Frankly Studios is now a 64 bit Ableton shop. The conversion was not fun, but at least it was time consuming. 🙂
I started working on this song while fine-tuning Ableton and the machine, and it just came together pretty well.
Listen Responsibly!
Jay
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXwfbRjeffM[/embedyt]
No words, just patching. The “base” patch on the Korg MS-20 is the most boring sound on the planet, which makes you immediately grab a handful of lowpass…
In this example we used both inverted envelopes, both normal envelopes, and every filter mod. I’d have split some of the routings but I don’t have any of those little stackable patch cables. I really need a patch / split / inverter box. That may have to be a project video.
In any case, we start with Korg Basic and end up with a lead patch with a bit of after-touch effect thanks to the inverted envelopes which are routed to the Hi and Lo pass filter mod ports. This is Ned’s go-to solo patch, but it never sounds the same twice.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkoWkhQeFfg[/embedyt]
As promised, we’ve been working on a video to demonstrate a technique that will revitalize your creativity if you have at least one MIDI synthesizer laying about that supports “MIDI Local”. You need to be able to set “Local” to “Off” for this technique, but it will be worth it. If you’re fortunate enough to have more than one MIDI synth and a few MIDI cables, you can do some really cool stuff by using your DAW as a big MIDI pedalboard.
What is this “Local” thing I’ve been yammering on about? Its simply a keyboard-equipped synth’s way of separating the keyboard from the built in synth. When Local is on, the synth can be played by its own keyboard. When Local is Off, the synth might as well be a rack module, and the keyboard is just a dumb controller. This allows us to inject MIDI effects between the keyboard and the “module” (our internal synth).
Have a look and a listen, try out the technique, and let me know what you think!
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXfJ2mvy2yY[/embedyt]
We’re working on our next video. It will demonstrate Local Off, and show you how to use Ableton as a big midi arpeggiator for your external instruments. It has tremendous possibilities, and is a blast to play.
Stay tuned!
Jay
Ned has owned a K5 for awhile now, and it’s had a problem with the patch selection buttons not wanting to be pressed. If you press really hard and rock them back and forth, perhaps you can get “2” selected.
We posted a video that demonstrates a fix we applied to our K5 that seems to be working just fine. Take a look and let us know. There’s got to be a better solution, but mine worked. So far. 🙂
Jay
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFKZhrUVOtE[/embedyt]
After we finished editing the MIDI 101 videos, Ned had a room full of synthesizers all wired up with no-where to go. Ned took care of that – Sample this, remix it, make something out of it – it’s a Sequencer Jam Session, just the thing to start out August.
Here’s what’s wired up:
All of the instruments pass through Ableton, but only the Lyricon (K5) got any special treatment (I applied a couple of virtual guitar pedals). The rest of the video and audio is as it was created. No post on the audio of any kind, and the video was edited only to add captions.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWjpgF88NZM[/embedyt]
MIDI was introduced in 1983 by Dave Smith and Chet Wood. [MIDI History]
It’s used for everything from the obvious (music) to lighting systems and pyrotechnics. The concepts are simple, but sometimes the most obvious solution can be confusing.
We decided to put together our first How To video. I know there are 100 other “MIDI 101” videos out there, but this one features Ned. Using Ned’s regular voice.
If you’re already a MIDI veteran, this will be a kindergarten video for you, but if you have a few MIDI devices laying about, this vid may make you go buy a couple of MIDI cables…
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oScVvf4EOk4[/embedyt]
Our lead producer, Sterling, on his bespoke kitty stairs.
I signed up to participate in a couple of ad programs. Selling out? You betcha. This room is rather expensive (even the old equipment – it needs constant repair…) Since the Capgras Brothers also spend quite a bit of time in “Frankly Studios”, our costs can be higher than you might think. Not to mention Sterling, our lead producer and arguably smartest cat. His parkour techniques are amazing, but his demands can be outrageous.
I’m just saying that when you notice the advertisements, don’t think less of me. Or do think less of me, but be understanding. Or give me a really hard time about them.  I appreciate you just the same. 🙂
Jay
Ned constructed a head-band POV cam and created a short video to test it out. This is a How To (HowTo?) video that shows how to construct your own head-based video unit using stuff you might have around the house. We didn’t have to buy anything – our NedCam was just waiting to be assembled.
After the How To, stick around for an example of the FishEye NedCam  in action.
It’s a little dark, uses a fisheye cam, and all of the synth work is from the microKORG. The drums are stock from Ableton (well, semi-stock).
And the final version is out![embedyt]https://youtu.be/VNweR_2-DNc[/embedyt]
And exclusively on NedFrankly.com, the original “Element 43” by Ned Frankly. This was created during the ProTools days (originally published on SoundCloud on 12/29/2013).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMgcqPK1Y3E
A buffer problem with one of my favorite pieces of equipment is hindering our video production… Have a listen – the issue crops up around 3:40.
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