XFM Analog Waveform Pack - 50 Free Waveform Presets

video upload by ChrisLody

Download the free waveform pack from here:
https://www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_...

"I've been using the XFM in this Virtual Analog mode for quite a while but I've only recently thought of a good way of using a naming system that will fit into the X.X.X.X format available on the Livens that shows a decent amount of information about what the presets contain. It's a bit harder to read than I was originally hoping but it does contain all relevant information to show how all the analog style oscillators are setup across the different operators."

0:00 Intro
0:16 XFM as a virtual analog synth

Preset name code:
1:12 Envelopes types
3:17 Waveforms

4:27 Filtering
5:15 Acid example
5:42 Pulse example
6:49 Pad example
8:08 Sync waveforms
8:55 How to import presets
10:08 Outro

SONICWARE Introduces the LIVEN Lofi-12

video upload by SONICWARE

SONICWARE Liven Lofi-12 - How to Make Lofi Music

video upload by ChrisLody

"So here it is, the new SONICWARE Liven Lofi-12 sampler, and it's pretty damn good.

The Lofi-12 allows 12khz and 24khz sampling frequencies with 128 sample slots. The samples are either 2 or 4 seconds long depending on the chosen frequency. Audio can be recorded directly into the internal memory via the Line In socket, after which sampled sounds are immediately playable across the keys chromatically. Sample playback is not interpolated (not smoothed out) so they have a gritty quality rather than being dulled by the low sampling rate.

A lot of features have been brought over from the Liven XFM including it's sequencer, voice modes, parameter locks etc, but this time the maximum polyphony is 10 rather than 6. Plus each track has it's own effects section that can be modulated by the parameter locks and the reverbs found in the Liven 8Bits Warps are here in a dedicated master reverb section with the addition of Tape and Vinyl effects.

There is a deep editing overlay like the XFM which enables samples to be trimmed, looped and reversed. It's possible to record in instruments and waveform and then loop sections to make the sound loop cleanly, a slight cross-fade is used to accomplish this.

The same Sound Locking function found on the XFM is present too so it's possible to modulate the sample selection in each track, so having a track play a kick and then a snare is entirely possible.

All in all it's a very well rounded little affordable sampler that can record directly into it's memories and can be used like a groove box. Pretty awesome I think.

Sampled drum break source: Future Music Magazine issue 135 cover CD

Free (and very good) audio recording app used: https://www.dolby.com/en-gb/apps/dolb..."

Update:

Liven LOFI 12 by Sonicware — instant lofi vibes!

video upload by BoBeats

00:00 What is the LIVEN LOFI 12? + Sound Demo
04:46 Beat from scratch + Going over features
12:00 Sequencer Performance Functions
16:15 Sample Locking: Making a drum beat with ONE track
17:33 How to Quickly Sample
21:28 Should you buy it?



● Retro sampling engine with 12bit Sampler mode

● Easily play samples chromatically across the keyboard

● Powerful 4-track sequencer with parameter and sound locking

● Laid-back knob for creating drunk beats

● 11 types of Effects each track and 8 types of Master Effect

The LIVEN Lofi-12 has a 16bit - 12kHz/24kHz sampling engine with the 12bit Sampler mode that will turn any sound into a pleasing lo-fi sound.

Like the many legendary samplers that were released in the late 80s, this is a genuine low-bit and low sampling frequency sound that cannot be obtained authentically with bit crusher effects and other modern sound degrading tools.

Up to 4 seconds mono sampling per sample slot (2 seconds mono sampling at the 24kHz mode). Start and end point trimming, pitch adjustment, reverse playback, sustain loop, filtering and LFO modulation are all possible."

Additional details at https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-lofi12

SONICWARE Liven XFM Generative Melody Trick Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

"Here is another quickie for the Sonicware Liven XFM that i've been meaning to record for a while. Using a couple of different features we can get the XFM to create generative melodies based on chords we've entered both on the internal synth engine and on external gear."

SONICWARE Liven XFM Shifting Ambient Textures Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

"Just a quickie this one while I get into the swing of making regular tutorials again, in fact it took me much longer to decide what to record today than it did to actually record it. This video shows how you can make shifting ambient textures on a Soniware Liven XFM using it's X-LFO feature with an attempt at showing how the Color setting affects morphing."

ChrisLody Liven posts

LIVEN XFM as an Ambient Generator (Official PV)

video upload by SONICWARE

"LIVEN XFM as an Ambient Generator

"This song is made only with the preset sounds, and no external effects or other devices are used.

'DWN.T'
Composed by Chris Lody [ChrisLody]
Performed by Sonicware Man"

SONICWARE Liven Bass&Beats Tutorial Part 1: Quick start, Drum Programming, Kit Editing

video upload by ChrisLody

Part 2 here

"This is part one of the Bass&Beats tutorial giving a quick start guide and covering drums in detail.

