Ha nice, at least there are quite a few of them around now 😁 The v3.0 firmware certainly injects a bit more life into it. I hadn't used it much since all the other Livens launched but this has me wanting to explore it all over again, especially the sound locking for drum patterns.
It's great to see Warps finally getting more firmware attention, after all this time. I'm finally about to move to 3, today. I'm late to the party, I know. I really hope they also put some effort into smoothing out some of the rough edges in the effects sections of all the Liven's. Sometimes just changing an effect type, as well an amount of an effect, can get pretty wonky. Overly loud levels, etc, causing abrupt changes to overall volume, clipping, etc..
Yes Sonicware seem determined to keep updating their older products. Some of these ideas come from later Livens, so yeah I'm sure they'll keep polishing stuff by passing things back down the chain. Some things are difficult to fix though like the varying FX volumes on the XFM, changing that would alter everyone's patterns so that's a tricky one.
Yes the FX are included in the list of midi CCs on the implementation chart so that would work well. Anything shown here can be controlled via midi: www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_8bitwarps/DOC/8bw_manual_MIDI_en_r1.pdf
Great update. Would it be possible for Sonicware to bring out a 8bit Warps firmware/special edition which swaps out the looper for a 4 track sequencer (a la the XFM and Lofi-12)?
Oh yes I'd love that too. I keep hoping they will develop a "Liven 2" hardware platform so they can be more ambitious with specs on them. Fingers crossed that happens 🤞
@@ChrisLodyMusic I guess you got your wish with the Lofi12 xt. sort of like a liven 2. i just found out about that yesterday after the kickstarter is already over... maybe if i message them they will let me do a late pledge? otherwise, they said it will hit retail later in 2024 after the kickstarter fulfills. I expect there will eventually be xt versions of several of these liven boxes.
Hello Chris, thank you for the update advice. I successfully updated to 3.0 firmware bute the drum download was a zip andbit didn't convert into the sys-x like the firmware update. Is there a way to convert the zip file to sys-x? I don't Understand it. 😅
That might just be because of the type of sound you're playing into the delay. If it has a simple on\off envelope you won't be able to hear the difference. Try playing with the envelope to fade in or out, or try playing with the synth engines to make the sound change over time
Just got Warps and updated to 3.0 Works fine... I am having trouble with Warps being controlled as a sound module by Ableton Live Midi out...I want to record audio from Warps.. It works with Warps as the Master, but it isn't receiving MIDI in when I play Midi out from Live; I am using Push 2 as my main controller. I followed the Warps MIDI functions instructions in the manual ,,, I dont see 8Bits Warps listed in the controllers on Live 11, this might be the issue, I am using Focusrite Scarlett 6i as my interface, do you know a work-around or other help to fix this ? thanks.
All I can think to suggest is to check the midi receive channel and make sure it matches up to what Ableton is sending out. Press Func+Midi and check the setting under RX.CH (receive channel). The midi on the 8Bit Warps is fairly simple so I'm not sure what else it could be. You can trouble shoot it be connecting a controller keyboard to the Liven to see if that works or an alternative bit of hardware to your output from Ableton and see if those work
There is a very basic lo-fi 8 bit FM mode on the 8 bit Warps that I've talked about on the channel before (see attached video ua-cam.com/video/2iyDjNP7rAY/v-deo.htmlsi=Y-Od8RTl_H6AAx3O ) but mostly the 8 bit Warps is about stacking and blending static 8 bit waveforms. The Liven XFM is much closer to what they could offer because it has a full 4 op synth engine at it's core. Here's a video that shows what the XFM can do in edit mode ua-cam.com/video/G-OuAQBguqk/v-deo.htmlsi=q-yPYsgGQKzF5l3K
Normally I can record up to six notes with one engine per step, so the sound lock does only allow to assign per step, I cannot have two different drum sounds on the same step? I don't fully grasp yet how it works.
