in need of easily controlled software

Hello,

This is the software equivalent of a hardware question that I asked earlier. Here is a link to the earlier post:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20818638#post20818638

Is there a soft synth library with plenty of techno-oriented styles/arpeggiations/patterns/layers that I could map to various ranges on my keyboard? As an example, I could map a drum rhythm and a synth "set" to play using the the left hand just thru playing chords. My right hand would be responsible for playing the melody/etc. It would be really nice if I could specifically designate how key ranges for various loops. Aka, loop 1 is "transposed/played" using C1 to C2, loop 2 is controlled using C3-C4, square lead instrument is active on C5-C7, etc.

On an old Yamaha keyboard that I used to use, it featured a lot of styles. The style was a combination of various instruments combined with an interesting rhythm that was looped and was controlled by having the left-hand play chords. It was a really neat feature because I could play a progression with my left hand while my right hand could improvise or play melody over the style.

I'm not really sure what to call these style loops, so I've attached a small MP3 of a loop playing four chords. First, the loop plays in A minor, then D minor, then F major, and finally G major.

I will primarily be using a simple MIDI keyboard, looking at the Korg SP-250 right now, with few instruments and no styles. It would be great if the program that I purchase has plenty of styles/patterns/samples. Ideally you would be able to customize existing styles by changing out instruments, adding various effects, changing the rhythm, and even creating new styles.

Do I need to purchase two programs, an electronic sample/pattern library, and a program which allows me to work with said patterns and styles and be controlled by the MIDI keyboard?

I have created my own dance loops and styles in FL Studio before, however, I don't know how to make it so that I can use the MIDI keyboard to control the chord of the playing loop. In FL Studio, I cannot change the chord of the loop in real-time.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I feel like I'm so close to getting a solid and relatively inexpensive setup.

Thanks again,

-- cacotigon

How many sides does a cacotigon have?

Hehe. Actually, I meant more like, caco = bad, like the cacodemon from Doom...

Though now that you mentioned it, I kind of want to change my name to dodecatigon...

I forgot to mention that I'm running on a PC, specifically a Dell Inspiron laptop with 1 GB of RAM.

Anybody have any ideas?

As a sidenote, I've been experimenting with the plug-in Sytrus (subtractive synthesis with six independent oscillators) which comes with FL Studio, and have been able to create some meager styles with it. However, I still don't know how to map a single section of a MIDI keyboard to just this style. I'm not sure that FL Studio can meet the requirements that I talked about earlier.

-- cacotigon

Mapping is a function of the sequencer/host - not of the softsynth itself. Take a look at Nexus.

You've basically outlined the difference between an arranger keyboard (with styles included as a basic part of the sequencer) and a synthesizer, albeit that the workstations have pretty powerful arpeggiators nowadays. While it's not an arpeggiator, the Korg Karma (and M3) can both create complex and layered sequences based on chords. I think the M3 would be able to pull this stunt off pretty well, too - but it's not out yet and it's not cheap, either.

Another option would be the Stylus RMX - but the audience for that one's bigger than purely electronic stuff.

Most sample libraries with "construction kits" contain loops with chords built in, so to say (a string pad or sequence is already sampled in a certain key) - and in the simplest case you just drop 'm in the sequence. Few things switch chords like arranger keyboards in realtime, though. Add to that that the arranger market addresses a rather different segment of the market (solo performers who need a wide selection of pop tunes) and you see the problem.

The problem's mainly in the chord detection logic; it's pretty tough to set up a controller in such a way that it not only recognizes the chord (or its variations) but also transposes the loop to the right key - and the right parts of the loop to the right key.

A dumbed-down scenario could be that you'd create patterns in every key and use pads from a controller or keys on the keyboard to switch to those patterns; but don't ask me for the details because I'm not familiar with FL Studio.