Beat Lab Presents: Moldover, The Godfather of Controllerism
Beat Lab Presents: Moldover, The Godfather of Controllerism Beat Lab Academy recently hosted a workshop featuring a man who has been regarded as the Godfather of Controllerism. A renegade in the game of electronic music, a genius of craftsmanship, and an extremely creative musician, Moldover came over to show off some homemade controllers, talk a little bit about the art of creating them,  and how to push the boundaries of live performance in electronic music. Controllerism is the term used to describe the growing scene of developing and creating homemade controllers. With the widespread use of DAW’s that incorporate the use of controllers, and the multitude of ways that they can be used, it was only a matter of time until very bright and creative minds developed ways to create the most suitable controllers for their styles. Moldover, a mad genius of sorts, has been developing DIY controllers …
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ZOOM ARQ – From Recorders to Controllers
ZOOM ARQ – From Recorders to Controllers Japanese based company, Zoom, known for their high quality portable recorders, released a new performance based piece of equipment that allows the user to run free from the booth. The Zoom Arq is a sequencer, drum machine, synthesizer, clip launcher, looper, and a MIDI controller, packed into a portable ring. su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6YtdBMdx2w” showinfo=”no” rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes” When looking at the ARQ, we notice two main components: the ring and the deck. Deck The base deck is essentially the brain of the machine, programmed with 468 different sampled drum sounds, 70 synthesizer sounds, and different types effect types. The samples are one shot samples meaning that what you hear is what you get. It is equipped with a 1/4 headphone jack, 1/4″ line-level outputs, a USB for MIDI, and an SD card slot which lets you save drum loops and synth sequences, and …
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Misa NSC-32 – A Massive Sequencer
Misa NSC-32 – A Massive Sequencer The Misa NSC-32 is a ridiculously big MIDI sequencer, that allows musicians and producers to manipulate and create melodic riffs, bass lines, drum sequences and much more, in a fluid flow of expression. The NSC-32 is compatible with samplers, synthesizers and a variety of different DAWS, through MIDI or USB. This massive piece of equipment is essentially a giant step sequencer, packed with 768 button grid, which is used as the live visual of your sequence, or pattern. There are 16 control buttons that allow you to sift through a variety of actions, like looping, octave drops and bumps, banks selections, play and stop buttons, etc., along with 6 faders that are MIDI assignable. The 768 buttons can be loaded with preset sequences, making the entire grid into one big soundbank. The video below gives a good look at the basics …
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K-Mix – MIDI Controller & Programmable Audio Interface/Mixer
K-Mix – MIDI Controller & Programmable Audio Interface/Mixer Kieth McMillen has recently released the K-Mix, pitched as a the unbreakable mixer, control pad, and audio interface. Loaded with 8 inputs and 10 outputs, with sample rates at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, the K-Mix makes for a durable, all in one piece of hardware. At first glance, you will notice the similarities to Kieth McMillens breakthrough controller, the QuNeo. Working with similar, ultra sensitive mixing and rotary pads, the K-Mix hints at familiarity with a punch of power. Beyond the use as an ordinary controller, the K-Mix can be used in three ways, which you could swap between, an audio interface, a programmable mixer and a not-so-ordinary control pad. The audio interface feature is equipped with transparent uPre Amps that provide a clean, low noise pre amp. The K-Mixer mirrors your audio input with a colorfully lit display for an easy detection …
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nOb- TheOnly Knob You’ll Need
nOb- TheOnly Knob You’ll Need Sleek, solid, and effective: the nOb should make its way onto your messy, hardware filled desk. Look through Kickstarter and you’re bound to find a wide range of ideas, and inventions, that serve to ease the subtle restrictions with all aspects of life. The nOb is a singular, extremely precise knob control, which is made to be vastly encompassing with its capabilities. Packed into a vintage looking, wood casing, nOb provides highly capable functions, that will expand your work flow tenfold. “nOb is able to control virtually any parameter you would normally adjust with your mouse, delivering out-of-the-box compatibility with any operating system and software package. You simply have to point your mouse cursor to the parameter you want to control and use nOb’s big knob to fine-tune it to taste.” su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK94pop46xA” showinfo=”no” rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes” With 2400 ticks per revolution, the nOb gives …
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Daedalus Review: Roland TR-808 vs. TR-8
Daedalus Review: Roland TR-808 vs. TR-8 Alfred Darlington, aka Daedalus, a pioneer in the L.A. beat scene, reviews and highlights the differences between the classic Roland 808 drum sequencer and the newer TR-8. Check out the deeply insightful thoughts on two classic machines, by a soon to be classic artist. su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUD0visU6AE” showinfo=”no” rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes”
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