STEPIC MEISTERCLASS - Chill Ambient (feat. S1gns Of L1fe)
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- Let's whip up an entire Chill Ambient Track using Stepic! 🎶
Download training material for this episode:
downloads.devicemeister.com/s...
The Stepic Meisterclass video series aims to elevate your sequencing skills by providing top-tier Stepic knowledge. Each episode zooms in on a specific theme, expertly presented by a guest host. Today, join Chris from @s1gns0fl1fe in crafting an entire Chill Ambient Track from scratch using Stepic, as he guides you through every step of the process. 🚀
A massive thanks to S1gns Of L1fe for his invaluable collaboration and unwavering passion for this project. 🙏
Follow S1gns Of L1fe:
/ @s1gns0fl1fe
Learn more about Stepic:
devicemeister.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:32 Chord Pad Sequence
06:43 Base Sequence
12:41 Bassline
17:24 Kick-Drum
19:55 Glitch-Percussions
24:43 Lead Sequence
26:55 Infinity Sequence
29:33 Arrangement
30:52 Live MIDI-Play
33:08 Outro
About Stepic:
Stepic isn't just a powerful and versatile polyphonic step sequencer. 8 additional and fully integrated modulation sequencers make it a true sound shaping tool. Use them to automate any parameter (e.g. Filter Cutoff, Wavetable Position, Effect Amount) of your favorite synthesizers or effect devices. With its support for MIDI CC, Stepic offers you parameter control for both software plug-ins and hardware devices.
By assigning different tempos and sequence lengths to the modulation sequencers, Stepic lets you create deep, polyrhythmic parameter progressions that add a lot of movement and uniqueness to 
Видеоклипы
Welcome to the STEPIC MEISTERCLASS - Chill Ambient (feat. S1gns Of L1fe)! 🎶
Download the latest version of Vital (1.5.5 or newer).
Download the training material from the video desciption.
Follow along and Enjoy! 🚀
thanks Chris. you are such a great teacher.
One of the best tutorials on RUclips, period! Makes me super excited to get my hands on Stepic and start creating. Thanks Chris and Devicemeister 👍🏼
Here we have the perfect combination: a supremely gifted artist and master presenter demonstrating the use of the absolute best sequencing software ever devised.
Awesome feedback, thank you! ❤️
Not only is Chris a great teacher, he's, unfortunately, very influential in talking me into VSTs.
haha yes he made me get this, but no regrets here
Best tutorial on any music subject that I have watched. Thanks!
Thanks for inviting me on! Stepic is the best. ❤️🎹
Thank you for the great collaboration and the passion you've put into this project! ❤
Great work Chris! Very clear and understandable.
A wonderfully informative & inspiring tutorial -- thank you.
This is exactly the kind of tutorial we need ... not just the typical 'how to use this tool', but how to apply composition techniques to the tools to create a fully worked example of a whole track. Thanks Chris and thanks DeviceMeister for such an inspiring collaboration. Keep them coming...! 👍
Thank you so much for your great feedback. You describe exactly what we aim to achieve with this Meisterclass. 👍
Excellent! Thank you. It seems like chris has been put on tranquilizers by devicemeister so he doesn't scream like he does in his own videos 😂
Thank you, Devicemeister and S1gns Of L1fe!
Stepic *really* is "all that and a bag of chips" and Chris, as we all know, is a fabulous teacher!
Stepic is simply the best step sequencer in the world. And I would like to say that this is not just an empty phrase, because you can work very creatively with Stepic and always have your head and hands free. 😉👍
Thanks for your feedback! It means a lot. 🙏
Thank you, Chris! Stepic - Great tool.
