7Aliens Catanya - Music Phrase Arpeggiator

[grymmjack]

@serve; figure it out for yourself if it was a joke. does it look like a joke? the emoticon doesn't make it obvious enough?

@branis; it was a joke. the smile afterwards is a sarcastic one.

whee!

[chardin]

The Cantanya demo is a lot of fun. In addition to velocity, I would like to see the Random button create random sequences. Maybe options for note density (lots of notes, not so many), and note length (e.g., 75% 8ths, 25% 16ths or 50% 8ths, 25% qtrs, 25% 16ths).

[jackmazzotti]

looks really great
i just hope there is a mac version planned

[dixie237]

By the way I've just picked this device up today...And I have to say that for what its worth its an incredible little tool! No matter what you toss at it you can come up with some amazing little rifs, beats, and bass lines!

Highly recomend getting your hands on the demo!

+1

bought today. great fun and pumps out great basslines instantly....and im not talking about using the supplied patterns. from blank default, its easy to build your own patterns.

great concept. thanks.

keep up the good work
d

[serve]

@serve; figure it out for yourself if it was a joke. does it look like a joke? the emoticon doesn't make it obvious enough?

@branis; it was a joke. the smile afterwards is a sarcastic one.

whee!

It just didn't sound very possitive when I first read it and kinda thought....Hey what a pr*ck, I appoligize.

I'm thinking of uploading some befor and after audio samples using this catanya... One sample of the audio of what it would sound like with it and then what it sounds like ones the MIDI notes are put through catanya using custom patterns. Maybe others would like to do the same?

either way what a great little tool. Instantly creates rhythms that far and exceded my first impressions when I saw the videos. At that point I thought, "eh, its neat but not worth the money." But at that time I really didn't know that you could put in your own patterns and do a lot of other things with the MIDI notes that you can record out of it.

+5 IMHO

[serve]

So like I said above here is a short demo of what you can do with Catanya using your own patterns. Now this pattern which unfortunatly I forgot to take a screen shot of was just drawn in randomly. Below you can see the keys that were used to controll Catanya's MIDI..



And here is a sample of what it sounded like without Catanya and then after the Catanya VST was turned on.... The first 4bars being without and then the second 4bars with Catanya.

The audio is comprised of Catanya contolling 3 synths (Sylenth1, Twin2, Cameleon 5000)at the same time with one pattern only. The simple drums come from Reason. Its posted on Soundcloud so you get a good visual of the effect of Catanya on the sound wav image.

CATANYA TEST

[dsan@mail.com]

Hi to all,

[edited for space]
5. Bugs/not bugs

There is known problem with x64 Windows. As written in the requirements, Catanya is 32bit only. Usage on x64 is risk of anybody but we don't recommend it. The second problem is with Ableton Live 7.x. For version 8 it works without any problem (almost all presets were made under Ableton v.8 without any crash). We are not able to say when this problem will be solved - it's not clear if it's problem of Ableton or Catanya.

[edited for space]
Wishing many wonderful compositions.

Branislav Dimos
7Aliens

Greetings Branislav,
1.) Could you please be more descript about x64 windows? What is at risk? I would like to demo your product but you have me concerned. Using Vista x64, but running Sonar PE 8 in x32 mode since most of my VST's are not x64 supported. However, ALL my VSTi's function without problem.

2.) You do not mention plans to make your product x64 compatible. Do you plan to do so?

I think you have a great concept here and I am extremely interested. I will try the demo to see if it works - AFTER - you let me know the risks.

Thanks very much!
dsan

[7Aliens]

The risk was ment according to the system requirements. We know that there are problems and due to this we don't recommend to use x64.

[cwig]

...

[Krovatin]

I already have bought Catanya and can say that it is quite good for my purposes. I also have got Cubase 4 with Arpache SX and Karma in my Korg M3. Catanya is definitely better for quick work and inspiration. But I think Catanya is too simple, it needs more features such as:

1. Two more CC midi controllers in step sequencers (now only Velocity). It has to be choice what controller to choose - for Cutoff and Resonance for example. Also they have to be switchable - smooth or step like in V-synth step modulator. It would be good feature.
2. Twice and half speed feature.
3. Portamento feature should be more clear but I am not sure that I get it.
4. How about fourth octave?

[vitaali]

I already have bought Catanya and can say that it is quite good for my purposes. I also have got Cubase 4 with Arpache SX and Karma in my Korg M3. Catanya is definitely better for quick work and inspiration. But I think Catanya is too simple, it needs more features such as:

1. Two more CC midi controllers in step sequencers (now only Velocity). It has to be choice what controller to choose - for Cutoff and Resonance for example. Also they have to be switchable - smooth or step like in V-synth step modulator. It would be good feature.
2. Twice and half speed feature.
3. Portamento feature should be more clear but I am not sure that I get it.
4. How about fourth octave?

Hey Krovatin!

You seem to be very experienced when it comes to arpeggiators. You're just the person I was looking for. Can you tell me how Korg's Karma arpeggiator compares to Cubase's Arpache SX?
Also about Arpache; can you take a midi phrase and import it to Arpache? And be able to play it like an arranger keyboard does (meaning play it in every key, switch to major or minor chord, all while the original phrase stays recognizable? If that's possible with Arpache, I might just buy cubase just for this feature alone.

Vitali

[Orbit-50]

Also about Arpache; can you take a midi phrase and import it to Arpache? And be able to play it like an arranger keyboard does (meaning play it in every key, switch to major or minor chord, all while the original phrase stays recognizable? If that's possible with Arpache, I might just buy cubase just for this feature alone.

It doesn't work. It's the shittiest excuse for an arpeggiator I've ever used. It's my biggest dissapointment with Cubase. That's not to say you shouldn't buy Cubase, but if that's what you'll be buying it for you will be in for a major let down. Only one plugin was ever able to do exactly what you're looking for, and it was called Phrasemaster. The developer dissapeared and that was that. It was a huge loss for the electronic music community. The most fun I ever had noodling around with a demo, at least for the 5 minutes before it would crash. - Orbit-50

.-.

[Krovatin]

Orbit-50 is right. I hoped they change an arpeggiator in Cubase 5, but there is still old simple Arpache SX and Arpache 5. Although Arpache SX has an import midi phrase it is very far from your needs -
"able to play it like an arranger keyboard does". Have a look at Jammer Pro 6 - this is an arranger and you can use your own phrase. But Jammer has its own complications - make and edit your own phrase is very awkward. As well as Karma.

I have been looking for something like V-synth arpeggiator or Korg Triton arp for 2 years, now Catanya is nearest thing so far. Nevertheless Catanya will not play phrase because it is created to play chords notes, not scale notes.

[Krovatin]

I also forgot to mention - Catanya should play guitar chords, like strumming. It is possible I believe, but 7Aliens have to think how to make tiny delay between notes like in real guitar.

Look at old Sonar plug-in Rhythm and Chords Pro (MusicLab). It was good plug-in.

[7Aliens]

Hi to all,

you can find new tutorial video which explains how to create a bass line from the scratch here: