Get to know the Dirtywave M8 | Pt.1

A pilot to a series of short tutorials that are meant to break down the workflow of the M8 Tracker into digestable chunks. This is for people who just want to get started with their M8 or headless setup (buy a teensie for like 30$ and download the firmware for free), or for anyone who is curious and wants to learn more about the device without being bombarded with all of the gazillion features and possibilities at once.
The Next parts I'm planning concern themselves with Instrument Effect Parameters and the FX Lanes that make the tracker workflow what it is.
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 | Intro
00:28 | Basic Navigation (Arrow Keys, Edit, Shift + Arrow Keys)
02:04 | Loading a Sample
03:58 | Sequencing a Phrase
04:12 | Adding Instruments = Changing Values (Edit + Arrow Keys)
05:46 | More Sequencing
06:44 | Deleting (Opt + Edit)
08:04 | Recap
08:38 | Adding Phrases
10:18 | Play
11:11 | Using Multiple Chains and Tracks
12:51 | Note Off
14:05 | Independent Playheads and Arrangement
16:00 | Shift + Play

[@VidarIX]

Thanks! This is a very straightforward and clear intro. At 9:50 the max volume is 64 because that's hex for 100 in base 10, if anyone is wondering. I'm not thrilled with 16 steps per phrase, but when I get my headless set up I'll see how it goes

[@BNLNRD]

When writing and starting a new Chain I recommend setting up multiple different blank Phrases before diving in and starting to write (melodies, for example). For some reason, it removes some of the temptation to just copy/paste a phrase and instead makes you actually use the space. Also you won't have to jump back and forth from Phrase view to Chain view to add a new phrase, then write, then add again, then write...

[@djegasus]

I really appreciated the image of the Genesis as you said "it's like the A button on your Gameboy". Just perfect! Hahahaha... Thanks for making the tutorial, resources like these are always welcome in my eyes ❤

[@BNLNRD]

Thanks for checking it out! :)

[@eeclarkutube]

Have fun at Superbooth

[@BNLNRD]

@@eeclarkutube Oh, I'm planning to :)

[@Jeeboo007]

Really nice man, I've had hard time finding some detailed tutorial to get a better idea how to operate & play the M8. Your video is really clear, can't wait for the next episide! Thx ! :)

[@voxmnemonic]

This is a great video! Full of character and utility. Wonderful job! 🤘

[@BNLNRD]

Thank you! Happy you found it useful. :)

[@arnev2017]

So much of what people find complicated about the M8 can be fixed with logical changes. One of the biggest ones is making chain phrases locked to those chains. That also should have made chain lengths optionally be up to 128 steps. The 16 step limit is a bit extreme for a a machine people are using in 2024. The playhead issue can be solved by using Abeltons clip system. Finally hexadecimal use is just wtf. The biggest issue by far however is the general hardware. There simple should have been more dedicated buttons. I know it’s inspired by the game boy but the game boy wasn’t supposed to be a musical instrument, the M8 is.

[@BNLNRD]

Key to appreciating the M8s layout is actually using it. It's an overall trade-off of short term complexity vs long term complexity. For example, not having phrases fixed to chains allows you to reuse phrases over multiple chains - say, you only want to switch the last bar of a drum phrase to do a fill in, that only requires one additional phrase. Within the workflow of copy-paste-iterate (on phrase, chain and instrument level), it makes perfect sense. When it comes to the number of phrases per chain, considering chains make up the basic building blocks of your song arrangement, ask yourself how many times you'd require chunks of more of 4-8 bars. Also, working with chunks of that size makes it simple to set up looping "clip islands" that you absolutely trigger Ableton style. It's called Live Mode. Lastly, Hex certainly seems odd - but remember that on a handheld device, screen real estate is limited, and having access to 4 bits of information using just one digit goes a long way, especially because it directly ties into the very architecture or digital music making. That's part of the reason the M8 can get as much power from such a limited interface. Lastly, having few (8) buttons for the interface sure is harder to get your head around - at the beginning. But let me tell you, learning and internalizing the first few basic commands takes about an hour, and then you won't even look at buttons anymore. They're laid out in a way that doesn't require looking at your hands *at all*. It becomes about as immediate as something can be. The only thing I can compare it to is working in a DAW and having all key commands relevant to your workflow memorized. Sure, for an absolute beginner it would be easier to go up to a menu item - or right click for a context menu and logically named sub-menus - but not having to take your eyes of the screen at all is so much more rewarding and efficient.

[@arnev2017]

@@BNLNRD I disagree with pretty much everything you have said there. You could copy and paste the chains but the numbering system would be reset to 1 or 0 per phrase. Why would you go beyond 16 steps? Because it’s a tracker, if you ever used Octamed or Renoise, you would get the idea. The hex thing still doesn’t work no matter how you twist it, screen space isn’t an excuse because we have the power to show more than two digits with a screen that has a higher resolution than the one found on a gameboy. Yes, I am aware of live mode (I do actually know how the M8 functions lol) but it’s workflow should look more towards Abelton than what it’s currently at. It’s simply not an intuitive as it could be and if there is a system that works exceptionally well why not use what Abelton is doing? For example; There should be a one bottom method to hit everything in a row, not a weird combo. It’s not an effective system and requires too much awkward input.

[@BNLNRD]

@@arnev2017 Different Workflows for different people, I suppose. Luckily, there's a plethora of methods to choose from - I have found my favorite in the M8, as have many others. It sounds like you would be happier with a Polyend device perhaps, or with a laptop running a more complex software.

[@avrilcadabra]

@@arnev2017 Hello, I like trackers, such as defmon, sidwizard, goat tracker 2, sid factory II, pro tracker, noise tracker, octamed, deflemask, furnace, piggy, lsdj, edlib. Also use the M8, they all work a bit different, but they are all fun and interesting. Just find one you like and use it, if not trackers and you like ableton thats fine too :)