Thanks to Julian on Max:
http://julienbayle.net/2010/09/02/max-5-1-5-released/
And if you visit http://www.ableton.com/thebridge you can join the beta testing http://www.serato.com/login?redirect=/forum/area/292/joinbeta
Send me feedback!
I will be at Electric Avenue Denver this weekend in Cervantes Other Side with the Petting Zoo.
ILL.GATES is coming back – watch for invites and details after all the Burners return.
Here’s the primer :
Open up any modern (hardware) keyboard and start Google-ing the bigger parts on the circuit board to begin understanding that not only are these (awesome) units built on 10-20 year old technology but the iPhone is considerably more powerful.
With that said we introduce products such as the Akai Synth Station
or the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer that I have posted several times on the MIDI Mobilizer, most currently here.
So what’s the problem now, right?
I just read a follow up article on CDM regarding this topic. This article ultimately falls in line with all the NDA protection and conjecture on the Apple policies. Here’s a few quotes from CDM:
Here is a few lines from the referenced CDM article (this will cause brain pain):
The old agreement
3.3.24 Your Application may interface, communicate, or otherwise interoperate with or control an iPhone Accessory (as defined above) through Bluetooth or Apple’s 30-pin dock connector only if You have obtained a license for such iPhone Accessory under Apple’s MFi Program.
The new agreement
3.3.25 Your Application may interface, communicate, or otherwise interoperate with or control an iPhone Accessory (as defined above) through Bluetooth or Apple’s 30-pin dock connector only if (i) such iPhone Accessory is licensed under Apple’s MFi Program at the time that You initially submit Your Application, (ii) the MFi Licensee has added Your Application to a list of those approved for interoperability with their iPhone Accessory, and (iii) the MFi Licensee has received approval from the Apple MFi Program for such addition.
{via CDM} Apple is now allowing third-party apps to support those hardware accessories – provided Apple approves both the accessory itself, and via the accessory’s maker, the app.
I don’t want to discuss the inner workings of this statement, but it is clear that we there is some nasty stuff going on.
Let’s bring it around to the end users (you and me).
The iPhone (OS) and similar devices has the potential to revolutionize the synth, controller, and hardware industry 3 years ago. Unfortunately it looks like another 3 years is going to pass before anything real happens.
Apple is not going to relinquish control for us greedy electronic musicians who are often much smarter than the other iPhone users and have a high density of hackers and programmers in the audience. Roland and Korg are safe (for now) but the end may be near. As soon as there is an established protocol and standardization for input/output on these devices the guitar pedal market is going to shrink considerably. The number of effects on outboard pedals that can not be “virtualized” is pretty small. Boss, as a pedal manufacturer, should be worried, very worried.
When some required changes finally take place here is my prediction:
I really don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is clear – the technology is moving faster than academic, corporate, and traditional media can keep up with.
It is up to us, the (Ableton and electronic music) users, to make am impact and speak honestly and truthfully in all realms to keep music alive.
If we fail, the traditional stability of pedals, keyboards, and instruments in general will be suffocated by an influx of cheap China knockoffs, crappy apps, and bug laden software that crushes so many systems everyday already.
Well, 2 things I bumped into today from CDM (thx guys). First is a release form Serato regarding the bridge. Some critical information is out!
Just hit this link: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/08/18/the-bridge-for-serato-and-ableton-public-beta-manual-available and you begin your travels through the manual and other fun elements.
Next up is (my hero) DJ Shiftee talking about practice. Pay attention!
That is all!
First on any agenda, we have a meet up happening. July 14, 2010 FREE – Lucid Gallery. Serato will be the topic – get ready for the Bridge!
If you figure out how to do that drum rack thing please contact me!
Some rapid tutorial on exporting VSTs outward in Ableton. Another interesting option is Sound Flower – I am still mastering this app in trying to get a “Virtual Audio Cable” instance going. I am close. For now I re-sample using some straight forward routing (for any laptopist) out my SPDIF digital outs back in, yes I have physical cable connecting the two. This is the only reliable fast and easy method to permanently borrow sounds from the web or similar.