So the 8 Bit Warps is what's referred to as Monotimbral, which means despite the fact that it can play more than one voice in terms of polyphony, these must have the same settings for all the knobs etc at any given time. So sound locking reprograms the knobs on a per step basis, but they can only have one set of settings at once, so one sound at once. Hope that makes sense 😁
@@ChrisLodyMusic thank you that nails it! I just received my unit today and try to figure it out. Seems I will have to use the track looper to compose, I was hoping the four engines could record independent.
@zer0zilli0n Sadly not on this Liven. Some of the others have more than one track but this was their first so they decided to go with the audio looper on this one
@@ChrisLodyMusic it's still a great package, amazing sequencing features, maybe it's even better that way to record a loop, carry it over and add some more to it. Else you just get lost in track copy operations.
Hi Chris, great video! I’m not into chip tunes so much but I feel like this box has a lot of value as a synth and so much performance value. Do you think is good for a beginner generally? Thanks in advance.
Thank you. It wouldn't be the worst idea but if you're not into chip tune there's a couple more of the Livens that I'd recommend looking at instead. First would be the Liven Lofi-12 which is a sampler but has synthesis functions such as a filter, lfo etc to tweak the sound in real-time plus lots of effects and multiple tracks which can have different sounds playing on them simultaneously so it's more versatile than the 8 Bit Warps. These videos will give a good overview of it: ua-cam.com/video/fwsOg_PVGtM/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/v-deo.html Second would be the latest Liven, the MEGA Synthesis. It is based on gaming hardware again but offers a nice toolkit regardless of that and managed to open the specs up a bit so that modern sounds can be made too. It offers 3 different kinds of sound creation, 2 synth types and 1 sample type, spread across 6 tracks. There is a bit less live tweaking available than on the Lofi-12 but it's the simplest Liven to use so it depends what you're looking for. Here's an overview: ua-cam.com/video/hy28HV4TxRs/v-deo.html
@@ChrisLodyMusichow do you compare 8 Bit Warps to Mega Synthesis? I’m torn between the two. I really like the videos of the 8 bit warps, and understand it will work well in a studio set-up with other gear or as a sketch pad using the looper, but the mega synthesis is a multitimbral self contained unit and still seems to have a decent degree of control over personalised custom sounds..
@@DanHahnProfile So the 8bit Warps is a synth that emulates the simple wavetable abilities of early 8bit machines with editable waveforms and a 4 track audio looper. It's worth bearing in mind that the looper doesn't keep it's contents when the power is turned off though. The MEGA gives you full access to editing an emulation of the 4 -op YM2612 chip & it's ability to play samples. Plus it adds on simple square, pulse and noise sounds found in the SN76489. It uses a 6 track sequencer so you can have FM, chip-tune style sounds and lofi sampling all at once The 8 Bit Warps is the first Liven so there have been quite a lot of advancements with the sequencer etc since then. Perhaps the only disadvantage with the MEGA is that there is less real-time control over the sound than the 8 Bit Warps, but overall the MEGA has a broader palette. I'd say if the looper and hands on tweaking is essential go for the 8 Bit, otherwise the MEGA.
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks so much for the detailed reply! Brilliant info, but hasn’t made a decision any easier 😆 I’m very taken with the 8 bit warps, especially with the abstraction of the concept over that of a direct console emulation. I do have tonnes of gear so the looper would be most handy when sat on the train or the sofa rather than trying to do something “serious”. I’ll have to watch a few more demos of the mega, but a six track battery powered sequencer with lots of glitch potential is also quite enticing - especially given that with three small kids it’s easier to get time on the aforementioned train or sofa than in the studio..
Not really no. The Mirage is a sampler where as this is an 8 bit synth that works in a very similar way to early game console soundchips like the ones in the NES and Gameboy. There are a few extra features like effects and filters that mean it's much more capable than that, but it won't sample like the Mirage. If you're looking for Sonicware samplers, have a look at the Lofi-12, Lofi-6 and Lofi-12 XT models.
so i was using an m audio interface and when selecting the device i was immediately getting an error. before spending money i checked the forums and found a fix. I had to manaully change a setting. If i recall, i had to manually lower the bit rate to something really low. i found it in a midi ox forum. I know that's not terribly helpful due to the lack of details, but i did this over a month ago. Hopefully it's better than nothing. i posted this comment on the chris's update video too.
