MicroGranny 2 MIDI Sequencer Tutorial (feat. BeatStep Pro)

[@bas1cbas1c]

I never would have figured this out without this video - thanks for taking the time to create this!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! :)

[@truecuckoo]

Nice! Thanks :)

[@tomfurstyfield]

I know you! Nice videos

[@leahedmundson3365]

The problem is, how do we know what we desire?

[@milztempelrowski9281]

some kind of transcendental pull that enables a religious fake-fastfood-experience (granny for laif)

[@tomstillwagonmusic]

@@milztempelrowski9281 Freedom...Hurts.

[@ohtiniestplanet]

Thanks for the great pair of videos on the MicroGranny - lots of useful info. Looking forward to getting a Keystep so I can start sequencing!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! I have to check out the KeyStep as well at some point :)

[@prsy]

Love the zizek sample

[@satyanpatel6403]

MidiMania! yeah I read it and like this setup. Thanks for the information.

[@tomfurstyfield]

This was super helpful thanks very much!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Awesome :)

[@JulioAvalos3000]

Very cool tutorial. Thank you.

[@christianssonicspaces494]

Great tutorial. Give me some cool new ideas to run the MicroGranny 2 with an Elektron Octatrack :-) Many thanks for sharing the video.

[@elyssapalmer2298]

How's the looping function on the microgranny? I'm just wondering if I could use it as a noisy mono drum machine maybe paired with a pocket operator or volca sample

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Ty..have been looking for an affordable sampler and this has me thinking of the MG. Subbed

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! Yeah, the MicroGranny 2 is really cool 😎

[@rkic5440]

Thanks for the great video. Do you think it would work ok with the Korg SQ64? Cheers

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes. It probably would work, the sequencer just needs to be able to send MIDI notes in the lowest MIDI octave.

[@noisetv1863]

Verrryyyy interesting!!! Thanks

[@longacre4932]

Question: would it be possible to control the Microgranny with the Drum lane of the Beatstep instead of the melody section?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, I think you can just set the drumpad MIDI note values to the lowest octave notes in the BSP editor software. However this will not make it possible to play samples tuned, but you might not need that :)

[@longacre4932]

@@tuesdaynightmachines Awesome, thanks for taking the time to answer!

[@palindromeAU]

Are you able to sequence a note to stay on (for a long sample) so it plays out? Seems like it can only do one shots

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, you can. Samples play as long as the MIDI note is on and they can also be set to loop (or play once).

[@zorbanongreco]

👍🏼Great tutorial. Thankyou🐂💨💨💨

[@mankismelbournejay]

Will have to give this a go, thanks for the vid. Do you know of a computerless way of triggering the sample by midi to play the sample in its entirety?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Any MIDI sequencer should be able to just hold a note, i.e. play a sample. Set the sample to not repeat on the MG2 and you're set.

[@psmaulehlien]

Thanks

[@3str]

Tipping my hat - well done feature!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you very much! Really happy to read that you liked the video :)

[@marekkasprzak2209]

Hello, thanks MIDImania! 😉

[@thomasbetsens9068]

does anyone have an idea how to turn down to the lowest note C-2 on the beat step? mine doesn't seem to do that... and i tried a lot of things...

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+thomas betsens sorry for the late reply. You have to transpose the sequence down additionally to switching to the lowest octave.

[@DrivingPeter]

Where does this video explain how to set the sequencer on microgranny settings?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Pedro Aguiar I don't understand what you mean. There aren't any sequencer settings on the MicroGranny.

[@DrivingPeter]

I dont own a beatstep, but a korg seq-1. Cant seem to make the korg sequence the MG to save my life. I can see the fourth button on the MG says Midi, but I dont know what to do after pluging the midi cable in. The Seq-1 doesnt seem to sequene it. Isnt there any button we need to press on the micrograny to make this work? Thanks

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

You have to be on the correct MIDI channel on both devices. Check the manual of the SQ-1 on how to set that up. The SQ-1 won't give you all the sequencing power for the MG2 though, because it can't go to as low of an octave as you need to change samples on the MG2.

[@pingpanic6039]

Thanks a lot for your video MIDImania ;)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Ping Panic thanks for watching :)

[@handbaked4937]

awesome video but my beatsep only goes down as low as C 0 on the display, not C_2. Anyone know why this is?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

You might need to transpose the pads down with the transpose buttons? I don’t remember, it’s been so long ago :D

[@handbaked4937]

@@tuesdaynightmachines unfortunately that does not work. The screen only ever shows C0 - C6. I can't find the answer out anywhere. Thanks for your reply though!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I checked some other comments here and found this: “if you hold down SEQUENCER 1 button and THEN push the TRANSPOSE OCT- button twice...this will get the encoders past C0.”

[@handbaked4937]

@@tuesdaynightmachinesthanks but I did try this. However, I have just worked it out! I have been trying to do this on and off for ages. For anyone else wondering, you have to transpose the individual SEQ pattern via the SEQ window in the midi control centre. Once you transpose to -32 then the knobs reach all the way down to C_2. Thanks for the great videos!