I know there are other solutions, but many of them require a total rewrite of audio settings, and this is sometimes an undesirable inconvenience. Debatable none the less.
Numark clones Vestax? I can’t say, I am not watching this closely. From Gear Junkies or more to the point do we give Ean more credit for opening up these ideas? Or more to more to the point will there be little “single” deck versions for goof balls like me who seek scratch.
Text message style sums this up completly: SPL Blog FTW nuff said.
You did get your free download form Ableton for some new live Packs right? (direct link to *.zip) Info Page.
An answer to the drama that is “This is WTF was Hawtin using?”. Gear Junkies starts the journey. Okay, here’s the rest at http://griid.net/ and the same video as before with some text applied on YouTube with Hawtin.
Livid Instruments is talking about aluminium Block and OHM64. Hmm…
Pioneer’s DJ side announced a collaboration with Serato to ensure compatibility of the latest CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 professional series digital media players with the Scratch Live software. I would call this a golden hint as to things on the way? (**cough bridge)**
How about a time line? “The free Scratch Live Version 2.1 software update compatible with the updated CDJ-2000/900 is scheduled to be released in the third quarter (Q3) of 2010 from Serato Audio Research.” source
A must read for Glitch Mob/Hop / controllerism on EMusician
Livid is 100% stepping up to the plate seeing Max4Live.info drop native Ableton control on to the OHM64. Now for the same treatment for the block. Now we get a SERIOUS UPGRADE for the APC / Launchpad series.
In short, you need to go here, spend your $25, and improve your output. http://www.nativekontrol.com/apC_Series.html. This is some serious controller action going on. The market is growing both in physical possibilities and thorough software advancements. Fantastic.
Closing out – Darren Kramer (Handler of the Lemur and clinician) is dropping a software clinic on July 10, 2010 – the details :
10-11:30am
Everyday Joe’s
144 S. Mason Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Darren Kramer – Ableton Specialist and Electric Trombone Performing Artist www.ElectricTrombone.com All musicians and educators, regardless of age or skill level can benefit immensely from this technology Basic to advanced concepts will be demonstrated via Live Looping w/ Electric Trombone, Synths, Vocoder & Lemur!
The next meet up just kicked live. The Ableton Colorado events will be hosted by Creative Electronica for greater compliance with Ableton and the ability to begin hosting events with electronic music content far outside the Ableton spectrum.
FREE and ALL AGES! RSVP via MEETUP.COM All the details are here!
Bobby Collins joins us to present the Serato environment for Ableton users in anticipation of the next (big) release from Ableton where we gain “The Bridge” to Serato.
This evening will also feature an industry mixer with an Electronic Music slant.
I / Marc will provide a short segment on the OHM64 by Livid
Chase Dobson and I will keep a beat repeat clinic in the back room that will also function as a beginner meets pro area to get questions answered or worked out.
This is a really exciting event and all the details (including sponsors) are available at http://creativeelectronica.com.
Personally I love 105 BPM. I don’t know if that has any impact on the heat though.
Gonna hit on the “Game Changer” here for a sec. In short “Meh”.
Ean Gold is someone to watch, and this is a great idea. When I put this item in perspective with my controllers (analog/digital/etc) this is no more than a novelty.
Again the Dicer certainly is cool, it fits a need, and I offer my props on that level. The real question I ask is simple:
“Is the DJ crowd deprived of gadgets?”
Seriously, this is no more than a tightly packaged PIC micro-controller that is well thought out. The polish that Novation added is the only real leap (packaging and marketing). The “Game Changer” label certainly gets under my skin and contributes to (this editors) diminishing view of Novation.
Perspective : I first knew Novation in the late 1990’s when my friend Greg was repping and I managed an all synth/keyboard boutique. But we are the jolliest buncha’ mean folks you may meet when we get on the “who sucks” discussion.
In short, the only gear I am not pissed off at is Nord and anything I have not owned. (But there was a huge issues w/Nord about a year ago – but that was all US distribution channels).
