Speedy workflow for jamming with live musicians?

aaa

I’ve been making music in my iPad for just over one month. I use AUM as my host, SnakeBud, Fugue Machine, and Drambo as sequencers, then for tones i use KQ Dixie, Burns Audio Spectrum synths, and Moog Model D, and for rhythm i have Patterning 2 and Elastic Drums.

Last night I met up with a couple musical friends for drinks. I’m in Berlin so everyone here is into techno and modular synth guys are a dime a dozen. We had a long conversation about keyboards and MIDI controllers, and I ended up taking out my iPad to play around. I’m really an amateur and idk what I’m doing. I loaded up my last session that took me like 3 hours to make - a repetitive minimal techno track. Everyone liked it, and at the end of the night a German scientist who’s a jazz piano/keyboard player took my contact info. Today he messaged me saying he wants to jam together sometime in the next couple weeks! He says “you with iPad, me improvising with keys/synth,” (so german lol) and I’m excited but a little intimidated because he’s a much more accomplished musician than I am.

In high school and college I spent about 6 years playing jazz trombone, but I’ve never had a jam session like this before. I want to make sure I’m ready. Since I’m so new to iPad music I haven’t had time to build up a library of patches and presets that I like - I only just learned how to save presets in AUM a couple days ago!

How do you approach jam sessions like this? I’m curious to hear general advice. Oh, one particular technical question: how do you quickly change from one sonic mood to another in a live jam with little preparation ahead of time? Is there an easy way to save MIDI patterns and then recall them later? Or save a version of a patch, tweak it live, then revert back to the old one in a relatively seamless way?

tahiche

Drambo as you say, it’s great. But depending on your skills and knowledge it takes a while to set up things. I certainly couldn’t do it “on the fly”.
If I was gonna improvise I’d go for something quicker, like a) AUM + LK or b) Loopy Pro
In both cases you could have tracks with some bass (model d in your case), some synths and a drum track. I don’t use Pattering or Elastic drums, I know patterning is IAA (not auv3). I’d go for an auv3 drum machine to minimize the going back and forth. You can use whatever, Drambo, Koala, DigiStix, Hammerhead, Ruismaker… There’s plenty of options. Have a few kit presets ready…
Then you’d need to loop stuff… here’s where it’s LK+AUM if you want midi or Loopy Pro if you record to audio…
Add some buses with FX like reverb, delay and some crazy stuff.
The key thing Is to have it all mapped and ready, if using LK have all the midi channel routing and so on, if using Loopy have the synths pointing to colors to record…
Switching moods?. Change presets and/or instruments or make a copy of your base project (AUM or loopy) and change instruments there, then save as project preset…
In short I’d say try to jam with yourself, see what works out better. And give the German scientist a few shots of Jaggermeister beforehand!.

raabje

Maybe pretty obvious, but if you want to play in key with the others, prepare sequencers, or keyboard apps which can change scale and root note easily. Use a midi keyboard or app that let you play in scale even if you hit the wrong note.

That would be my most concern when jamming. And nothing is crashing, no laggy or broken audio output, wrong cables, forgotten charger or empty battery, no proper audio mixer and PA, or other technical problems that kill the spirit.

When you want to midi sync with other outboard or computer gear, you need a master clock somewhere in the signal chain.

Playing with efx in real time is also part of the fun.

When I jam in techno style music, I just start on the fly, with nothing much prepared, and do what I always do, almost randomly. Trust on your own skills. Maybe use a real paper notebook for some guidance, like working presets, routings, efx chain, chord progressions.

Keep in mind I jam sometimes with a friend I know a long time, so that is not intimidating.

And do you just want to lay down a foundation for the others to improvise, or do you want to interact with what the others are playing? In the last case, I think you need to keep it more simple/basic.

aaa

@raabje said:
Maybe pretty obvious, but if you want to play in key with the others, prepare sequencers, or keyboard apps which can change scale and root note easily. Use a midi keyboard or app that let you play in scale even if you hit the wrong note.

