Beyond any reasonable doubt people are excited about the iPad.

I avoid the great jubilation over getting screen lock for bed reading so let’s pull together some recent news and throw it at electronic music.

The 2 big items of the past 2 weeks are both near misses.

The first is MIDIpad where this Synthopia article first caught my eye. From the bullets (and my thoughts…):

• Communicates with MacOs and Windows based PCs.
  • That is awesome for Ableton and most electronic music platforms.
• Communicates with stand-alone-applications and hardware.
  • Again, great.
• Communicates via network-MIDI-protocol.
  • Whad’dya say?
• Plug & play via Apple Bonjour, wireless-LAN.
  • Come again?
• Multitouch Interface.
  • Of course.

So, MIDI over network sounds cool.  I have reasonable doubts.  A QoS issue comes to mind, and debates are pending.  In the end I think this is sexy and stable when used correctly and well understood.

Some serious networking knowledge required however.

A great implementation of this could be with other OS boxes, Linux on my list, triggering events.

These events could be DMX, or even visual (or MIDI). Currently I am enjoying Processing thanks to Cache Flowe. I so want to fire MIDI or similar events into this program!

My fear, as I mentioned before when jumping on the term-wagon, wireless needs to be secured.

Now don’t get me wrong. I want to stage-dive while controlling an array of electronic equipment. My personal choice would be playing the mind control program. None the less, my eventual delivery to a velvet thrown to rule the world as we know it would be made so much better steering the mind control program with the iPad.

This reality is in jeopardy. I just don’t dig on wireless in a live environment.  There are a number of methods (script wise) that I see crushing wireless devices. This would of course stop the mind control program before total world domination has taken permanent effect,

As my skills in Linux and other hardware / software grows I am very reluctant to open up a wireless device.  If you are playing at a festival you can count on contact with a few thousand people while playing or setting up.  Your wireless device, a strange thing to carry to a gig, has a hefty range. This is not a one-to-one connection or a cable. Instead this is a broadcast device that can even be detected by T-shirts.

I find it rather probable that a small minority could rock your world.  Google searches for router flooding, router dos, remote router crash, and router hack is enough to strike fear.

On the other hand…does it talk USB class compliant MIDI device? (I did not see a mention)

And second we have the MIDI Mobilizer by Line 6.

Looks sexy huh? Well it certainly can be, as soon as…

Okay, first let’s look at what we know.

From the copy:

[yada]…lightest and easiest way to manage all your MIDI data.

Easily backup and transfer all your MIDI…[yada]

…to play, record, and backup MIDI information…

None of that says real time controller. It screams b-o-r-i-n-g!

Here is where is gets really steamy! There is a question:

Can anyone develop applications that talk to MIDI Mobilizer?

Answered:

Any developer who complies with Apple’s developer requirements and signs up with Line 6 as a MIDI Mobilizer developer can develop applications for MIDI Mobilizer. Contact MMdeveloper [at] line6.com for more information.

That is good to hear.  I am thinking little Lemur.  How about you?

There is going to be “slates”. Just as Mark Mosher points out in discussing Audio Cubes, your approach and potential will change with the interface.  The ability to craft your user interface, interaction, subroutines, color, size, and so on… of y-o-u-r controller will change the game again.

Apple and the iPad are cutting a wide swath for us to blaze even more new paths.

We are stepping away from the “PC” in a great way and examining ARM Chip sets, PIC Micro Controllers, and Arduino chip sets and products from Apple. The iPhone.Touch is an ARM chip and the fancy Apple A-chip is probably not too different (only a week to go until we get inside the unit!)

Now we start hacking.

I would jailbreak my iPad and use it only for muisc in a heart beat! Don’t even have to ask me twice.  Gimme one hour to hit the Apple store in Cherry Creek and game is on!

That is provided there is a program and UI builder…

Oh, not quite yet.

So the ball is rolling. Line 6 may have stepped up to the plate with the hardware. Did they leave the lid off the box far enough to do something really cool?

The “iPad to MIDI” converter is all we need.  With the Lemur hovering around $2000 there is a lot of budget available for hardware that can perform like that.

Synthopia is betting some major street credit on the iPad music software genre. They are probably right. Don’t forget we need quality hardware interfaces ASAP.

iPad to MIDI – coming to a rig near you soon!

Mark Mosher started off the evening with a presentation on Percussa Audio Cubes.  Here’s a little video via David Henderson.

Percussa Audio Cubes are essentially a reactable physical world interface for controlling data. They play very well with Ableton, but the control can be ported to any digital information.

They sense light, each other, and orientation.  So the possibilities are endless. Feel free to contact Mark via Modulate This for info or to learn more (he has written extensively on the topic and the archives include an interview with the creator of the cubes.

They are a fantastic interface and well worth the $200 per cube (pre-discount).  Do NOT pass these by as a viable interface!

As for Cache Flowe, well, Justin did a total kick ass job on presenting.  He will be back. I also see him joining us in teaching an intro class on Processing.org usage.

I could go on and tout the presentation but instead I thought I would tell you what I did when I got home after the meet up.