Thanks a lot. Very useful to understand Stepic better.
good review all the best
Fantastic 🤩Thaaaank you, Chris 😍🙏
Couple tips:
1. Using Settings tab to set the range is a good way to prevent 0 being randomized for Velocity - 8:50
2. Since the intent of the Kick pattern is to have some ghost notes, the Velocity should be lowered for those ghost notes to add a more human feel, leaving the primary hits at full Velocity - 18:50
3. The glitch percussion automation can be made slightly more random by changing the number of steps ("len" knob) down to 15, so that the steps don't match with the number of steps being played, not necessarily that impactful here, but a useful "trick" to know for Stepic - 23:12
4. Not germane to Stepic per se, but at this point 26:00 it would be beneficial to EQ the various track parts to carve out some frequency space for each to shine and not blur everything together so much: e.g. confine the bass with a low pass to roll it off and similarly carve up the instrument tracks in the mids and upper registers. Lastly, the arrangement could do with some volume shaping to not be so consistent in its energy level.
Stepic is an awesome step sequencer, the only weak part I think is the chord functionality, since you don't hear the notes while building the chord and it offers no help to build them. It pairs well with Stochas (FREE) which has a better chord function (to me, by both sounding the notes out and having predefined chords which you can easily select Inversions from), and with its (up to 4) layers and poly note functionality at any step, goes some places that Stepic does not.
Overall a good tutorial for a great tool!
Thanks for sharing this comprehensive and constructive feedback! Your tips represent exactly what we aim to achieve with the Meisterclass: helping users establish a foundation they can develop and refine themselves. These tips can be very helpful for that.
Regarding the chord function: Stepic's chord input definitely has a lot of potential for improvement. I can certainly see me addressing this topic in future updates. I've added your suggestions to the wishlist.
this is great
Stepic and S1gns of L1fe is truly a match made in heaven! Awesome sequencer and awesome tutorial!
Thanks buddy! ❤️
incredible
beautiful demo, thx so much!
The magus at work, fearlessly revealing his secrets. Now I have to find out what velocity magic you were doing behind the scenes. Thank you!
Thank you Chris. Your enthusiastic manner is always motivating. And it's a lot of fun to watch and listen to you.
between S1gns of L1fe & Jon Audio, tutorials for this amazing step sequencer are well covered. It's ridiculously flexible & creative.
Great tutorial as always 🎉❤
Another heater so stoked. Chris is the GOAT
🐐
Hi Chris! Great work! I learned so much from your tutorial, it was a real discovery of the power of Stepic. I built the patch along with the video and it was fun to do.
Really great Meisterclass here, Chris! I learned a few things I did not already know. Thanks so much!
Great work, Chris!
This was great, learnt so much and very inspired to keep diving deeper into this wonderful plugin. Can’t wait for the next video!
Stepic is incredible and so much fun to use in my compositions! I love using it every chance I get. Thanks a mil for all your efforts on our behalf!!! Chris, I learned so much and will beginning to utilize it ASAP!
Yourself and Jon Audio really have it sussed on teaching sequencing, well done.
💯
Chris, the GOAT! Awesome video, you can really have fun for days with epic Stepic
🐐
This was excellent Chris and yes there were some hidden gems of advice here ... well done
Thanks for your feedback! Glad we could deliver some hidden gems to you.
Great masterclass❤👍😎 u guys are the best
Brilliant tutorial! Thank you Chris 😊
This is terrific. Just when I think I "want" something like a Digitakt, you drop this killer solution for making the kinds of soundscapes I'm after (and Stepic is a lot less than a Digitakt). That said, I still do kind of want a Digitakt. LOL!
Thanks for your feedback! I know of many users who do feed Stepic into all sorts of Elektron gear, because it's quicker for them to set up. A deadly duo 💥
Chris is amazing artist and a completely inspiring person as well. Thank you S1gns of L1fe and Devicemeister!
Awesome class! Great collab, thanks Devicemeister 🙏 please more video like this ❤
💯
Brilliant video and a great way to learn how to get the best out of Stepic. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us mere mortals.
Thanks for your awesome feedback! It means a lot. 🚀
Great Meisterclass! I love stepic. It's so good. 🔥
Thanks! Great to hear you love Stepic. ❤
Nicely done!
this is 1 of the finest tutorials about STepic , it really helps to wrap one's head around it
thx a lot 4 doing this , oh and your patches for Vital are super !!!!
Stepic works best for me in Live , Logic seems a bit sluggish with it ......