Back to the Dicer, and in the scope of Ableton there is no “standard interface” like the turn table. The APC is the only kinda’ almost, the Trigger Finger is also a good contestant. So the universal “game changer” is probably not going to happen for the modern digital musician.
But this is not a sad note – “The Bridge” is coming. We are all hoping that this is a stable non-crashy release with some fun stuff. This is going to close the gap on DJ-Ableton artists. This is awesome!
On the note of “Ableton Artist” – is it DJ? I don’t like getting grouped with that crowd (I have never DJ’ed, so don’t box me in!). Electronic artist is not quite there, electronic musician is totally good but too long. What the hell are we? There is a bunch of software nipping at the heels of Ableton and you certainly do not what to reference your trade by the name of the product (sorry Ableton). So what do we call our self?
The Ableton spectrum is HUGE – from folk to techno to dub-whatever to a bunch of categories I could not describe.
Electro-crunk-wobble-swing-remixed jazz changes? HUH?
So the point is clear – make your own game changer. I am working on my own game changer as I hook up with a crew who has a CNC machine (oh HELL yeah). So if you ever wonder why I don’t do too many shows or gig like mad, I am usually soldering, programming, and plotting!
Fader Fox gets a rejuvenation. Check out this article form CDM, here’s a sexy image. The big change – USB!
I was predicting apocalypse with “DJ Hero“. Well, we are still here! But now there is a new threat to society and our lives. It comes from the same concept. As Mark Mosher reports – there is a real MIDI keyboard included in the new Rock Band.
Is the the end?
Is doom near?
Mark has some great commentary as well, worth the stop.
Probably not. Here’s a video:
Follow up coolness – Mark is a synth guy (is it our age?). So much of his work touches me in that special place, you know, in the oscillator. Here’s something fresh on Modular Synthesis.
OMFG REMIX! Here’s a link for some Bass Nector Natives. Get them NOW! These don’t stay up long. Save time and go right for the stems HERE.
I gotta tell you – go out have fun! There is nothing really happening on my radar screen. The iPad hype has faded, iPhone 4g is not really a gamer changer (LOL), and no new software releases are on the horizon.
Or is there…???
–Marc
PS new site on the way. New domain too.
OMFG – what happens if you cross an APC40 with a ‘57 Chevy?
Full story here (in German…)
Off Topic – sorta – if you have a LAMP server (dedicated IP addy preferred) where we can host some light weight scripts please contact me (info@abletondenver.com). Just a Magpie/PHP install for SEO, I need more IPs!
Oliver finds all the cool stuff
First a synthesizer called the Mono Lancet: 2x VCO (triangle, sawtooth, square / sawtooth, rectangle, noise), 24dB lowpass filter, ADSR, envelope generator (VCF, VCA, VCO), LFO (triangle, square, s/h), MIDI for 449 EURO.
Kick Lancet based on the KICK channel of the DRM1 MKIII Waveshaper (sine -> square), FM, trigger inputs (switch, audio, gate), MIDI for 265 EURO.
For those of you who don’t know Vermona, you should. I had one of the flagship drum machines LONG before they were even on the radar (I sold it to get my JoMoX). Vermona is very intense stuff and generally considered to make the gold standard for anyone hard core serious about making beats (in the studio). If they release a new product you are obliged to pay notice.
How about some freaky audio forensics? I had to look at this a few times to understand. In short most audio recorders are of high enough resolution to record fluctuations of electricity in the grid in the audio recording. I got a lot of questions, but that is all geek speak. So, all you sample thieves (myself included) beware how and where you sample your goods – the grid is getting logged and you will be found! (okay, that is rather unlikely)
Again, Ean and crew saving me time of reviewing stuff, AP20/40 review : – the one thing I picked up that is new on the APC20 is a note view allowing easier access to instruments and drum racks (So to us fools who got the APC40 are we screwed? Not sure, but that does suck. Also, price has dropped from Akai – $299 now on the street).
I just saw a $100 bill flash in the pan…
All I gotta say is DAMN!!! 365 Ableton tips. I just bought his book, that impressed!
