Are you using it live?

[newgreyarea]

Is anyone using Numerology live? I'm thinking it would be cool to use it with the modular and a few hardware pieces but trying to program it on a little screen is hard enough when I'm in the studio, can't imagine trying this live. Until there is a proper iPad app or controller app or some sort of better control situation I can't imagine it being used as anything more than for Presets that have already been made.
Any thoughts on this?
Suggestions?
Thanks!
-b

[Sjoerd]

[...] or some sort of better control situation I can't imagine it being used as anything more than for Presets that have already been made.
Any thoughts on this?
Suggestions?
Thanks!
-b

I would recommend checking out the (Novation) Touchpad for exactly this purpose, as Jim has put some awesome features into Numerology for that particular piece of hardware, which seem to be ideally suited for live programming.

On a side note, I am typically not trying to 'program' beats and melodies live, but am rather modulating pre-programmed material (e.g. tweaking filter, envelope and LFO parameters), mostly using MIDI CC# from external hardware controllers. But then again, I don't own a Launchpad yet. ;) (it is still very high on my wishlist :D)

[senorfrio]

I'm going to use Numerology live tomorrow in Seattle @ the Living Room. I've been practicing using the Launchpad and it is FUN! Right now I have stack w/ a U-he Ace and another with Battery setup. I'll probably add a couple more synth stacks before the show. It's really easy to come up w/ melodies/sequences on the fly. The beat repeat on a step is really fun and accessible w/ the novation for making some quick glitched drums or variations on the melody. One thing I wish it had (maybe it does and I haven't figured it out yet) is a way to map a group of AU synths to one sequence and select which synth is active... that would be a great feature for live!

[jim]

One thing I wish it had (maybe it does and I haven't figured it out yet) is a way to map a group of AU synths to one sequence and select which synth is active... that would be a great feature for live!

There will be an audio switch (4 in, 1 out) in 3.1 Pro...

Cheers,
Jim

[senorfrio]

There will be an audio switch (4 in, 1 out) in 3.1 Pro...

Cheers,
Jim

NICE! Thanks Jim! Great application! Loads of fun!

[newgreyarea]

I use it with a Launchpad. I think it's cool but I get a little lost when I have too much going on. No bueno. That's why I'd love to see an iPad app. Is the iPad powerful enough to run a MIDI only version of Numerology? It wold max out at 16 MIDI channels but that would be kinda neat live.

[jim]

The iPad is definitely powerful enough to run at least a subset -- the issue there isn't capability, it is development time and how to position it in a highly competitive market.

Cheers,
Jim

[newgreyarea]

I'd say start with the chord, poly and mono sequencers, modulation sequencer, and preset grid with mute/solo buttons. Keep it to MIDI only. Maybe some X/Y and fader bits and the drum sequencer as well?
Time. Never enough of it.
-b

[phase ghost]

Numerology and the launchpad is all about live. You probably just need to spend more time with it dude.

[newgreyarea]

I play with it every day. It's cool, but I find I still have to keep checking the screen to see where and what I'm doing. Especially when using the Chord Sequencer. I don't know if I'll ever get use to using it with such little visual feed back as to what I'm doing.
It did make me go back and brush up on a little music theory which was refreshing.

Once you're 20-30 minutes in to an improv piece it can get a little confusing especially if you want to change things up . . like the key of every sequencer at the same time. I don't think that's even possible.

BTW, I know a guy who can program the **** out of Lemur and other OSC things, all he requires is for me to get him a license for Numerology. Oddly enough he is not very familiar with it. Is this thing big in Europe?

[kodama]

The iPad is definitely powerful enough to run at least a subset -- the issue there isn't capability, it is development time and how to position it in a highly competitive market.

Cheers,
Jim

If the app store would let you, I would just recommend giving a free version of the iOS app to anyone that buys pro or vice-versa.

I think it is something that you should definitely charge plenty for ($50 or $75). No reason for a 99 cent version of Numerology!

I can definitely understand the marketplace problem though. Maybe we will still get a killer iOS control app?

[phase ghost]

The chord sequencer is definitely the most in depth of the bunch. I look at the screen myself. But, that's the only one.

Something I like to do is set up a few presets of chord sequences and just flip through them and mostly change root notes and octaves/inversions for the entire sequence on the fly.

[coupler]

Once you're 20-30 minutes in to an improv piece it can get a little confusing especially if you want to change things up . . like the key of every sequencer at the same time. I don't think that's even possible.

It is possible. You just need to hook up an interval sequencer into all of your other sequencers' "Interval In" port. If they are in different stacks use the CV bus. That would be transpose, though. if you wanted to change the actual key you could wire something up with a few ParamMods to modulate the key for each sequencer. Again, take a single CV sequencer and route it to the individual ParamMods.

And when Jim adds in the launchpad control of interval sequencers and other CV sequencers, you'll be able to control this value with it.

[CJ Miller]

I am not terribly skilled, but I do use Numerology live. In fact, I have never recorded any MIDI, audio, or presets with it. I just turn it on and start from scratch every time. It suits how I work.

I do not have a launchpad, but what I do is use the MIDI CC learn and with this feature play Numerology with knobs or faders on my gear. I use an old Kawai MM16 controller (which is soon going to be supplanted with a MidiBox). This morning I had some weird generative antics going on with my Microwave XT. Everything in the XT responds to CC messages, and the panel knobs send CC. So I had generators in my stack sending CCs to control certain functions of the XT, and also when I turned knobs it changed my sound and also changed my sequence.

[Per Boysen]

I love to do live improvisations with Numerology. I set up a couple of instruments in stacks and assign faders and buttons from my little FaderFox handmixer/controller to essential functions like instrument filter cutoff, sequencer step length, sequencer randomization et etc. A live session typcially sounds like:
http://www.box.net/shared/9f6cov0qh2

[newgreyarea]

That's cool! Is that all hardware? I imagine not. Cool none the less!!
With the release of the latest TouchOSC today they added MIDI. Maybe that will come of use?
-b

[Per Boysen]

That's cool! Is that all hardware? I imagine not. Cool none the less!!
With the release of the latest TouchOSC today they added MIDI. Maybe that will come of use?
-bFaderfox are all hardware. I'm not a big fan of touch screen gear for performance because it forces you to look at it. I prefer gear you can directly feel with your fingers because I think it helps you make better music in the moment.
http://www.looproom.com/bilder/fadermob.jpg

[ambientidm]

I use it with a Launchpad. I think it's cool but I get a little lost when I have too much going on. No bueno. That's why I'd love to see an iPad app. Is the iPad powerful enough to run a MIDI only version of Numerology? It wold max out at 16 MIDI channels but that would be kinda neat live.

+1
i agree completely