Thanks for your feedback! Generally, Stepic works well in Logic Pro. However, on some machines, it might be necessary to set the transport mode in the Global Settings (gear icon) to "time code" and the sample rate to "sync to host". Feel free to give that a try. If you still have problems after that, send us an email. There, we have the opportunity to delve deeper into the analysis.
Can’t wait to get this, huge possibilities!
I'm so glad this video is out, truly showcases the power of this sequencer, thank you!
💯 #stepicunleashed
thanks so much for this video! : )
❤
Great tutorial!
Vielen Dank für das tolle Video.
Gern geschehen! Danke für dein Feedback. 🙏
This is AWESOME!! I have Stepic but have been a bit intimidated to use it. Chris is amazing...thank you for this Stepic Meisterclass series!!❤
That's exactly what we aim to achieve with the Meisterclass - to inspire and motivate you! 🚀
Excellent video. Thank you!
This must be one of the best tutorials you have made in my opinon. So well executed. Hats off Chris and keep on inspire us.
Amazing feedback, thank you! ❤️
Awesome as usual. What would be really awesome would be a Meisterclass on combining Steppic with Eurorack modular via Midi2CV devices and Ableton's CV tools.
Noted! 😉
Thanks Chris. I bought Stepic for my birthday. This is some white hot magic!
Perfect timing! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with Stepic and this Meisterclass. 🚀
Excellent tutorial, Chris. Well done 👏
Thanks for these vids, stepic is an epic tool
Ich love dieses Denglish
Wir too! ❤️
Great idea on this series! Excellent job, friends! I haven't yet used Stepic in the way Chris showed here, so I really need to get into it!
Great to hear that we've given you some new ideas on how to use Stepic! #missionaccomplished
Thanx for sharing!!
"Just One More Thing" also a 'Columbo catch phrase' ....LOL
😂
Awesome !!!
You're awesome! 😎
Thank you so much!!
This was epic! Absolutely loved the tutorial.
Fck yea Chris. Had stepic for a year and only used it in a basic manner. Strait dope gold tutorial.
Very good Meisterclass. Unfortunately some of the Vital presets sound different from the meisterclass video and I had to replace them by other sounds / synths. It was not just an issue of tweaking in the plugin or compressor or EQ-ing. Nevertheless I would appreciate more of this Meisterclass)).
Thanks for your feedback! Actually, the download presets should be identical to the ones used in the video. It might be that for your Stepic version, you need to set the root notes to D2 instead of D3. Feel free to try that out. Also make sure you running at least Vital 1.5.5. Respect for pulling this track of it with other plugins and sounds. You've already taken the next step and made it your own! 👍
Got through the tutorial and got it all working with Logic. Amazing! Thank you, it really gives a sense of a great workflow to start with!
Great to hear you got all up and running, now! 🚀
Absolut epic tutorial! Thank you very much for sharing.
thanks! ❤️
Awesome, saving this video for later 🎉
thanks so much for this! I just made a beautiful ambient song that is playing generatively while I'm meditating...
Please demo the full track at the beginning of the video
Great tutorial. Thanks a lot
Glad you liked it! 🚀
Excellent tutorial, thanks very much
Anyone else using Bitwig and finding that the glitch sound is almost silent, whatever gain you set it to? Sounds like someone with headphones sat next to me whatever I do. EDIT: when everything's mixed properly it sounds okay, but I really do have to push the gain
Hi, thanks for your feedback! Re. Quiet Glitch Percussions: Try to lower the root note to D2 instead of D3. It should make them pop more out. If the pitch of other tracks also seems too high, set them to D2 as well.
HI! Awesome video! On the automation page, I don't see 'Map', I only have a 'cc' choice which I have to put in manually. Is there a setting I am missing? Also, can you save your settings? I don't see a preset menu anywhere!?
I assume that you're running the VST3 version of Stepic. It has not Map button because automations are done via MIDI CC. I recommend watching episode 6 of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial on this channel. There, you'll learn how to set up MIDI CC automations. If you need further assistance, feel free to send us an email or visit us on our Discord server.
that vital skin looks great
It's the 'Vital Neon Skin Pack' by Oxynick. You can find it on Gumroad.
