hey, first of all, great video & thoughtful explanation. thank you.
i just don't understand why you use midi. you could just reduce the feedback of the track using the slider on the 2880 itself. The manual says: "Move the TRACK 1 Fader to 100%. When in Overdub mode, the track's volume slider acts like a Feedback control on a delay pedal. For example, if the TRACK 1 slider is set to 50%, each time the loop cycles, the volume
of the previously recorded audio on TRACK1 will be halved."
@qqqyyyqqq The purpose of this demo is to demonstrate the ability of the 2880 to mimic a tape delay. Merely setting the feedback slider at 50% would produce a clean, digital delay sound. The sequencer is programmed to alter the feedback level intermittently (and at a loop length unrelated to the recorded loop), thus mimicking the sound of tape oxide disintegrating over time. It wouldn't be plausible to do this manually with any degree of precision, hence the MIDI implementation.
With JJOS, are you able to sequence CC+ messages to occur at certain times? For example, if I had a song that was 32 measures long, and at measure 8 i want it to send the CC+ message to "start new loop" on the 2880, and then at measure 16 I want to send the CC+ message for "next track (or setting the loop)" on the 2880, are you able to do that? I hope this question makes sense. BTW, killer videos main!
@lukelukas Yes! Using the JJ OS's step sequencer to control the 2880's functions can be a bit dicey due to its programming design, but it can certainly be done. I haven't worked with it recently (believe me, it gets tedious), but I began tinkering with MIDI protocols for cuing new loops/recording/etc months ago, and I'm hoping to develop a full system for hands-free looping and using a second 2880 as a playback device (since I have two and I'm ultra hesitant to invest in a laptop setup)...
@ShaneDignan Dude, I really appreciate the comment, and hell yeah I love the 2880. I am getting my MPC 1000 within the week and then I will start with the programming. Looking forward to it! And yes, please keep me posted and I will do the same.
@ShaneDignan Wanted to let you know that I just got my MPC1000 and it has the ability to send CC+ messages straight outta the box. Not sure if you just need to update the OS or what, but man it works great and is super easy. I assume it's easier than JJOS but I could be wrong. Heads up holmes!
@lukelukas The stock OS is alright, but JJOS2XL does a lot for me in the way of instrument programs, etc. Plus, it also allows you to send info for program changes, which you can't do with the standard Akai OS.
@lukelukas Absolutely. There are so many extra features (most of which I do use) that give the 1000 a level of functionality available rivaling the 5000, minus the extra hardware outputs.
I have a Copicat IC400 Varispeed tape echo, and a Copicat MkIII. Both very cool. And you'd be surprised how extreme the tape warble can be, especially on the belt-driven IC400 model.
I do wonder how your spoken-of technique of fritzing with the tempo might sound. But yeah, if it's got a square-wave sort of adjustment, that would probably sound whack and unrealistic.
@muzboz If you set the 2880 to constant tempo mixdown, it would probably sound pretty cool, actually. On the standard tempo setting, the tempo adjustments are quantized to 12 half-steps per octave (with no slope variance between each step, as you mentioned).
I would have liked to have heard you play something other than the constant strumming of held chords. Can you set that up easily? I'd like to hear you play some passages, as if it were a tape echo, using a variety of different playing styles - palm muted riffs, held chords, stocatto stabs...
@muzboz As far as playing something straight through, you would have to program the sequencer to notch the volume of the dry through -- the reason I just played a single chord was so that I could record it to track one, and each repetition of the track would degrade more and more. The 2880 wouldn't be terribly effective as a very short tape echo-type unit, as the minimum loop time is about 1-2 seconds (no slapback!).
Good video. I'm a keen looper, and also a keen 4 tracker, so I want one of these! I'd be hoping to control it with a Behringer FCB 1010. I'd like to be able to do versatile live looping with it.
@muzboz You absolutely can control it with an FCB 1010. In fact, there are a few videos on YouTube with guys controlling their 2880s with an FCB 1010. All of the MIDI CC parameters are readily available and easy to control.
Another Q: If I sync the 2880 as a slave to an external device sending MIDI clock, hit play and then turn off the external MIDI device , will the 2880 continue playback at the same BPM ?
@bergweg It appears to continue playing at the same same speed, much to my surprise, but I'm not sure I would rely on such a technique, since syncing to an external MIDI clock requires constant clock tempo to be sent.
