monome 4|5 Cycles {alpha preview}
So below is a video of the latest application I’ve developed for the monome. It’s based on the Cycle of 5ths used by John Coltrane for the classic Giant Steps. This layout uses a circle or something like a circle as the ‘playing surface’ and uses modifiers to perform patterns based on either intervals (like the 5th) or chords (major and minor in their respective inversions). These patterns can be played either as chords (with or without flam) or arpeggios.
In the video the monome is controling a JD800 preset. The JD800 + arpeggiator = sweetness. I may end up shifting around some of the modifier buttons, as I get more comfortable playing. There are also a few open buttons which can be used for additional modification. I’m trying to think of a couple quick and easy midi effects I can throw in there. This has my standard tempo clock on the second to last row, and the bottom row though inactive in this video is reserved for paging. So yeah its a work in progress.
I developed it specifically for two songs on the Heads project. With some practice I’ll be ready to record those tracks pushing me ever closer to completing the project (which I’m already 6 songs into by the way). I’ve decided for now not to release the source for this. For one, like I said there are still some things I want to tweak, and two I specifically made it for the project, so I’d like to use it there before letting others have the chance at it (I’m selfish I know). But I did decide that to coincide with the release of the Heads project, in honor of the monome and bidule, which is the nucleus of the project, I will be releasing the source for all of the groups that I use on the album. This includes the 4|5 Cycles, insaMpLeR, scratcher (oh you didn’t know about that one), step drums, and maybe a few others.
In the meantime I’ve almost compiled a library of monome-bidule basic groups and will be posting a tutorial on those shortly. I’d love to do a video for the scratcher, but not sure I’ll be able to get to it soon. So much to do so little time. Be sure to sign up for the podcast. I’m going to be leaking some audio treats from the Heads project real soon. For now though, enjoy this little tidbit.
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[...] If you’ve been following my work you know I’ve been dropping lots of hints about my Heads project, the core of which is a performance instrument developed for the monome. The instrument has pages which host different applications. Two weeks ago I posted a video about my last application 4|5 Cycles based on the Cycle of Fifths. I’ve also discussed the insaMpLeR, loosely based on mlr developed by the monome guys. I’ve hinted about a Scratcher application. Some of the early proto-heads video features some effects rack stuff. Now I’ll give you the monolog, an analog drum machine for the monome. [...]
[...] What is Heads? It’s an album, that is in someway tied to custom applications built for the monome. But what does that mean? To this point I’ve posted three videos, one early proof of concept performance and the two showing the applications 4|5 Cycles and moonolog in action. Still, even with the video, and my description its hard to get a grasp what Heads is exactly. To clarify I i need to start with the intent of the project, or its inception. [...]