00:00 Intro

00:52 Overview of the Liven XFM
A description of the physical construction and connectors

02:35 Getting Started
Powering up the device
Playing patterns
Shift and func buttons, muting the speaker
Pattern level, shift lock function
Volume, tempo
Headphone gain
Pattern, bank and step buttons to load patterns, pattern chaining
Mixer knobs
Bass and drum tracks
Pattern page buttons
Drum mute function
Random playback mode
A quick look at bass track

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware Liven Bass & Beats Prototype, XFM, Behringer Neutron - Unfriendly Electro _ Song-a-day 2022

video upload by ChrisLody

Liven Bass & Beats Prototype posts

"Right, getting back on the jams with Song-a-day 2022 which a challenge not unlike Jamuary, but in February obviously.

I've been super busy on development of the Liven Bass & Beats (prototype shown here) as well as other things which is why things have been so quiet here recently. I'm determined to make more spare time in February but it remains to be seen if I'll have enough time to make a track everyday in February. This is also one of my first chances to play around with the Behringer Neutron that I found second hand recently at a very good price

In this jam the Bass & Beats is playing an Electro rhythm on a kit I made as well as a gritty sounding bass patch. The Liven XFM is sequencing the Behringer Neutron (via midi) on a muted track and also playing strings on a separate track. I imagine this combo will appear more over the month. Not the most amazing bit of work arrangement wise this but I was pushed for time today. I'll probably warm up as the month goes on, fingers crossed."

PERfourMER mkii sequenced by Sonicware Liven XFM

video upload by ChrisLody

"Here's a quick and dirty jam on a borrowed Vermona PERfourMER MK2. I've been working at a studio/synth cave recently that I'm hoping to share more information on soon. Long story but there is an enormous amount of gear there and it's my job to learn the technical ins and outs of all of it. There is some huge modular racks that won't be going anywhere but some of the smaller pieces of gear I can learn at home, like this.

The PERfourMER mk2 is pretty unique (apart from when comparing it to the mk1 of course!) in that it' can be used as 4 separate monosynths on 4 separate midi channels, through duophonic modes, up to a 4 voice polyphonic synth though with individual settings per voice as they cycle through.

In this jam I have it set to monophonic per voice that I have synths 3 & 4 set to the same midi channel. The Sonicware Liven XFM is a 4 part multitimbral synth but it can also sequence external gear on 4 tracks and 4 different midi channels so the two are a good match. I've kept one channel back on the XFM to play drum sounds, then I'm using a track to trigger synths 3 & 4 to make brassy pad sounds, a track for an arpeggio and a track for a lead. If I get time before I take his back I'll record something in polyphonic mode as it can get pretty lush sounding!"

FM Editing Tutorial 2 - Feedback Pad - SONICWARE Liven XFM - Accessible Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

"This is part 2 of my XFM deep editing tutorials. This time we're looking at making a feedback pad which is something fairly unique to the XFM. The theory behind it is that each operator becomes a square and then they are all routed into each other to create a chaotic sound."

ChrisLody Liven XFM Tutorials

FM Editing Tutorial 1 - The Basics - SONICWARE Liven XFM - Accessible Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

"So here is a new series of videos exploring the edit mode on the Sonicware Liven XFM. Using an overlay gives us access to a full 4 Op FM synth engine. I'm calling this tutorial 1, but I've actually already made another that covers making a growl bass. You can find that here: [posted here]

My main tutorial that covers all the features of the XFM is here: [posted here]

This tutorial is much more of a gentle start though and explains the way that FM synthesis works while showing how to build a quick patch from scratch.

I've tried to keep this tutorial accessible though I neglected to mention all the level adjustments I make to the parameters I select as I create the sound are made using the Value knob which is knob 10. Also I noticed after I'd made the tutorial that the knob latch setting seems to also affect edit mode when using the newest firmware, I'm sure this is new. Knob Latch can be turned on and off in Pattern Edit mode."

Sonicware Liven 8Bit Warps XFM Volca Modular Nord Lead - Downtempo New Age Jam

video upload by ChrisLody

"This jam started off as quite an experimental affair and ended up landing in ambient electronica/downtempo/chilled out/new age music territory. Perhaps because I'm feeling a little nostalgic today. As I've mentioned before on the channel I used to be a carpenter and joiner, I did that for a living for 20 years in fact. To cut a long story short I've decided to go back into the trade after a break of a few years and I'm quite excited but a bit apprehensive, though I've already been out to look at some work and it's only been 3 days since I set up my new Facebook page so that can't be bad 😁 Anyway, my point is this sounds a bit 90s to me which is the decade I was learning the trade. Probably not a coincidence, but it's not even a genre of music I listen to much 🤷‍♂️

So in this jam the Volca Modular has a radio\cassette player plugged into the CV input which is being routed through like it were an oscillator. This enables me to gate the incoming signal. There was some sort of radio play on which gave me plenty of vocal material to work with. I also had to get it done fast though as I wasn't sure when it would finish which is why the video is a bit wonky and blurry on this one, sorry about that.

