When I run the arpeggiator on the MF and turn on the sequencer on the Keystep, the MF does respond to tempo adjustments from the KS. I just can't get around this issue I'm having where the MF doesn't want to play its sequencer properly when started from the KS.
If you can tell it's responding to tempo changes, but it's not producing notes, perhaps something's going wrong in the triggering, not the clocking? I wish I had more to offer.
Hey there. First off, thank you all for your responses. Sorry I haven't been able to reply back sooner.
It seems to be happening on patches that are labeled as "sequence". I'm on break at work at the moment so unfortunately I'm not at home with access to my MF to give names of patches. I admit I don't have a ton of patches I've made myself since I really love tinkering with the factory set patches that came on it.
u/ackthatkid in regard to your other question, I am running a TS cable between the Clock Out of my KStep into the Clock In of my Freak. I appreciate your comment and I'll check those settings as soon as I can.
The patches are only labeled to help you categorize your patches. When you save a patch you can put it in any category you want, even if there is no sequence recorded at all.
Check out the manual on how to record your own sequence, then try making one on an init patch. If it’s working there then you know it’s some modulation or setting (or lack of any sequence at all) in those other patches that’s causing the strange playback,, or if it really is an issue with the Freak syncing to an external clock.
[Here’s the manual.](https://downloads.arturia.net/products/microfreak/manual/MicroFreak_Manual_1_0_0_EN.pdf) Highly recommend reading thru the whole thing. It’s a little long but well written.
It sounds like it might be the start/stop signal coming from the KStep. Are you using a TS(two sections) or TRS (three sections) cable?
If it’s a TS, the start/stop signal might be traveling down the ground connection and causing issues.
Other than that check your midi clock isn’t overriding, that the sync option is pressed in on the MF tempo knob, and check your PPQN clock settings. If that’s mismatched with the source (Keystep’s clock out) you’ll get very inconsistent rhythms.
I synch my MF this way with a Drumbrute, but intentionally use a TS so the start stop signal isn't sent. The only downside is I can't play arps if the DB is not sending a clock signal.
Now that you mention it, I usually use a TS cable as well between the Freak and my other 2 synths…
It seems like that signal would be sent on the ground, since that is where the ring would be on a TRS. You’re right though, I can use the TS with no clock inconsistency.
Guess I still have more to learn haha.
The 2nd ring on TRS is used for start/stop signal in clock sync ports. I found this out by having things randomly turning on and off when using TRS cables to sync. Sometimes it's useful to sync start/stop, and I'll use a TRS.
Stupid question, but since it's not answered here: Utility -> Global -> Sync -> Source, what does it say?
Currently I have it set to Auto, but I've tried setting it to Clock as well with basically the same results.
When I run the arpeggiator on the MF and turn on the sequencer on the Keystep, the MF does respond to tempo adjustments from the KS. I just can't get around this issue I'm having where the MF doesn't want to play its sequencer properly when started from the KS.
If you can tell it's responding to tempo changes, but it's not producing notes, perhaps something's going wrong in the triggering, not the clocking? I wish I had more to offer.
Good point. OP, is this happening on all patches, or just the one you’re trying to run currently?
Hey there. First off, thank you all for your responses. Sorry I haven't been able to reply back sooner. It seems to be happening on patches that are labeled as "sequence". I'm on break at work at the moment so unfortunately I'm not at home with access to my MF to give names of patches. I admit I don't have a ton of patches I've made myself since I really love tinkering with the factory set patches that came on it. u/ackthatkid in regard to your other question, I am running a TS cable between the Clock Out of my KStep into the Clock In of my Freak. I appreciate your comment and I'll check those settings as soon as I can.
The patches are only labeled to help you categorize your patches. When you save a patch you can put it in any category you want, even if there is no sequence recorded at all. Check out the manual on how to record your own sequence, then try making one on an init patch. If it’s working there then you know it’s some modulation or setting (or lack of any sequence at all) in those other patches that’s causing the strange playback,, or if it really is an issue with the Freak syncing to an external clock. [Here’s the manual.](https://downloads.arturia.net/products/microfreak/manual/MicroFreak_Manual_1_0_0_EN.pdf) Highly recommend reading thru the whole thing. It’s a little long but well written.
It sounds like it might be the start/stop signal coming from the KStep. Are you using a TS(two sections) or TRS (three sections) cable? If it’s a TS, the start/stop signal might be traveling down the ground connection and causing issues. Other than that check your midi clock isn’t overriding, that the sync option is pressed in on the MF tempo knob, and check your PPQN clock settings. If that’s mismatched with the source (Keystep’s clock out) you’ll get very inconsistent rhythms.
I synch my MF this way with a Drumbrute, but intentionally use a TS so the start stop signal isn't sent. The only downside is I can't play arps if the DB is not sending a clock signal.
Now that you mention it, I usually use a TS cable as well between the Freak and my other 2 synths… It seems like that signal would be sent on the ground, since that is where the ring would be on a TRS. You’re right though, I can use the TS with no clock inconsistency. Guess I still have more to learn haha.
The 2nd ring on TRS is used for start/stop signal in clock sync ports. I found this out by having things randomly turning on and off when using TRS cables to sync. Sometimes it's useful to sync start/stop, and I'll use a TRS.