BlahBlahCafe - Jean-Michel Jarre forum

Hi all

I'm trying to understand the arpeggiator modes on the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer. The product leaflet stated Up and Random mode. Also the post inserted below describes the arpeggiator modes, saying that the random mode is a bug. The Jarrography web states that "First generator can play a "sequence" while a solo line is played with the second generator".

Looking at the few pictures I've found of the user interface I see no sign of arpeggiator mode anywhere and no sign of setting them separatly for each channel.

Anyone that can share some insights on this?

/ZooTooK

PS, Sorry for the poor reference to the inserted port .DS


Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:35 pm Re: Equinoxe 3 intro sequences


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VinceBlood wrote:
Does someone achieved to cover the Equinoxe 3 bell sequences ?

I understand the fx and sequence but I'm still trying to find the right sound behind.

There two looped sequences :

Left : RMI (sequencer) -> Flanger -> Small Stone (that made the sound strange and sequence random like)
Right : RMI (octave random mode sequencer) -> Flanger


Thnx Vince! Intresting

The RMI onboard sequencer is nothing more then a simple up-arpegiator. It's being started by pushing the sequencer tempo control. If you press no key then the sequencer is still 'off'. If you press one key that key is scanned and played back according to the tempo specified. If you press more keys they are all played back sequentially in accending order (low key first then the less lower etc..). One can use keyboard peg's (or matches or anything that will hold a key down) to make sequences with a bigger spread then your fingers allow.

As for the random sequence mode... it was actually a design flaw. You have to hold a key and then turn the RMI on. The final problem with my virtual RMI is this random sequencer mode... It's a pain in Reaktor...

Since the bell sequence contains pauses between and/or double (=same) notes it must be that he played them manually on the RMI (Left channel). It could be he recorded the loops on tape that way.

I still firmly believe it's the ARP + (Matri) Sequencer for both left and right channel... The bubbling sound R->L is most definately a nice example of S/H utilizing the 2600 (again ) through the phaser.

Do you have an example of what you made so far?

J.

ZooTooK wrote:Hi all

I'm trying to understand the arpeggiator modes on the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer. The product leaflet stated Up and Random mode. Also the post inserted below describes the arpeggiator modes, saying that the random mode is a bug. The Jarrography web states that "First generator can play a "sequence" while a solo line is played with the second generator".

Looking at the few pictures I've found of the user interface I see no sign of arpeggiator mode anywhere and no sign of setting them separatly for each channel.

Anyone that can share some insights on this?

The up-arpegiator ('sequencer') only works on both channels. Jarrography's info is outdated.

The random mode is, as I described earlier, a true bug. It was not designed intentionally. The 'bug' was lateron described as an extra 'feature' (like most bug's )

As for the location: look carefully in the middle:


Or a better picture from a past auction on ebay:


On the panel it's called 'sequencer' but in reality it's an up-arpegiator. The up-mode is the only (fixed) mode there is on the RMI. It's not switchable (up/down/etc..) like on newer synths. You have to push the potentiometer to turn the 'sequencer' mode ON. The potentiometer itselve regulates the 'sequencer' speed.

One of the definitions of a sequencer is: it's programmable. The RMI's 'sequencer' is not. It works the same as the arpegiator on, for instance, the polysix.

Hope this is what you where looking for.

J.

So may I ask why you didn't buy it?

The RMI would be a cool thing to own. Very odd looking and sounding beast!
I have got the demo LP that RMI released to promote this synth together with the Keyboard Computer. Nothing that sounds anywhere near as cool as the stuff Jarre did on Oxygene V. But it still has got a unique, metallic sound.

Thank's Johan for the info.

The UP arpeggios can be heard on Oxygene but I can't identify any random runs on Oxygen or Equinoxe, which got me thinking. Seems like a nice feature that should have been used...

I take it that you have (had) access to the real thing, as you know how to "enable" the random mode?

Man every time I look at that filter, it just looks so juicy!

Me also wants to have one yes!

GeeJee wrote:So may I ask why you didn't buy it?

It was sold before I found out it was auctioned... /me was in a bad humour for over a week!
Besides it went for almost 3500 EUR... lotsa cash...

ZooTooK wrote:The UP arpeggios can be heard on Oxygene but I can't identify any random runs on Oxygen or Equinoxe, which got me thinking. Seems like a nice feature that should have been used...

I take it that you have (had) access to the real thing, as you know how to "enable" the random mode?

I know a guy who owns one (one of the 4 known RMI's in Europe (that's including JMJ's)). I had a long talk with him about the RMI, got samples and pictures of his RMI (sorry can't share them I had to promise that and I keep my promisses). He explained exactly how to do it.

As for the random mode listen to the right channel of Oxygene 5.

The up-arpegio is made up of the keys you press on the keyboard. For example if you press C3 G3 Bb3 C4 you end up with the sequence you can hear below

Maybe you've seen my software RMI clone:

It sounds like this

I even have a page on it here.

J.

That's a nice sound!

Did JMJ sell his, or is it known that he still has it?

Synthesist wrote:Did JMJ sell his, or is it known that he still has it?

The best thing would be to ask Francis

Yeah I think we could ask him about many things... untill he gets tired by answering

I can confirm he still owns it.

GeeJee wrote:I can confirm he still owns it.

Yeah !
But does he use it ?

So all the rumours that he sold it are fake or just guessing. He has stored other goodies so why not this also.