[@eremiteghost1572]

I looked at the microgranny midi chart and it's rubbish. No data. It's the only thing I have where I have no idea how to set up midi. I can obviously play it with a keyboard but but how would I use it for a drum machine for example?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

You need to sequence the notes like a drum machine. And then you can simply control all eight sound parameters of the MG2 via MIDI CC as well :)

[@danilaplee]

how are you getting negative values on beatstep pro sequence 1 midi?

[@danilaplee]

ok, figured it out, for those of you, reading this after me -> u have to press seq1+oct- to activate sequence transposition, because keyboard transposition != sequence transposition

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Indeed! :) Great that you figured it out!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

@@danilaplee thankyou thankyou thankyou....i have been scratching my head over this for so long it's embarrassing

[@DueWhatThouWilt]

Awesome thanks I was lost as well.

[@buncho888]

Is it possible to lengthen the sample play time with the beatstep pro? I'd like to hear the melodic samples to play at different lengths, rather than the sequencer step time length.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+buncho888 yes, depending on the sample length setting on the MicroGranny, you can make the playback go as long as you like, even when sequencing it with the BSP. As long as the MG2 isn't retriggered the sample can play. With a MIDI sequencer that does CC sequencing (e.g. Octatrack) you could even dynamically change the length for each programmed step.

[@_meury]

great tutorial... but i can't get with the rotary knobs (so i can choose the spamles) to minus... it goes from C 0 to C 6 and i have no clue where the hell i can change this with Midi Control Center from Arturia... Anybody can help me out here? thanks

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! IIRC you can set the lowest note in the MCC but then you also have to transpose the sequence down on the BSP, using the corresponding transpose pads.

[@_meury]

@@tuesdaynightmachines thanks... but i'm not sure what i have to do exactly... IIRC ? how do i transpose the seq ? in the MCC?

[@_meury]

i think i got it! thx!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

@@_meury IIRC = If I Remember Correctly ;) You transpose down on the BSP. There are pads for transposing the "keyboard" and also the sequences. I think the pads are on the right. I don't have a BSP in front of me at the moment, sorry. Check the manual if necessary :)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

@@_meury Awesome :) Enjoy!

[@loopcult1216]

any way to do this with the Beatstep, not PRO??

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Josh Dean only if you have a way to convert USB-MIDI to DIN-MIDI. But I think it won't be as much fun as with the BSP.

[@LimGiong]

Thanks.

[@robfordomjones]

Hi i have an electribe 2 could i use it to control the microgranny...how can i trigger the complete sample eg a sample that is a few seconds long? Cheers rob

[@jhbrodtkorb802]

Thanks for this. Is it possible to sync two MGs by sending only midi clock from Keystep. I dont want to sequence them, only play in sync.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Sure, you can send clock to two MGs, using a MIDI splitter or "MIDI Thru" box, but the MGs don't have a sequencer on board so you could only sync the grains, I think.

[@wariusgaius]

Good video, didn't realise you could do this. I'm a give it a try. What do you think of the MG 2.4 in comparison to the MG 2.0/2.1? Ik came to the conclusion I like the earlier versions better, especially when synced. In the earlier versions the grains with each loop keep travelling through the sample, this sounds fluent and organic; every time the sample loops, there are variations in the sound. Even if you do not twist the knobs. MG 2.4 does the task tighter, but the grains of the sample stay in the same place, so each time it loops it sounds the same, it stays static.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Interesting! I wasn't aware of that, as I only started with the version 2.4, but I'll do some research on that topic. You can always write Bastl Instruments and tell them you preferred it the old way and maybe they'll bring it back :)

[@wariusgaius]

I got the 2.0, 2.1 and 2.4 chips so I can swap them around :) It's not that 2.4 is bad, for tight sequencing it might even be better, but for the way I apply the MG, semi-freerunning, the older versions are boss. Cheers !

[@tylerlyons4943]

PLEASEEEE how did you assign the CC messages with your arturia?? Using the midi control center?!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Dude, no need to beg :D I hope you have simply opened the MCC since you posted the question or checked the manual, and my answer of “yes, in the MCC :)” is not required anymore ;)

[@weskoopmans]

On the Beatstep Pro, how did you get your sequencer knobs to go below c0?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Wes Koop You have to transpose the pattern down two octaves :)

[@thenoiztemple]

Even with my transposed pattern i cannot get the knobs to transpose the note below C0. How are you getting yours to do that?

[@thenoiztemple]

figured it out... if you hold down SEQUENCER 1 button and THEN push the TRANSPOSE OCT- button twice...this will get the encoders past C0. would have been nice if that was shown in the vid. :) i was doing normal transpose by just using the OCT1 and OCT+ keys.

[@denis_lengart]

Is it possible to do the same but with korg sq-1?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Unfortunately not. I tried it, but the SQ-1 only plays a limited number of octaves and won't go down to the lowest to change the sample of the MG2.

[@audiosemaphore7983]

Can this stuff be done with the older Beatstep controller? If yes, how? Or what about the Korg Nanopad 2?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

No, not dreictly as far as I know. The BSP is a stand-alone sequencer and the NanoPad is just a USB controller that needs software. Not sure about the old BS. Does that work standalone and have a MIDI output?

