Kepler is a 16-step rhythmic performance sequencer.
It is designed to create musical phrases quickly and intuitively.
The visual interface sports a logical and very hands-on approach to sequencing.
How it works.
Kepler is divided into three sections.
The first section on top is contained within the box, which is The Control Section.
Here is where you will find the main controls that will affect the overall behavior of Kepler Pro.
Next, see the 16 circles representing the 16 Steps of your sequence or musical phrase.
This is where you will adjust the notes and velocities for each step.
Below that is The Timeline Section.
Each one of the smaller bars below the circles is color coded, and they allow you to change the position of each note relative to the entire musical phrase.
These bars are the key to creating more interesting polyrhythmic riffs.
The long red bar below represents the length of the entire sequence This bar can be adjusted to any custom size.
Now let’s go through the steps to create your new sequence using Kepler 16.
First, make sure that you open a midi track within Ableton. Then you want to drag Kepler to that track. Next, you will want to find yourself a synthesizer with a sound that you find inspirational to start.
Once you press play, Kepler will make that synthesizer come to life with a default sequence of 8th notes to get started.
Feel free to adjust the notes to your liking. You can limit the scale by selecting from the Scale drop-down menu.
Try playing a note with your controller. You will notice that Kepler will transpose the entire phrase using your note input as the root.
You can change the root by activating the key learn button. It should be on by default.
Once you have selected the right key, deactivate that and go ahead and listen to your sequence being transposed but still maintaining your chosen root key.
You can change the Octave using the Octave knob.
You can adjust the overall velocity. This is especially musical if you are playing a synth patch that responds to midi velocity as this one does.
That becomes even more interesting when you adjust the velocity on individual notes or steps in your sequence.
You can use the learn buttons on a per-note basis of more exact note input control.
Try adjusting the rate to change the overall feel of the Musical phrase
You can also adjust the overall swing, sustain, and velocity!
And finally.. when your sequence is just not right, and you wanna start over again.
You can press the reset button, and Kepler 16 will return to its original state, ready to start again!
One more thing…. you can import midi files with a maximum of 16 notes! So you can go through your library of Midi files and find a new use for them!
Kepler 16 is a free download from Audio Outlaw and Isotonik Studios.
Thanks for watching
Imagine a 16-step sequencer that integrates seamlessly with your Ableton Push!
Kepler Pro features an intuitive hands-on experience that provides the ultimate hardware and software integration!
If you are an Ableton Push user, then you will love Kepler Pro!
But, we promise you will not have to read a long manual to click/drag through a bunch of menus to understand how to make music with Kepler.
Just place it on a midi track and set its track output to the synth you want to send notes to. If you are using a softsynth, then Kepler will already be routed.
Kepler 16 Pro features two main modes.
- Arp is Kepler’s default mode. Kepler is a midi effect like Ableton’s built-in Arpeggiator in this mode. You can select the root note and your song key and watch your synths come to life. However, with Keplers, you can also take advantage of greater control. Try playing a chord into Arp mode and then switching to Seq mode (-;
- SeQ is Kepler’s beast mode! This is where you can use each colorful knob to tweak your notes, velocity, and repetition.
- It’s easy, the colorful knob is your velocity. The Center value is the note. The value on the bottom of the knobs represents the repetition for each step (up to 16 per step)