@@devicemeisterthanks!! just grabbed and looks sweet
@@mbezik🚀
I should use Stepic more!
With this Meisterclass at hand, it's a great opportunity to start! 🚀
BTW how do you record the last part with midi play?
Do you want to record your MIDI play (the notes you're sending to Stepic) or Stepic's note output?
@@devicemeister Stepics output
@@robmlisantiThere are two general ways for getting MIDI play (output) into your DAW.
1. You export it via drag & drop. However, with this method, you have to proceed step by step. Stepic doesn't have a buffer that remembers played chords or transpose notes. You must export each note layer individually. You can learn how this works in the Tips and Tricks episode of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial, in the 'MIDI Export MIDI Play' chapter.
2. You record Stepic's note output. How this works depends on your DAW. In Logic Pro, there's an option that lets you record directly in the Stepic track. In other DAWs, you typically route the MIDI from the Stepic channel to a second MIDI channel and record it there.
Hi Chris, on the glitch perc cyclical what are you doing that makes it more prominent in the mix - the sound from vital is very low and quiet? Thanks.
Hi, it's a combination of EQing and compression. The rest is mixing. If you jump to the 21:50 mark, you'll see the channel configuration. Try adapting it in your project. If you're having trouble getting balanced levels, it could also be that some of your channels are too loud. A good starting point is to peg all your channels at -6dB initially. This gives you enough headroom to also bring quieter instruments to a proper level and make them fit into your mix.
@@devicemeister Thanks Chris!
Me again! I've found something. It might be, that with the Stepic version you're running, you need to set the root note of the Glitch Percussion track to D2 instead of D3. You might want to do try that with the other tracks as well. Feel free to let me know, if this tip helped you make your glitch percussions pop more out.
As a newbie to Logic Pro Automation, I am running into issues. I have enabled Automation and set it for the Seq1 track. I set it to Read, selected the Stepic and tried both Internal and Patten on Channel one. Then set destination to Vital - Macro 1. . But I cannot see a change.
Here's how to set up automation in Stepic:
1. Enter a CC number (e.g., 34) in the #cc field of the automation sequencer.
2. Activate 'ping' (yellow toggle button).
3. Enable MIDI-Learn in Vital (right-click on the macro knob -> Learn MIDI Assignment).
4. Turn 'ping' off in Stepic.
5. Done!
If you want to learn how Stepic's automations function, I recommend the 6th episode of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial on this channel. There, we explain everything in detail. For further assistance, you can also contact us via email at any time or visit us on our Discord server. We're always happy to help.
@@devicemeister , thanks. I got that working. I looked at the Stepic tutorial yesterday, and it looked specific to Ableton. I have Ableton Standard and am not ready for another 400 bucks for the Suite or 200 for the Max option since I mainly use Logic. I ended up buying the Stepic Live version option before understanding that requirement, but I take that one for the cause. The Vital manual is also a bit cryptic on some UX details. It took some fumbling around before I understood the renaming of Macro buttons. Anyway, it's all clear now and working. So do I understand it correctly that despite Stepic showing up in the standard Logic Automation as a source, it does not really work in the automation lanes and uses midi control signals instead?
@@hstriepeThat's correct. You need MIDI CC to send automation information from Stepic to your synth.
Step - Blue Connect Question - not sure what I am doing wrong. When I hold shift key on keyboard and try to drag left nothing happens the steps stay in off position. I have to individually click each one to blue connected. It first goes from off to on (yellow) and then connected (blue), Using M4L latest version. Thanks.
For Swipe-Select, you don't need the Shift key. We misspoke in the video, unfortunately. Just do the following: Click and hold the left mouse button on an On/Off switch. Then, drag the mouse over other On/Off switches you want to activate. Feel free to also check out the third episode of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial (Note Sequencer) on this channel. In the "Step Tie" chapter, we explain this function in detail.
@@devicemeister Great! Thank you for the quick response. Love your teaching style and how you are open to share your approach and techniques with others!
