Liven XFM Quick Start Guide

Liven XFM Quick Start Guide
Welcome to my quick start guide for the Sonicware Liven XFM! The XFM is an incredibly capable (and affordable) FM synth and 4 track groovebox, but it can be pretty overwhelming to get started. Even simple tasks like browsing presets or using the filter controls have a few extra steps to get going. The goal of this guide is to give you the extreme basics of the XFM, so the rest of the features don't seem that intimidating. After watching this video, I highly recommend watching Chris Lody's full tutorial, while is linked below. Enjoy the video :)
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Sonicware Liven XFM: amzn.to/3wRi19i
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3LLk8Rd
Chris Lody's XFM tutorial:
• How to Use the SONICWA...
Questions? Ask them below!
Support the Channel: / freebeat
Bandcamp: free-beat.bandcamp.com/releases
Follow me on Instagram: / freethebeat. .
If you enjoy this video, considering subscribing to the channel! It's free, and I upload new content every single day!
All links in this description are Amazon affiliate links, the gear is the same price to you, but I get a small kickback when you use these links! It's an easy way to support the channel at no extra cost!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks for the shout-out 😁 Glad to see you've started to work this out. I'm looking forward to seeing what make with it

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much, I appreciate all of your hard work!

[@theglurgle]

Hey! A big jump from your apprehension the other day, it’s like you made this for your past self. I appreciate the work you do !

[@FreeBeat]

I wouldn't necessarily say I was apprehensive on day one, more wanting to dive in but not knowing where the pool was lol. I absolutely made this video based on what tripped me up at first though haha. Thanks for watching!

[@alecchapman7976]

One of the main things holding me back from using this thing was not wanting to overwrite the preset patterns, I had no idea that the banks were a thing heck

[@alecchapman7976]

But yeah definitely looking forward to more videos on this thing if you're planning on making more

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, I'm very pleased with the generous amount of patterns haha. Thanks for watching!

[@delmeteor717]

As always your quick start and follow up videos on the XFM really helped me familiarize myself with this groove box that I must admit was quite intimidating when I first unboxed it. I did take your recommendation and check out Chris’s tutorial on it which definitely provided deeper understanding but your ability to makes these gizmos non intimidating is greatly appreciated not just on this one but the other ones I’ve picked up in last few years. I’ve mentioned before I’m a guitarist by trade but love synth music. You’re the best and thank you again. By the way as someone now trying to learn the drums you are terrific in that area as well.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@RobG1729]

Good quick start with a nice length for us impatient types. Every value controlled by a knob in the blue section can be parameter locked, saved with the pattern, and those locks can be disengaged.

[@FreeBeat]

Definitely! Didn't want to touch on parameter locks in an extreme beginner's guide though haha. Thanks for watching!

[@RobG1729]

Delving into one feature in a 10-minute tutorial seems a good approach. Fun size instruction!

[@agustinbernal2760]

I watched the tutorial you recommended, very good but I like the way you explain far more and I learn more quickly. Please consider doing more tutorials on the Liven FM, I will be the first to watch! Cheers from Mexico City!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks haha, although I probably won't make any super in depth tutorials. FM synthesis is still very confusing to me!

[@agustinbernal2760]

@@FreeBeat I’m sure there are other topics besides FM synthesis that you can teach, like making a song in ten minutes, that will be great and many will learn a lot, the Model Cycles one was epic! Cheers!

[@returnofthegoth2220]

Love me some Chris Lody. I am happy to see how this operates without watching an hour-long video, though (bc I am curious, not purchasing). I might get the 8-bit version but I'm on the fence. More of these vids might persuade me...

[@FreeBeat]

I think the 8-bit version focuses less on the groovebox aspect and more on the synth, but I could be wrong. Thanks for watching!

[@steverichardson8343]

Wow excellent quick start, I have had this device for 2 months but your 10-minute presentation made it so logical. Thx m8

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@vertigev]

Omg this little box is amazing! I'm totally getting one

[@FreeBeat]

It's crazy how powerful it is, thanks for watching!