The radio\cassette in question is a cheap Matsui model that no longer plays tapes but the radio output is impressively loud making it a good fit for playing radio and noise into the Volca Modular

The Sonicware Liven XFM is providing the drums here using a kit that spreads across all 4 track. It's fast becoming my go to drum machine on top of everything else it's good at, more on that in a future video

The Liven 8Bit warps is producing a pad sound using it's lovely lofi FM engine, most of what I'm playing here is improvised. Again I had to work fast so the first good take was the one to use

The Nord Lead is obviously playing the lead sound. Again largely improvised. I learned how to trill on piano recently, maybe a bit too much of that in this to be honest 😄

Effects are provided by the Danelectro Fab Echo on the Nord Lead and the Zoom Studio 1201 routed into my Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface"

How To Make FM Formant Growl Bass Sounds on Sonicware Liven XFM - Accessible Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody ChrisLody

"I was planning a different tutorial today but after being asked if this was possible I got a bit obsessed with working it out last night so thanks to Dino Goldie for prompting me to make this video. I find pretty much all aspects of sound design interesting and I've always wondered how these FM bass sounds were synthesized so I'm glad I looked into it, the XFM is pretty good at them!

As I say in the video this is designed to be an accessible tutorial as the Liven series has attracted a few visually impaired users. Let me know if this was clear and easy to understand or I totally messed it up :)"

ChrisLody Sonicware Liven posts

Bastl Kastle Drum (and Bass (Kinda)) Jam - Sonicware Liven XFM 8bit Warps Volca Modular Sample NTS1

video upload by ChrisLody

"My Bastl Kastle Drum arrived! What better way to try it out than with some sort of weird Drum and Bass meets Techno hybrid jam thing.

The Bastl Kastle Drum has no built in sequencer, but it turns out the Volca Modular does a pretty good job of that. I might do some sort of how to video about that in the future actually. But the basic idea is that changes in voltage at the input of the Kastle Drum's Drum Mod connection play different drum sounds so the cv output from the sequencer on the Volca can be connected to that to trigger different sounds across the keyboard. Then clock out on the Volca can also be used to re-trigger sounds when connected to the Trig In connection on the Kastle Drum too.

Elsewhere the XFM is producing a high-pass filtered hoover bass sound and a sub bass sound, the Liven 8Bit Warps is a hand played lead string sound and the Volca Sample is playing a chopped up break through the Nts1 which is acting as a delay. There is a bit of additional EQ and reverb in my DAW just to make things fit together nicely."

How to use the SONICWARE Liven XFM as a Virtual Analog Synth

video upload by ChrisLody

"I'm sure I'll be exploring the XFM much more through tutorials like this as there is lots to explore. But if you find the thought of programming FM synth sounds a bit too complex you can kind of skip over that and just use what you know about subtractive synthesis on the XFM.

We can use the feedback on each operator to create Saw, Square, Triangle and Noise on each of them, use the 8 stage envelopes as ADSR envelopes, set up our filter with it's own envelope, set the operators at intervals and even access Pulse Width Modulation. Loads to play with :)

Here is the interval cheat sheet I mention in the video:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l6c592egul...

00:00 Intro
01:07 Example analog synth diagram
02:00 XFM 'virtual analog' diagram
03:47 Super Saw example sound
- setting mixer levels, changing the waveforms, detuning waveforms, changing envelopes per 'oscillator'
- tweaking attack and release from pattern edit, changing tone, adding filter with envelope, adding pitch and filter lfo
09:48 Example square sound
- copy sounds, changing waveform to square
10:50 Using the envelope as an ADSR
11:50 Changing pitch by octave and semitone
13:17 Example Pulse and PWM sounds"

How to Use the SONICWARE Liven XFM - FM Synthesizer Full Tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

Demos in previous posts here.

"This video is a full tutorial for the Sonicware Liven XFM but I have only tried to cover each option on the device quickly while showing brief examples. It is intended to supplement the PDF manual that you can find on the Sonicware website here: https://sonicware.jp/pages/download

During the tutorial I'll try to explain each feature while building a short pattern.

00:00 Intro

00:49 Overview of the Liven XFM
A description of the physical construction and connectors

02:18 Getting Started
Powering up the device
Using Headphones or Line Out
Playing patterns
Shift and Func buttons, muting the speaker, changing headphone gain
Changing Tempo, Pattern Tempo and global tempo
Shift Lock function
Pattern, Bank and step buttons to load patterns, Pattern Chaining
Pattern page buttons, knob latch

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 8 - Traditional FM

video by ChrisLody

"So here we are, the last of the XFM prototype only demo videos. I'm sure there will be plenty more XFM videos on the channel but I'll most likely explore the possibilities of combining it with other equipment from now on. There will also be non demo content for it here like tutorials etc.

