RK008 MIDI FX: Note2CC

video upload by Retrokits

"Another MIDI Effect on the RK008 is a little utility called Note2CC. It allows you to convert/add MIDI note messages to Control Change messages. There Are three modes, available under Digit 4 in the MIDI FX selection menu:

Velocity to CC :
Takes the MIDI Note velocity value for use on CC values
Note to CC :
Takes the MIDI Note number value for use on CC values
Random to CC:
Trigger a random CC value Generation on a MIDI Note on message.

You can use these in different ways, for example adding random panning or trigger filters and even use a track for MIDI sidechain usage."

RK-008 Pret-a-Play

video upload by Retrokits

"The music in this video is recorded and edited on the RK-008 and exported to standard .MID files so you can import them into yours.
The MID's are here in a .zip:
https://retrokits.com/rk008/content/j...
And the settings page where you can upload them to the RK-008 is here: https://retrokits.com/rk008/settings/
You can also load these into a DAW for example which can work with .MID files.

Happy Jammin' !"

Yamaha MU2000 - the final boss of General MIDI boxes - does it hold up?

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"I wanted to try one of these Yamaha MU2000 boxes for years, but they were surprisingly expensive and available from Japan only. But with some backing from YouTube and my channel members, here's a detailed video on the MU2000, some sound examples and a short demo track created in MIDI only, which is no problem when 128 voices are the limit. Table of contents:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synido K25 review, on a Yamaha MU15

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"Synido sent me their K25 MIDI keyboard for review. It's purple! I thought this was a good opportunity to talk about the Yamaha MU15, an XG expander from 1998, as well.

Synido TempoKEY-Black: [Amazon DE / Amazon US]
Synido TempoKEY-Purple: [Amazon DE / Amazon US]
Synido Official website: https://www.synido.com/

Table of contents

00:00 hi
00:25 hardware overview
01:04 features (K25)
02:50 a short Mu15 demo
03:19 MU15 overview
04:23 using CCs on the K25 to control the synth engine
06:15 variation effects overview
08:03 trying to use the K25's note repeat function and the arpeggiator to create a short improv - the jam is jammed by timing troubles
09:35 conclusion
10:37 another sound demo (timing stabilized by the RK008)
13:31 bye bye

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL

https://www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg

https://floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/

https://floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/"

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Retrokits - RK008 Multi Track MIDI Recorder In Eurorack

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2024, Sonic State caught up with Gerrit from Retrokits to discuss their latest offerings. Gerrit showcased the new modular versions of their popular products, the RK-008 *multi-track MIDI recorder and the *RK-6 *MIDI interface/USB MIDI host. The *RK-008 features eight tracks, each capable of recording 16 channels of MIDI with multi-length capability, allowing users to create and manipulate MIDI data in a variety of ways. Gerrit also demonstrated how the RK-008 can be used to send MIDI notes to devices like the Kaossilator, showcasing the flexibility and functionality of Retro Kits' products.

The Retrokits team has been constantly updating the firmware for their devices, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and enhancements. While the RK-8 is currently available, the modular versions are still in development as Retro Kits gauges interest from the community. Gerrit also highlighted the ease of programming their devices, allowing users to download pre-made software or create their own code to customize their MIDI setup. With the RK-6 already serving as a versatile tool for both MIDI and modular users, the modular RK-8 is set to be a popular addition to Retro Kits' lineup. For more information on Retro Kits' products, visit their website for updates on availability and features.

RK008 Price: 351-392 Euros

RK006 Price: 142-158 Euros"

Retrokits RK008, Third Wave synth and Innerclock Systems

video upload by Steve Turner

"In this quick video I show how EASY it is to record midi sequences into the RK008 Realtime Multitrack Midi Recorder. I start with a monophonic part and then show a simple chord part. I am doing all this one handed so don't expect Rick Wakeman (even if I had 100 hands). The point being how SIMPLE it is to create parts in the RK008 and then play them back into your hardware."

https://www.innerclocksystems.com

Only one way to start this day 🙂

video upload by Retrokits

"Using only tracktrig mode and loop lengths on the RK008 to play the MB33 303"

A short RK008 Quantize grid example loop

video upload by Retrokits

"Recording realtime gives you complete freedom of playing - but sometimes a quantize grid can help you out, also production- wise.The quantize grid in the RK008 is capable of separately altering note on, note length or note off.

