rishabhrajan demonstrates his MacGyver multitouch surface, with some general applications and then with a Flash version of Brian Eno’s Bloom ambient app.

Below, a “paper piano”, created with Community Core Vision, Pure Data and Logic Pro.

Do you think 2010 will be the year somebody packages this concept and turns it into a general music app?

Just when you think it’s safe to buy that cool matrix sequencer MIDI controller monome thing you’ve been jonesin’ for, out pops the $399 Livid Block matrix sequencer MIDI controller monome thing.

Description:

The Livid Block is a compact programmable MIDI control surface designed for interactive audio performance. Built on the same bi-directional and adaptable platform as the Livid Ohm64, Block provides an interface for creating and interacting with sound in a small easy-to-transport body.

Sixty-four LED buttons provide visual feedback with the instrument by connecting it to Ableton Live, Max/MSP,  pen source sounds apps, or any other software that supports MIDI.

The open source blockEditor application lets you reprogram any of the controller’s sixty-four clip buttons, eight knobs, two faders, and seven function buttons. Block is hand crafted from lightweight wood and aluminum for easy portability.

Block has bi-directional talkback communication allowing the controller to talk to your software, and software to your device. MIDI messages can be sent to the Block to light up the buttons for an interactive performance. Completely programmable and mappable, Block provides a flexible control surface that be used with any software or setup. Completely USB powered means you don’t have to worry about adapters and and power strips, and it is plug and play so no drivers are required.

The Livid Block is expected to be available starting Nov 1st for $399.

More details and photos below!

Features:

• Portability – A compact and lightweight design lets you slip this controller into your backpack. Plug it into your computer’s USB, and you are powered to play.
• Design – Block is completely plug and play and USB powered. This means you don’t need drivers to use it and it works with a single USB cable.
• TalkBack – Reprogrammable buttons with LED talkback provides visual feedback by sending MIDI commands back to the controller.
• Software – A growing collection of open source sound applications and utilities provide a wide range of uses and endless customization.
• Home Grown – Handcrafted by artists in Austin, Texas.

Specs:

• 10.25″ x 10.25″ x 1.5″ (WLH) / weight 3 lbs. (26 cm x 26 cm x 3.8 cm, 1.36 kg)
• USB Powered
• Bi-Directional MIDI communication (talkback)
• Class-compliant: no drivers needed for Mac, Windows, or Linux.
• 64 Programmable backlight buttons for talk-back and interactive performance
• Programmable MIDI mapping allows you to change the MIDI settings on the hardware
• Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
• Open Source software tools to create your own LED talkback interaction
• Editor included for MIDI editing, and LED talkback programming
• Made in the USA
• Compatible with any software that supports MIDI learn
• ROHS compliant
• USB cable included

Vestax, in collaboration with Hiroshi Watanabe, have introduced the Vestax TR-1 DJ controller.

Description:

The TR-1 is a collaboration of Vestax and DJ HIROSHI WATANABE, one of the pioneers who established laptop based DJing in Japan.This radical MIDI controller has been designed from a professional’s point of view, making it compact and extremely useful when you’re in the mix.

Features:

• New soft push switches for tireless mixing.
• Smooth 60mm slide input faders or high-precision mixing.
• Selectable deck control (Max 4channels. A&C controlled by PGM1, B&D controlled by PGM2).
• New SHIFT switch feature to customize deck control functions.
• Adjustable LED light volume.
• Can control up to more than 160 parameters of compatible software.
• A compact, durable and easy-to-operate body design that ensures excellent reliability on tour .
• Traditional Vestax white gold face plate and knobs.
• Bundled software: Native Instruments Traktor LE.

Studiologic is shipping its new Numa Nero keyboard controller, handmade in Italy and featuring Fatar’s 88-note Grand Touch progressively-graded grand hammer-action key bed.

According to Studiologic, the Numa Nero features “the most inspiring grand piano action ever offered in a digital controller.”

