SquaredHeads Nora: Arpeggiator (2.5 Released!)

[kurodo]

Kurodo,

Great job! I was pretty worried about this, since Live has tons of users. Would you say that is a must now that Nora supports its own MIDI Outs? or plugin hosting?

Good question.
I can't speak for other Ableton Live users but personally I am not sure how I feel about the pattern editor.?
I have very mixed feelings about it. I am so used to working directly within Ableton and its native tools that sometimes it feels like the pattern editor is like another mini version of Ableton within Ableton.

That part of Nora relies completely on multi midi out and although IL's minihost mod does the job it still feels like a host within a host and I am not really sure how other users feel about it and how confident they would be using IL's mod along with channel filter.?

I suppose it depends where you take Nora, if you further develop the pattern editor side of things it would probably be better to implement something more direct.
If on the other-hand you slowly move away from the pattern editor and concentrate on all the other things Nora has to offer then I wouldn't worry about it too much but as I said I can't speak for others.

Really Nora and NoraHarm are extremely powerful tools in their own right for coming up with creative ideas so from my perspective the pattern editor is a bit of a luxury, the playlist on the other hand is very useful since an Arp can be chained from a series of patterns, I must admit I like that but I am ok with the playlist just working off 1 Arp and using multiple instances of Nora where its easy to get the same job done.

It may be worth canvassing existing customers to see if they are using the pattern editor, perhaps a poll?
You may be surprised and find most users don't use it in which case it may help you form a decision?

You've obviously put a lot of hard work into the pattern editor and any suggestion of dropping it may be a step too far from your point of view?
I got to be honest with you (sorry) personally I would drop it and focus on all things else but hey its easy for me to say.

I hope other users of Nora get back in this thread and voice their opinion about it all.

[fab_thefab]

How do you set up Nora and Nora-Harm with Cubase 8? Cubase is not covered at all in the manual. Thanks.

Since there is no demo I cannot test myself. As far as I know some users are using Nora in Cubase. It should be something like this:

1. Add Nora in a MIDI track
2. Add another instrument in another track.
3. In the instrument track, select Nora as MIDI input source
4. Turn on the monitorization in the instrument track.

Unless Cubase 8 is able to manage VST's MIDI Out like Reaper you will need a separate track for each instrument.

In fact, i just bought it and it does NOT need a midi track but rather another instrument track.

In cubase, respect that order

Track 1 : any plugin you want that actually makes a sound
Track 2 : Nora

Don't touch Nora yet

select track 1

press REC and record some chords

Press Stop

Still on track 1, in the Inspector palette, select Nora as Input Routing instead of All midi Inputs... i don't know why but it does NOT work with "all midi inputs" selected

Move the chords you've recorded from track 1 to track 2

Press play again

Play with Nora

[Musical Gym]

I'm just learning Nora and prefer that the pattern editor not be removed if possible.

I'm not an Ableton user. My opinion could change after learning Nora a little better.

Does the pattern editor get in the way for Ableton use, or is it merely redundant?

[squaredheads]

[Good question.
I can't speak for other Ableton Live users but personally I am not sure how I feel about the pattern editor.?
I have very mixed feelings about it. I am so used to working directly within Ableton and its native tools that sometimes it feels like the pattern editor is like another mini version of Ableton within Ableton.

[...]

Really Nora and NoraHarm are extremely powerful tools in their own right for coming up with creative ideas so from my perspective the pattern editor is a bit of a luxury, the playlist on the other hand is very useful since an Arp can be chained from a series of patterns, I must admit I like that but I am ok with the playlist just working off 1 Arp and using multiple instances of Nora where its easy to get the same job done.

That's is because you own Live. Image Reaper users complains about removing the Playlist because they have a great arrangement view

The idea is, you can use one of the way to arrange your patterns. Pattern Editor could seem a bit trickier because you have to assign MIDI, but once I create the tutorial it will be much easier. I personally use Pattern Editor over Playlist, because I can link a FL Studio/Live/Reaper pattern/clip to a Nora pattern (or combination of them), so each time I switch the pattern/clip in the host, Nora will do automatically it too. Using the Playlist you have to arrange twice your song, but using the Pattern Editor you only have to do it once.

Both methods have their pros/cons, and both will be keeped forever, and, in future update they will be more related between them. They are "finished" except by some details, like track naming on the Pattern Editor. They request very small develop time. Just enjoy your favorite

You've obviously put a lot of hard work into the pattern editor and any suggestion of dropping it may be a step too far from your point of view?
I got to be honest with you (sorry) personally I would drop it and focus on all things else but hey its easy for me to say.

A complete July and August to be exact I like honest opinions, it's what we want!

[squaredheads]

In fact, i just bought it and it does NOT need a midi track but rather another instrument track.

In cubase, respect that order

Track 1 : any plugin you want that actually makes a sound
Track 2 : Nora

Don't touch Nora yet

select track 1

press REC and record some chords

Press Stop

Still on track 1, in the Inspector palette, select Nora as Input Routing instead of All midi Inputs... i don't know why but it does NOT work with "all midi inputs" selected

Move the chords you've recorded from track 1 to track 2

Press play again

Play with Nora

THank you for your explanation. I will use it as a tutorial. Could you please tell me which Cubase version are you using?

[squaredheads]

I'm just learning Nora and prefer that the pattern editor not be removed if possible.

I'm not an Ableton user. My opinion could change after learning Nora a little better.

Does the pattern editor get in the way for Ableton use, or is it merely redundant?