@ShaneDignan I believe it says int he 2880 manual that the 2880 doesn't actually receive constant MIDI clock, it just receives the START signal, and the BPM, and it's on it's own from there. Not ideal, really... But I seem to recal that's what it says. So if you change the tempo after it's started, I don't think the 2880 will change tempo to match, I think it just keeps going at the tempo that was sent on START. Am I right there?
Sorry for my ignorance, but are you disintegrating the sound on purpose? Or are you demonstrating a flaw in the device? I've heard of problems when bringing in samples from secondary sources. Does the new update do anything to solve this?
I'm really interested in buying a 2880 but i just have to know one thing: will i be able to record tracks without having to loop them? Like if i play a part for a song, does it have to be the same thing over and over, or can i do a verse chorus verse thing?
Thank you for sharing; I have been tryin to figure out the MIDI on this thing for a while. I see the 2880 in alot of studio setups in the magazines I read; never an explanation of what they use it for (rarely guitar). You know your stuff sir, please make more videos. Great sound designing tutorial :)
hey, first of all, great video & thoughtful explanation. thank you.
i just don't understand why you use midi. you could just reduce the feedback of the track using the slider on the 2880 itself. The manual says: "Move the TRACK 1 Fader to 100%. When in Overdub mode, the track's volume slider acts like a Feedback control on a delay pedal. For example, if the TRACK 1 slider is set to 50%, each time the loop cycles, the volume
of the previously recorded audio on TRACK1 will be halved."
qqqyyyqqq 5 months ago
@qqqyyyqqq The purpose of this demo is to demonstrate the ability of the 2880 to mimic a tape delay. Merely setting the feedback slider at 50% would produce a clean, digital delay sound. The sequencer is programmed to alter the feedback level intermittently (and at a loop length unrelated to the recorded loop), thus mimicking the sound of tape oxide disintegrating over time. It wouldn't be plausible to do this manually with any degree of precision, hence the MIDI implementation.
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
@ShaneDignan thanks for the reply. I didn't really understand that the feedback is modulated. makes sense now. good idea.
qqqyyyqqq 5 months ago
With JJOS, are you able to sequence CC+ messages to occur at certain times? For example, if I had a song that was 32 measures long, and at measure 8 i want it to send the CC+ message to "start new loop" on the 2880, and then at measure 16 I want to send the CC+ message for "next track (or setting the loop)" on the 2880, are you able to do that? I hope this question makes sense. BTW, killer videos main!
lukelukas 5 months ago
@lukelukas Yes! Using the JJ OS's step sequencer to control the 2880's functions can be a bit dicey due to its programming design, but it can certainly be done. I haven't worked with it recently (believe me, it gets tedious), but I began tinkering with MIDI protocols for cuing new loops/recording/etc months ago, and I'm hoping to develop a full system for hands-free looping and using a second 2880 as a playback device (since I have two and I'm ultra hesitant to invest in a laptop setup)...
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
@lukelukas Either way, I'll try to keep you posted on it. I'm glad to see there's at least one other 2880 mad scientist out there ;)
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
@ShaneDignan Dude, I really appreciate the comment, and hell yeah I love the 2880. I am getting my MPC 1000 within the week and then I will start with the programming. Looking forward to it! And yes, please keep me posted and I will do the same.
lukelukas 5 months ago
@ShaneDignan Wanted to let you know that I just got my MPC1000 and it has the ability to send CC+ messages straight outta the box. Not sure if you just need to update the OS or what, but man it works great and is super easy. I assume it's easier than JJOS but I could be wrong. Heads up holmes!
lukelukas 5 months ago
@lukelukas The stock OS is alright, but JJOS2XL does a lot for me in the way of instrument programs, etc. Plus, it also allows you to send info for program changes, which you can't do with the standard Akai OS.
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
@ShaneDignan Ah okay, I saw a place for the Program Change messages but haven't messed with it. So do you recommend the JJOS2XL?
lukelukas 5 months ago
@lukelukas Absolutely. There are so many extra features (most of which I do use) that give the 1000 a level of functionality available rivaling the 5000, minus the extra hardware outputs.