Just have updated 8bit to new lvl 3.0. Drums are not awesome but rest of the features are great. Downside is that I had to buy midi interface for update procedure. In the end it is ok because I found few other applications already for this cable (CME U2 midi pro). One thing that I miss is overdub on looper, should checked that out before purchase (idk why I was thinking that Is obvious). For sure will give a 8bit warps a chance, this instrument have the character.
No sadly not, it's always a triangle. I think this was one of the main complaints users had with it which is why the later models have much more choice
It’s pretty crazy in the best way, they did a great job on all these fx didn’t they? I just hope they will remove the hum from tape effect, maybe replace it with warble/wow and flutter. Anyway a really great and welcome update, and a great showcase by you 👍
They are some pretty fine effects yeah, very tweak able 👌 I'm not sure they'll remove the hum but you can always use a de-hum effect in post process or realtime. You can grab a free copy of RX Elements 10 at the moment that includes a very good version of that www.kvraudio.com/news/get-izotope-rx-elements-free-win-a-copy-of-native-instruments-komplete-14-ultimate-ce-58675/0/7258
No it's activated without the Func button. It's oblong button 10 (parameter lock button) but it will now cycle round between off, on and sound locking mode instead of just off and on. Func + button 10 puts it into parameter lock record mode like it did before. Hope that helps!
I swear if they come out with a lofi 12 black keys 🎹 version or lofi 6 I’ll be salty lol interesting that this has a different looper Instead of 4 track sequencer
I would hope not with the Lofi-6 at least, I don't think a special edition of a special edition would go down well! 😅 Yes the looper was an interesting thing to do on the first Liven. I can only imagine they had a ton of ram to spare and felt the need to use it. It's just a shame the looper can't be saved though, it erases after being powered off which is a shame
So set yourself up for transmitting midi sysex in the same way as you would for updating the Livens but power up normally. Then select a sound memory you'd like to overwrite by pressing MEM and turning the encoder. The drum sounds are save M.100 to M.128 so it makes sense to use those if they are free. Then transmit one of the drum sounds into the Liven (M.100 for example), the Liven will receive the sound and you should be able to play it on the keys to test it but it's not yet saved so press func+MEM (save) and you'll be prompted to choose a place to save it. If you want to just overwrite the memory slot you chose earlier press OK and it's now saved. You'll need to repeat this for each individual drum sound if you want them all.
thanks CL for posting this video, I may have to buy 8bit warps again LOL. sonicware is a great company
Ha nice, at least there are quite a few of them around now 😁 The v3.0 firmware certainly injects a bit more life into it. I hadn't used it much since all the other Livens launched but this has me wanting to explore it all over again, especially the sound locking for drum patterns.
It's great to see Warps finally getting more firmware attention, after all this time. I'm finally about to move to 3, today. I'm late to the party, I know. I really hope they also put some effort into smoothing out some of the rough edges in the effects sections of all the Liven's. Sometimes just changing an effect type, as well an amount of an effect, can get pretty wonky. Overly loud levels, etc, causing abrupt changes to overall volume, clipping, etc..
Yes Sonicware seem determined to keep updating their older products. Some of these ideas come from later Livens, so yeah I'm sure they'll keep polishing stuff by passing things back down the chain. Some things are difficult to fix though like the varying FX volumes on the XFM, changing that would alter everyone's patterns so that's a tricky one.
Hope they keep it up. That reverse delay is excellent in the warps. Playing with it now.@@ChrisLodyMusic
Would it possible to use something to control the effects parameters like rate or amount via midi like say a key step?
Yes the FX are included in the list of midi CCs on the implementation chart so that would work well. Anything shown here can be controlled via midi: www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_8bitwarps/DOC/8bw_manual_MIDI_en_r1.pdf
Great update. Would it be possible for Sonicware to bring out a 8bit Warps firmware/special edition which swaps out the looper for a 4 track sequencer (a la the XFM and Lofi-12)?