One of the pattern editor wonders is that it can be linked to Ableton patterns. So if you switch an ableton pattern, Nora will do too, then I would say they're not redundant, but complementary. Pattern Editor and Playlist will be keeped forever.

[Musical Gym]

thanks Juan and all

[kurodo]

That's is because you own Live. Image Reaper users complains about removing the Playlist because they have a great arrangement view

True
Reaper actually looks really powerful and I noticed it also has a great community that shares some very powerful scripts and such.
I may try the demo again, the last time I tried it just felt a bit overwhelming after spending so much time in Ableton.

The idea is, you can use one of the way to arrange your patterns. Pattern Editor could seem a bit trickier because you have to assign MIDI, but once I create the tutorial it will be much easier. I personally use Pattern Editor over Playlist, because I can link a FL Studio/Live/Reaper pattern/clip to a Nora pattern (or combination of them), so each time I switch the pattern/clip in the host, Nora will do automatically it too. Using the Playlist you have to arrange twice your song, but using the Pattern Editor you only have to do it once.

Yeah I can see the advantage of working that way.
Look forward to the tutorial or even a demonstration just to show it all action.

Both methods have their pros/cons, and both will be keeped forever, and, in future update they will be more related between them. They are "finished" except by some details, like track naming on the Pattern Editor. They request very small develop time. Just enjoy your favorite

Indeed, there are many really good workflows inside Nora and NoraHarm.
I am only just scratching the surface of its potential.

Out of curiosity how did you come up with the name Nora?

[squaredheads]

We did a public tender in Hispasonic:

http://www.hispasonic.com/blogs/buscamo ... ncia/37257

Then we choose Nora, we loved that name

[Spitfire31]

Interestingly, Nora is the name of the protagonist in Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's famous drama from 1879, 'Et Dukkehjem' (A Doll's House).

Nora is living in an traditional, oppressive marriage, being treated like an irresponsible child. She finally decides, against the social conventions of the times, to leave her husband – and her children – to seek freedom.

So, the name 'Nora' is a symbol of going against prejudice, cutting loose from from stifling traditions. Rather fitting for an innovative musical tool, don't you think?

/Joachim

[Musical Gym]

If you decide to create Nora's little brother, you could call him Aron...Nora backwards...or not

It is an alternate spelling of Aaron, prominent biblical figure in the Old Testament. The name means "mountaineer", or "mount of strength", also name of Pokemon character.

[Spitfire31]

/Joachim

[clickglue]

Hi Juan,

I love NORA. I use OSX Ableton and NORA allows me to write chord progressions in track one (or an instance of NORAHarm or Cthulhu Chords), and then have separate instances of NORA listening to track one and play their own, instrument specific pattern to a linked instrument. So all instruments follow the same progression, but their own pattern with is super mega great. I prefer NORA over the (also very good) Cthulhu ARP, because NORA is more flexible, standard piano roll type interface and polyphonic.
And I love the presets, which are a great source of inspiration.

Two questions:
I have a Mac Magic Mouse, but that causes issues with the auto zoom etc. in the pattern editor. I switched back to an old USB mouse and that works fine. It might put of other users, so thats why I mention it.
Two: could you foresee some kind of 'pattern exchange' or place where we can post and download additional patterns? Or maybe something like Microtonics 'Pattenarium'!

My penny's thought on further development: keep pattern and playlist options because people want the ability to chain patterns. I would however focus on a One NORA instance-One Instrument logic. There is no issue whatsoever to use multiple instances, and there is IMHO no advantage in having one instance playing several tracks. That is what DAW's are for. Just my view.

Keep up the excellent work, your work has already given me hours and hours of music making fun!

[clickglue]

Hi Juan,

I love NORA. I use OSX Ableton and NORA allows me to write chord progressions in track one (or an instance of NORAHarm or Cthulhu Chords), and then have separate instances of NORA listening to track one and play their own, instrument specific pattern to a linked instrument. So all instruments follow the same progression, but their own pattern with is super mega great. I prefer NORA over the (also very good) Cthulhu ARP, because NORA is more flexible, standard piano roll type interface and polyphonic.
And I love the presets, which are a great source of inspiration.

Two questions:
I have a Mac Magic Mouse, but that causes issues with the auto zoom etc. in the pattern editor. I switched back to an old USB mouse and that works fine. It might put of other users, so thats why I mention it.
Two: could you foresee some kind of 'pattern exchange' or place where we can post and download additional patterns? Or maybe something like Microtonics 'Pattenarium'!

My penny's thought on further development: keep pattern and playlist options because people want the ability to chain patterns. I would however focus on a One NORA instance-One Instrument logic. There is no issue whatsoever to use multiple instances, and there is IMHO no advantage in having one instance playing several tracks. That is what DAW's are for. Just my view.

Keep up the excellent work, your work has already given me hours and hours of music making fun!

[Spitfire31]

I have a Mac Magic Mouse, but that causes issues with the auto zoom etc. in the pattern editor. I switched back to an old USB mouse and that works fine. It might put of other users, so thats why I mention it.

Incidentally, the Apple Magic Mouse may look like a really slick piece of minimalist design, but in reality, it's an ergonomic abomination that only belongs in a recycling basket.

My No. 1 gripe with MM: in order for the mouse to recognise a right-click, you first have to raise your index finger from the left part of the mouse, causing muscle strain that will quickly cause you mouse induced pain in your shoulder and neck.

I did what I said above: threw it in the garbage, disgusted.

I agree about everything you said about Nora!

Kind regards,

Joachim