Good tip! I’m picturing a way of routing my MIDI such that before any instrument plays a note, the MIDI signal passes through a kind of “autotune” to correct the pitch. Is that how you would set it up? and if so, how?

supadom

The upcoming version of Drambo will make this much easier.
Before that happens though, just save some pre made sessions with your favourite pre made racks: drums, bass, poly, whatever. If you’re using synth AUs hosted in Drambo that’s even easier. ,

Get in sync: you will need a midi interface with midi io to hook up to your jam companion and it’s just a question of getting the midi clock synced.
If you’re using Drambo stand-alone you may need a link to midi or midi link sync apps to translate midi ticks to Ableton link. Alternatively, although I haven’t done it myself Drambo may see midi connections once a midi interface is plugged in.

You could probably even chance it without the sync cable, just set the tempo manually, start in time with the other guy and look out for any drift.

michael_m

Maybe ask him what keys he likes to jam in? Some scales/arpeggios/chord progressions are easier in certain keys, and favorite riffs, runs, etc. depend on which key you are playing in. If you’re prepared that key(s) it will make it much more enjoyable.

Also, don’t forget about space and minimalism - they have a place in jazz as well as other genres, and it’s good to allow thinking time/preparation.

Above all, be honest - tell him about your concerns about getting up to speed and maybe it will lead to a simpler start that build to something more complex eventually.

Gravitas

@aaa said:

@raabje said:
Maybe pretty obvious, but if you want to play in key with the others, prepare sequencers, or keyboard apps which can change scale and root note easily. Use a midi keyboard or app that let you play in scale even if you hit the wrong note.

Good tip! I’m picturing a way of routing my MIDI such that before any instrument plays a note, the MIDI signal passes through a kind of “autotune” to correct the pitch. Is that how you would set it up? and if so, how?

To “auto tune” instruments in dRambo use the CV quantizer module.
You can set the scale in C and pitch shift the root note using the Pitch module.

The CV quantizer in this screenshot is set to some sort of C-minor scale with a blue note.

aaa

@tahiche

I have a hard time with LK, but I must admit a haven’t spent enough time with it to become familiar with its most attractive features. I just can’t get into the piano roll. I’d even go as far as to say that any AUv3 that uses a computer-style MIDI piano roll isn’t meant to be used with fingers. I feel like I can’t hone in on the pitch unless I zoom in so much that it looses its most useful functionality: the ability to see a graphic overview of the whole MIDI clip at a glance. At high magnification levels, very few notes fit in the AUv3 viewport. I feel like I need a mouse or a stylus to use the interface, or else I need to open the app as a full screen standalone. So I try to avoid them.

But apparently that’s not a problem for most people here. Idk how you all deal with it 😅. I’d much rather use Drambo. To me that’s the right way to approach MIDI entry on a touch interface.

raabje

There are some apps that can be used as a on screen input device for keys and chords, like Scalebud, Suggester, Tonality, etc.

And when you use a midi keyboard, and it has hardware controlled transpose function with + or -, you can set every major and minor scale for white keys only. But if Drambo is able to pitch up or down in half note steps this has the same effect.

In sequencers like LK you can set the root note and scale for each midi clip, that is also a way to play in key, when you draw notes on the fly in a sequence. Or use sequencers who auto generate riffs and chord progressions in a chosen key and scale.

And I agree, prepare in front, and practice a bit in certain styles and scales.

I also think when you want a fool proof app with not so much hassle for a jam, use Korg Gadget instead of AUM of Drambo.

seonnthaproducer

Honestly, for a jam session, don't overthink it. What I'd say is to get a solid drum loop, and let ideas flow freely.

But a lot of times, it's difficult to come up with ideas immediately. Which is why I like to use Blocs Wave. Blocs Wave allows you to add simple bass/melodic/vocal ideas, to build off of. It's even better if you have a wide variety of loops that you import into the application.

Here's a video a little while back where I did a mini collaboration session with a friend of mine who's an awesome bass player where I used my iPad with a MIDI controller, and he used his bass.

I've also done some collaborations with another friend using different iPads.

wim

@aaa said:

@raabje said:
Maybe pretty obvious, but if you want to play in key with the others, prepare sequencers, or keyboard apps which can change scale and root note easily. Use a midi keyboard or app that let you play in scale even if you hit the wrong note.

