How to make music with a sequencer

[@insipid.dreams8968]

watching someone familiar with a synth work their way around is truly a wonderful experience. fantastic video

[@JonathanRCross]

I love watching for that as well, always fascinating to see how folks put things together.

[@illGatesMusic]

I can’t thank you enough. There are VANISHINGLY few high grade Cirklon videos out there. You are a saint!

[@Whistler-007]

Definitely! Thank you

[@_c_y_p_3]

illgates!!!

[@Solersoler]

it’s imposible to get, so it’s impossible to make videos about it 😂

[@toslinked]

it started brilliantly and then turned into rocket science pretty quickly. this thing is tight.

[@eighteenthful]

Great job, for me it s super helpful to see not only a tutorial on a device, but also a strategy of how people approach the process of making a track. Keep doin!

[@klinkske]

It took 4 years to arrive. I don t think i will ever be so handy with it like you. Buying was the easy part 🤭

[@advanced-research]

I use it for more than 3 years. It takes time to learn Cirklon, but totally worth in the end. It’s one of those devices that I use almost in every session in my studio. I hope you will enjoy your practice. Cheers

[@nagchumpalot]

Yeah but in 4 years you could make about 400 tracks like this in Abelton..😅🤣 but half the fun.. Enjoy the Cirklon!

[@deatonchrisanthonyyy]

Light AM1 flex in there -_- Epic tut, nice one Advanced Research.

[@advanced-research]

Thanks. I love this console because it's perfect for hybrid studio - to switch between DAW and hardware synths. Makes mixing and EQ-ing such an easy job, because all controls are laid out, and you can try different combinations in matters of minutes. Cheers.

[@splitradix]

You would have loved the AM1/Cirklon nerd out me and this lad had at Superbooth.

[@kristianmock2404]

your fluency makes this video so fun to watch

[@LukeKillen]

Good to see someone is spending quality time with a Cirklon. Your video makes me think i should put a mechanical keyboard onto my Cirklon.

[@xani666]

No wonder so many people want it, looks like a joy to work with when you get the functions into muscle memory

[@advanced-research]

Yes it is!

[@kylen-unixowy]

nooo way xD, this is the best session I've ever seen, the whole flow is in my style, mechanical keyboard, hardware synth and one hardware sequencer, it's amazing, I love it. For the same purpose and to achieve the same work flow, I use MPC One+ with many hardware synth (midi+usb with hub) for the same thing, but your solution is much better and even more convenient.

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! Modern groove boxes and samplers are indeed very capable in sequencing. MPC is a solid choice for sure.

[@bwest6275]

That 303 programming is so much easier than the actual 303 haha. That alone sold me :D

[@dimadewinn]

Cool shit, cinematography and production are outstanding

[@HarryKelvin]

Bless you for helping demystify the Cirklon! I love mine but you’ve totally inspired me to dig deeper. Thanks!

[@MatsueMusic]

As a newbie to synths you had me thinking this was “vintage” gear. But the more you showed the more I was blown away. I will say I experienced enough to know that you make the entire process of music making look like second nature. Bravo! The way you showed the process simply appears like a masterclass, even though I know nothing about this. If this is not “programming music”, I don’t know what it is

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

If you are a newbie Hapax sequencer is a better alternative Cheers

[@Javeton]

My friend said this was not a type of programming and my jaw dropped from how stupid that was lol.

[@oopsgoth]

ya i think i'm going to need more cirklon videos from you 💕

[@mykytabashkiser746]

Great tutorial! The aesthetic of the video is also top notch! Waiting for more content

[@jamie_SF]

Awesome. Great to see the virus still getting love. Always missed mine!

[@advanced-research]

It’s my favorite polysynth!

[@zo1dberg]

That's a nice piece of kit. And you're so fast with it!

[@LlewynDaviesTheThird]

This is great. Please do more. I like your use of accumulators especially

[@HarryKelvin]

Damn. You are so adept at the cirklon. Had mine for years and am still figuring it out.

[@ccorcos]

I love how there's clearly a recipe for making a song like this. It would be cool to construct this recipe in SonicPi or Overtone to generate more songs like it with different variations. I also notice that the OP-Z was clearly aspiring to make something more like this, but it's just much less usable than Cirklon.

