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Controllers => KeyLab MkII => KeyLab MkII - General Discussions => Topic started by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 04:57:01 pm

Title: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 04:57:01 pm
Just bought the Arturia keylab 88 mkii alongo with Analog 4 and Ableton Live Lite and a couple other software deals....I can play the instruments but what I am having a heck of a time figuring out is how to integrate it all so that I can record, create loops, etc.     I am new to all of this and understand that there is a learning curve but could use some advice as to how best to chunk it out...where to begin and how to learn it all.  Any advice, websites, courses, welcomed!!
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 07, 2020, 05:46:16 pm
Hi and welcome to Arturia forums.

Arturias instruments are just instruments. They in example does'nt record.

If you mean in Ableton Live, then i suggest you look in Ableton learning. Like this: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/
And you can search the web.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 07:28:21 pm
Yes I already viewed those tutorials but they do not address specifically how to integrate with the keyboard controller...simply put, how do I record and create loops.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 07, 2020, 08:30:37 pm
What do you mean by "loop"?
What do you mean by "integrate"?

Are you asking how to set your controller up for Ableton live to use the Keyboard in the DAW and to use the Transport bar on your Keylab to control the DAWs transport bar?
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 10:17:13 pm
Forgive me but this is a bit like learning a foreign language!   I guess the answer to your question is yes...but let me back it up a little.   Assume I know nothing about  the Arturia keyboard, the analog 4 and  ableton live software...where do I begin to learn this new language and eventually be able to compose and record music on several tracks as I used to do with my little tascam recorder 30 years ago.  I would like to play a bass line and have it get recorded and then play it back while I play along with it.  If I can figure out how to do that I will be eternally grateful!!!!!! 

And so from tabla rasa to expert, where do I begin and how do I baby step my way in to learning  this other than tedious trial and error which may be the only way, dunno?
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 10:19:39 pm
is there any way to  short cut or bypass the rather tedious high security questions etc. in order to simply reply?  major pain in the butt....
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 07, 2020, 10:21:42 pm
ps...by loop I mean playing several notes or drum kit sounds and having it become a repetitive loop, same notes playing over and over while I play along...by integrate, I mean trying to understand how the keyboard controller relates to the analog and  ableton live software...
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 08, 2020, 02:38:13 am
First you need to setup your controller as a controller for your DAW. Have a look here: https://www.arturia.com/faq/keylabmkii/keylab-mkii-tips-tricks

Then also need to set the controller up to control instruments and effects. There you can have a look at the video "Setting up MIDI" here: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/setup/
You can look at the videos "Setting up an audio interface" and if you need it "Configuring your audio ins and outs" from the same page, to set up you audio device.
Also learn about Ableton Prefernces in the video "Setting your preferences" also from the same page.

When this is done, then it's about learning how to use your gear for recording.
Videos from here is meant to help: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/workflows/
That could be the videos: "Recording MIDI", "Capturing MIDI", "Sequencing MIDI, part 1", "Sequencing MIDI, part 2" and so on.

Ableton Live also have a manual here: https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/welcome-to-live/

On this page you also find informations about certified training for Ableton Live: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/
Beside that you can find lots of videos, tutorials and courses for Ableton Live and other DAWs on the web.

I also suggest you read in Arturis manual for your controller and MIDI Control Center (MMC) to learn about what the controller can do and how. You can find the manuals here: https://www.arturia.com/support/downloads&manuals

You need patience and use time to search info and to learn.
I don't know if Ableton Live is the best DAW for you, but that also depend on what you wan't to do. If you find it good to work with, then stick to it, otherwise perhaps try another DAW.

Have a good time.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 08, 2020, 12:46:44 pm
Awesome, thank you so much for detailed reply!!  I did decide to hunker down and start with the manuals, first for the controller (keylab 88) and then for the software Analog 4 as well as Ableton Live Lite.  So much of the manuals are gibberish to me (mapping, LFO rate, cutoff, etc.) but I am reading them thru for what i can understand the first time, and will probably have to read them several times and eventually struggle to understand the lingo a bit.   

Ableton Live Lite works for me now cuz it came with the bundle for "free".

I have looked at most of the videos you have recommended but after reading the manuals will go back thru them again...What I found in looking at the videos, even for beginners, there seems to be an assumption that the viewer already knows the language involved...I am an old hippie and I guess younger folks today who have grown up with computers and gaming devices etc. probably have an edge on me.

Again I appreciate all the work you did in compiling resources for me to move forward...it may just have to be a while before I understand enough to be able to hit a record button and have things work but the effort will be well worth while...the piano sounds and the feel of the Arturia 88 are freaking awesome.

