RK002 / RK008 and the TX6 in polyphony

video upload by Retrokits

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

RK002/RK006 Sequencer Combo

video upload by Retrokits

"We already had the 'Split Brain Preset' on the RK006, but with the latest RK006 firmware there is also an option to add a MIDI FX chain into it. We use it to integrate it with our RK008 but it's also a perfect opportunity for the RK002 to do some magic.

Amongst the multitude of RK002 DUY firmwares here's one which turns the Korg Nanokontrol into a 8-step sequencer. Combined with the RK006 different port modes you can make a nice hybrid setup between MIDI and CV/Gate.

Here we mix&match the TR-606, Neutron and eventually the TR8s and Digitakt."

Small combos

video upload by Retrokits

"Adding the RK002 to the RK008 makes the volca sample 2 a nice multitimbral sample player. I Paired it up with the NTS1 for a bit of FX and synth sounds.

The RK002 Volca Sample 2 firmware can be installed via our DUY portal: http://duy.retrokits.com"

Retrokits RK002/RK006 Sequencer

video by Retrokits

"Although fiddling around with this sequencer #DUY​ on the RK002 / RK006 is simple and playful, under the hood it’s an intricate setup;

The RK006 is the master clock and hosts the nanokontrol in ‘split-brain-mode’ (which means the RK006 is divided in a left and right part) the incoming MIDI messages from the nanokontrol and the tempo are picked up by the RK002 and looped back into the other half; now the RK006 can send back the rk002 led commands for displaying the sequence on the nanokontrol and also the note sequence to the #d05​

We don’t call it split-brain for nothin’! 🤯😃"

See the Retrokits label below for more.

The RK002/Machinedrum experiments continue...

video by Retrokits

"Generating probability Euclidean tracks on the machinedrum with the RK002 DUY system"

RK002 posts

RK002 + Circuit = Song Mode + Web Editor

Yurii Zubkov

"As we all know, Novation Circuit does not support Song Mode or Session Chaining. This little fun project trying to resolve this issue and to demonstrate what is possible with RK002.

All code with description is available on Github:
https://github.com/yuriizubkov/rk002-...
https://github.com/yuriizubkov/rk002-...

Live web editor:
https://lensflare.dev/rk002-sequence-...

RK002 smart MIDI cable:
https://www.retrokits.com/rk-002/

This is my last project for the Circuit - sold my unit.
Happy jamming!"

RK002 + Novation Circuit = Song Mode

Yurii Zubkov

"Work in progress. Still have a couple of bugs to squash.
A little demo of what you can do with RK002 and 64 bytes of memory (parameter storage). The recorded sequence will remain in memory after power cycling the RK002. I am planning to make a web editor for the sequencer.

Sequencer will support these actions:
- Start
- Switch Session (after number of beats)
- Loop Sessions
- Loop Sequencer Actions
- Jump to Action number
- Stop
- something else?

Please don't mind my weird headphones splitter, I just needed to convert TRS A to B somehow :D. My RK002 have male TRS connector."

Retrokits RK002 + Korg Nanokontrol2 = Roland PG300

Published on May 16, 2019 Retrokits

"This firmware is part of our RK002/DUY Firmware range. You can exchange firmware in the RK002 cable to do complex MIDI processing tasks, like converting simple CC messages into 'checksum encoded MIDI System Exclusive Messages' - which the Roland Alpha Juno and MKS50 need to edit patch data.

PS: Excuses - the Nanokontrol2 video looks a bit rusty, but it's shot in low-light conditions to bring out the NK2's lighted indicators :-)

The PG300 DUY is a full patch editor for the Roland Alpha Juno and MKS 50, it is available at https://retrokits.com/rk002/exchange/ PDF overlay template file for the Nanokontrol2 is also available.

To exchange firmware on your RK002 you need a computer MIDI interface which supports MIDI Power and MIDI System Exclusive, While you're at it searching for one, check out our RK005 (Which is also a standalone USB host and Class Compliant MIDI interface doing all of the above AND is able to host the NanoKontrol2 without a computer present: https://www.retrokits.com/shop/rk005/ )"

16 advanced Digitakt ideas, tips and tricks

Published on Sep 24, 2018 loopop

"Polyphonic resources mentioned:

Retrokits RK002: http://bit.ly/RK-002
Bome's channel rotation script: http://bit.ly/BomeChannelRotationScript
PolyMind Max for Live plugin: http://bit.ly/PolyMindMaxForLive
This is another hardware polyphony solution I haven't tried out: http://bit.ly/MidiDisp

Singe-cycle waveform resources:

https://waveeditonline.com
https://audionewsroom.net/2018/03/scw...
https://www.adventurekid.se/akrt/wave...


Here's a timeline for this clip:
0:00 Intro
0:45 Single cycle PWM
3:10 Subtractive synthesis
3:45 Samples vs. Sounds
5:00 Ideas for polyphony
9:30 More LFO ideas
10:05 FM synthesis
10:55 Granular synthesis
13:05 Wavetable synthesis
15:25 Dynamic Rathets
16:30 Waterdrop synthesis?!
17:15 Want more LFOs?
17:30 Using simple loopback
17:55 Transposing patterns
20:30 8+ bar patterns
21:20 Saveable pattern chains
21:50 More LFO destinations?
23:25 Want more ideas?"

RK-002 gets the Digitakt Polyphony and Euclid generator

Published on Sep 22, 2018 Retrokits

"A little walkthrough on our new RK002/DUY which adds polyphony and an Euclid generator to the Elektron Digitakt.