[@Lordxfx]

Just beautiful your control of the unit.

[@AltarofWisdom]

Ratchetting tricks every 10 seconds, absolutely mindblowing, I'm yet to be as efficient as you but, hey, it's only been a week since I got mine ^^ Thanks for that great production video (it's a change from the basic tutorials that only cover the interface, not the workflow itself)

[@quantumsingularitystudios1772]

Agh so much tactile ASMR. LOVE IT!

[@KLI333-9]

Loved the demo! Sounds of buttons are mesmerising and its very fun to watch Sometimes i feel like cirklon is protools (editing wise) of sequencers. It has a hard learning curve but when you get it, you become much much faster than other programs/sequencers

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! To be honest, I don't find that Cirklon is hard to learn. Yes, it goes deep, but I still remember how I was able to jam with just a P3 pattern in the first night. You don't have to use aux events, MIDI CC or song mode, it's totally usable with just "superloop" approach. Cheers.

[@henriquematias1986]

jesus i'm jealous of how quick you move through the circklonwith the keyboard haha wicked!

[@jimigrok]

nice to see how to build a full song with the cirklon! Thanks

[@georgeshields9672]

first good demo i've seen of it. i can really understand how and why it's so intuitive

[@keysersoze4851]

you have some serious operating skills on the circlon. cant wait to see what projects you are going to do.

[@keysersoze4851]

ok, you have hooked me to dig out my cirklon and order the v2 upgrade kit. all your fault :)

[@martinquadode4928]

Der Sequenzer Cirklon von Sequentix ist der beste und komplexeste Sequenzer, der mir bekannt ist. Es macht unglaublich viel Spaß mit diesen Gerät zu arbeiten. Wer immer nur vor einem Bildschirm gesessen hat, kann meine Begeisterung vielleicht nicht nachvollziehen. Ich will Potentiometer und Schalter zum anfassen.

[@deathsyrup]

Great video. Really great workflow showcase.

[@ravehannes]

Very entertaining and informative, thank you for making this!

[@matthewoh_outlaw]

It'd be cool to see more vids breaking down each part of coding Cricklon in detail. 😊

[@Moruial]

Amazing! great content, you are very fast with the Cirklon, i've got so much to learn. Thanks for the video, that was very interesting to watch, and I learned a few tricks. Hope to see more of you in the future. Cheers!

[@nuriamarti100]

Can't wait to see the next video

[@mentataudio]

Wow. I’ve got v1 Cirklon and having a proper keyboard makes such a difference to the workflow. Might be worth upgrading just for that!

[@LEcanardo-SystemOverload]

defenitively need one, its the first time earing aboutthat seq, look nearly perfect , really nice piece , german made , and you are a master on that , no doubt, and your track also drive , but , your old mechanical keyboard also rockin!

[@remka2000]

People talk about the fabled learning curve of the elektron machines - but this looks next level... Almost as fun as Lotus 123 on DOS in the 80s 😅 It certainly looks powerful (as it looks cryptic) but ...I think I'll keep my digis for now.

[@advanced-research]

Digis are great for sequencing too!

[@VinceVega303]

Fantastic video! I hope you will make more.

[@mariuscircus]

Bloody brilliant sir. I've owned a Cirklon for 7+ years, and still picked up quite a few tricks from this video. 👍

[@advanced-research]

Thank you. To make this video I went through the whole manual multiple times, and learned a lot myself. I’m glad to pass this knowledge!

[@mariuscircus]

@@advanced-research You've made me realize I too should go through it again... Particularly some of the aux events are still confusing the hell out of me. Particularly when you start making them interact with each other.

[@advanced-research]

@mariuscircus I think AUXes are overly complex, especially when you chain multiple of them together. It’s just an abstraction that doesn’t really work for most peoples mental model. Although they can be really useful sometimes.

[@mariuscircus]

@@advanced-research I have a few key ones I know well and use a lot, but there are some I've never been able to grasp. And I agree, some of Colin's terminology isn't simple to get a grip on for mere mortals... 😂

[@advanced-research]

@mariuscircus I wish Colin would incorporate some ideas from Octatrack or any other Elektron sequencer…

[@philippebackprotips]

Gave me cool ideas for my MPC workflow!