Description:

The TP400 key mechanism is the last creation of Fatar founder and master instrument designer Lino Ragni, who passed away at the beginning of 2007. The action features taller white keys for a throw distance that exactly mimics a full concert grand. The double dipped, ‘full-body’ solid black keys (in contrast to the hollow black keys found on almost all other digital pianos) have a balance point and tactile surface that is a pleasure to play. The 88-note graded hammer action (heavier in the lower end of the keyboard to progressively lighter at the upper end) blends response and momentum.

A brand new feature exclusive to the Numa Nero is the “YOU-PLAY” system, which allows unprecedented control of the velocity response of the keyboard. According to Studiologic, real-time sensing of a user’s actual playing dynamics allows for the most advanced, customizable velocity response system ever developed.

Users can design and save over 20 personalized dynamic curve settings in addition to the preset curves installed at the factory. Black and white keys can be assigned separately for total control, and the organ option allows keys to trigger much earlier in the keypress, allowing for rapid organ style playing without the need to fully engage the hammer action.

Up to four keyboard zones can be created, all with independent velocity curves, MIDI, program, pedal, and control settings. Two pedal inputs and an illuminated side wheel are fully assignable to any type of control response.

The casing is comprised of a one-piece, semi-translucent ABS molded plastic with polished aluminum top. An aluminum back piece slides out to support another keyboard, sound module, or laptop, without the need for another stand.

This videos shows Livid Instruments’ Ohm64Editor version 1.02, which introduces the LED pattern maker. It is useful for creating interfaces and patterns on your controller.

The Ohm64 is a programmable interactive MIDI control surface designed to give you hands-on control over your performance.

The MAX/Msp source code for the editor is available and can be downloaded from lividinstruments.com.

2009 Summer Namm Show: Red Leaf gives an overview of their TS Control 32 multitouch DAW control surface.

The TS Control-32 is designed to replace the digital audio workstation’s video monitor and allow the operator to perform all the necessary functions needed to mix audio in any software program directly on the screen.

TS Control 32 Specifications:

• Touch technology: Optical Imaging (no special surface coatings)
• Touch method: Finger, gloved hand or any other pointer. Stylus minimum radius 2 mm
  Touch activation force: No pressure required
• Touch accuracy: ± 2 mm (for 40? screen) over 90% of the touch sensitive area, USB reported touch resolution 32767 x 32767
• Touch durability: Unlimited
• Touch response time: 9 ms to 22 ms depending on configuration, typical response time 14 ms
• Environment Operating temperature: 0°C to 55° Storage temperature: -25°C to 85°C
  Operating humidity: 10% to 90% RH, non-condensating Storage humidity: 10% to 90% RH, non-condensating
• Power supply 2nd gen: USB from powered hub, enumeration requests 350 mA
• Power supply 1st gen: 12v AC adaptor
• Calibration Four-point driverless calibration (requires no software), automatic landscape/portrait orientation detection.
  Mac OSX and Linux applications need to use the external calibration button to initiate calibration
• ESD Per EN 61000-4-2 1995: Level 4, contact discharge 8 kV, air discharge 15 kV on USB connector pins
• EMC EN55022, EN55024, CISPR 22, CISPR 24
• Interface USB 1.1 (full speed), HID compliant, plug-and-play compatible
• Operating systems Windows XP, 2000, Vista, Mac OSX, Linux (requires drivers)
• Connection options Standard: USB Series A plug and Neltron 4-way connector on separate flying leads. Includes a small external
• Software: No software required, works with Windows native HID mouse driver
  Touch+ software provides additional utilities
• Warranty 1 year parts and labour

Video Display specifications:

• LCD Panel
• 31.5? viewable wide color LCD TV
• Aspect Ratio 16:9 Wide Screen
• Brightness 500 cd/m2
• Contrast 2500:1
• Response Time 6 ms
• Viewing Angle 178 L/R, 178 Up/Down
• Backlight Lamp life > 50,000 hrs

