HOW TO Build a Portable Live Techno Rig (and Actually Perform With It)

video upload by SynthDad Music

"Turing machines are generative sequencers that create looped melodies that slowly evolve and change over time, perfect for techno. I'm using the Shroud of Turing from Flatsix Modular in my compact techno setup. It's a 1U turing machine with clever features like user-defined scales and the ability to save different scales to play. I'm using it with Shakmat Ballista Blast as the main voice . Ohmforce Bohm is the main kick and I play it against Shakmat Battering Ram for dual-kick fun."

HOW TO Build a Portable Live Techno Rig (and Actually Perform With It)

video upload by SynthDad

"I used to think a bigger setup meant more options meant better music. Turns out the opposite is true, at least for me.

For a while my live rig was getting more complex every time I played it. More modules, more flexibility, more things to manage. And instead of playing, I was troubleshooting. So I stripped it back.

In this video I walk through the portable techno case I built for live performance; what made the cut, what didn't, and why having fewer options actually made me more focused and more musical on stage.

If you make techno with hardware and performing live is something you're thinking about, hopefully this is useful.

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Breakdown of my setup - kicks
01:01 Adding texture with Oneiroi
01:36 Battering Ram as second kick
02:03 Lead voice Ballista Blast
02:25 Sequencing with Shroud of Turing
05:23 Changing up the melody
05:52 Quantising notes to change the mood
07:27 Putting it all together to play
22:36 Conclusions"

Modular techno performance with a portable setup

MPC Sample: Deep hypnotic techno. First attempt at a live jam

video upload by SynthDad

"I bought an MPC Sample for fun jamming so after a few hours of playing with it this is my first attempt at a deep hypnotic techno jam. Little rough around the edges in places, but hey that's live music for you!

Thinking about how I might pair it with a small portable modular setup. It's lacking some key features (step sequencer being one of them) but if I combine it with my Oxi One that's not an issue."

OXI One Tutorial - CV Trigger Envelopes & Modulations

video upload by OXI Instruments

"Unlock the secrets of CV Trigger Envelopes and Modulation Lanes in this tutorial, designed to swiftly broaden your understanding of the OXI One CV Modulation features.

Explore practical applications, creative tips on using the Modulation Lanes for CV modulation, Random Generator, and insights into the Velocity and Gate columns Views, all packed in a concise yet comprehensive guide.

Explore another take on the topics we've covered in our video by checking out this tutorial by @SynthDad :"

Oxi One - the brain for your modular setup. What you need to know to get started

video upload by SynthDad

"The Oxi One is perfect for controlling your modular setup, but configuring it can be overwhelming at first. In this tutorial I show you how to use your Oxi One to control your modular synth; I’ll explain how the CV/gate mapping page works, how to send envelopes, how modulation using LFOs and automation lanes works, and how to set up a polyphonic patch using the Oxi One as the brain. Best of all we'll get to draw waveforms by hand on the grid to modulate our patches - cool!

This video builds on my previous one. (below) and if you've watched that you'll feel right at home here. Even if you're not an Oxi wizard just yet you'll find this video easy to understand as I've broken it down into themes:

1. Understanding the CV/gate mapping page
2. Creating a one-voice monophonic patch
3. Sending envelopes from Oxi One
4. Adding complex modulation to patches
5. Drum sequencing in modular
6. Polyphonic modules"

Oxi One - 5 Quick Tips to start making music fast

video upload by SynthDad

"The Oxi One is a powerful MIDI sequencer but when you first sit down it can be tough to understand how it works. This is the first in a series of videos where I explain how to use the Oxi One, get to grips with its features, and how use it to make music fast.

In this first episode I will give you 5 quick tips to get started making music with the Oxi One and your synths. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive deep-dive into every feature, or a review of the device. Instead these are the top five things I think you need to know to get going quickly."