I've spent a lot of time making these demos trying to make something that sounds like 'Traditional FM synthesis' and I think this is about as close as I've got so far. On all the other demos I have been distracted by a lot of the other features on the pattern edit level like the filters so I've been using it more like a hybrid synthesizer.

Even this demo has a tiny bit of high-pass filter on the bass to be honest but that was just for something to tweak. The main bass part uses the X-Lab morphing mode with quite a lot of automation programmed in to get that crunchy feel but the other parts are running in Library mode which just play back the FM presets without using morphing. The other 3 tracks are 'Traditional FM' in the sense that they are FM synthesis in it's capacity to sound like acoustic instruments, in this case a flute with delayed vibrato, a sort of slapped pipe sounds and a bell like sound.

Personally I can't name this as a genre! But it's quite like a 90s Sega Megadrive/Genesis soundtrack I think, probably because that also has a 4op FM 6 voice chip inside."

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype demos

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 7 - Realtime Polymeters

video by ChrisLody

"So this is the penultimate Liven XFM only demo before it launches. This demo is designed to show of the polymetric capabilities of the Liven XFM. Each of the 4 onboard tracks can have it's own number of steps and associated note value that will start in sync on step 1 and then run at there own speed and rhythm depending on those settings. Changing patterns will sync up with the longest number of steps as far as I can tell. My step lengths here are 64, 18, 16 and 18. The track the kick on is 64 steps long so the pattern change is synchronized to it looping. Just like the other XFM only demos I've made so far, this is all the XFM in real-time with a little compressor and limiter just to get the volume level right for YouTube.

Unlike on the Liven 8bit Warps where the audio looper has to be used to build up polymeters, this happens all in realtime on the XFM so some very complex patterns can be built up and tweaked as the sequencer plays. Great fun :)"

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demos

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 6 - Morphing Soundscape

video by ChrisLody

"I'm back with another XFM solo demo, this time I've gone for something a bit more relaxed, an ambient soundscape that uses the morphing capabilities of the XFM.

The aim was to create a cinematic sounding ambient jam here, so there's lots of big chords flying around and a lot of modulation to get things moving.

Track one uses the X-LFO engine with a random LFO setting to morph rapidly between two pad sounds. Track 2 uses the X-FORM engine which morphs between two sounds over time. The pitch lock function is turned off here which gives that ring-mod like sweeping sound. Track 3 uses the Library engine which plays back the presets are they are stored but allows you to tweak the overall feedback level and attack setting. This sound uses a 'feedback web' as I started calling it when I was designing it which means all operators are fed into each other which can create some wild sounds. Track 4 is also set to Library but every step has movements of the preset sounds saved into it and the track is set to only trigger it's notes 25% of the time which gets lots of bleepy randomness. Plenty of the different types of filter are used to control the sounds over time and shape them together into a whole."

See the Sonicware label below for more.

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 5 - Dub Techno

video by ChrisLody

"Time for another XFM demo. I built a very glitchy preset pattern for the XFM last week so I went into the studio intending to make something like that, but as soon as I made the filter pad chords I got distracted into making some Dub Techno. Not a genre I've really tried before but it works really well on the XFM

Both the percussion tracks on this have lots of modulation of their source sounds and some probability thrown in so the hits won't always trigger so there's plenty of glitchiness there. They are both filtered so a bit of tweaking adds some interest there too.

The other two tracks are both built from the DSTR (Distorted Pad) and B.TRP (Bright Trumpet) sounds that I made which creates a nice noisy waveform. The pad is filtered with the band-pass filter opening and closing with the envelope while the noisy lead sound uses the high-pass filter which almost gives a distorted electric guitar sound to my ear. It makes for a nice dark mood but with a worn sound to it somehow. The pan control is automated on both of these tracks too to widen the sound. Lovely stuff"

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype demos

Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 4 - Adding Layers Live

video by ChrisLody

"This is something I'd planned to play in a stream at some point and still may do that as a demonstration as it shows how live elements can be added to the Liven XFM tracks live

So when the sequencer starts to play the synth engines, sounds and setting are already loaded in but only the bass has been programmed. You'll see me punch in some rhythms for the drums then unmute that track so it plays. I then use the Parameter Lock to change step 15 to a clap and set the reverb level for the clap on that step only. I then real-time record the slightly unsettling pad sound and play the lead live.

The sequencer also offers non-realtime step sequencing as another way of entering note information which is how the bassline was programmed in which is done in the same way that I programmed the drums, but I'll save the details of that for a tutorial video"

See the Sonicware label below for more.