From around the web and Colorado for the week ending 31Aug2009:
Word of the week : SNLEP (Snow Leopard). I already dropped a few posts here and here on the topic. A few more for the mix:
- http://www.ableton.com/pages/faq/osx_106 – This is form the main Ableton site
- Presonus not doing so well http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/08/26/presonus-hardware-first-show-stopper-mac-os-10-6-problem/
Free Stuff:
- TITAN synth – get a free copy (source Gear Junkies) and the direct link http://www.bestservice.de/actual.asp/en/790340a212p83p90p161
- Extend Live has a free collection of delay effects. Take a look http://www.extendlive.com/?p=19
Gear Watch:
- Wacom is entering the market with nextbeat (slow page load) – an “instrument for creative DJs” source Gear Junkies
- Open source sequencer based on Arduino (and other) chips – I ran the page through a translator, here are the bullets (more on Arduino below):
1.Hardware Step Sequencer
2.8 marks a 8 patterns each with 16 steps
3.Each track can have its own MIDI channel (input, output)
4.Internal resolution of 24 pulses per 1 / 4 note (PPQN)
5.Inclusion of external MIDI devices
6.External and internal synchronization (play, stop, resume, clock)
7.Modifying the sequence during playback
Open-source software concept
Programming by Arduino IDE
Based on Atmel ATmega1280
USB interface for communication with the PC / MAC
MIDI interface (MIDI input, MIDI output)
Silicon 28 buttons, 2 rotary encoders with confirmation and an LCD display
- Apparently this bag is APC40 friendly – how do you transport your APC?
- Okay – this is just plain cool! Do you know Otto? Hardware for real time slice sample control – take a look…
Mark Mosher from Modulate This found a great video on how Depeche Mode is using Ableton to real time process the drum needs. Forget about the performance and DJ types of things you can do for a minute. This is enabling more “studio trickery” to enter the realm of live music.
I found the YouTube channel for Dave Smith – if you are a synth person (like me) check it out. http://www.youtube.com/user/DaveSmithInstruments.
Have you seen the “Squarepushin on the APC” video? This is fun:
New friends? I hope so – I was selling a blade server this past week and the buyer turned me onto a company in Boulder named Spark Fun. In short – they are a technology company and offer free (online) and pay-for classes (in person) classes on a lot of circuit technologies. Do you need to get your soldering chops up? Are you about to enter the Arduino chip programming area (like me)? This looks like a great local resource!
What is Arduino? Via Wikipedia:
Arduino is a physical computing platform based on a simple open hardware design for a single-board micro-controller, with embedded I/O support and a standard programming language.
Why should you care?
Well, here is a simple starter project from Spark Fun for a MIDI controller. This unit allows you to control MIDI how ever you want. I am not sure if this guy (next video) is using such a controller, but this is essentially the building block. (beware, this will freak you out a little):
Until next time – spread the coolness and thank you.