[@advanced-research]

I’m glad to hear that! Which MPC do you use?

[@philippebackprotips]

@@advanced-research OG X, Live 2

[@namedisclosed]

great video, thanks!

[@super_pacha]

Advanced Research, LOVE IT !

[@advanced-research]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@darkomnipresence]

I like the sound of the buttons.

[@SpikesStudio3]

You sir, are a god. This is right up on the list of "i will never have one" 😭😭

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

I love the hardware aspect and the retro buttons are mega cool : but !: With the insane amount of button pressing and menu diving the inspiration and creativity is out the window for me .... Cheers 🥂

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! I think if you try to write a similar try with something like a Digitakt you would have to use the same amount button pressing, maybe even more. I personally don't find Cirklon too menu diving, because it has a flat structure and most of the menus don't go more than one level deep. Maybe the fact that I've named every pattern and scene gives you that impression, but it's totally possible to use Cirklon without that. I did that only to make easier to follow the whole process, in real application I would just jam, copy and duplicate scenes on the fly without naming things much because it does slow you down. Cheers.

[@juliaseppi2205]

With something like a sequencer there's always going to be some degree of menu diving.

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

@@juliaseppi2205for sure : I have the Hapax sequencer : and a long way to go as I'm still learning it : Cheers 🥂

[@nikizi]

amazing video, please do some more on the cirklon

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! What would you like to see more about?

[@nikizi]

@@advanced-research would love to learn more about arrangements and how you articulate each scene to create a full track. how do you plan your scenes to build the song? do you plan it beforehand, do you have a mindmap or is it just improvisation? you operate so fast i have to play at 0.75% speed :) thanks again for this video, truly inspiring

[@nikizi]

@@advanced-research i'm trying to use the midi-learn function with "SCULPT", i have a Virus too, but when I move the cutoff knob it doesn't "learn" it. do you know if there is any option to enable on the Virus ? thank you

[@advanced-research]

@nikizi what’s your firmware version?

[@nikizi]

@@advanced-research cirklon 1.21g virus 5.0.8

[@thomask6873]

yo it was all fun and games until 11:10 :D That's really interesting thank you for sharing

[@advanced-research]

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the video! Cheers

[@Digiphex]

I thought you were Slavic but then you spoke German so I don't know. Very good breakdown of the Cirklon and very logical.

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! I was born in USSR, but I live in Germany. Hope that explains your confusion. Cheers!

[@StarIsborn-v2n]

This machine is no joke 😮

[@earthman_]

Super Dope here 👍🏼. I like a lot 🙂

[@custardgannet]

Great vid. How long have you had the Cirklon? It's a pleasure to watch someone so fast on it. I've only had mine 3/4 of a year and I think I'm just about getting the config right with my gear. Crazy hard to learn but I know and already starting to feel in the long run it will be worth it. Thanks for the upload

[@advanced-research]

Thanks! I’ve had it for more than 3 years now. I also didn’t use most of it in the first year but at some point I’ve made an effort to read the whole manual and actually apply these features. It takes time. But similar to practice violin or piano all these efforts bring you more joy in playing music.

[@custardgannet]

@@advanced-research It's a slow burner but the sequencer to last a life time! :) Hope to see more - cheers! :)

[@Distinct100]

Awesome man❤

[@sea-saw2654]

Superb. 👍

[@johnerickson9276]

This must have an insane learning curve

[@advanced-research]

Not really, you can be up and running the same day you get Cirklon. Not knowing advanced workflows doesn’t prevent from having fun right away.

[@Michael-mg7te]

Wizard at work 🧙‍♂️

[@Phantasma999]

Fascinating

[@KSKSKSx2]

very calming, thanks for making my day at work better haha

[@advanced-research]

I’ve intentionally left button clicks on pretty high volume level so it hopefully would turn into ASMR vibes. Cheers!

[@primus6313]

I need a Cirklon

[@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427]

You start with money thats the most important thing.

