Today I'm showing you the setup for the coming season :)

Hello everyone :D

I hope you have a nice and relaxing Easter :D

Until now, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to play a concert with the Solar in May. But the more I look into it, the more confident I become with the device and I've decided to base my setup for 2025 on it.

If you take a look at my calendar you will see a pretty full program! I have ambient events, art performances and guest appearances in other cities. I will be playing pure ambient sessions, but at the same time I will be on the road with a 2nd liveset thats more danceable. I'll be playing locally, but will also be on the road a lot.

All of this has to be represented somehow in a flexible setup that also reflects a performative approach and I've decided on a solution that I can easily adapt depending on the location and genre.

1) The "Full" Setup

With this setup I will play my events on location, regardless of genre. The most important instrument is of course the Solar 42F. It is supplied with sequences and rhythm by my new Korg SQ-1. The SQ-1 either plays standalone or acts as an interface to Ableton Live - this allows me to use much more complex melodies than the Korg internal sequencer could. The Solar's 5-step sequencer also runs in sync with the setup's clock using a MIDI / CV splitter cable - so I can also use this sequencer to modulate filters, for example.

The output of the Solar is wired to the input of the Analog Rytm MKII from Elektron. The AR is kept in time with the system via Overbridge / USB from Ableton Live (and passes the clock signal to the Solar as described above). I gonna use the AR for playing beats or sounds, depending on the gig. Its internal compressor is ideal for spicing up dance beats.

The Analog Rytm output in turn is connected to the input of the Soma Cosmos. This allows me to weave both the samples from the AR and the sounds from the Solar into wonderful background scapes. Ideal for ambient gigs.

The output of the Cosmos is ultimately fed into an audio interface so I can capture it in Albleton or feed it into live streams.

I also use Ableton Live. It has several functions: On the one hand, I use it to control the speed of the entire live set and the connected sequencers. At the same time, MIDI notes are sent to the Korg SQ-1 in some tracks. If I start its internal sequencer, the Korg ignores the incoming MIDI data, so I can use both use cases without changing anything in the configuration.

As a third task, Ableton controls my lightshow with absolute ease. A software program called “Lightkey” runs in the background. It has a direct connection to Live with so-called “Live Triggers” - this means that I can link every scene in my Live set directly to scenes in the lightshow and don't have to worry about it while I'm performing. It's super easy and clever.

Last but not least, I use a small controller from Novation to control the scenes.

Of course, this is a lot of gear :) I can't take the entire system with me when I'm traveling and some parts are not needed. I then differentiate between 2 smaller variants.

2) The "medium" setup

Consists of the complete setup, but without the lightshow components. I'll use this when I'm traveling on the train and don't have to pay so much attention to weights.

But if that's the case, I'll use the minimum equipment:

3) The "minimal" setup

Depending on what I'm playing, this setup will consist exclusively of the Solar 42F and the Korg SQ-1. Depending on the show, I can either add the Analog Rytm OR the Cosmos, optional my Mac that I take with me in any case (plus the Launcpad).

I can also imagine to play Solar only. That should just about fit in the carry-on luggage :D (even though the Solar and the Elektron alone are around 10 KG).

But I still remain flexible.

Side note: I'm slowly but surely understanding the Solar's modular options and I'm really looking forward to using them live :D

Cheers guys, thought it would be interesting for you.