electronic music without the computer
DAWless Blog
-
Roland MC-101 Groovebox Preset Machine
The Roland MC-101 is a compact and portable groovebox that offers a lot of functionality and versatility for its size and price. It is essentially a mini version of the MC-707, with four tracks, 16 pads, four faders, four knobs, and a variety of sounds and effects. The MC-101 is powered by Roland’s Zen-Core engine,…
-
Behringer Crave Auto Sync Sequencer
I typically use the Behringer Crave with an External Clock sync set, so that any Arpeggios or Sequences are in time with the other gear it is synced to. However when you want to use an external sequence from a device such as the Circuit Tracks, there is an annoyance that a MIDI start signal…
-
New DAWless EP
I have a brand new DAWless EP of mostly Ambient Techno Electronica with a few diversions into trance released on Spotify and other streaming platforms at the end of 2023 The 4 tracks were all created in my home studio mostly as a live performance using Circuit Tracks, Behringer Crave and TD-3, the Arturia Microfreak,…
-
Ambient Live Looping with Behringer Crave and Valeton GP-200
Building an Ambient loop using just a Behringer Crave mono synth and the Valeton GP-200 MultiFX guitar pedal which has a built in looper. Despite owning many different instruments, sometimes it can be great fun to restrict a session down to just one or two. Using a looper is an interesting way of discovering new…
-
How to create a DAWless Ambient Techno Jam
Here is a new live DAWless ambient techno jam created with an Arturia Microfreak, Behringer TD-3, Behringer Crave, Novation Circuit Tracks and Valeton GP-200 MultiFX pedal. Background Noise There are 2 instrument tracks on the Circuit Tracks, plus one each on the Crave, Microfreak and TD-3. In advance I setup a Cm-add9th chord on each…
-
Exporting Dawless Jams to MP3
There are many ways of exporting music into a useable format for playing and distributing. After I finish a track, I like to quickly convert it to an MP3 and copy it to my phone for listening outside of the studio, whilst walking or driving in the car. Although theoretically unnecessary, I find the process…
-
How to change the Behringer TD-3 Clock Sync
The Behringer TD-3 won’t make any sound if it is set to an external clock sync, but no clock is connected. To change the Behringer TD-3 Clock source, stop any sequence and then press BACK and WRITE/NEXT at the same time to enter the sync mode. The current clock source 1-4 and clock rate 5-8…
-
Podcast: Why We Bleep
Here is a podcast recommendation. Why we Bleep, by https://www.youtube.com/@mylarmelodies. Alongside the Modular and Synthesizer content, the Why We Bleep podcast features interviews with the like of James Blake and Surgeon. I will recommend checking out the recent episode featuring Rival Consoles https://youtu.be/_OnrBo_7ds8?si=P2-zpXADDsH7KviB
-
Beat Making Ideas
Do you need help making fresh beats. Here is a handy online resource of drum machine patterns that can be used with any drum machine. The patterns are written out in a simple grid notation for Bass Drum (BD), Snare Drum (SD), Closed and Open Hi-Hat (CH,OH). They provide a solid starting point for building…
-
Microfreak MIDI Controller for Analog Lab
Part of my studio setup is a 20 year old 88 key Yamaha Electric Piano, that I like the key bed of, but it only has 8 sounds and two buttons. Really, that is why I bought it, I figured at the time that if I get a keyboard devoid of whizzy features, then I…
The Data Lakes – Hope Breaks
Hope Breaks, the first full length album by The Data Lakes out now!