MIDI 2.0 & MPE – A Gamechanger For Electronic Music
MIDI 2.0 & MPE The world of music production is quickly evolving – and it’s recently experienced two game-changing introductions: MIDI 2.0 & MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). This article covers what these changes imply, an overview of the technicalities involved, and how they will change the face of music forever. su_divider top=”no” size=”1″ What Is MIDI? MIDI (or Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a communication protocol that was created in the early ‘80s that enables digital music equipment to communicate with one another. Its invention allowed a MIDI instrument to generate a digital MIDI message that could then trigger a note on another instrument (such as a synthesizer). Dave Smith (the founder of Sequential) & Ikutaro Kakehashi (the founder of Roland) are attributed as the founders of MIDI. Hear Smith tell the tale of how MIDI was born in this 6-minute clip below. su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq6_vy4Pcwk” width=”200″ height=”200″ Fast …
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Get Hands On! – 5 Tips for Ableton Push
Get Hands On! – 5 Tips for Ableton Push Push has been out for several years now, but it remains a powerhouse for many producers and performers of all backgrounds. The main reason Push has become such a crowd favorite is its versatility. At Beat Lab, we have grown extremely fond of Push ourselves! So much so that we created our own Push course. In this article, we’ll share several of our favorite tips to help ramp up your Push use and increase your production potential! su_divider top=”no” Easily Assign Choke Groups for Drums Push makes creating drum racks a breeze. One instrumental aspect of creating a drum rack with hits that work together and don’t clash is assigning choke groups to drum hits. For those unfamiliar with choke groups, they are used to keep two drum hits from playing at the same time, to keep a groove …
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Wave – The Wearable Ring MIDI Controller
Wave – The Wearable Ring MIDI Controller Ginki Instruments just launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for their wearable MIDI controller – Wave. Wave is a MIDI controller packed into a ring, with multiple parameters for control – pan, roll, tilt, tap, plus 5 assignable buttons on the ring. Each parameter can be assigned to control any other parameter this is MIDI mappable. You can connect it to your DAW, music apps on your phone or tablet, or the Eurorack synth the Genki has created in conjunction with Wave – the Wavefront. Wavefront is an incredible feat – a synthesizer controllable by a Bluetooth MIDI controller, and one that you can wear! Wave isn’t the first wearable MIDI controller but Wavefront makes Wave an attractive option compared to its predecessors. A few applications we can think of are adding vocal effects while singing, adding effects or launching samples while DJ’ing, doing cool pitch …
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Drums and FX – Roland DJ Controllers Updated
Drums and FX – Roland DJ Controllers Updated Roland just recently released firmware updates for its flagship Serato DJ Controllers – the DJ-202, DJ-505, and DJ-808. For anyone not yet familiar with the series, the Roland Serato DJ Controllers are all DJ controllers equipped with onboard sequencing abilities. The introduction of the sequencer into the DJ controllers was meant to give DJs the ability to improvise drum programming during their sets adding another layer to their performances. The controllers have been a major hit so far further narrowing the gap between producer and DJ. The DJ-202 and the DJ-505 gained the most samples from the recent updates with added drum sounds, while the DJ-505 and DJ-808 were given three new Master FX; the DJ-808 was given four new Channel FX, and Nudge and Tap Tempo features were added to the onboard TR-S step sequencer. This was one of the most desired …
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XOXX Composer – Arduino Magnet Based Sequencer
XOXX Composer – Arduino Magnet Based Sequencer XOXX Composer is a new Arduino based sequencer that uses magnets to track the sequencer commands. This is a good example on how sequencer can become more and more connected with the real world. In some ways we use technology to brings us back in time for a more physical tactile use of musical instruments. A few words from the developer Axel Bluhme: The XOXX Composer is a different take on a drum machine. It turns the inner functions of sampling, looping, and sequencing, into a tangible, kinetic and sculptural form. Capture sounds from your surroundings or pick samples from records and then play them back on the XOXX Composer by placing the magnets on spinning discs. Simply let curiosity and creativity lead the way to quickly create unique beats away from the computer screen. The project is a result from …
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Palette – An Additive Controller
Palette – An Additive Controller Palette Gear has been developing a photography geared controller system, which is also MIDI capable, that is structured in a completely original way. Palette works with a system of small, magnetic, add-on parameters, like knobs sliders, and arcade style buttons. The idea behind the project is to allow the user to be their own modular MIDI builder. Designed with a sleek finish and a receptive software called Palette App, Palette is an interesting controller system that minimize the excess in your controller options. Palette has four key components: the core, the dial, the button and a slider. The core is the brain of the group, enabling the controller to connect through USB. The dial is an infinite rotation dial. Palette is also equipped with a classic arcade style button, and a an ordinary slider. You are also able to color coordinate each piece, to help …
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