fcomments%2F4h3l8k%2Fsync_modes_explained%2F&psig=AOvVaw3nAY7id3hF2qrdRuKuO2No&ust=1548230262295299
Here is a nice reddit thread about it!
Wow totally cool !!!
Uhhhh can you go back to the 80's real quick and bring this badassness to the younger us's in order to change the fabric of time for the greater good? Thanks
Hi Mister
I discovered your work a few days ago abd i find it great.
I try to do the same kind of things but i' ve got a Yamaha reface as a midi keyboard, do you think i could do the same kind of things with it, it has a midi in and an aux.
And do you have a tutoriel about that PO 12 machine?
Best.
Hey cukoo! I had a question about Midi flow because I'm having trouble with my MidiGAL freezing while receiving CC from my Minilogue and sending to my Digitakt. Are you running USB midi in and out via USB to keystep then sending MIDI thru to the FM or are you using something in between that chain or something totally different. I noticed your setting said Mio, so I'm curious on how you've routed from keystep to FM.
BTW. Take a look at MidiGAL to make your Digitakt up to an 8 voice poly synth.. Pretty awesome.
I'm seriously considering the keystep, but I would really like a little multi-channel sequencer with midi and CV, like the Beatstep but with keys. Any suggestions?
hi cuckoo listen no one else seems to be able to enlighten me including suppliers ,mad or what ,does the sequencer work in the same way as the microbrute can you tell me ,had the microbrute sold it but loved the sequencer cheers
and in addition will the keys perform same as the fm please
+James Thomas Winn The Volca FM sequencer, or the Keystep? I don't know the Microbrute very well, but I think the Keystep sequencer is an evolved version of the Microbrute sequencer. Someone cut in here to correct me. You can build up steps, and then also live record on top of a playing sequence to change it, kind of. 8 sequencer banks.
thanks cuckoo appreciated cheers
nice jam!
I cannot get my Volca FM to react to my midi keyboards at ALL. it's driving me nuts. I tried a roland PC-200, Yamaha SHS-10, and another old 88 key with midi out I have laying around. The SHS-10 will start/stop the sequence, but none of the keys will go. everything is on channel 1, and the roland as well as the shs-10 only have midi out, so there's no way the connection is wrong. I set vocal to ch1, and my devices to ch1. I tried to control my nano piano with ch1 and it worked perfectly. I hope my volca is not defective. arrrgg
+Jeffrey James oh, that's odd. I don't know if you can turn off midi note response. Let's check that ridiculous manual.. you sure you set the Volca to respond to channel 1 (by holding down Memory while booting, then pressing 1, then play)?
Volca is on CH1. the only communication that works is the play/stop button on the SHS-10. I am starting to think my volca FM is defective because I can't seem to find anything in the manual or online. I plugged the keyboard into my ancient Alesis NanoPiano, set to CH1, and it worked perfectly.
Did you get anywhere with this? I'm struggling to get mine working too. Keyboard is fine and works perfect.
I changed a midi setting on the volca fm, which didn't work but then I switched back and forth like 3 times and then the keystep worked. go figure.
Hi Cuckoo, i very much appreciated your activities and you are always an inspiration for me! My Quest: I have the same set up but I cannot sync my teenage engineering PO 32, do I need a special,link cable for that (my audio cable doesn’t work)?
Any good FM patch editing software for OSX (MacBook not iPad) that is known to work with the Volca FM? Love the sounds Cuckoo you're awesome!
Neil McGuiness Dexed
Neil McGuiness asb2m10.github.io/dexed/
Thanks Man!
Great to see how the Keystep works with the FM. It's hard to see from your playing, but are you still limited to 3 poly with the keystep? I notice in jam 4 you have the sequence playing but also play some 3 key chords at the same time?
How do i save the midi channal settings, i hold shift turn on switch to midi i need but uit doesnt saVE?
this might be a super noob question but:
how do you sync the mod strip (from the keystep) to the velocity slider of the volca fm?
cant manage to make it change when i slide the mod strip in the keystep!
HALP!
It’s a valid question. you need to use the Arturia control centre app for the Keystep. And configure the mod slider.
wow thanks for the quick reply! imma try that later today, and send updates.
keep it up!
i've tried setting modwheel midi ch to channel 1 but nothing happens,
i've also tried changing the little knobs from the front panel to internal mode, midi mode but nada!
is there a configuration on the volca FM im missing?
The velocity slider responds to the CC41 message
i found it! I set the modwheel cc to the number 41. my bad I couldn't understand it in the description.
BTW is there a way to arpeggiate without pressing play on the arturia?
and last one but not less important: how can I record in the Volca through the rec button of the arturia? is that possible??
thanks dude!
¡Realy good channel Cuckoo! I have a question... ¿Does the Volca
Fm Increases it's polyphony with Arturia Keystep? ¿or it is restricted to 3 polyphony anyway?
Thanks mate. It's only 3 poly.
I have all this, well I have the Volca sample instead and a po14 but all the same idea. I can’t figure out how to sync it all.
Sounds great. As I understand the fm is 3 note polyphonic. When you are using the keystep are you still limited to 3 note polyphonic? It didn't seem to be limited to 3 note in your performance. I have a keystep and I am considering the fm. Your presets are awesome. I think with you vast knowledge of synthesis, you could do a intro to synthesis video and that might bring you a few more viewers. I certainly would enjoy it.
+Big Bad Wolf thanks a lot mate! The VolcaFM is limited to 3 poly regardless. I'm pushing it though, he he. I handle it as if it was a 4 or 5 note poly. The reason it sounds more is in part because I keep interrupting the bass with full chords and melodies. And I keep two sequencers running.
+cuckoomusic Even a violin can simulate polyphony. I love it when that happens.