[@rozling]

Good thing with the Cirklon is once your name’s on the list you have 3 years to save!

[@inforesistor9833]

Man, you understood everything, im pissing my pants

[@OMA_Music_Official]

This is what a fun Nerd sounds like

[@ルコルビジェ-l5w]

Like the Hard Floor, and then there is the Ambush too!

[@christdolphin69]

i feel like any of the elektron digis/takts (particularly) the digitone would be good enough for this style of midi sequencing pretty comparable from the features ive seen here. i guess chord notes are all the same length on the elektrons but other than that, its prety powerful

[@advanced-research]

I use Elektron devices myself and I do agree that for most sequencing tasks it’s more than enough. I love Digiton, it’s one of my favorite digital synths. Cheers

[@bertokleine280]

Love ur vid ❤

[@KenWenWinPow]

3 mins in, subscribed

[@williamlittlejohn5929]

Many thanks for the video!Nice to see..but i have to say now ,maybe I will sell mine because not sure I can do the same ...

[@SamP.L.R]

Hi, awesome video, thanks for posting! If you don't mind my asking, what kind of audio mixing console are you using in this video? (apologies if you have already mentioned this in comments and I have overlooked it) cheers

[@advanced-research]

No worries. It’s Zähl AM1

[@SamP.L.R]

@ oh nice, rockin’ any of the CV strips? I’m stumbling round the block learning Cirklon ropes, your workflow super inspiring ✌️thank for posting

[@advanced-research]

Nah it’s just 8 stereo channels. But CV strip is great though, I saw it in action last year on Superbooth and was surprised by how musical and powerful it is.

[@SamP.L.R]

@ wonderful…a dream console

[@vagueversatile]

Very cool video! For the OP-1, you are sequencing it from the circklon or you sampled it? I don’t understand how you sequence the chords + other things on the OP-1 considering it is mono timbral

[@advanced-research]

In this video I've been using OP-1 only as a MIDI controller, all sounds come from Virus. It is mono timbral unfortunately. Once I've tried to sequence OP-1 with Cirklon, and it works, but not being able to play multiple tones simultaneously is a big constraint. Cheers

[@vagueversatile]

@@advanced-research ok thanks a lot for the explain

[@KuSh89music]

thanks for this!!!

[@JonathanRCross]

How to sequence : pay an enormous amount of money. Wait three years. You are now ready to Sequence.

[@JonathanRCross]

Do they send you the manual in the mean time so you can have learnt it by the time it arrives? Awesome video by the way. Great to see you fly about the controls

[@advanced-research]

@@JonathanRCross Thanks. Manual in the video comes with the device. Also you can buy it from official website for about ~50eur. And digital version is freely available: static1.squarespace.com/static/5808f139b8a79b2b73259cd1/t/603a19570aa63f6cd3b69e62/1614420320870/cirklon-manual-1.20.pdf

[@lameaim]

Your sequence of events is incorrect. There’s a waiting list stage that everyone sits in first, and being added to the list is free. You don’t actually pay anything until your spot comes up and there is a unit available to send to you.

[@JonathanRCross]

@@lameaim ah v good! Thanks for clarifying. At least you can use the lead time to save up!

[@omnichannel6842]

Great video

[@keysersoze4851]

more please. seriously

[@Shnowz]

you know the videos gonna slap when they have only 400 subs but 400k worth of gear

[@advanced-research]

Numbers don’t matter much as the joy of making music and sharing the knowledge. We live once, and what’s going to be left of us? Not our material possessions for sure.

[@Shnowz]

@@advanced-research well said! all i meant was you don't own a mixer like that without some knowledge under your belt ;)

[@jasonelliott2145]

how do you connect the keyboard Is there any settings you need to change and are you going through the host or the USB port

[@advanced-research]

No settings needed, it works as soon as you plug it in. Although it has to be compatible keyboard. The way I did it - just went with Cirklon to the keyboard store and tried keyboards until one of them worked.

[@NicleT]

Reminds me of Propellerhead's Rebirth RB-338.

[@martindu4]

Kudos: brilliant and fascinating. Love the tutorial.

[@martindu4]

This video has gone viral from the last time I was here... More than 11K views...Super congrats...