Best wishes during these most interesting days - stay healthy!
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: HummerHealey on April 09, 2020, 11:15:56 pm
Do you use a Mac or PC?
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 09, 2020, 11:19:57 pm
Do you use a Mac or PC?


mac...and right now I can not figure out how to get my sustain pedal working again!!...help!!
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 09, 2020, 11:23:04 pm
sustain pedal window says Sus   Val: 0 but 127 when i step on it...and below in window it says CH : User   CC: 64
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 10, 2020, 12:32:23 am
sustain pedal window says Sus   Val: 0 but 127 when i step on it...and below in window it says CH : User   CC: 64
This is correct. So it's not in this the problem is. A use case is needed to troubleshoot.
What do you mean by "not working"?
If it work opposite, then you shall correct the settings so the Value is 0 when you step on the pedal, and 127 when you are not.
MIDI CC 64 is generel midi standard for Sustain Pedal.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 10, 2020, 02:13:19 am
well I have been working on it and  I find that it works with some instruments in Analog 4 but not pianos...and in Piano V it does not work at all with pianos...when I say it does not work, when I press down on it, there is no sustaining the note.   It has got to be somewhere in the software...I suspect that it is something stupid ...I have not been able to find a clue in the manuals or going thru all the various software settings...I strongly suspect that Piano V is the guilty party but cant find the problem.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 10, 2020, 02:28:11 am
it does not make sense to me but i opened up live and opened up a piano and the sustain worked...then I went back to piano V and now the sustain works there.  if I close out of live I lose the sustain????
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 10, 2020, 02:38:19 am
yeah for the moment, as long as i have live open and have a piano sound up at bat, everything works...I had this same experience with digital cameras when I was learning how to use them...if I had the camera set to RAW only, I would not be able to shoot multiple exposures cuz the camera would only do that in jpg mode...took me a while to figure it out however.  I must have some setting messed up in Live that I will have to Dick Tracy down, although an easy fix is still welcomed...it used to work when i first got this last week.  I did have an issue with the reverse polarity but vaguely remembered something about pulling the sustain plug out and popping it back in to correct that. 
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 10, 2020, 03:05:15 am
it does not make sense to me but i opened up live and opened up a piano and the sustain worked...then I went back to piano V and now the sustain works there.  if I close out of live I lose the sustain????
In the standalone Piano V2 can you check if your Sustain pedal Midi CC 64 is assigned to Piano Vs Sustain pedal.
Please consult the Piano V manual section "3.5. MIDI Learn assignment".

If the pedal is'nt assigned then please assign it like explained in the Piano V manual section "3.5.1. Assigning / unassigning controls".
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 10, 2020, 04:05:38 am
excellent!!!!!!!....It took a while to figure out,,,initially it told me that the sustain pedal was "unassigned" but there did not seem to be clear instructions on how to assign it ...until by accident I hit the sustain pedal and BINGO.   the sustain now works in analog 4 as well now.  phew...thank you so so much!! 
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 10, 2020, 01:46:53 pm
Well done.

Your welcome.

It sounds like, you are moving fast forward. :)
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 10, 2020, 08:09:01 pm
I am at the short end of my lifes yardstick with no time to lose...this is a dream I have held for decades, to be able to compose and record   - and finally, for me, there is this keylab keyboard along with the most amazing software sounds etc. all for under $1000.  Crazy.  Of course it helps that we can not work or go anywhere really...had a trip planned for Moab Utah to go biking with my son, even bought a cheap mountain bike to get my ass in shape...now on hold.  Have been tempted to throw the bike in the car and make the 30 hour drive, and if this c rap keeps up, I might still do it.

Thank you thank you thank you...as in the  world of digital photography, I am finding like minded souls who are ready to help me get a leg up on things.  peace!
warmly
yeiter

Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 10, 2020, 11:19:54 pm
That bike trip sounds great. Fortunately i'm able to do outdoor stuff on a daily basis. That's important to me.

Enjoy your new stuff.

Peace.
Best LBH
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: HummerHealey on April 11, 2020, 10:48:25 am
Do you use a Mac or PC?


mac...and right now I can not figure out how to get my sustain pedal working again!!...help!!

Hi, then, Looking at what you want to do, start with Garageband. That has a quite low learning curve and contains 1000’s of loops that can be just dragged on to a track. Also the drummer feature is quite powerfull but simple to use. Disadvantage is the integration with the Keylab Mk2, or rather the absence thereof.
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: ilona.maki@gmail.com on April 15, 2020, 10:44:29 pm
Hello-

I have a similar problem. I acquired an Arturia Keylab Mkii 61 awhile ago. I am very happy about the number and quality of sounds.

However, I have had problems trying to record with the Mkii on Studio one 4.6..

Is there something I've missed? The answer, I hope, is easy. Please give some thoughts or hints, if you can  :o
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: LBH on April 15, 2020, 11:15:00 pm
Hi and welcome to Arturia forums ilona.

The solution is in the thread but with Studio One instead of Live. Don't you think so?

However, I have had problems trying to record with the Mkii on Studio one 4.6..
What excactly do you mean by that?

How have you set up the Keylab MKII in Studio One?
You shall set it up both as a Keyboard and as a Mackie control in Studio One/ Options/ External Devices. Have you done that? Can you post screenshots of the 2 setups?
Title: Re: beginner's plan of attack
Post by: yeiter on April 17, 2020, 05:27:03 pm
Hey someone hijacked my post!!!   Ilona, I have no idea what to suggest given your software but I am finding that the answers are there but it takes time and patience to understand how all of this works together.  At least for Ableton Live Lite, there are tons of video tutorials that detail how to approach recording etc....I got caught up in another work project and have simply not had the time to go thru them yet, but will this weekend.  Hoping that I can figure it out.  In the meanwhile, the Arturia keyboard with software has been a delight to play!