Elektron Musical Instruments

--- In elektron-users@yahoogroups.com, "Roonan" <info@r...> wrote:
> Why use an external sequencer with the MM?
> I hope you know the real power is the internal sequencer of the MM 
> (and the MD) Not using it is a terrible waste!

You know, its strength is also its weakness IMHO.  Sitting down with 
the MD in my lap is far more fun than any other method I have found 
for writing drum patterns.  But... when I bought the MD I figured it 
would integrate nicely into my Cubase-based method of music writing, 
and it didn't.  Now, before you respond with a "you _can_ use it with 
external sequencers", I know this - but you end up sacrificing the 
aspects that make it such a really nice piece of equipment (parameter 
locks).  Why the sacrifice?  Parameter locks (essentially fast CC's) 
exceed the midi standard.  Ok... so I could use CC's in Cubase, but 
then I would have to use an outboard midi-fader, rendering all those 
lovely knobs and graphical user interface on the MD useless.  I would 
_love_ to be able to write drum patterns with the MD, and export my 
songs to Cubase where I can perform final tweaks / copys / edits.  
Currently, I do this (export the midi events minus the locks) just so 
that I can see the drums alongside my synth sequences.  Alternately, 
I would love to be able to write my raw drum patterns in Cubase, and 
record them with the MD, where I could add locks.

So... given that I'm still a little sore about the fact that the MD 
doesn't play nice with an external sequencer... I'm more than a 
little worried about the MnM.  Would buying one force me forever to 
the dark side of "hardware sequencing".  Why, when Cubase is so nice 
for sequencing entire songs, would I stop using it?  How well could I 
sequence my other 1/2 dozen synths with the MnM?  Would I end up 
using up all of its sequencing power to control my other gear?  Would 
the MnM keyboard do well with patches that have velocity sensitivity 
(key up and key down), and aftertouch?  My Oberheim benefits greatly 
from having a capable keyboard controller - is the MnM a good 
keyboard?  From what I've read so far, I'd end up having to do all of 
my keyboard playing on the MnM, since it won't record outboard keys.  
And last - how well does it play with the MD?  Do you end up just 
writing drum and synth patterns independently,  or is there some kind 
of nice way of working on both synth and drums together?

Is Cubase rendered useless by the MnM/MD, or do the MnM/MD become 
useless when used with Cubase?  Do any of you MnM owners feel that 
your other gear will be languishing in the corner now that you've 
bought it?  Is there soon to be an "elektron sound" associated with 
people who write everything with elektron gear?

-gerald