MY GEAR

I get a lot of people asking me about what electronic music instruments I use, how I set them up, where they can buy them and how much they cost. So here is all the answers.

I have included links (full disclosure they are affiliate links. This means you still pay the same price, but a small percentage will go to me, to help fund my music, videos, and how much I can share my knowledge with you all)

MY CURRENT LIVE SETUP
BUDGET-FRIENDLY LIVE EQUIPMENT
HOW I CONNECT EVERYTHING

MY CURRENT LIVE SETUP

Torso T-1

This is the hub, brain, and control center of my setup. It is a sequencer with a strong focus on live performance. The other boxes have good sequencers, but they can't do what this can do. The T-1 is much more immediately expressive and it excels at improvisation, performance and happy accidents. It also pairs well with basically any other box, or computer.

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Elektron Digitakt

This is my main sampler. it can record audio and replay it in different musical ways. I use it for drums, parts from my old songs and a few other random sounds. On the surface it might seem simple, but it is actually quite deep and great for remixing audio into new things. I love how it it lets me record all 8 tracks over USB to my computer. Currently I use the Mk1, but I will upgrade to mk2 soon. 

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Elektron Syntakt

This one is an analog and digital synthesizer that can also do drums. It does not load audio but instead you create the sounds yourself by designing them. I use it for my kick, clap, bass, leads, stabs etc. It also handles the pumping side chain effect on everything. Once again, I love how it it lets me record all 12 tracks over USB to my computer.

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Roland Aira S-1

This is a 4 voice polyphonic synthesizer based on the old Roland SH-101. It has loads of immediate hands on controls and sounds amazing! It's also super tiny and portable. I use this for chords, pads, arpeggios, sound FX, and just general synth tweaking fun.

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How I Connect Everything

There are two main things to consider here. The audio connections, and the MIDI connections (the note and sync information).

Audio Routing

The Roland S-1 goes into the inputs of the Digitakt. The outputs of the Digitakt go into the Syntakt. The Syntakt then goes to the speakers. There is no additional processing or mastering on the videos I post online. However, for my songs that I release, I record those multi track to my computer via USB (Elektron Overbridge).

MIDI Routing

So then...  Send MIDI out of the main Torso MIDI output to the Syntakt MIDI input, then I run out of the Syntakt MIDI Thru into the Digitakt MIDI input. 

I also use the Torso T1 MIDI Thru as an output (Torso T-1 can be set up to have 2x MIDI outputs. The Thru can be switched to a second output with desktop application) this s connected to the Roland S-1. 

 

BUDGET-FRIENDLY LIVE EQUIPMENT 

I get a lot of people asking me what gear I recommend when starting out to play live. The short answer is... Use what I use. I believe thats the best option. But not everyone performs in the same way, and everyone's budget is different. So here are some instruments I recommend. 

Roland AIRA T-8 Beat Machine

Coming in at just under $200. This little drum machine with bass synth is a lot of fun for the price. You get a selection of famous Roland drum sounds (606, 808, 909 etc), and a bass synth that is similar to their famous TB-303. It uses their ACB analog modeling technology too. It's fun by itself, but you will probably need something to pair it with like the Roland S-1 that I use. Having a lot of small boxes is fun, but remember you only have two hands. So next level would be to control all these little boxes with a Torso T-1 too!

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Elektron Model:Samples

Coming in at between $300-$400. This box is basically a simplified version of the Digitakt sampler that I use. Here you get the same super powerful sequencer, but also way more knobs for fast live performance. What does it miss? Mainly, it only has 6 tracks, no Overbridge, limited envelopes, and a small screen. Still, pretty epic for the price. You can definitely rock out live with this. You might like to pair it with the Model:Cycles for more synth sounds. 

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Elektron Model:Cycles

Coming in at between $300-$400. This box is the synthesizer brother for the Model:Samples. It is a digital/FM synth with 6 Machines: Kick, Snare, Metal, Perc, Tone and Chord. Once again, great sequencer, loads of knobs for fast performance, and loads of sound shaping potential. Great for live, especially if paired with the Model:Samples. Even better would be both plus a Torso T-1

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Roland MC101

Coming in at between $400-$500. This box is highly underrated. It can do all your drums, synths, samples, acoustic instruments, and FX. It only has 4 channels, but each one can also be used as a 16 track drum machine / sample player. So you could potentially have 64 parts! Plus the build in sounds are excellent and you can even record 4 stereo tracks over USB to your computer.  I think bang for your buck is huge here. Especially if paired with a Torso T1. It would still be ok by itself if you are not too worried about live improvisation. But if you would like to play live and improvise a lot it would be a monster when combined with the Torso T-1.

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Torso T-1

I know I mentioned this one before, but there is good reason why I think it should still be considered in the budget friendly section too, even though it might be the most expensive thing in this list. It is because this can make anything else much better! There are many great sound sources out there, but hardly any have a good sequencer. So you can pair this with a little groove box, a few Volcas, a computer or even your phone. 100% recommend. 

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OTHER RECOMMENDED LIVE GEAR

...coming soon