I've bought an SP404 MK2 again (I actually had it on launch day but sold it about a year later) partly motivated by the latest firmware updates. The device actually came a long way since its launch but I'm still hesitating whether it's a good device for any sort of composition except Lofi beats or Boombap. I was hoping to write a tune using that (something weird, like ambient) but somehow I felt extremely uninspired by the device. I know it inside and out, I usually cherish limitations in music making devices but its "distinct" workflow is a huge turn off for me. Nevertheless, I think I'll keep it for "light" live performances. Or maybe sequence it from Digitakt II and make use of its strengths (huge polyphony and memory).

Anyways, as usual when I feel utterly uninspired, I run to Orca. And it never fails to inspire. It turned out to be a very dependable friend. So this week (once again) I hastily composed a generative piece using my custom fork of Orca-c, running on a Raspberry Pi Zero and sequencing a couple of softsynths (1 instance of Digitalism, 2 instances of Moog Mariana) on my iPad Pro. Using euclidean operator to sequence Skaka (a cute percussion AUv3 from the equally cute studio Klevgrand) gave me pleasantly surprising results.

Enjoy!

Tags: ambient, generative, week 23 2024, View by:boorch