[@kisho2679]

Does it have effects like the Squarp Pyramid?

[@advanced-research]

Cirklon doesn't have "effects" concept, although most of these features are possible with the use of Aux rows, Track Values or Scene page. - Quantisation is possible in CK patterns (they are like MIDI), but it has to be applied destructively to the pattern. - Arpeggiator is kind of possible as one of the Step-time record modes in P3 patterns (they are advanced step sequence patterns). - Harmonizer is possible with "Aux note rel", I've demonstrated this in the video in the section with pad. - Swing is a single value parameter on Scene page, I've demonstrated this in the video, by very end before final jam. - Randomizer exists as set of complex Aux random events and random masks, I've demonstrated this in the section with main riff arp filter cutoff modulation. - Delay and Equalizer are pretty unique to Squarp Pyramid. Cirklon also has "delay", but it's different feature. - Scale is defined per Scene or Pattern, with the support of 20+ pre-made scales and also 8 user scales. - Note to CC is just an CC Aux row in P3 pattern with parameter mask that copies values from notes, I didn't show this in the video, search Cirklon manual for "Target Values For Grab, Swap and Push". - As for BPM effect, you can do BPM changes between "songs", although there's no way to dynamically change BPM within the song or the sequence, as in Ableton, for example. - Chance is possible, as I've demonstrated in the most cryptic part of my video, but this implementation is quite horrible from UI perspective, to be honest. - LFOs are currently not possible on Cirklon, only if you manually create a separate pattern with modulation you need. With this direct feature to feature comparison it's obvious that while Cirklon is indeed a very powerful sequencer, it totally lacks many "modern" capabilities from Elektron machines or Squarp Pyramid. I personally have a really long list of features for Cirklon team to implement, and I even posted all of it on official forum, but I doubt it will ever be realized in foreseeable future, sigh. That's why I not only use Cirklon, but also Ableton Live, Torso T1, Dirtywave M8 and other sequencers, each of them has its advantages. Cheers

[@kisho2679]

Thank you

[@MrJemabaris]

How is the keyboard connected to the sequencer? I don't see any cable

[@advanced-research]

Cable is hidden underneath for more tidy shot. Cheers

[@frequencymanipulator]

Cirklon Crew®©🚀🔥

[@advanced-research]

😎

[@frequencymanipulator]

@@advanced-research Your fluidity with the accumulators blows my mind. I need to study this. A great video, thanks.

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

what keyboard is that and how it works with cirklon ?

[@advanced-research]

It's Vortex M0110. Cirklon 2 has Host port that allow to connect MIDI devices like OP-1 and USB keyboards. Unfortunately there's no way to connect multiple devices to that port currently, although Colin, author of the Cirklon, mentioned that he would add this feature to the upcoming firmware releases. Cheers.

[@advanced-research]

And to be clear, this keyboard only purpose is to type names faster than on virtual keyboard. No other functions.

[@tlevo8]

which Keyboard do you use?

[@advanced-research]

It's Vortex M0110.

[@gdisko2009]

greta video, where is the mechanical keyboard from?

[@advanced-research]

It's Vortex M0110.

[@drdracula]

Is the keyboard connected by usb?

[@advanced-research]

Hi yes

[@baranboodar]

hi, quick question: what keyboard are you using? is this an IBM one? and if so which one? great video btw.

[@advanced-research]

Thank you! It’s Vortex M0110

[@dangerous77]

@@advanced-research It was the thock of the keys that made me search for this question - which switches did you get installed?

[@advanced-research]

@dangerous77 it’s MX Brown

[@niallmccaffrey791]

If i send the PGM to my Virus B as you do here, the virus misses the first note on the downbeat as it takes a few miliseconds to change patch. Did Access fix this in later models?

[@advanced-research]

In the video I use multitimbral approach so there’s no need to change patches on the fly. I would suggest to use “pre-send pgm” option in instrument definition, it could fix your problem. It takes some time to change the patch on TI too, but not sure how is it faster compared to B. I even did crazy pattern where I randomly change PGM on every step, it’s fun but sometimes Virus crashes, depending on the bank chosen. Let me know how it goes. Cheers

[@kisho2679]

nice, but why not use the more affordable Squarp Pyramid instead?

