Is there a way to sync a volca's clock, but use the start/stop on the volca?
I saw a video in which a midi cable is used to run a volca. The volca's sequencer played in sync, but Ableton controlled the start/stop.
I want to be able to have ableton running, and then have the volca in sync, but use its transport.
Maybe a max device?
Im shooting to run all external sequencers in sync with ableton, but have the transports independent.
Thanks
Brian
volca sync/clock/transport?
Re: volca sync/clock/transport?
It can be done. These are methods I've used with a Volca modular (which doesn't have any MIDI functions, not even MIDI clock). Start/Stop and song position were unfortunately defined as part of the MIDI clock's basic functions when MIDI was invented, with hindsight assigning a specific command for it would have been a better idea but no-one realised that back then.
One way is to record the output of the Volca's clock output as an audio clip - the clock is basically a square/pulse wave. Then set up a track containing it and connect the Volca's clock input to an audio interface output and play the clock track into the Volca. You might need to fiddle with the volume levels a bit to get the synth to recognise the clock signal, but this method allows the use of quantisation, clip/sample editing and groove functions to be applied to the clock sample which can be very useful sometimes to create e.g. off-beat or tempo independent clocks. It's possible to use an LFO set to a pulse wave but I found recording the clock allowed far more flexibility.
Another way is to use Korg's free Ableton Link using SyncKontrol app on a phone or tablet which is connected to Live.
Another is to use a clock output on a hardware device which can output CV clock - the Volca clock is a little odd but Arturia's Keystep and Beatstep Pro can be configured to output it correctly and I'm sure many other devices can be made to work as well. My Drum Brute Impact certainly can.
Finally, you could let the sequencer just start when triggered by clock from Live but, if monitoring the synth through live, mute the synth's audio track until you want to hear it or if monitoring through an interface/mixer use the mute on the relevant input channel on that.
And I'm sure others will be along with other suggestions.
One way is to record the output of the Volca's clock output as an audio clip - the clock is basically a square/pulse wave. Then set up a track containing it and connect the Volca's clock input to an audio interface output and play the clock track into the Volca. You might need to fiddle with the volume levels a bit to get the synth to recognise the clock signal, but this method allows the use of quantisation, clip/sample editing and groove functions to be applied to the clock sample which can be very useful sometimes to create e.g. off-beat or tempo independent clocks. It's possible to use an LFO set to a pulse wave but I found recording the clock allowed far more flexibility.
Another way is to use Korg's free Ableton Link using SyncKontrol app on a phone or tablet which is connected to Live.
Another is to use a clock output on a hardware device which can output CV clock - the Volca clock is a little odd but Arturia's Keystep and Beatstep Pro can be configured to output it correctly and I'm sure many other devices can be made to work as well. My Drum Brute Impact certainly can.
Finally, you could let the sequencer just start when triggered by clock from Live but, if monitoring the synth through live, mute the synth's audio track until you want to hear it or if monitoring through an interface/mixer use the mute on the relevant input channel on that.
And I'm sure others will be along with other suggestions.
Live 10 Suite, 2020 27" iMac, 3.6 GHz i9, MacOS Catalina, RME UFX, assorted synths, guitars and stuff.
-
brian sansone
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:37 am
Re: volca sync/clock/transport?
Wow
Thanks. Thats a lot to get started with.
I had no idea the volcas sync functions were just pulses. That sounds very functional for what I want to do.
Also, I got the Electribe 2s, mainly so I could sync the volcas.
Thats the first thing I thought about, but I assumed I would have the same issue with the Electribe.
That gives me a lot to work with
Thanks!
Thanks. Thats a lot to get started with.
I had no idea the volcas sync functions were just pulses. That sounds very functional for what I want to do.
Also, I got the Electribe 2s, mainly so I could sync the volcas.
Thats the first thing I thought about, but I assumed I would have the same issue with the Electribe.
That gives me a lot to work with
Thanks!