Buzz / Elektron Machinedrum / MIDI Out - not working

[lantern]

Hello.

Some background first: I finally decided to buy the Elektron Machinedrum UW MK2 drum machine. I haven't owned any music-related hardware before except some crappy Commodore MIDI-keyboard (and guitar/bass) so this was kind of impulsive move to test the hardware-related side of electronic music making. I have owned the device for two days so I can't really comment it objectively as I cannot use its features to their fullest extend. Hopefully I can learn the rest soon.

At this moment I feel that when considering beat/rhythm making I'd favor the Buzz tracker-oriented compared to the Machinedrum. Using MD seems much slower and cumbersome, yet of course I have used Buzz for years and MD just for a couple of days so it's unfair to do any comparison yet. Soundwise I can't comment much
although, for example, the kick drum sound (one of my obsessions in beat making) of MD seems to be much better than what I can get out of Buzz by layering samples and adjusting the effects ad nauseam. The kicks seem sweeter, punchier and without the need of any additional effects. Of course there's the samples vs synthesis difference but all I care about is the outcome. The built-in effects of MD, however, seem to be a bit lackluster at least partially.

My main motivation is to use MD and Buzz together. However, because I have almost nonexistant experience with MIDI I'm not sure how should I use the two. Ideally both would be in sync so that I could play my track in Buzz and the MD would play corresponding rhythm patterns at the same time and the output could be recorded via soundcard. The other, possibly even greater option would be to sequence MD using MIDI. Both ideas, of course, require that I'd be able to control MD via MIDI coming from Buzz. This should be possible but I'm not sure how I should send the MIDI signals out. I guess this isn't done via Polac MidiVST? There are some references to Polac Midi Out but I'm unable to find this machine from Polac's pages.

So does anyone have experience of using Machinedrum and Buzz together? Other user experiences of Machinedrum are welcome too, I have to admit that I've got somewhat mixed feelings about the unit. Nothing wrong with the machine itself but I just can't help feeling that I'd be more comfortable using Buzz and Matilde Tracker for sequencing. IF I feel the same after a couple of months of using the unit, I guess I'll end up selling it and stick using Buzz for rhythm sequencing.

Anyway, if someone can help or comment his experiences about the MD, I'd be grateful.

edit:



I managed to do this by following the advice on this thread. I guess I'm on the right direction but something is obviously wrong as MIDI-OX doesn't notice any output being set. Shouldn't the notes I've written on the machine's pattern be outputted to MIDI port?

[mute]

Nice, MD is a nice piece of kit.

For Sync and general midi out to external hardware, use Polac MIDI VST.. to enable sync goto the parameter window :

[lantern]

Nice, MD is a nice piece of kit.

For Sync and general midi out to external hardware, use Polac MIDI VST.. to enable sync goto the parameter window :

Thanks for your help. It's indeed nice and well built piece of equipment. But I decided to sell it anyway, I think that I'll be more comfortable with the Buzz UI I guess the situation would be different if I had more experience with hardware. Now it just feels kind of cumbersome when compared to using Buzz.

[szaszhareen]

it's definitely a pain to go from sequencing in buzz to sequencing on hardware. there's a steep learning curve with elektron machines as well, I'd really like an octatrack; but when i read through the manual i realized that it wouldn't be the greatest purchase for me as it would take me quite some time to really learn how to use it. doesn't the machinedrum have a tracker style pattern programming interface? either way it's probably a pain on that little screen.

I'm really interested in using hardware for live performance, and I'm currently using a korg esx. when i got it it was pretty frustrating trying to do the things i do in buzz on it. i kept at it and realized that's part of the hardware experience, you have to spend a lot of time with these little gizmo boxes and adapt to the limitations. sometimes i feel like it's not worth it since i've already spent so much time learning to use buzz, but I like the idea of taking my esx to a gig rather than a laptop.

I've been trying to get the best of both worlds by setting up a bmx with as many drum parts as the esx has, and recording the midi notes to an esx pattern, but it has only been partially successful. i still haven't reallly figured out a good way to port my buzz tracks to it.

were i in your position, I'd definitely keep the machinedrum for at least a few months and really have a go at learning it's capabilities before making the final decision to sell it. they're so cool!