Does anybody know how to do the Configure Macro at the 10 minute mark in Bitwig?
Hi! In Bitwig, you need to establish the connection via MIDI CC. If you right-click on the macro knob in Vital, a menu will open. There, you'll find an entry 'Learn MIDI Assignment'. If you want to learn how to set up MIDI CC automations, I recommend watching episode 6 of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial on our RUclips channel. Feel free to also send us an email or visit our Discord server for further assistance.
@@devicemeister Thank you so much! I'll check it out
Do you know if a solution has been added yet to having no way to lock the UI to focus on one pattern at a time? I generally want to write parts that have at least 2 patterns in them but the issue I had with it was, say I'm adjusting the notes on pattern 1, it would then change the UI to show me the sliders on pattern 2 when pattern 2 cycles in. It leads to you either having to keep waiting for the pattern you're working on to cycle back around again or you keep accidentally changing notes on the wrong page. This made it unusable for me as I can't make edits in context of the full loop. Really hoping that Quality of Life issue gets resolved with a way to lock focus to one pattern at a time. Kinda like the Hold feature but only locks the UI and lets the full pattern keep playing in context.
Hi, the function you're looking for is "hold". It's the yellow toggle button in the top bar. When switch on, no automatic pattern changes will occur and you can edit the current pattern with no hurry. Please take a look at 2 Part of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial (Top Bar) chapter "Hold". It gives you all information you need to know.
Great Meister Class! I have been able to reproduce everything from the class using Cakewalk - with the exception of automation. I haven't been able to successfully link to a macro in Vital during the 20 second ping timeframe. Here is what happens: I add a CC# and click ping, and when I click on the macro icon in Vital nothing happens and time expires. I've even tried assigning a CC# and clicking on a control on an filter, same problem. Any thoughts on what I'm missing?
Thanks for your feedback! After activating Ping in Stepic, you need to enable MIDI-Learn in Vital. To do this, right-click on the Macro knob and select "Learn MIDI Assignment" from the context menu. If you still can't manage the mapping, please contact our email support or visit our Discord server. You can find the contact information on the Devicemeister homepage.
@@devicemeister Thanks, that did it. The MIDI Learn was the missing link for me.
Very nice! But one question: What does the "arangement" do? The "gaps" don't stop stepic playing. I don't get it. Or did i do something wrong?
Hi, in the arrangement chapter, Chris copied Stepic's MIDI via Drag & Drop MIDI Export into the arrangement to build a song structure. After exporting the MIDI, he deactivated/bypassed the Stepic instances on these tracks. From there, the notes in the arrangement play the Vital instances. If you want to learn more about Stepic's MIDI export, please watch the 2nd episode of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial, the chapter on Drag & Drop MIDI Export, on our RUclips channel.
@@devicemeister Thanks so much!
@@devicemeister Does this work with with the automations set up in stepic too?
@@wizard6916 Yes, if you're running Stepic for Live (the Max for Live version), you need to operate the automation sequencers in MIDI mode. Then automations will also be exported. If you use the VST3/AU version, you are automatically in MIDI mode and the automations are exported. Please watch the 6th part of the Ultimate Stepic Tutorial, where you'll learn everything about automations. Alternatively, you can build a Song Mode using Stepic's MIDI Play feature. This way, you can avoid exporting and use the arrangement to control Stepic's transport and jump to desired patterns. For more on this, please check out the 5th part of the tutorial, where you'll learn all about MIDI Play.
@@devicemeister Thank you so much! Still so much to learn! I love Stepic!
Between this one and the Digitone/Stepic combo videos (ruclips.net/video/AoJoOkK4Nt0/видео.html), I'm scratching my head on why I've waited this long to pick this up. I use Bitwig, and it's got arps, modulation, etc... but Stepic is just so fast. Few clicks and you've got a polyrhythmic, generative sequence going with automation.
Thanks for your great comment. 🙏 I'm glad you found your way to Stepic. May you achieve awesome things with it! 🚀
Thank you Chris. Just got Stepic and this will be extremely helpful!!
Onece again a great tutorial! Thanks @S1gnsOfL1fe