I downloaded the software here is the flow(e):

1. Download – 57 mb zip file – a few minutes, went to bathroom
2. Un-zipped – 1 minute
3. Opened software (clicked on icon) – seconds
4. Copied sample code into Processing and hit go – 10 seconds

And we have visual. Granted that was a straight line. But it really was that easy.

The day job for me is programming, so I understand what they are doing.  The integration with Ableton – well, that is another thing all together.

That is where the class comes in! Stay tuned for details on that adventure. Our intro to processing will be a free class and happen at our Lab down south.

There is a gallery from the evening here. Or you can see it locally here.

Justin / Cache Flowe is an infinitely talented musician and programmer. But you DO NOT need his level of knowledge to make the magic happen.  This stuff will be blowing up – video integration is already here, we just need to get all the various elements talking. Cache Flowe did all the leg work already – we can learn form his experiences.

–M

What a great meet up.  Here are some images from Last nights Meet Up with Cache Flowe and Mark Mosher.

Thanks to David Henderson for getting this gallery up so fast!

I am so happy to add a controller to our next meet up!

Mark Mosher (Modulate This!) will be joining us on Sunday to present Audio Cubes. Click here to read what Mark has to say on the topic.

In my mind, Audio Cubes, from Percussa, are like a 3D reactable table after shedding several thousands of dollars and pounds.

This page will get you in-line pretty fast (great stuff).

And some informative video:

Tell us about how YOU control your electronic music so we can keep the demos coming!

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.

The aptly titled “Scratch Yourslef Stupid“:

Scratch Yourself Stupid from digital funfair on Vimeo.

Special Reminder: This is cool:

http://www.curiousinventor.com/kits/midiator

For anyone looking for Arduino part, Curious Inventor has you covered.

I look forward to seeing more projects with these chips.

DJ Toomp on Hardware versus software.

DJ TOOMP Hardware vs. Software |BLVDST.com from Blvd St on Vimeo.

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!

Argos Interface Builder, v0.20 from Dimitri Diakopoulos on Vimeo.

Go go Argos Interface Builder. Wow!

Just as I was starting to sell myself on the DNA program by Celemony DNA and Ean’s crew over at DJ Tech Tools released comprehensive video and information on the topic. Thanks so much, it was very helpful.

There is a link for Boulder artists located here:

http://soundcloud.com/groups/boulder-electronic-music-artists – the text in the link says it all.

Keepin’ them short but good, out!

Of course you get the blatant promotion:

PETTING ZOO on Sunday – many controllers, many fun, no hay on floor!

Meet up

As we round out 2009 (a pretty good year) I want to know what is going on as well as some plans for the future of Ableton in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.

News and Plans:

• Code clean up pending. The site is running well, but I am a programmer by day and I feel like I should tweak on this stuff.
• Soundcloud+ integration. I think Soundcloud is the winning music sharing app.  Many people out there agree. So, I am working on a t-i-g-h-t integration on sight. There are both free and pay versions.
• Sister sight of [redacted-site-name].com is coming where we will post Ableton-centric music – multiple formats. Suggestions welcome!
• PODCAST – I am seeing a “gap” on Ableton podacsting. Something informative, Ableton-centric but not exclusive. Topics such as new music, technique, tools, software, announcements, and lots of guests! We have a video studio available to produce additional material. Who out there is in love with their voice?
• Feburary Meet-Up  February 28, 2010 – we have at a Controller-ism special.  So far Mark from Modulate This! will be demonstrating Percussa Audio Cubes. Also, Darren Kramer will be sowing off his Lemur. David Henderson presenting  Monome and Lunchpad. I am waiting on a MIDI Fighter . Please contact me if you can fill in any parts or have unique controller-ism to show off!
• March Meet-Up is 14March2010-spring time seems right for “Ableton Out of the Box” – an external processing extravaganza! This is my main research focus using Ableton.  I am looking for more people who are freaks like me, so grab me anyway you can and start talking! This one is NOT set in stone! I am listening to ideas!
• Future Meet Up Idea : Video Integration – Call for ideas and speakers!
• Future Meet Up Idea : DJ Collaboration – Call for ideas and speakers!
• Future Meet Up Idea : Integration of Electronic Music into a Live Band Environment – Call for ideas and speakers!
• Open House at the home for Ableton Denver on 23Jan2009 (a Saturday Afternoon) More on that soon!
• Swallow Hill Class led by Chris Lawhead from Colorado Music Lab presenting “Ableton Live A-Z workshop” at Swallow Hill on Saturday 30January2009 at 1:30. This is an intro to Ableton, if you want to get a jump start sign up! (I will be there assisting Chris).
• Collaboration is starting! Don with NIIO Analog has some ideas. Spark Fun in Boulder does the whole Arduino thing. We have a circle of people communicating already. Contact us and let us know your mad skillz!  There are a few other projects heating up.  I hope we can bring more people together and make good stuff!
• Events Page! I am setting up a submission for events on the site. I r-e-a-l-l-y want to post all the shows in the Rocky Mountain area that feature Ableton.
• Speaking of events: Colorado Bass Music presents Siren at Beta(FB link) 15January2010 – Saturday  http://soundcloud.com/siren-music http://www.myspace.com/sirenheat

That is it for now!  Warp your  world!

–Marc