Arpeggiators!

[opg]

It would be awesome to have a software or hardware device (cheap - I'm on a tight budget here) to send arpeggiated MIDI data to my Siel DK600. I use Fruity Loops, and I always felt its arpeggiator function was lame. You can only choose octaves and chords for arpeggios, not the better way of inserting any notes into the pattern piano roll and arpeggiate those. Either I'm really missing something in Fruity Loops which I've used for at least 5 years now, or I have to choose from two other options:

1. (the preferred method) Find a cheap synth (or even an old casio keyboard like an MT-100) with MIDI output that I can send to the Siel.

2. Figure out why the arpeggiator VST plugins I've tried don't work at all. For those that are unfamiliar with Fruity Loops, there is a MIDI Out instrument that I use to send MIDI to the Siel, and this instrument does not obviously allow you to assign it to an effects channel. You can only use the built-in delay and arpeggiator functions on the Fruity instrument interfaces.

Any ideas? So far, the only thing that might be in my price range (eBay auction depending) is a Korg DW-8000, and I am only assuming that I'll be able to send MIDI from FL to the Korg and then to the Siel (but it is not totally necessary that FL be involved in this step).

[Mohoyoho]

The Akai MPK49 keyboard controller has a built in arp with different patterns, swing and gate control, etc. I love mine. Otherwise any synth with arp out should work, like a used Micron.

[opg]

Yikes! Pricey! I keep an I out for the Korg DW 8000s, then.

Any advice on the setup of those damn VST arpeggiator plugins?

[deknow]

the microkorg arpeggiator is worth looking at. you can adjust the number of steps (up to 16), and have it skip steps....it really is fun to play with. if the siel can deal with velocity...well, each key you put down on the arp plays with it's own velocity. can easily find one for $300 used.

deknow

[opg]

But I am correct in assuming that sending MIDI out in Fruity Loops on a channel of my choice to the synth with the arpeggiator set the way I want it and then MIDI out to the Siel will actually work?

[CJ Miller]

I "use" an Oberheim Cyclone, though it is *anything* but user-friendly. I go a year without it and completely forget how it works and need to spend a few days learning it all over again. Great fun to experiment with.

[yosies]

There are some kinds of MIDI Arpeggiator.
http://synarp.suppa.jp/7365/

[andrewF]

roland SH-32
around $150used
lots of functions, vicious (REALLY nasty) filter and great arpeg