Roland Aira S-1: Hypnotic Arpeggiator Ambient (with Volca FM)

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

TUTORIAL - Activate the Roland S-1's arpeggiator and choose the arpeggio type you prefer. - No sequencer needed: to engage the arpeggiator, activate the Hold button, then on the keyboard push all the notes you want to play at once. - I used the Filter LFO to create an evolving effect (to make it quicker I started with a presets that comes with one of the default patterns, but you can easily program your own sound). - You can tweak the Filter and the Effects knobs in real time to create sound variations. - On the Volca FM I pre-recorded a simple pattern in the internal sequencer, using the preset "Glassbell". - I didn't sync the two units because I wanted the two patterns to interact in an unpredictable way. - I used the transpose slider on the FM to create melodic variations in real time. - In the final part I messed up with the tempo by slowing down both units at different pace.

[@4estral]

Thank you for sharing the tutorial/setup notes in the description!

[@4estral]

The FM tone is evoking some classic Kitaro for me.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I also had the same feeling. I'm surprised no one noticed before 😊

[@Theechoes-dp8cx]

Thanks for this new trip!

[@rodrigogallego3148]

Amazing! Which arpeggio type you used for this one?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Frankly I can't remember now, it's been a while, 😐 sorry

[@krazywabbit]

Awesome vibe. My ears thank you.

[@mistergenerator5430]

An impressive jam. 👍👍

[@Rafaelfo.]

I've hear two negative things about the s1 arpeggiator: 1. It stops when you're just holding down one note; 2. The cycle re-triggers with each key press, even when clocked, so your timing has to be perfect Are these things true?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Hi. I don't use it this way, so I can't really tell you, I'm sorry. I usually don't worry about syncing because my approach is mostly out of sync. I can test it through.

[@VimyScout]

Very nice👍 Can I ask what you are using to record your audio for KZbin.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I have an Audient audio interface and I use Ableton live as a draw. Thank you!

[@binsworth]

This was fun

[@yassokiiba]

lovely!

[@saardean4481]

beautiful. Nice and tidy setup. i wish the devs would put the whole sockets on the back of the devices. They are cramped enough cause of the size. No need to have the cables next to the knobs….

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks! The sockets in the back could be an interesting upgrade.

[@saardean4481]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic i ordered a T8. Whe it arrived i inserted the headphones and started tweaking. I then realised i cant ignore how much i find it s bad decision to place the sockets there cause the point of a 303 synth is to constantly tweak it (imho). So in this case the Line out is simply at a bad position… I send it back and ordered a donner b1. Lets see. I would prefer for the T8 to win me over cause i love the portability but in the long run…. neh

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@saardean4481 I can live with the crowded space because i don't have very big hands, but I understand you point. Anyway sockets i the back would be definitely more elegant. It makes sense like this if need to connect something on the fly why already performing, but how often does it happen?

[@saardean4481]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic i hear ya. Do you by any chance know how and when this trend of sockets on the upper panel and not on the back started? There must be a reason, only i can not find it

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@saardean4481 it was like this in the first Korg volca series already more then 10 years ago. Maybe Roland wanted to make it look more familiar to pocket synth users?

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Nice!

[@rodrigocampos4587]

Great stuff! Mind me asking how you connect them to the pc and record it?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

The FM goes into the mix in of the s-1. Then the main output goes into the audio interface connected to the pc. I used Ableton live to record. Cheers!

[@elecblush]

Such a great soundscape! Really getting some great sonic potential out of a minimalist setup here! Just internal reverbs? or are you using any external processing in addition?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thank you! Besides the internal reverb there is a gentle post processing in Ableton live

[@synthebo]

❤❤❤

[@pascaljean2333]

Your battery be like 😵‍💫

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

But I made it! 😅

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Nice sound, but I’d prefer a little more variation in 5mn of the same patterns - can you randomise at all? or maybe simply switch patterns?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Yes of course it would be possible to create variations in different ways, like transposition, or simply pushing different notes. Pattern change doesn't apply here because I'm not using the sequencer. I understand your point. The variations here are not melodic but in the interaction between the two patterns and timbre of the sound. Of course it's just one possible approach of many. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers

[@d3tuned378]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic a jam is a jam is a jam. sounds nice tho. with the S1 I find even with arps you can use shuffle and delay to achieve great variation. if its a sequence, the use of transpose feature is godlike

[@djbmanifestomode]

Add a beat and you have a beat scape. Is there rhythm beats in those synths?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

No but you could easily connect a drum machine