nu desine Intros Entry-Level AlphaSphere me

AlphaSphere-menu desine has announced the AlphaSphere me – a new entry level member of their family of tactile spherical MIDI controllers.

The AlphaSphere controllers feature pressure and velocity sensitive pads, arranged with a hexagonal layout that can adapt to a variety of note arrangements.

The AlphaSphere me is more affordable, at £149/$225/€190, than its larger siblings in the AlphaSphere line. While the larger controllers feature 48 pads, the AlphaSphere me has 32.

MIDI Features:

  • Each pad can can act as a key/trigger-pad or a fader/dial/mod-wheel/pitch-wheel, or both simultaneously
  • Map preset notational scales or layouts to the pads, or set notes to pads individually
  • Compatible with polyphonic aftertouch
  • Set the pressure of each pad to send polyphonic aftertouch, channel aftertouch, mod wheel, pitchbend, or a CC message
  • Supports multichannel MIDI, allowing multiple instruments to be played at the same time
  • MIDI Dynamic Channel Mode – allows individual MIDI channels to be dynamically applied to each pressed MIDI pad, allowing for polyphonic pitch-bend as well as completely polyphonic modulation of notes within software that doesn’t support poly aftertouch.

Hardware Specifications:

  • 32 tactile pressure and velocity sensitive pads
  • Ergonomic spherical design
  • Hexagonal lattice pad layout, allowing for a series of notational arrangements
  • Responsive and configurable LED lighting
  • USB 2.0 connectivity and bus powered
  • Fully compatible with any MIDI software
  • Dimensions: 22.7cm(W) x 22.7cm(D) x 26.5cm(H)
  • Weighs approximately 2kg

Software:

  • Custom software allows the device to be programmed to a highly customised level
  • Use as the devices MIDI mapping editor
  • Use to trigger, loop, and manipulate audio samples
  • Use to record and manipulate MIDI and audio step sequences
  • Convert pad data to OSC (Open Sound Control) messages
  • Comes with a 1GB library of audio loops and hits compiled by popular sample library companies
  • Program pads individually or by custom groups
  • Store up to 20 ‘scenes’ of pad settings within a single project
  • Open-source under the GNU General Public Licence v2.
  • Runs on both Mac OS X (10.5 and above) and Windows (XP SP3 and above)
  • Supports Core Audio, ASIO, WASAPI and DirectSound

See the AlphaSphere site for details.

11 thoughts on “nu desine Intros Entry-Level AlphaSphere me

  1. I love the free range use of the word ergonomic, as if it implies a magical component that instantly turns any user into a master craftsman or at least eliminates the threat of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic means connecting to work or enabling work. Any device that allows or is designed to allow humans to do work is ergonomic. A plow is ergonomic. A writing pen and a basketball and a handgun are ergonomic. It doesn’t mean it’s better, just that it is designed to allow you to do something with it. Name something that isn’t. Is this better than an assignable piano type MIDI keyboard with aftertouch, especially one with polytouch such as a Roland A50? If it lets one make, well, what some might call music, easier, than it probably serves its purpose. If it does not do that, explicitly, then it is implicitly a gimmick.

  2. The thing is….it isn’t ergonomic at all. The design is complete shit. I thought it was stupid before and it STILL looks completely stupid. How much money are they pissing away on this idiocy?

    1. They’ve managed to create a business out of what you call ‘complete idiocy’- with a complete line of products – so maybe you don’t understand the benefits of alternative controllers or that there are people that see benefits in alternative controllers.

      The ‘complete shit’ AlphaSphere design allows you to layout notes in ways that make much more sense to percussionists that are familiar with instruments like steel pans, the hang or tank drums.

      It’s really surprising to me how completely close-minded so many electronic musicians are about alternative controllers. Keyboard controllers suck when it comes to performing wind sounds, strings sounds, brass and percussion!

      And you know what truly sucks? Most of the music made with ‘logical’ and ‘ergonomic’ 8×8 grid controllers, which are basically a bunch of on/off switches, instead of an instrument.

      I’ve been very impressed by what people are doing with the Continuum and the LinnStrument. I’m open minded about controllers like the AlphaSphere and the Seaboard Grand, too. We need more musicians doing creative work with new gear, not less!

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