Title link takes you to shots via this auction.Details:
"4 elements of 16 steps each. 4 wheels. 4 knobs for note length and 4 knobs for velocity. There's a transpose area, and some specialty sections for saving/loading and setting up various wheel functions. You can set each element to the same or to different MIDI channels. You can pretty much do everything without ever hitting the Stop button.
So why is the Notron better than the Zeit, P3, Octopus, etc? In my opinion, it has a great balance of hardware and functionality. There's just enough tools to completely mutilate your MIDI sequences and enough hardware control to give you awesome live capabilities. You don't spend time and lose focus by paging through menus on screen and the functions that are built in give you a lot of control over what's happening without getting you lost in the details. There's also simple dedicated controls that make a huge difference. These include dedicated Note length controls and the Sustain, Mute, and MIDI Kill buttons. In addition, the Notron handles MIDI slightly differently than most other boxes. The Notron spits out MIDI CC data inbetween steps. A lot of other hardware MIDI sequencers only send MIDI CC data at discrete intervals (ie - on each step). If you watch the Notron data, you'll see the CC data coming out between steps for smoother changes.
Other cool functions include Supersteps, Events (automated changes as if the wheel was manually moved each time), Scales, Sequence Shifts, BeatCreep (swing), and more. I used to have the manual on-line (before the latest ISP crash wiped out the site) and maybe you can still find a copy to look at somewhere."
lol A P3 beats the crap out of that silly blue thing.
ReplyDelete*flashes P3 gang sign*
:P
I don't know...the Notron is pretty unique. The only other sequencer that creates similar mutations/permutations is the Signal Arts sequencer (it even does collapsing sequences). After looking at the specs, the P3 seems pretty basic...
ReplyDeleteIt would be more interesting if it wasn't limited to quantized note values. The same goes for the P3 and the Doepfer MAQ 16/3.
ReplyDeleteI'd take a Moog 960, Korg SQ-10 or Arp 1601 over this "updated" stuff anyday.
Otherwise, why not just just buy a DSI Evolver? You get a great synth plus a MIDI konob sequencer for a third of the price these "legendary" boutique boxes go for on eBay.
Alternatively, if it's MIDI versatility you're going after, why not just use Bankstep?
konob = knob :-P
ReplyDeleteWhy does it have to be either or?
ReplyDeleteI gots me a a fatCONTROLLER, a mobius, and a Notron MkII.
Why doesn't it look like a toilet seat...
ReplyDeleteThe P3 is anything but basic once you get into Aux rows. I do, in the end, wish it had been bigger, more expensive, and had less aux selection and display negotiation. But it does what it does well. As far as I can tell, the MAQ does note "quantization" of the MIDI output (unless it does note + pitchbend or something). These are MIDI sequencers, after all.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for not buying the DSI units is simple... a patch on the DSI is a 16 step sequence, period. The P3 allows dynamic mutation of the various tracks and their attributes, 8 tracks at once, FTS, and numerous other features. Using my Evolver in place of the P3 makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and I do own both.
I'm not changing to Bankstep because I don't do software. Just my style; there seem to be a few of me out there judging from the product offerings.
But in the end, I think the second-to-last comment is spot on. I own a Fat Controller, a P3, and an Octopus and each are used for completely different things... often in tandem. I may one day own the Notron. I guarantee you it won't replace the Octopus or the Fat Controller, it seems to compete more closely with the P3, but I would have to evaluate its capabilities. I very much doubt it would replace the P3. (I won't bid on these right now, though, as they get up into the $2k+ zone.)
Most importantly, different sequencers have different workflows and each one will lend itself to a task slightly differently. Vive la difference!
(btw, this is mkii... the mki had the toilet seat look... i wonder if that makes it more collectable)
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ReplyDeletewith a notron you can make a 200e say 'die banjo i fart on you' via ama-zang thooperschteppings
ReplyDeleteI get the impression this thing is like ginormous, yet I've never seen pics with a decent reference.
ReplyDeleteIt's not too big. 14ish inches long, 13 inches wide at the top, 11 at the bottom (the mkII is keystone shaped.)
ReplyDeleteanon @3:52pm...
ReplyDeleteHow do you like the Octopus? How easy is it to use? What sorts of things do you use it for, and what kinds of results do you get? Thanks!
I should register given that I'm posting a follow up to my follow up... Another night, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteI *adore* the Octopus. The interface looks intimidating and, if you read the manual, it sounds intimidating, too. Quite the contrary... in practice learning to read the LEDs is very simple. You very quickly learn from the distinctive LEDs, what mode you're in from the grid without referring to the circle (see the manual, though it doesn't really do the idea justice).
Ease of use: The Octopus is easily the most intuitive sequencer I've used, hardware or software, for building great patterns once you have it set up (MIDI channel-wise and in terms of base track pitch). In terms of building a monophonic, single track melody, it's not as straightforward as the P3, but moving into multitracking, it more than makes up for this.
What it does best: I intuited this from the manual and am thrilled with the results, having bought it without using one before... You have ten tracks on a page, each assignable to its own MIDI channel (or the same MIDI channel as another track). Let's say you have four monophonic instruments each on its own channel and the current page is dedicated to a single chord structure within a single musical bar. I can assign four tracks to one channel (with a different base pitch for each), two to another, two to another, and one to the last track. Now I can arpeggiate the notes on each instrument among the base pitches (adding chromatic alterations per step on a track, where required) and explore the various inversions of the vertical harmony over the time of the bar.
In other words, you can use the Octopus for polyphonic arrangements in a visual and immediately interactive fashion, something I've never really seen before. The results have been very insteresting and once I get my (long MIA) MOTM-650, this plus my modular will be very interesting indeed.
Once the aforementioned module and my other Bridechamber cabinet arrive, I'll send Matrixsynth some serious synthporn.
The caveats I'll add are that the Octopus does three things poorly (in my estimation). First: If I want to quickly put together a melodic line, know the notes I want, the P3 just cannot be beat. Second: The P3 is the *master* of evolving sequences and unpredictability. This is a tricky thing (parameters must be carefully pre-programmed and possibly filtered by a MidiSolutions-type box) in a harmonically complex environment, but is great for longform pieces (eg, live ambient, which I haven't actually done). Third: The Notron separates CCs from the clock step better than the Octopus and as such is better (I've heard) at being used as an independent voice modulator for a well-CC-mapped VST. But I use all analog/hybrid equipment, so it's not such a concern.
Ok, long, verbose post. I set up an email address if anyone is curious in asking Octopus-related questions: eulersid (dash) octopus (at) yahoo (dot) com. I'm not a shill for genoQs or Analogue Haven or anyone else. It's a fascinating piece of kit with relatively little first-hand info out there and the folks who run their forum are bad about approving memberships. I'm also interested in tips and thoughts on it as well.
cheers,
eric f
Hey Eric, that was a great write up. Let me know if I can put up a new post with it. If you have a pic of it that would be great as well. My email is matrixsynth at hotmail.
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your informative post, I have been considering the Octopus, P3, MAPS. Notron, or the new Cyclus3 ( I like the price of this last one, $500.00). It makes my head spin. For now, until I decide, I m using ERA2 software, which is absolutely amazing. But it is software, and I am a hardware geek. I will be emailing you with some qustions about your gear, if you don't mind...
Cheers.
Larry
Larry,
ReplyDeletePlease do!
cheers,
eric f
The Genoqs Octopus has most/all of the Motron function and a lot more.
ReplyDeleteSee the www.genoqs.com Webpage and the Demos on Matrixsynth.