Oh yes I'd love that too. I keep hoping they will develop a "Liven 2" hardware platform so they can be more ambitious with specs on them. Fingers crossed that happens 🤞
I love the looper - I wish all Livens had it!
@@ChrisLodyMusicabsolutely. An 8 or more track multitimbral 8bit Warps with the pads and stem export of a SmplTrek would be a dream synth
@@ChrisLodyMusic I guess you got your wish with the Lofi12 xt. sort of like a liven 2. i just found out about that yesterday after the kickstarter is already over... maybe if i message them they will let me do a late pledge? otherwise, they said it will hit retail later in 2024 after the kickstarter fulfills. I expect there will eventually be xt versions of several of these liven boxes.
@djangofett4879 Yeah I'm looking forward to working on that one. Yeah sure message them and see if they'll accept a late pledge, can't hurt to try 👍
Im still highly thinking about getting this as my first synthesizer and this just makes me even more ready🙏
Nice one, hope you have fun if you decide to buy one 😁
Hello Chris, thank you for the update advice. I successfully updated to 3.0 firmware bute the drum download was a zip andbit didn't convert into the sys-x like the firmware update. Is there a way to convert the zip file to sys-x? I don't Understand it. 😅
All I can recommend is trying again. I've just checked the zip file and it extracts as expected so I'm not sure what you've encountered
Wo, we can record different sounds in the same track! Thank you, I never understood how the param lock was working!
You can yes 😁 for it to work smoothly the sounds need to use the same synth engine, but it opens up a lot of options
I just did the update, everything works well. Except the reverse delay that doesn't reverse it make a simple delay. Am I the only one?
That might just be because of the type of sound you're playing into the delay. If it has a simple on\off envelope you won't be able to hear the difference. Try playing with the envelope to fade in or out, or try playing with the synth engines to make the sound change over time
Just got Warps and updated to 3.0 Works fine... I am having trouble with Warps being controlled as a sound module by Ableton Live Midi out...I want to record audio from Warps.. It works with Warps as the Master, but it isn't receiving MIDI in when I play Midi out from Live; I am using Push 2 as my main controller. I followed the Warps MIDI functions instructions in the manual ,,, I dont see 8Bits Warps listed in the controllers on Live 11, this might be the issue, I am using Focusrite Scarlett 6i as my interface, do you know a work-around or other help to fix this ? thanks.
All I can think to suggest is to check the midi receive channel and make sure it matches up to what Ableton is sending out. Press Func+Midi and check the setting under RX.CH (receive channel). The midi on the 8Bit Warps is fairly simple so I'm not sure what else it could be. You can trouble shoot it be connecting a controller keyboard to the Liven to see if that works or an alternative bit of hardware to your output from Ableton and see if those work
Will try that, Thanks Chris.. @@ChrisLodyMusic
How does this compare to CASIO VZ or Yamaha TZ?
There is a very basic lo-fi 8 bit FM mode on the 8 bit Warps that I've talked about on the channel before (see attached video ua-cam.com/video/2iyDjNP7rAY/v-deo.htmlsi=Y-Od8RTl_H6AAx3O ) but mostly the 8 bit Warps is about stacking and blending static 8 bit waveforms. The Liven XFM is much closer to what they could offer because it has a full 4 op synth engine at it's core. Here's a video that shows what the XFM can do in edit mode ua-cam.com/video/G-OuAQBguqk/v-deo.htmlsi=q-yPYsgGQKzF5l3K
Good Video, But now i hav to hav 8Bit with black keys. Damm GAS. 😁😁
Ha sorry about that 💰😄
You can do some lovely stuff with this thing
Yeah I was surprised how versatile they can be when I first got my hands on one. This update helps that even more I think
Normally I can record up to six notes with one engine per step, so the sound lock does only allow to assign per step, I cannot have two different drum sounds on the same step? I don't fully grasp yet how it works.