A note-off is part of the groove and you can use the grid options to tighten up sounds but also make the most of a synth with limited polyphony, timing note-offs perfectly before starting a new one.

PS: I'm focusing on the quantize grid here, you can also adapt the length of a note in a percentage of the original which is not shown in this movie. You can check the complete RK008 Quantize menu here:"

RK008 Menus: ALT+6 - QUANTIZE

video upload by Retrokits

"RK008 Menu 6 houses real-time Quantize transformations.
The first part (ALT+6) is for note-on quantize, straightening out played notes on a user-selectable grid:

Digit 1 to 6 select a timebase;
Digit 1 - 2 - 3: 1/64 - 1/32 - 1/16
Digit 4 - 5 - 6: 1/8 - 1/4 - 1/2
Digit 7 - 8 - 9: decrease - 1/16 center - increase
(inc/dec is also accessible via ALT+DEC and ALT+INC)

Tapping a digit multiple times will also allow you do select a dotted or triplet grid For example in case of a 16/th note-on Quantize(3):
1x tap: 1/16
2x tap: 1/16D (dotted, notes are 1.5 times a 16th note)
3x tap: 1/16T (Triplets, notes are 1/3rd length of a 16th note)

Pressing INC will slide to the Swing settings which have the same type of interface, selecting timebases with 1-6 and making adjustments with 7-9.

Pressing INC again will slide to the Note Length Quantize part. In this menu you will be able to quantize the note length to fixed length - or- only quantize note off fixed to a grid.

For example - on the 16th Note Length Quantize (3)
1x tap: 16th length fixed
2x tap: 16th- length staccato (length is cut just before the next 16th note)
3x tap: 16th+ length legato (length will just overlap the next 16th note)
4x tap: Q_16 note off length is snapped to a 16th note grid
5x tap: Q_16- note off length is snapped to a 16th note grid staccato style
6x tap: Q_16+ note off length is snapped to a 16th note grid legato style

The @EspenKraft video mentioned is here:" [posted here]

3 Reasons to Try DAWless

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"Here's my latest DAWless setup for live MIDI sequencing with my hardware synths. It centers around the Retrokits RK008, with my Nord Stage 4, miniKORG 700fs, Moog Minitaur and Elektron Analog Rytm MKII. Although I love using my main DAW, Cockos Reaper, for producing finished music, there are 3 advantages that this DAWless setup has, a couple of which were a little unexpected. And there is a bunch of good original music that came right out of this new setup, so enjoy!

A case/stand I designed for the RK008: https://www.printables.com/model/5981...
Check out all my original music here: https://soundcloud.com/user-801248952

00:00 Intro
00:55 The Setup
03:00 Portability
05:24 Practice tool
07:27 Songwriting tool
12:02 DAWless to DAW
13:15 Outro"

RK008 with an eeehr KO?... no.... OP-Z! 😊

video upload by Retrokits

"Just a quick demo on how to start a (perhaps not so fancy) song with the RK008 . Covering a basic beat, bass, chords and making a song structure."

RK008 Menus: ALT+7 - OUTPUT + ROUTING

video upload by Retrokits

"This menu is for routing the Tracks' MIDI data. Each one of the 8 Tracks on the RK008 can hold MIDI data (notes, pitch, CC's) for 16 MIDI channels at once but via the output menu you can reroute these:

1. MIDI Channel
By default it's set to ORG, meaning that there is no MIDI channel remapping done. Typing a MIDI channel here will reroute incoming MIDI from any channel to the set output channel. This way you can use the RK008 as a handy MIDI switchboard. Just by pressing a Track you can reroute to a predefined MIDI output channel.

2. MIDI Port
MIDI port selects the physical MIDI output to route the MIDI to. You can use the digits 1-3 to select a specific output (OUT1, OUT2 or the RK006 via USB), or press 0 to send to all. By specifying outputs you can potentially drive a whopping 48 channels of MIDI gear.

Read more about the RK008 in the page link below:
https://retrokits.com/rk008/

Bonus: You can download the little Dopplereffekt / Infophysix .mid file loop which I exported from the RK008 here to play with: https://retrokits.com/rk008/dopper_in..."