This firmware is better suitable for people using the Digitakt in standalone mode instead of the 'legacy' /MOD firmware. (And that's not only because of the added Euclid generator).

The initial RK-002/MOD with polyMUX polyphony used in loopback on Digitakt is a kind of a 'hack'. This can still be regarded as such but we reduced the chance of MIDI loops in this dedicated version.

Also it is easier to change the number of channels used in polyMUX mode just by sending a MIDI Program Change number on the proper MIDI channel.

The firmware can be changed via our Exchange Portal:

Beware though that not all MIDI interfaces are suitable to upgrade the RK-002 firmware. You need an interface with MIDI Power and full MIDI System Exclusive support. Our RK-005 (also shown in this video USB Hosting both Keystep and Digitakt) is suitable for this."

The RK-002 PolyMUX effect

Published on Jan 31, 2018 Retrokits

"PolyMUX is a MIDI chain (polychain) effect in the RK-002/MOD firmware.

You can use it inside multi-MIDI channel machines like the Digitakt ( [see this post] ), Electribe,... but also with... well anything MIDI.... who knows what will come out right?

The PolyMUX setting can be changed on your RK-002/MOD on this settings page:

https://www.retrokits.com/rk002/setti...

The base MIDI response channel on the RK-002 is where the PolyMUX effect will be applied, the extra PolyMUX channels indicate the extra channels to which the notes will be spread and MIDI data will be copied.

So Channel 1 + 3 PolyMUX = Receiving on channel 1 and sending out on 1,2,3,4.

The web settings page only allows up to 7 extra channels but actually you can fill up all MIDI channels. You're free to use hardcore sysex to address this anyhow or comment below if you have any objections to this restriction and want to see it increased on the webpage :-)

Note on applying settings to the RK-002 cable: Be sure to have a MIDI-Power interface which also has MIDI System Exclusive support."

JX-03 + RK-002 with /DUY Sketch to Transpose Sequences

Published on Jan 17, 2018 Retrokits

"Apart from the existing RK-002 firmwares for the Volca sample, FM, Kaossilator, Digitakt,... The 'DUY' is a new RK002 firmware which is able to run Arduino sketches.

We have shown some small examples on various channels, Euclidean generators, CC-to-Sysex converters,... and this is a more simple example of a MIDI hack: converting note-numbers to pitch-bend data. Turns out pretty nice on the JX-03!"

RK-002 Arpeggiator on the Roland Alpha Juno

Published on Jun 2, 2017 Retrokits

"A small demo of the RK-002 Arpeggiator firmware used with the Alpha Juno and Volca Sample. You can check the firmware's key command settings on this RK-002 firmware page:

https://www.retrokits.com/rk002/setti..."

RK-002 Firmware for the KORG Kaossilator

Published on Nov 25, 2016 Retrokits

"The RK-002/KOS Firmware version enables you to play the Korg Kaossilator with a regular keyboard (or sequencer).

Note that the note scale is defined on the Kaossilator with the range,key and scale settings.

This firmware is available via:
https://www.retrokits.com/rk002/setti...

Some more video details:
- Unfortunately the audio is not a line recording.
- BSP velocity is mapped to Kaossilator Y-axis.
- The RK004 translates Beatstep Pro sync pulses to Volca Beats
- The Volca beats has a snare mod
- That warm looking sleeve only has 7% Alpaca wool
- There were no kittens harmed in the making of this video."

Volca FM Velocity Over MIDI Fix From Retrokits

Published on Jun 10, 2016 sonicstate

"We just got news of the Retrokits firmware updare for their RK002 Active MIDI cable - it now will allow you to play velocity over MIDI to the Volca FM - nice retrokits.com"

Korg Volca Sample and Retrokits RK-002 overview

Published on Feb 1, 2016 Retrokits

"This video shows how you can control the Volca Sample via MIDI when you have the RK-002 cable (http://www.retrokits.com) connected.

For owners of the RK-002 cable who have just upgraded their RK-002 to firmware 19: Don't forget to set the root key ('chromatic basekey' in the manager at http://www.retrokits.com/rk002/settings) of the chromatic scale."

Retrokits RK-002 Midiator for KORG Volca Sample

Volca sample with Retrokits RK-002 Midiator

Published on Nov 4, 2015 Retrokits

"Just an example what you can do with the RK-002. The RK-002 splits single MIDI channel notes to the 10 MIDI channels required by the Volca Sample.
More info at http://www.retrokits.com/rk002"

"The Volca Sample is a neat little portable sampler. You can sync it's sequencer to other Volca's or modular equipment. It also has a MIDI connector which allows you to control the Volca Sample via a DAW.

However, when you connect the Volca Sample to your DAW you'll quickly notice it takes up 10 MIDI channels(!). Since MIDI only supports up to 16 channels this is a very big chunk of MIDI for such a little device...

Undoubtedly this has been done so you can control a bunch of sample parameters per sample channel but if you want to play the Volca Sample not only by the device itself but from a keyboard or sequencer, 10-channel mapping is a really unconventional way of controlling a sampler.

This is why we put together the RK-002 cable. This is no ordinary MIDI cable but has an embedded microcontroller which maps the note-messages from a single incoming MIDI channel to the ten separate Volca Sample channels.

Not only does it remap the channels, per sample channel it also translates:
note velocity to sample level
pitch bend to sample pitch
modulation to sample filter"