[@timswink7505]

Thank you so much for this video, I’ve figured some of this out but it is a pretty complicated machine at first. This helped far more than the in-depth one by the liven dude. This will get me up and running! Great job.

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely, glad you were able to get going! I definitely recommend Chris Lody's tutorials once you have the basics down, they're the easiest way to begin your XFM deep dive haha.

[@SimpleHold]

This looks more inviting every time I see/hear it. Thanks for sharing!

[@FreeBeat]

It's definitely different and very interesting, thanks for watching!

[@Ponchy]

Great guide man!

[@SonicVibe]

I can’t wait for the smpltrek

[@FreeBeat]

I'm pretty excited for it too!

[@Decoy303]

I honestly bought this synth about a year ago and have yet to use it. I know... I know... horrible. But I don't plan on selling it. Chris Lody has a very in depth tutorial on pretty much everything Sonicware. Kudos to you on yours.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah Chris's tutorials are awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@agustinbernal2760]

Great beginners tutorial! Thanks!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!

[@witchfindergeneral2504]

Honestly this has been one of the best introductions to the XFM. You are so good at explaining how to do things which gives people the confidence to use their equipment. I watch your videos whilst having my breakfast, it’s my morning routine. I hope you will continue explore the XFM. Do you have the 8 Bit warps or the Bass and Beats? If you do it would be great to do those like you did this video. 👍

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you, that means a lot! Unfortunately I don't have either of those machines. Maybe I'll check them out in the future, but for now, I have my hands full with this one haha. Thanks for watching :)

[@cougarman8]

Fantastic video!!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!

[@thekidfromheck7482]

Awesome! Thanks for this!

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely, thanks for watching!

[@Solidahmed]

Thank you. Informative and entertaining.

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@whiteperill]

Excellent video, partner

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@blakmartianheretic3318]

@@FreeBeat Quick question. Can I control this with my Midi Keyboard ?

[@emilianoescalante4418]

Nice Vid. FYI, the value knob can save you having to hit a button multiple times for many menus. ie. function + synth button to scroll through synth engines.

[@FreeBeat]

Good to know, thanks!

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Nice video dude , next step page 17 of the manual and read , select a track 1 , record using live record (play and rec buttons together) , select track 2 and record using Auto Step (Func and White C KEY to get AutoStep mode) , copy pattern and paste to track 3, 4 etc , Automation /note lengths etc ..... looking forward to videos on the wee beastie

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah haha, I didn't want to include that sort of workflow stuff in the quick start guide, but I'll definitely do some more tutorials in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@idletimerap]

Xfm seems cool but what I'm stoked on is the 8bit warps, would love to see you get your hands on one for another similar video

[@FreeBeat]

I'll hopefully check that one out too!

[@rayderrich]

Fun little box, thanks for showing it. Unlike you I would keep the FM overlay on and start designing sounds immediately :)

[@FreeBeat]

Hahaha I'm not sure how that would actually work out, as you need a quick start guide to even get into the editing section!

[@WrightFlyer1903]

Hi, Chris' main video is the 56 rather than 53 minutes. BTW you know you were doing finger gymnastics trying to adjust Resonance while holding shift? You can latch shift mode. Press Fn and Shift together. Press again to drop out of shift mode. Perhaps it's just me but it does seem a shame they put cut off and resonance on one knob. The Delay and Time for the filter are lesser used so one of those should have been hidden behind Shift with Resonance brought down, alongside Cut Off. While they could change that with a firmware update the problem is that the labels are silk-screened so not easily moved. Oh well. Oh and the next big hurdle you have to watch real close in Chris' video for (you'd never work it out from the manual) is how you get two or more sounds on one track (like snare and closed hi-hat say). The "magic" lives behind the "Prm Lock" button! (Chris does show this, watch closely!)

[@FreeBeat]

Yes, I put a time length correction text on screen, you must have missed it haha. Also I've seen Chris's video 4 times now haha. I didn't touch on the latch functionality or the prm lock button functions in this video because it's meant to be a quick start guide just covering the extreme basics. Thanks for watching!