Finally – script from MaxForLive.info for the OHM64 to operate like the APC/Lpad (the handshake has been cracked!). I would try the script but it looks like I would need to reset my OHM64 to factory. Not interested in that at all!
For the hard core geeks – here is an important site referenced for Remote Scripting.
So we had a killer turn out for ILL.GATES – thank you everyone. If you need help or have questions send it into the community!
Some new friends and the whomp truck is in news.
Is this cool yet? Nope, I don’t think so. But not at Line 6’s fault (Jobs is the issue) There is no new media, no mention of iPad (a great gauge to the alert level of L6).
The new (Apple iPhone OS dev agreement still cripples this hardware / software app). Keep watchin, keep hoping, or maybe generation 2 iPads will fix it?
So how about an early trickle of one a slate on Android?
Minimal techno tutorial on YouTube via Dub Spot
Back to Android. There seems to be some ground being made into audio, CDM really gets it good in this article. The ALSA and other libraries are there and totally ready for exploit. Android based multi-touch control is SOOO close – I would drop an iPad in a second for a good Android device (I want to hack). Until then I will use the iPad.
Swing it with your python hanging out Python based swing (thx Cache Flowe)
Some friends at ATX Ableton drop some comment on the Livid block.
I want to get High (pass filter) so High (pass filter) – I use high pass filters in my analog processing (post Ableton) with great success (thank you Borat)
FEA Labs is making a bunch of opto-compressors. I have not used this brand, but the collection looks nice. Dual band optical compressors are wonderful for Ableton as they can keep your sound stable after the D/A conversion.
Dual Band Optical Compressor-Limiter
Dual Band SMX Optical Compressor
Opti-FET Compressor
Let’s drop some serious WTF on Opto
I can (and often do) lecture on compression. In general (and especially in Ableton) they are A-B-U-S-E-D!
Digital compression is a joke, sorry, it is true. Once you work with real compression (mechanical compression is best – using the room to settle your sound) or a killer strip or tube line or a dedicated unit you look at the digital versions as effects processors that mimic the real deal.
Now you can get a lot done with the digital versions, most modern engineering is done in the digital realm (enter Multi-band compressions aka mastering). But this is not the type of compressor I am talking about.
Optical compressors use light to compress the sound.
This is cool because you can not overdrive light (unlimited head room and range). A (real vacuum) tube or valve compressor is close. But the compression is essentially happening with the conversion of sound to a electrons (pure energy) in the context of the vaccum tube (Thermonic Transmission via Wikipedia). This is not optical compression. Although it is often sold as such (ART marketed some of the pre’s as optical at one point – they all got returned).
Here is result #1 and the explanation is not quite developed yet, so here is an a fast diatribe.
In essence your sound is converted to light (energy). No, not SPDIF/ADAT light, but a simple modulation of light based on your input signal.
In total darkness (or else things leak and sound bad) the light is transmitted in open air to an optical cell where it is captured. The optical cell is more or less a solar panel.
So your sound goes form controlled voltage (normal analog audio signal) to light (pushed through a LED let’s say) and the received by a solar cell. While your sound travels as light there is no way you can run out of head room in that environment. So by controlling the “gain” of light you compress or attenuate the signal as light where the curve, control, and performance is very easy to deal with regardless of your sound source.
Usually there is no attack, knee, or ratio. Most of my (many) optical compressors have 2 knobs – pre/post or input/drive.
The change is subtle, but when you are plugged in a loud speaker system or a picky input (no headroom) optical compression is the way to go.
The coloration is minimal, spikes are usually eliminated, dynamic range stays almost unchanged (as long as you are mellow and not driving signals hard). The optical compressor is just damn awesome for controlling your output as it goes from you D/A to PA.
This is very subtle stuff, but the investment is 100% worth it!
The number one place I used opto-compressors in my live keyboard rig was before and/or after filters. If you start stacking filters you can have certain freqs stack and gain 30, 60, 90db (yeah I said 90db,non-linear math my friends).
This would save the crowd’s ears from, well, being destroyed.
If anyone wants to mess around with opto-compressors contact me before the next meet up and I will bring a few. (I collect compressors).