So the 8 Bit Warps is what's referred to as Monotimbral, which means despite the fact that it can play more than one voice in terms of polyphony, these must have the same settings for all the knobs etc at any given time. So sound locking reprograms the knobs on a per step basis, but they can only have one set of settings at once, so one sound at once. Hope that makes sense 😁
@@ChrisLodyMusic thank you that nails it! I just received my unit today and try to figure it out. Seems I will have to use the track looper to compose, I was hoping the four engines could record independent.
@zer0zilli0n Sadly not on this Liven. Some of the others have more than one track but this was their first so they decided to go with the audio looper on this one
@@ChrisLodyMusic it's still a great package, amazing sequencing features, maybe it's even better that way to record a loop, carry it over and add some more to it. Else you just get lost in track copy operations.
Hi Chris, great video! I’m not into chip tunes so much but I feel like this box has a lot of value as a synth and so much performance value. Do you think is good for a beginner generally? Thanks in advance.
Thank you. It wouldn't be the worst idea but if you're not into chip tune there's a couple more of the Livens that I'd recommend looking at instead.
First would be the Liven Lofi-12 which is a sampler but has synthesis functions such as a filter, lfo etc to tweak the sound in real-time plus lots of effects and multiple tracks which can have different sounds playing on them simultaneously so it's more versatile than the 8 Bit Warps. These videos will give a good overview of it: ua-cam.com/video/fwsOg_PVGtM/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/lwb2UwTPfc8/v-deo.html
Second would be the latest Liven, the MEGA Synthesis. It is based on gaming hardware again but offers a nice toolkit regardless of that and managed to open the specs up a bit so that modern sounds can be made too. It offers 3 different kinds of sound creation, 2 synth types and 1 sample type, spread across 6 tracks. There is a bit less live tweaking available than on the Lofi-12 but it's the simplest Liven to use so it depends what you're looking for. Here's an overview: ua-cam.com/video/hy28HV4TxRs/v-deo.html
@@ChrisLodyMusichow do you compare 8 Bit Warps to Mega Synthesis? I’m torn between the two. I really like the videos of the 8 bit warps, and understand it will work well in a studio set-up with other gear or as a sketch pad using the looper, but the mega synthesis is a multitimbral self contained unit and still seems to have a decent degree of control over personalised custom sounds..
@@DanHahnProfile So the 8bit Warps is a synth that emulates the simple wavetable abilities of early 8bit machines with editable waveforms and a 4 track audio looper. It's worth bearing in mind that the looper doesn't keep it's contents when the power is turned off though.
The MEGA gives you full access to editing an emulation of the 4 -op YM2612 chip & it's ability to play samples. Plus it adds on simple square, pulse and noise sounds found in the SN76489. It uses a 6 track sequencer so you can have FM, chip-tune style sounds and lofi sampling all at once
The 8 Bit Warps is the first Liven so there have been quite a lot of advancements with the sequencer etc since then. Perhaps the only disadvantage with the MEGA is that there is less real-time control over the sound than the 8 Bit Warps, but overall the MEGA has a broader palette. I'd say if the looper and hands on tweaking is essential go for the 8 Bit, otherwise the MEGA.
@@ChrisLodyMusic thanks so much for the detailed reply! Brilliant info, but hasn’t made a decision any easier 😆
I’m very taken with the 8 bit warps, especially with the abstraction of the concept over that of a direct console emulation. I do have tonnes of gear so the looper would be most handy when sat on the train or the sofa rather than trying to do something “serious”.
I’ll have to watch a few more demos of the mega, but a six track battery powered sequencer with lots of glitch potential is also quite enticing - especially given that with three small kids it’s easier to get time on the aforementioned train or sofa than in the studio..
Is the 8 bit one like the E-MU MIRAGE?