[@dlinnoedlinnoe]

BTW Cutoff and Resonance used to be on separate knobs in some prototype, then the design has changed for some reason. Look at ChrisLody's video "Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 1 - Brass and Acid". I also think, that would have been better but well..

[@TooSlowTube]

@@FreeBeat FWIW, the idea that I'd have to hold the shift button down while reaching for other buttons, was quite off putting, to me. IMHO, the default for a button like that should be press to lock on, press to disengage, so the instrument can be comfortably worked with one hand.

[@mauchkimberly]

In your opinion, if one were to get this machine, would there be any reason to keep the model cycles? Do you see a lot of overlap? Thanks for the quick start. These are always helpful, especially when they're concise like this.

[@FreeBeat]

They are completely different haha. The Cycles is definitely more about the immediacy of the sequencer, whereas the XFM is more about the sound engines I think. The sequencer on the XFM is fairly robust, but nowhere near as fast as the Cycles. Good question!

[@jahovahjira]

Love this thing, but do I need one if I already own a Deluge? Great video as always!

[@juliuscanus1568]

it has interesting FM synthesis options (suggested by the bug/tentacle theme, it makes sounds by warping two other sounds together) but the $200 pricetag is a lot of the justification. You probably wouldn't take the Deluge on a trip to the beach though?

[@FreeBeat]

Probably not on the groovebox side of things, but maybe for the FM engine? You can do some pretty wacky stuff with it haha.

[@spaceman103]

Nice introduction! No latch button (for the arp)? How is the midi implementation.?Can you control all the knobs with midi CC’s? Anyway I will find it out myself… You’ve sold me. It ‘s coming this way😎.

[@electro-soma]

Yes there's a latch for the arp. Hold down OK and then choose your notes. Chris Lody's XFM tutorial goes through almost everything.

[@dlinnoedlinnoe]

There is file xfm_manual_MIDI_en_r2.pdf at their site. It lists around 40 CCs I guess.

[@FreeBeat]

Yes to both haha, just didn't want to include them in an extreme basics quick start guide. Thanks for watching!

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

How does the sound compare to the OP-1 Field? Is this a lo-fi device?

[@FreeBeat]

I don't have an OP-1 Field so I don't know how it stacks up. The XFM is not a lofi device though.

[@hobbowizardanimations]

One thing I'm finding confusing is how to exit or apply the setting, say I want to change the midi channel, I press shift and midi set the channel then it just hangs and I would think pressing ok or clr would work to get out of the menu but it does not

[@adeevision1297]

can you save your own patches on this ?

[@FreeBeat]

Yes!

[@theubc]

this things a nightmare patterns wont play trying to record idk

[@danielbluez]

The question is, does it do prog?! 🤔

[@FreeBeat]

Oh yeah, that will definitely happen sooner than later :)

[@blkrbbt]

I really want to like this.... but those keys tho. Too much play and too plastiky

[@rayderrich]

I agree. Number 1 priority for me would be to connect a more solid MIDI keyboard to it.

[@electro-soma]

I really like the keys and find they have a nice feel. I'm no keyboardist though! It's pretty hard to fault the build for £200.

[@blkrbbt]

@@electro-soma I am definitely biased, since I come from the TR8S and Arturia. I also know some of the most iconic gear had questionable build quality.

[@blkrbbt]

@@rayderrich Boom. Solved.

[@FreeBeat]

After a few days of playing with them, I actually like them quite a bit haha. The overall build is certainly plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap or anything like that. Thanks for watching!

[@1dkappe]

What a terrible menu diver interface.

[@FreeBeat]

It's not that bad at all, a lot of functions have onboard controls. It's also jam packed with features at a very affordable price, so I'm sure some things did have to be hidden in menus. Thanks for watching!

[@1dkappe]

@@FreeBeat having to explicitly turn on the filter, rather than just turn it from completely open, is a definite ui miss.