[@advanced-research]

Thanks. Friend of mine has it and we jammed with it, but it just never clicked with me, just a matter of personal preference I would say. But it is truly powerful as well and many Cirklon workflows are possible there as well. I think the workflow and overall approach matters more than a specific piece of gear.

[@willjay6943]

what is the name of the keyboard ???

[@advanced-research]

It’s Vortex M0110. Cheers

[@NearTao]

Thumbs up from the M8 discord server... digging your video!-

[@EsenEspinosa]

Where can I get your computer keyboard?

[@advanced-research]

It’s Vortex M0110. I got mine on geekboards.de

[@symbiosis07]

How could cirklon detect midi cc? Does virus ti midi loopba to cirklon?

[@advanced-research]

Cirklon and Virus are connected with MIDI both ways. It’s no problem with TI Desktop which doesn’t have keyboard. But if you connect Virus Polar or any other synth with keyboard it’s a good idea to turn off “local mode” and choose destination channel on Cirklon directly. Cheers

[@triangularmerkel]

when season 2?

[@advanced-research]

Research takes time.

[@godzuki86]

just wow

[@rrrrrrtt1]

Thanks.

[@AndreyAtapin]

how do you route the entire setup including synths, drum machines, mixer and effects?

[@advanced-research]

All analog equipment goes into patchbay, from patchbay to the mixing desk. Effects are on send/return of the mixing desk. It’s pretty standard setup. Non-standard thing is that I also route digital signals from audio interface to the console but with the help of custom built switcher - you put DB25 cables A and B and decide which signal goes in (digital or analog) per channel basis. So you can have channels 1-4 on mixing desk coming from the DAW and 5-8 from analog synths. I hope that explains everything. Cheers

[@AndreyAtapin]

@@advanced-research thanks! it would be great if you showed your setup on a video one day

[@bramlaman8672]

what is that keyboard?

[@advanced-research]

It’s Vortex M0110. Cheers!

[@IvanEngler]

how did you connect the ascii keyboard?

[@advanced-research]

Cirklon 2 supports connecting USB keyboards to the Host port. Cheers

[@IvanEngler]

@@advanced-research ah! i have a gen 1 cirklon, waiting for the update :)

[@olivierbianciotto9770]

​@@advanced-research Thsk for tips Man ;-)

[@PsychologyAcademia]

The Access Virus is a godsend being multimbral. Whats the best drum machine to pair with it?

[@advanced-research]

Elektron Machinedrum?

[@PsychologyAcademia]

@@advanced-research Wish they would make another.

[@advanced-research]

You can try Nord Drum, it’s still produced and has one of the most alien tones, similar to Pearl Syncussion

[@PsychologyAcademia]

@@advanced-research Thanks. I will check it out :}

[@mvaudio5]

This can be done with the OXI One in a third of the time!! Cirklon has such an intricate workflow!!

[@VINYLCRATE]

If I want to control, say 16 tracks on the Digitakt, would I create an instrument for each track, labelled "Drums", with a dedicated channel? Or would I create a single instrument then have each track between the Cirklon and Digitakt mapped to the same channel?

[@PsychologyAcademia]

Drums are easily mapped as they all have their own dedicated channel. You only have to have one instrument on Cirklon. Different channels for each drum sound though.

[@advanced-research]

As far as I know Digitakt doesn't allow to control all its tracks with single MIDI channel. You can use "Auto" channel in Digitakt MIDI config but it would control only active track. To control all Digitakt tracks with Cirklon separately, you would have to create an instrument called “Digitakt” with “multi” option on. Then you would add multiple instances of that instrument on different Cirklon tracks, each with its own MIDI channel, like 1, 2, 3 and so on. There's probably not a lot of benefits to do that, since you would lose the ability to use parameter locks (CC aux rows is not exactly the same). I usually just sync Digitakt with clock and start/stop messages from Cirklon, it's easier this way.

[@doverbeachxyz]

@@advanced-research digitakt allows to control all its track with a single midi channel! I know because I did that with my vector (the cirklon baby brother)