Not really no. The Mirage is a sampler where as this is an 8 bit synth that works in a very similar way to early game console soundchips like the ones in the NES and Gameboy. There are a few extra features like effects and filters that mean it's much more capable than that, but it won't sample like the Mirage. If you're looking for Sonicware samplers, have a look at the Lofi-12, Lofi-6 and Lofi-12 XT models.
so i was using an m audio interface and when selecting the device i was immediately getting an error. before spending money i checked the forums and found a fix. I had to manaully change a setting. If i recall, i had to manually lower the bit rate to something really low. i found it in a midi ox forum. I know that's not terribly helpful due to the lack of details, but i did this over a month ago. Hopefully it's better than nothing. i posted this comment on the chris's update video too.
Just have updated 8bit to new lvl 3.0. Drums are not awesome but rest of the features are great. Downside is that I had to buy midi interface for update procedure. In the end it is ok because I found few other applications already for this cable (CME U2 midi pro). One thing that I miss is overdub on looper, should checked that out before purchase (idk why I was thinking that Is obvious). For sure will give a 8bit warps a chance, this instrument have the character.
Ho a new firmware! I have to check, thank you!
Finally updated today and very excited for the new features! Thanks for all the guides and tips across your videos, they have been a great help.
Thank you, glad to help. Hope you have fun with it 👍
SOLID.
Is there any way to change the shape of the pitch/cutoff LFO on the 8bit Warps?
No sadly not, it's always a triangle. I think this was one of the main complaints users had with it which is why the later models have much more choice
Excellent ❤
thanks
Rev delay great for KS and glitchy comb filteresque twiddling!
Ooh nice I'll have to try that. I haven't used it with short delay settings yet
It’s pretty crazy in the best way, they did a great job on all these fx didn’t they? I just hope they will remove the hum from tape effect, maybe replace it with warble/wow and flutter. Anyway a really great and welcome update, and a great showcase by you 👍
They are some pretty fine effects yeah, very tweak able 👌 I'm not sure they'll remove the hum but you can always use a de-hum effect in post process or realtime. You can grab a free copy of RX Elements 10 at the moment that includes a very good version of that www.kvraudio.com/news/get-izotope-rx-elements-free-win-a-copy-of-native-instruments-komplete-14-ultimate-ce-58675/0/7258
What's the keystroke for sound-locking? Is it Func+oblong 10?
No it's activated without the Func button. It's oblong button 10 (parameter lock button) but it will now cycle round between off, on and sound locking mode instead of just off and on. Func + button 10 puts it into parameter lock record mode like it did before. Hope that helps!
@@ChrisLodyMusic Many thanks.
Beautiful
I swear if they come out with a lofi 12 black keys 🎹 version or lofi 6 I’ll be salty lol interesting that this has a different looper Instead of 4 track sequencer
I would hope not with the Lofi-6 at least, I don't think a special edition of a special edition would go down well! 😅 Yes the looper was an interesting thing to do on the first Liven. I can only imagine they had a ton of ram to spare and felt the need to use it. It's just a shame the looper can't be saved though, it erases after being powered off which is a shame
@@ChrisLodyMusic not to mention black keys on that housing loses the vibe.
It's certainly a difficult thing to photograph! Personally I think they hit the nail on the head with the Texture Lab 👌
@@ChrisLodyMusic oh, good thing to know the texture lab lofi 6 and maybe 12 all look good to me but yeah
What is the process for adding the new drums?
So set yourself up for transmitting midi sysex in the same way as you would for updating the Livens but power up normally. Then select a sound memory you'd like to overwrite by pressing MEM and turning the encoder. The drum sounds are save M.100 to M.128 so it makes sense to use those if they are free. Then transmit one of the drum sounds into the Liven (M.100 for example), the Liven will receive the sound and you should be able to play it on the keys to test it but it's not yet saved so press func+MEM (save) and you'll be prompted to choose a place to save it. If you want to just overwrite the memory slot you chose earlier press OK and it's now saved. You'll need to repeat this for each individual drum sound if you want them all.
Thank god they didn’t lock this firmware exclusively to this model, raise the price and limit it to 500!!!
6 bit warps.