[@audiosemaphore7983]

Tbe BS does work as a standalone and has Midi out. I'm currently using it with the Microgranny, but not optimally. Is this something I need to do in the Arturia Midi control center?

[@robertordonez9242]

Couldn’t sequence the MG with my MC 505

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Then the MIDI config wasn’t correct I guess.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

What happens if it receives the lowest octave note to select a sample, and a higher pitch at the same time? Will it pitch the sample to the selected note? Or are you always limited to playing the root pitch of the sample the first time it plays?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Sorry for the late reply. There is no “at the same time” in MIDI data. It’s all serial, so one note will be always first, even if they’re super close together. So when the lowest note is first, it will select and play a new sample. If the high note is first, it will play the previous sample pitched.

[@TheGeorgemoody]

Thanks for video ! One question : Beatstep pro's midi out goes to microgrannys midi in OR soundcards midi out to microgrannys midi in ? (using ableton )

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Depends. If you want to sequence from the BSP you need to connect that to the MG, if you want to use Ableton as a sequencer, you need to connect the computer's MIDI out.

[@fauxtapes]

Can it receive MIDI through USB?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

No, there is no USB on the MicroGranny.

[@fauxtapes]

Your right, just checked again. Thought that a small side hole was a USB port :/ want to play it with a op-1 as a MIDI keyboard and sequencer. It’s a nice little box. Thanks!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

You could add an Axoloti, which can receive USB MIDI and forward it as DIN MIDI to the MicroGranny. The Axoloti can also do much more at the same time (audio FX, additional synths, sequencing) ... it's really amazing :D I once built a little prototype Axoloti box that acted as a MIDI sequencer and audio FX for the MG2: instagram.com/p/BPfPwq9gRAs/?taken-by=tuesdaynightmachines instagram.com/p/BPprEZRgC1l/?taken-by=tuesdaynightmachines instagram.com/p/BPskSkPAfSk/?taken-by=tuesdaynightmachines instagram.com/p/BQH6rdVgQti/?taken-by=tuesdaynightmachines

[@fauxtapes]

Thanks, will check it out.

[@alexs4085]

Please create new video of BSP & Microgranny, i want watch you jam, becase i don't know, buy MG or not.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Alex Sledgehammer yes, you should probably by the MG2 ;-) here's a jam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJCupIObYt5jZ5I

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Alex Sledgehammer yes, you should probably by the MG2 ;-) here's a jam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJCupIObYt5jZ5I

[@paul-yy5qf]

how does it work with a software sequencer?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Exactly the same :) Just send regular note data.

[@paul-yy5qf]

hi, I mean how do you connect the hardware since it has no usb?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

You need a MIDI interface with USB :)

[@NineHellHeaven]

Cool video. I really want to like the MG2 but don't understand why they made it monophonic. Having a chord or vocal choked by a subsequent step it's a significant limitation. Best of luck to Bastl but I'll have to pass on this.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

The MicroGranny 2 is a very affordable(!) lo-fi sampler for granular/glitch sounds, so samples being choked is actually quite "in character" :D Haha! You can simply buy more than one MicroGranny if you need polyphony. Or you can sample your MicroGranny into a more expensive, cleaner and polyphonic sampler an play them back there (e.g. live sequencing and resampling with an Octatrack). The MicroGranny is not meant to be a production studio, but a simple portable sound recorder and mangler, with a really fun MIDI implementation.

[@DanielPerryMusic]

Could tell me about the input and out please, Bastl have not replied yet. Are they stereo or mono? Thanks!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Dude, it’s right there on the MicroGranny 2 website at the very top: monophonic mono sampler ... mono sample playback ...

[@soerenraudonis]

I guess I could be a nice Idea to implement a MIDI mapping function into your next firmware update...

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Write them an e-mail about it :) maybe they’ll do it. Although, I must say that the existing MIDI implementation is quite brilliant and unique in my opinion.

[@franks.1234]

hi, I got the problem, that my beatstep won't go lower than to C 0, is ther anyone who got the same problem, or experience with that issue? thans a lot

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Franz Eggerichs Hi :) you have to transpose the sequence down completely and then the encoders should reach the lowest octave.

[@franks.1234]

I already tried transposing down, but this has no effect to the encoders range. is there a possibility to change the default midi key?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

+Franz Eggerichs hmm, maybe try and set the lowest octave down in the software settings when connecting the BSP to the computer.

[@andrewkeys9113]

Hi I'm having the same problem. The encoders only dial down to C0, even after adjusting parameters in the MCC. Any ideas? Cheers, great video btw

[@andrewkeys9113]

Just seen explanation below from thenoizetemple on how to sort. Thanks

[@marcodominguez4243]

Double Points for Slavoj Žižek

[@murmurelamusique]

hi ! i’d like to use a module from my eurorack ( rit-m ) via midi to trig and cv my microgranny. any reco ?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Hmmm, you’d need a CV to MIDI interface then ... those do exist but I have never used one. I only ever went MIDI to CV.