Good tip! I’m picturing a way of routing my MIDI such that before any instrument plays a note, the MIDI signal passes through a kind of “autotune” to correct the pitch. Is that how you would set it up? and if so, how?

There are scale apps such as Rozeta Scaler that might be very helpful for you. You place this between the midi source and the apps that they will be playing, and notes will be forced into whatever key/scale you want to play in. You can transpose to new keys in an instant. Chords can also be transposed, though they might not end up exactly the same chord type (but will still be in-key).

So, if you have a nice jam going on and he says "Nice. But can we do that in Eb?" you won't even have to bat an eye.

tahiche

@aaa said:

@tahiche

I have a hard time with LK, but I must admit a haven’t spent enough time with it to become familiar with its most attractive features. I just can’t get into the piano roll. I’d even go as far as to say that any AUv3 that uses a computer-style MIDI piano roll isn’t meant to be used with fingers. I feel like I can’t hone in on the pitch unless I zoom in so much that it looses its most useful functionality: the ability to see a graphic overview of the whole MIDI clip at a glance. At high magnification levels, very few notes fit in the AUv3 viewport. I feel like I need a mouse or a stylus to use the interface, or else I need to open the app as a full screen standalone. So I try to avoid them.

But apparently that’s not a problem for most people here. Idk how you all deal with it 😅. I’d much rather use Drambo. To me that’s the right way to approach MIDI entry on a touch interface.

I see what you mean. But on a “jam situation” you shouldn’t go into a piano roll anyway!. I don’t use LK’s piano roll, I just record on it, I use it as a clip looper. If you don’t use the piano roll it should work pretty much like Drambo. I agree with you though, I don’t like the way piano rolls are implemented.
Actually I downloaded Xequence2 since it’s on beta testing right now and I liked how the piano roll it’s implemented. It’s got these handles to move notes that feel right with the fingers.
Maybe I didn’t understand your post. If you feel at home with Drambo, perfect, just use Drambo it can certainly do it all and it’s a beast.

tahiche

@wim said:

@aaa said:

@raabje said:
Maybe pretty obvious, but if you want to play in key with the others, prepare sequencers, or keyboard apps which can change scale and root note easily. Use a midi keyboard or app that let you play in scale even if you hit the wrong note.

Good tip! I’m picturing a way of routing my MIDI such that before any instrument plays a note, the MIDI signal passes through a kind of “autotune” to correct the pitch. Is that how you would set it up? and if so, how?

There are scale apps such as Rozeta Scaler that might be very helpful for you. You place this between the midi source and the apps that they will be playing, and notes will be forced into whatever key/scale you want to play in. You can transpose to new keys in an instant. Chords can also be transposed, though they might not end up exactly the same chord type (but will still be in-key).

So, if you have a nice jam going on and he says "Nice. But can we do that in Eb?" you won't even have to bat an eye.

These tips on using note correction apps are great, they’ll certainly minimize the “I fucked up real bad” situations! 😂
But it’ll also limit the outcome to a more predictable result. Specially in jams there’s the wonderful “I have no clue of where I am but it’s great” moments that are the best. That weird, dissonant note that shouldn’t fit but it just makes the whole thing special…
I guess it depends on your musical abilities. I’d feel insecure jamming with a keyboard and a lot better about doing it on guitar. I’d stick to a confort zone, it’s about enjoying yourself. I could improvise chord stuff on guitar, not on a keyboard. On a keyboard I’d just stick to simple lines, 2 finger chords… arpeggio the hell out of it and use a ton of fx. I’d definitely keep it simple so that you’re comfortable.

If the other guy is more skilled than you, he’ll enjoy having a solid base to do the more complicated stuff. Everyone’s happy.
Worst jams are when 2 musicians want to stand out!. The dreaded “blues solo” competition where one’s waiting for the other guy to finish his solo so he can take over!.
Be the White Stripes’ drummer!. Simple, solid and good sounding stuff.

BTW: I can’t get over the “German scientist” thing!. Makes me think of a Tarantino character, if I had a German scientist coming to jam with me I’d shit in my pants 😅