The keystep has a chord mode and a polyphonic sequencer. If both were used with the volca fm, I bet we could get a polyphonic mess. Might be something like the difference between monophonic and paraphonic.
You definitely aren’t trying to push that Korg out of the mix for sure
Cuckoo as always your jam made me smile and inspired me to practice even harder. I have a question for you; why do you prefer to play your pocket operator without the silicone case?
Shine on my friend!
Maybe because they cost an extra $20-40 when they should be free. I didn't get a case out of spite
BibleStorm while I will whole heartedly agree with you on that point they do serve to protect it. But I suppose I should have specified if he preferred the tactile sensation and response of the exposed button vs the softer feel and maybe not as sharp click of the silicone. and if either of those maybe had an impact on his playing.
as always shine on my friend!
Does anyone know how to control the velocity slider with the mod touch slide on the keystep like he does at 2:45? I con't figure it out. I have the midi out from the keystep to the midi in on the volca and only my pitch touch slide on the keystep works. Thank you kindly,
Hey man, having issues playing my volca fm with my keystep via midi. sequencer works but the keys don't. Did you have to do anything specific to make them work together? Thank you for your videos!
so 1 sync from keystep to fm and 1 from the keystep to the po12? love ure tutorials btw cuckoo.... cheers
Wow Cuckoo, very inspiring stuff as always :)
This makes me want to buy an Arturia Keystep to accompany my Volcas even more. Would you have some sources/tips on how and where to learn to play keyboard? (Apart from the obvious; practice a lot, learn music theory etc..)
+Rogier van der Heijden it's a nice keyboard! Play melodies that you like. And keep changing them too, to slowly get into cooking up your own melodies.
Learn scales with appropriate fingering, and try to improvise with them asap. Don't be afraid of trying stuff outside the scale, that's where the good stuff is. It's good to learn scales first though as it gives you a safety net.
cuckoo is the man.
Think I heard some Chemical Plant Zone (Sonic 2) around 26 minutes in or so!
How would this setup work with the MFB Tanzmaus instead of the PO-12 since the Tanzmaus has no sync in/out?
Is there a description how your gear is interconnected? I am a beginner and you have awesome videos, but I need technical basics :D
Hey @cuckoomusic! I am trying to sequence using the Keystep's sequencer instead of FM's, but they seem to "fight" with each other. Any tips? All I need is that the Keystep sequencer plays and not the Volca's...
Is the problem that when you press play on the Keystep's sequencer it begins playback of the sequencer on the Volca FM? The workaround is to clear the sequence stored in memory bank 1 of the Volca FM and save it. Then when you press play on the Keystep it will play an empty sequence on the Volca FM.
4 years later... What is going on from the start? You play the volca with the midi-controller, but then the sound changes? Does the keystep have a synth built in? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I'm super noob.
You could even add a couple monotron delays into the mix if you wanted to
love ur vids. was looking to get something cheap and portable to compliment my novation circuit. would a volca fm be a good choice? would a volca keys or something else be a better choice? thanks!
Great!!
Great!! the po-12 conenct with the sync in in volca? and the midi keyboard conenct to midi in in volca?
My Arturia doesn't seem to want to talk to the fm via midi can you do a tutorial set up video?
+Mac Joseph make sure both units are speaking on the same midi channel. Keystep: shift+midi channel (labelled above the keys). Volca FM: turn unit on while holding down Memory - then select midi channel and press REC.
cuckoomusic the sequencer will play but thats it. i can control the rate but not the keys...(sad face)
+Mac Joseph sounds like you're communicating on different channels. Rate and play is not tied to a channel, I believe. But notes are. Perhaps there are more midi settings to turn off incoming notes.
cuckoomusic solution? sorry im a newb.lol
Hey cuckoo, love the channel! It's always really explanatory! Myself as a volca fm owner, I'm thinking of getting a keystep as well. How did you manage to control velocity with the mod "wheel"? Thank you for yoyr videos!
+Emilio Agustín Galerato thanks! The velocity slider corresponds to the cc41 midi message. So in the Keystep midi control software, set the mod slider to cc41. The Keystep is pretty nice!
@@truecuckoo hi cuckoo. seems like a lot of people trying to figure out, how assigning mod wheel to velocity can work. could you help us? no feature like that on midi control center.
Awesome jam!!!
Keystep on internal or sync in?
Hands up!
I have a question. When you are in the menu and the volume parameter means something other than the volume (let's assume it's feedback)
Is it going to change the feedback feedback by giving automation to the volume knob ???
In the volca fm
Hey Cuckoo, where is the Pathreon link? Btw, this was great, really inspirational. Could you also go into a bit more detail why you needed the Midiflowapp? I have a Volca Sample that i'd like to pair up with a Po-20 and po-28 and was hoping to play the sample with a Alesis Micron as a controller (sequence loops, and arps). You think I would need midiflow in the middle? (Will have all the gear at one place early Sept so cant just try, so would like to know if i need to prepare for iOS connected to it). Thanks again, and keep these coming
The Patreon link: www.patreon.com/cuckoomusic I was using MIDI-flow to filter out the Keystep MIDI clock, and to translate the Modwheel to VolcaFM Velocity. The PO series is using sync pulses, so a MIDI solution won't help in that respect, unless you can produce a sync click over a little audio cable. MIDI-flow is a great MIDI solution to filter, translate and distribute MIDI. If you head into some sort of MIDI trouble, like I did (I got two MIDI clocks, and couldn't turn off one of them) it's handy.
+cuckoomusic aha i see. It seems i wont need it as the plan is midi-clock from the micron to volca, and sync-out of volca to the POs. but sure seems like a capable app. Will give it a go in the future. Thanks for the link.