I happen to be listening to Mark Mosher’s Interview on ModulateThis! with Bert-Schiettecatte from Percussa Audio Cubes. I would provide some commentary, but I am still listening. …and so could you:
This has peaked my interest. I know we will be seeing a demo on these very soon from Mark. Great interview!
This CDM Article on Austin’s hardware hacking has some fun videos and info. There are more than one way to hack. Here’s a select video:
A little noisy, but there is always the saturators and resonators to fix things.
You can really see the gear lust in his eyes at one point in the interview. To really understand your equipment you need to think like the box. You are the MPC.
Thanks to this Synthopia article pointing out the Open Source project for creating iPad instruments. So much hope!
Just as I was starting to sell myself on the DNA program by Celemony DNAand Ean’s crew over at DJ Tech Tools released comprehensive video and information on the topic. Thanks so much, it was very helpful.
I missed some emails this weekend as POP email crashed for my provider (I aggregate). So if there was something crazy interesting/important/similar – resend! I will be going backwards through emails.
On other news – we are having fun! I will be releasing a review** of the NIIO Analog Iotine Core in the next week. We teamed up with Chase to get some instructional videos on the unit. We are currently editing.
We got some good tape from Darwin on Max, I am open to ideas on how to get them online. YouTube limits are 10 minutes. The 10+ minute videos are a special feature I just don’t see how to get! Vimeo? Hosting on my server will probably get me some heat (because the bots will trigger mass bandwidth, plus there is not sharing/embed).
I have been spending time with Final Cut and Celemony DNA. Nothing too impressive to talk about in Final Cut, just another software package. But DNA is SICK!
As for the summer – thoughts (feed back very welcome!). Our summers in Denver/Colorado/Boulder are some of the best anywhere in the world. I am looking to scale back the meet-ups after April (through the summer) so we can enjoy our evenings. Hell, even I want to ride around town with my wife on our cruisers. Instead of larger formal meet-ups I would like to invest in smaller gatherings all over and include our community in festivals (supporting) and do various levels of out-reach before shows and to similar groups.8
**On the topic of review – the term “review” is not totally correct. As there are a few companies looking to work with Ableton Colorado already, another round of “cleaning the air” is called for…
Our goal is to extend the use, functionality, and overall exposure of gear that is not on the radar (cough***Guitar Center***). There is a certain “departure” from journalistic integrity (if that is still a thing anymore). Our goal is to build community and knowledge in an academic manner with users (producers) and producers (of gear in this instance). The policy is simple:
If it is crap, send it back
Don, in the context of this “review” has a “filter” that is so freaking cool we need to help get the word out (I am using some bass sounds I generated in my standard set). So great.
The Stribe Duo and the Midiator via Curious Inventor
The Stribe Duo needs little explanation. I would sum it up with”pretty lights, crazy control, and great feed back”. If Neanderthal don’t cut it go to the site.
Kicking it up a notch – the Midiator converts video game energy into MIDI. Yeah, that is a PS2 controller. (think of it as Doom to MIDI conversion)
If anyone wants to help present and learn these great pieces form Creative Inventor send me an email at inf [at] abletondenver.com. I would love to hear from you!
How about some photos?o
The Arduinome
The Lemur
The Manta
The MIDI Fighter
The Livid DIY / Brain
The Monome
The Launch Pad
Darwin Grosse
Darwin Grosse is an artist, producer, media software developer, and the Director of Engineering for Cycling ’74. He is also a prolific writer, having authored more than 120 articles for Recording magazine, several product manuals, and countless product tutorials. Formerly the editor of CreativeSynth.com, he now focuses on bringing his Beginner Mind to music and media production. [credit]
Darren Kramer is an Edwards Trombone Performing Artist and Ableton Specialist and is in demand as a freelance trombonist, composer and educator throughout the United States. Kramer graduated from the University of Miami and moved to NYC where he toured with Matchbox Twenty, Tom Jones, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. He has also recorded with such artists as Michael Brecker, Eric Marienthal and Jerry Hey and his original composition “Not Far From Here” was a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Kramer is now the President/CEO of his own music company, DKO The Darren Kramer Organization, whose inspiring concerts, educational clinics, five exceptional recordings, and over fifty challenging arrangements (Available Now for small group AND big band!) have helped modernize the trombone and expand its role in contemporary music. The 2010 DKO CD release is entitled “Beyond The Boneyard” and features an inspiring one man band performance utilizing electric trombone, keyboards and computer loops. This cutting-edge project is also being presented by Kramer throughout the country as a music software PowerPoint Presentation “Creating Music Using Software and an Electric Trombone!”.
Well, they are not coming here in person, but they will be with us in spirit. Digital spirit that is…
“We’re a few mechanical and electrical engineers from GaTech trying to make it easier to make and sell inventions. We write how-to guides, sell cherry-picked parts and tools, and also manufacture kits…”
Jazz Mutant Lemur Darren Kramer presents Percussa Audio Cubes Mark Mosher Presents (Mark can not make it)
Novation Launchpad + Monome 128 David Henderson
Arduinome Mike /Circle Six (also providing the evenings sound track)
DJ Tech Tools MIDI Fighter + (beta) Livid DIY (by me)
Manta by Darwin Grosse
The development will take a while. I was having mad crashes on my Mac using the software editor from Livid. But this is a beta testing program.
I can hang.
This circuit board is very important because it is on the cutting edge of new technology. This new technology is not from Livid but from the brain of the user. If you have a problem to solve for control surface this is the unit to consider. I will be revisiting this circuit board again because Livid’s brain is great (so far).
I am using a Ceeco pay phone num-pad. Here is a link to the part and others that are similar. This num-pad was given to my by my wife from one of her thrift store binge runs. When I join her I often return with old video game controllers to mod. But she found this all by herself, thanks hun. When you hold the num-pad in your hand it feels tough. Think about the life of the typical NYC pay phone. Lots of abuse. This controller should be bullet proof! I left off last night triggering MIDI notes on release. I hope I can get the event to trigger on button press. I will drop some updates as I learn more.
Our next meet up is on controllerism, so consider this a primer. Mike (Circle Six) will be presenting an Ardionome (Arduino based Monome). This controller (type) is very similar technology to my freak-show control. Mike is looking more towards LED-square interaction while I am going for controllers for a specific purpose. My Ceeco controller is specifically engineered to control my beat repeat effect and nothing else. Stay tuned or join us!
Here is some foot controller awesomeness:
Here is Moldover and his new toy (note the ergonomics for hand placement – nice job!)
The development will take a while. I was having mad crashes on my Mac using the software editor from Livid. But this is a beta testing program.