RK008 Clicktrack DAW (reason) Sync Example

video upload by Retrokits

"The sync input on the RK008 has different settings you can use to slave it to a clicktrack. Here's an example on how to get that done with basic devices on @ReasonVideoTutorials

PS: I also mention using HairlessMIDI for linking up complete MIDI communication to a DAW via the RK008 usbserial port, here's the link to that project for various Platforms (PC, MAC, Linux)

https://github.com/tyan0/hairless-mid..."

RK008 Menus: ALT+5 - TRANSFORM & ALT+4 - FILTER / VELOCITY SCALING

video upload by Retrokits

"The RK008 Transform menu can be used for transposing Tracks (according to global scale if desired) and Time shifts. Combined with Performance mode (ALT+ROUTE) you can even transpose according to MIDI Key input."

RK008 Menus: ALT+4 - FILTER / VELOCITY SCALING

video upload by Retrokits

"Not a big menu, but combined with the others in this row ( TRANSFORM / QUANTIZE) you'll find it a handy one.

The Filter menu modifies per Track MIDI IN and MIDI OUT. It houses a velocity scaler and a filter for MIDI Notes, Control Changes, Program Changes, Aftertouch and Pitchbend. It can change the way you play your keyboard but can also be used (in combination with ALT+3, MIXDOWN) to clean up your recording."

You can find additional RK008 Menus video posts here.

Nord Stage 4 + RK008 + Analog Rytm = DAWless powerhouse!

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"So I recently picked up a Nord Stage 4 as an upgrade to my Electro 2 from 16 years ago, as my main compact gigging keyboard. What I didn't realize was how powerful the multitimbrality could be when paired with a sequencer, like the Retrokits RK008, which I'm borrowing from my good friend "Cowboy" Ben Alman for our @TheEntireRobot gigs. I fairly quickly set up the sounds on the Nord and then played in some quick parts for an A and B section into the RK008. I'm reserving tracks 1 and 3 on the RK008 for my MiniKorg and Moog Minitaur, once I get the MIDI hooked up for those, so that will be next. I used 6 layers on the Nord, but technically I could have done 7 if I split up the organ into two separate manuals, etc. Anyway, this is a promising rig!"

RK008 Menus: ALT+3 - PART / TRACK MERGE

video upload by Retrokits

"With the Merge menu on the RK008 you can combine multiple Tracks into one Track and render realtime RK008 MIDI effects like quantize, transpose and velocity modifiers.
Of course you can also merge Parts, to merge a Part, just make sure there are no Tracks selected."

RK008 Menus: ALT+2 - PART / TRACK COPY, SWAP & EXPLODE

video upload by Retrokits

"ALT+2 means COPY: Operations where you can copy, swap and explode your RK-008 recordings.

(PS - I'll try to align the recording with the RK008 buttons next time, the video is not very helpful on led feedback this way...)"

RK008 Menus: ALT+1 - INDIVIDUAL TRACK LENGTHS (fw2.x)

video upload by Retrokits

"As of RK008 Firmware 2.0 You can now set a loop point on every individual Track in a Part so here is a little addendum on the ALT+1 tutorial we made earlier. Multiple Track lengths can be accessed by pressing the Track buttons while in the Length menu (ALT+1)
When a Track button is pressed in this menu you can type the Track length in to a quarter-note resolution, or just Shorten/Lengthen the Track with the ALT + ← or → keys.
If you want to set a very fine length for a Track you can go to the StepTime Editor (ALT+MODE) and navigate to any point in time and set/unset a Loop point with Digit 9"

RK008 Menus: ALT+1 - LENGTH

video upload by Retrokits

"What's under RK008 button number 1??
Part Length, Time Signature, Scales and Part Name editing. In this video I'll show you a thing or two - or.. ehr maybe seven.

https://retrokits.com/rk008/

Note that the Flex MIDI Time Stretch and Thin Track / Zap Double Notes are RK008 firmware 1.17+ additions."

RK002 / RK008 and the TX6 in polyphony

video upload by Retrokits

"Just checking if this would be doable - I guess it is!"

RK008 + RK006 - USB Expansion

video upload by Retrokits

"By request a little video about connecting the RK-006 to the RK-008 via USBSerial. This can expand the RK008 with a complete extra MIDI-I/O bus, adding up to 4 MIDI Inputs and 12 MIDI Outputs (+ the extra USB you can plug into the USB-hub)

(Of course it will also work to just connect the RK-006 to the RK-008 via a TRS stereo audio cable but then the inputs of the RK-006 will not be merged with the ones on the RK-008.)"