alesis micron - live looping tutorial / example

sorry seems the laptop was too close to the speaker... rookie mistake

roy ayers - our time is coming
watch?v=eXzhRuq1ZQA

MICRON + Wah Pedal (Boss PW-10)

SETUP
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Create a setup with keyboard splits, to give different sounds different places on the full range of notes. Then you use the oct +/- to navigate up/down the keyboard, to get to the sound.
Normally the sounds have to be transposed up/down a few octaves in the setup.

Imagine you have 2 virtual keyboards either side of the micron with different sounds (bass etc) and you are using the oct +/- to access those keyboards.

I usually have a metro on the lowest C (octave button all the way down), only the C triggers the metro.

On the C# above I have a Rhythm patch with my drum beat already made (again only the C# triggers this drum beat).

Then starting at D I have a Bass part for 2 octaves.
Then above that I have 2 octaves of a lead synth.
Then whatever space is left in the top octaves of the keyboard, I use for a comp sound, or a keyboard. The parts MUST NOT overlap in the key ranges they use.

PLAYING
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To loop live. You go to the bottom of the keyboard using the octave down, then hit the hit (make sure accomp is on).

Double tap phrase button(so its ready to record), start playing the part, when you get to the end of the phrase, press Phrase, then press and hold the first note of the phrase you just played and press latch (difficult with a chord starting the phrase).

Now you can unltach the metro, so it stops playing, and trigger the second beat (c#).

Then I go up the keyboard using oct +/- to get to the next sound.

The best part is that using the p,m1,m2 settings in setup, you can shape all the parts simultaneously (or everything except bass), while playing a new par in.


I have more tricks for setups, and performing using the above technique, if anyone is interested, let me know.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• alesis
• micron
• live
• looping
• tutorial
• example

[ooProduction]

Is there any USB on this keyboard or do i have to get one of those usb to midi thing?

[hiphophorse]

@ooProduction no USB unfortunately. only MIDI in + MIDI out on 5PIN DIN, you need a midi interface to send MIDI to computer and to edit patches using the computer.



[BeanzimusPrime]

Hey man! Your video was incredibly helpful!

I don't suppose you know if it's possible to save your loops and how many loop banks there are? I'm also finding it difficult to confirm that the unit can be used as a midi keyboard if you happen to know?

[hiphophorse]

@BeanzimusPrime .... MIDI - Yes you can use it as a midi keyboard, the 2 sliders send midi CC data. The 3 knobs are not so midi-friendly. The midi data the knobs send are not compatible with most things. You can record knob movement to the computer for later playback, but you can't control many other hardware synths with the 3 knobs.

... Looping - You can save loops, the note data is included and so is the slider movement data (knob movements are not recorded). you can store a lot, like 200+.

[USBeatdown]

Great Vid! QUESTION for you: Can you connect a footpedal to free up your hands from pressing record on/off?

[hiphophorse]

@USBeatdown no unfortunately not. I was considering doing a mod where I would replace the record button with a switch on a long wire that I could have on the floor. But, actually after a while and some practise you get used to hitting the record button quickly. also you can enable record and then wait, it won't start recording until you press the first key.

[TheMarioarty]

hello, hey could you make a video that explains how to configure and use alesis micron as midi? not, perhaps using reason, or any other program would be a good thing, because I think the entire network, no one has done. has and by the way, are extremely good

[rtleeson]

Dear lord people,

Everyone on here watches these videos to get a look at what they sound like, and what is possible on them. If want to know technical questions then download the manual in ".pdf" format free from the Micron website.

THINK POSITIVE ;)

[hiphophorse]

Yes!! once you ahve recorded something you can speed up the tempo, and then overdub a new loop at the new tempo, the old part will be sped up with no sideeffects (this is like midi, not audio, so no time stretching artifacts). you can speed up by scrolling a knob or by a tempo button BUT you cannot speed up tempo via midi or sustain pedal :-(

[hiphophorse]

@hiphophorse you can get about 3 parts looping. i normally notice parts dropping out after i have 1 beat (kick, snare, hiahts) + bass + lead + 4note chords, then I if i play another lead over the top, I notice a kick, or snare, or a note from the chord dropping out. but for my style it sounds pretty good and gives some variation to the sound.