There is nothing more distressing than hearing the phrase 'I used to have Kyma but I sold it because I could not get what I wanted out of it' Admittedly I have only ever heard this once or twice. (too many what-ever the number)

Here is some thoughts and advice based on my own experience and journey with Kyma.

Kyma is so open-ended and expansive: for some, especially in the initial learning stages it can become lonely, frustrating and unproductive. I found that at some points the amount of time I was investigating and experimenting was taking too much time from my music making and my output levels had dropped.

My plan is fairly straightforward. It assumes you bought your Kyma system to expand and compliment your existing music production set-up.

1) Get as far as you can with the Kyma-X-Revealed.

2) Do not worry about anything to do with Section 3

3) Begin translating concepts and techniques that you already know and love into Kyma Sounds. If you have no experience of FFT and re-synthesis save these topics until you understand the architecture. I suggest start with processing audio though, from mic or DAW track, building emulations of plugs that you regularly use and understand, "Auto-Filter" in Logic was one of my first. Then move on to building Keyboard based sample, synthesis and TAU based sounds.

4) Begin weaving these elements into your productions one little bit at a time. Use the Kyma as an Insert Plug in logic using the I/O utility plug to connect your Kyma to a spare set of DAW ins and outs (See tutorial section), or simply send notes and input on and audio track to record.

5) When these methods start to restrict your work flow, (Tempo and Song Phase, running out of midi controllers etc) Start learning to deploy the Timeline, syncing it to your DAW can be tricky (getting the right configuration) but rewarding once achieved, you can always use it independently set the same tempo and bounce it's output. When using Midi Triggered elements in conjunction with MTC Sync, I find it best to export a midi file from my DAW and insert it into the MidiVoice?, switch off timecode and do the final bounce. It will be perfect.

6) Now it is time to completely re-define & re-invent your whole music production paradigm by starting your processes in the timeline and starting to peel the layers of FFT, scripting and helping out other noobs on the forum.

And thus the Circle is complete.

The horrible reality is that the only thing holding us back is our knowledge of music & maths.

You can take comfort in the fact that it is only really Carla and Kurt that truly know what on earth is going on in there.

If you need help, just shout on the forum, no need to apologise.......

-- CharlieNorton - 23 Dec 2010

My summary advice would be: stay focused, don't worry about what you don't know, and ask questions. (Keph From Forum, needs sig)