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
I have a Copicat IC400 Varispeed tape echo, and a Copicat MkIII. Both very cool. And you'd be surprised how extreme the tape warble can be, especially on the belt-driven IC400 model.
I do wonder how your spoken-of technique of fritzing with the tempo might sound. But yeah, if it's got a square-wave sort of adjustment, that would probably sound whack and unrealistic.
muzboz 9 months ago
@muzboz If you set the 2880 to constant tempo mixdown, it would probably sound pretty cool, actually. On the standard tempo setting, the tempo adjustments are quantized to 12 half-steps per octave (with no slope variance between each step, as you mentioned).
ShaneDignan 9 months ago
I would have liked to have heard you play something other than the constant strumming of held chords. Can you set that up easily? I'd like to hear you play some passages, as if it were a tape echo, using a variety of different playing styles - palm muted riffs, held chords, stocatto stabs...
My 2880 is on the way! I'm excited! :)
muzboz 9 months ago
@muzboz As far as playing something straight through, you would have to program the sequencer to notch the volume of the dry through -- the reason I just played a single chord was so that I could record it to track one, and each repetition of the track would degrade more and more. The 2880 wouldn't be terribly effective as a very short tape echo-type unit, as the minimum loop time is about 1-2 seconds (no slapback!).
ShaneDignan 9 months ago
Good video. I'm a keen looper, and also a keen 4 tracker, so I want one of these! I'd be hoping to control it with a Behringer FCB 1010. I'd like to be able to do versatile live looping with it.
muzboz 10 months ago
@muzboz You absolutely can control it with an FCB 1010. In fact, there are a few videos on YouTube with guys controlling their 2880s with an FCB 1010. All of the MIDI CC parameters are readily available and easy to control.
ShaneDignan 10 months ago
lol "I can't afford a camera because I buy stuff like...this"
benjaminshinobi 1 year ago
@benjaminshinobi I'm glad someone appreciated that ;)
ShaneDignan 1 year ago
Another Q: If I sync the 2880 as a slave to an external device sending MIDI clock, hit play and then turn off the external MIDI device , will the 2880 continue playback at the same BPM ?
bergweg 1 year ago
@bergweg It appears to continue playing at the same same speed, much to my surprise, but I'm not sure I would rely on such a technique, since syncing to an external MIDI clock requires constant clock tempo to be sent.
ShaneDignan 1 year ago
@ShaneDignan I believe it says int he 2880 manual that the 2880 doesn't actually receive constant MIDI clock, it just receives the START signal, and the BPM, and it's on it's own from there. Not ideal, really... But I seem to recal that's what it says. So if you change the tempo after it's started, I don't think the 2880 will change tempo to match, I think it just keeps going at the tempo that was sent on START. Am I right there?
muzboz 9 months ago
@muzboz I'm about 95% sure you are right about that, but I'm not positive.
ShaneDignan 5 months ago
is it possible to do live audio looping with the JJ OS2XL?
bergweg 1 year ago
@bergweg No.
ShaneDignan 1 year ago
Sorry for my ignorance, but are you disintegrating the sound on purpose? Or are you demonstrating a flaw in the device? I've heard of problems when bringing in samples from secondary sources. Does the new update do anything to solve this?
Thanks!!!
electrodread 1 year ago
@electrodread It's on purpose. It's not a flaw.
ShaneDignan 1 year ago
I'm really interested in buying a 2880 but i just have to know one thing: will i be able to record tracks without having to loop them? Like if i play a part for a song, does it have to be the same thing over and over, or can i do a verse chorus verse thing?
LzrdKng9000 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing; I have been tryin to figure out the MIDI on this thing for a while. I see the 2880 in alot of studio setups in the magazines I read; never an explanation of what they use it for (rarely guitar). You know your stuff sir, please make more videos. Great sound designing tutorial :)
KultureSelektah 1 year ago
@KultureSelektah
Thanks! I plan on doing some more videos once my setup is solidified. As you can see, things are a bit of a mess in the basement right now.
ShaneDignan 1 year ago
I'm getting a 2880 in the mail sometime this week, so I'm gonna try this out with my MPC. I can't wait to make my own Disintegration Loops haha!
Ancaja123 1 year ago
@Ancaja123 It's a bit of a pain to set up, but it's a lot of fun. Be sure to try some of the other parameters as well!
ShaneDignan 1 year ago