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# Prelude
- URL: https://gerenm.mymagic.page/prelude/
- Published: 2021-11-10T00:50:28.000Z
- Updated: 2021-11-10T00:50:28.000Z
- Author: Geren Mortensen
- Tags: Music, microfreak, Prelude, Studio One, #Migrated-1790799853699, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-30 16:24

Download [Prelude\_to\_ArpaPing.mp3](https://gerenm.net/wp-content/uploads/Prelude%5Fto%5FArpaPing.mp3?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)

[![](https://gerenm.net/wp-content/uploads/PXL_20211109_233954501.jpg)](https://gerenm.net/wp-content/uploads/PXL%5F20211109%5F233954501-scaled.jpg?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)

Arturia MicroFreak and KeyStep 37 MIDI controller

For the first time in, well, a *lot* of years, I've about finished a new piece of music. I'll say that again. I've almost finished a new piece of music. To say that I'm excited by that would be an understatement.

For those who have been following along, I was working on a new song using the OP-Z. This piece was not done on the OP-Z. In fact, the OP-Z doesn't figure into this piece at all. So, what happened to that? The short answer is that I got distracted by the new firmware for the [MicroFreak](https://www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/microfreak/overview?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page) that [I mentioned the other day](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/arturia-gives-more-freakiness/). I started mucking about with a sample I'd got from an old Fairlight, and I'd made a noise with it, and that sparked an idea.

And so, I hooked up the MicroFreak to the computer and hooked up the [Key](https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keystep-37/overview?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)[S](https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keystep-37/overview?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)[tep 37](https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keystep-37/overview?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page) to the computer and loaded up [Studio One](https://www.presonus.com/products/Studio-One?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page) and proceeded to have a little bit of a cursefest getting everything to talk. Which it eventually did. And, I laid down a few little bits and at the same time, I recorded the MIDI in as well. And then I started wrapping some other stuff around the MicroFreak bit.

I'd originally thought that I might want to try to do all the tracks with sounds from the MicroFreak, but I was also keen to try out some new samples I'd downloaded for [Decent Sampler](https://www.decentsamples.com/product/decent-sampler-plugin/?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page) (a *really nice, free* software sample player by [David Hilowitz](http://davidhilowitz.com/?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)) and I wanted to play with those -- particularly his samples from his electric toothbrush ([you can watch the video about that here](https://youtu.be/PkrpdWLW5KA?ref=gerenm.mymagic.page)). In the long run, that didn't make it into the song, either. Instead, I used his Box Violin, Slinky Violin, and Dave Choir. And a couple of other things. And a load of effects.

Anyway, here's the "might be nearly done" version of the song. Enjoy. Oh, it's best listened to with good headphones or on a nice stereo. Little laptop speakers won't cut it.

Prelude - a work in progress

So, while I'd hoped that I'd be making my music more without the computer, I'm finding that I really do like working in the box. I'm thinking now that the OP-Z is going to be more of a "musical sketchpad" than a full on composing machine -- at least at the moment. Of course, as with all things here, that's subject to change. Oh look, a squirrel. Maybe, I'll have a cookie.