# Spiral Lanterns - 20-Minute Warm-Up Sketch

**Tempo:** 123 BPM | **Key:** B harmonic minor | **Mood:** Quirky, spiraling, exuberant

Open the **Ian Sketch** default Set first (one-time build: `WARM_UP_SKETCH_SET.md` in
the site root). This sheet is the fast lane: one loop, one sound, play the knobs, save.
Use `QUICK_START.md` later when you decide to finish the idea.

## Rules while the timer runs

- No mixing, EQ or sample hunting for more than 2 minutes.
- Pick the first sound that makes you feel something, then stop browsing.
- Aim for three sketches per session; finish one of them another day.
- Reference tracks are for vibe only, not loudness.

## The 20 minutes

| Time | Step | Exact moves in Live 12 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0-2 min | Load the loop | `Cmd+N` opens the Ian Sketch Set. Type **123** in the Control Bar tempo field. Drag `Core_Groove.mid` below the last track at bar 1. It is already the eight-bar Theme B / Peak groove, so select bars 1-8, press `Cmd+L` and play. Live splits the file into one track per part: drag the Motif, Chord Stabs and Bass Reply clips onto the Sketch Set's Motif, Chords and Bass tracks (they hold your synths) and delete imported tracks you don't need. |
| 2-7 min | Lock the key, pick one sound | In Scaler 3 on the SCALER track, drop `MIDI_Stems/Chord_Stabs.mid` onto its detect area or set the scale to **B Harmonic Minor**. Then load **one** preset on the Motif track (see Ian's rig below) and stop browsing. |
| 7-12 min | Capture a jam | Arm Motif and Chords. While the loop plays, ride LCXL top-row knobs 1 (Tone), 2 (Decay) and 6 (Echo). When a pass feels right, press **Capture MIDI** (next to Arrangement Record, or `Cmd+Shift+C`). |
| 12-17 min | Own the low end and groove | Load your own bass on the Bass track, keep Sub Bass mono, and swap Low Conga for one percussion loop of your own. Stop at 8-16 bars. |
| 17-20 min | Save the idea | `Cmd+Shift+S` and name it **`YYMMDD_spiral-lanterns_Bhm_123`** (replace YYMMDD with today's date). Do not arrange it today unless it is pulling you. |

## Ian's rig (optional starter sounds)

These replace the stock Drift recipes only during the warm-up. They name presets from
your own Diva, Serum 2 and PML libraries; nothing here is bundled with the kit.

| Track | Synth | First preset to try |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sub Bass | Diva | BA - Super Deep |
| Bass Reply | Diva | BA - Monsters in Detroit |
| Chord Stabs | Diva | CH - Techno Stab 1 |
| Motif | Serum 2 | TALES PL - Techno Pluck |
| Counterline | Diva | PL - Feelings |
| Arp | Diva | AR - Warmpeggio |
| Air Cue | Serum 2 | TALES PD - Antartica |

## LCXL quick map for this kit

The Ian Sketch Set carries the mapping; the kit part you moved onto each track is shown in brackets.

| LCXL control | Target |
| --- | --- |
| Top knobs 1-8 | Motif `VOICE` rack macros: Tone, Decay, Release, Width, Short Space, Echo, Feedback, Output |
| Middle knobs 1-8 | Send B (Dark Space) on the track under each fader |
| Bottom knobs 1-8 | Send C (Filtered Delay) on the track under each fader |
| Faders 1-8 | Kick, Sub Bass, Bass (Bass Reply), Chords (Chord Stabs), Motif (Motif), Arp, Atmos (Air Cue), Reference |
| Track Focus buttons | Track activators (mute) for the same eight tracks |