Video Functions

• De-interlace – 3D
• Noise Reducing Core Technology : 3D Digital
• Comb Filter, Digital Noise Reduction
• Aspect ratio : Normal, Wide, Zoom
• Gamma Fixed Gamma
• Lamp adjustment : Yes
• Picture mode : Custom / Standard / Mild / Vivid /
• Video adjustment : Contrast / Brightness /
• Sharpness / Saturation / Tint
• Color temp. adjust : Cool / Normal / Warm
• Picture Enhancement : Enhanced Color Management

Connections Port

• HDMI 1
• VGA

VGA input support :

• Native resolution : 1920 x 1080
• VGA Max. resolution : 1920 x 1080

Power:
Power Source Input : 90-264AVC, 50/60Hz, 2.4A max
Power Consumption : 180W

Preis 2.495 $

1.754 €

Details at the Dawtouch.com.

Edison demos his new setup with a monome synth jam.

Edison explains his new setup:

yo hoss!
so this is my new set up….
the monome is controlling ableton….
each button is a sound…..
the bottom right button is stop all noises….
introducing: the love…
a box of 16 arcade buttons…
made from an USB joystick….
it controls a looper and all effects…
on the far end is a native instruments audio kontrol 1…
(finally gotta audio interface!!!)
the big ass knob just sends the whole mix to an echo…
basically…
i have the melodic content run through a looper…
its is always recording…. so anything i play will repeat on a 2 bar loop
this is bypassable and erasable…..
all the drums are run through 4 effects….
all the melodic stuff is run though 8 effects… post looper…
and if all that aint nerdy enough for you….
then i aint trying hard enough….!
so to you and yours…… STING

via monome.org

This video documents a hack that turns a Stylophone into a basic MIDI controller, and using it to control Propellerheads Reason.

Details on the hack available at Jason Hotchkiss’ site.

via hotchk155:

The technicals… Soldered wires to Stylophone PCB to use its keypad / resistor ladder.. put 5V across it and read voltage at stylus by analog input pin on arduino clone (miduino).

Found out input value for each note and sent out MIDI note on/off messages thru serial connection when notes are detected. Simple.

Used Propellerheads reason to make the sounds.

This video, from the 2009 LIMS, captures the first UK showing of the Open Labs DBeat.

via soundonsoundvideo

Mike Cook made this Junk Box Monome:

A Monome is basically a simple eight by eight grid of push switches and lights. However, the official Monomes have always had a nod towards eco friendliness by incorporating renewable wood in their construction. Well I wanted to go at least one better and use parts that I already had in my junk box, or surplus obsolete parts I could scrounge, all based on a Arduino. This dictated the electronic and mechanical design, resulting in a unique variant on the Monome theme, which is why I call it the Econo Monome.

Let’s kick off by saying that 40 years of working, and playing, with electronics has given me a junk box that is perhaps deeper than most people’s, your mileage may vary.

Cool reuse of old junk, eh?

In this demo video from LIMS 2009, Novation gives a demo of their new Automap for iPhone – CC control and learn, scene select and clip launch in Ableton Live and more.

via musicradartv

This Tenori On shot comes from the Tenori On launch event in Tokyo.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

GearWire’s Bill Holland takes a look at the microscopic Korg nanoKontrol, one of the most portable music controllers available.

via gearwire

Livid Instruments has posted some preview videos of their new Ohm64 DJ/VJ control surface, and it’s clear that we’re not going to have trouble finding sexy, powerful control surfaces any more.

Between the Ohm64, the Akai APC40 and a bunch of other cool new controllers, it’s going to be tough deciding which one is the best fit for you and your music.

Ohm64 Features:

• USB Powered
• Bi-Directional MIDI communication
• Class-compliant: no drivers needed
• 75 Programmable backlight buttons for talk-back and interactive performance
• Programmable MIDI mapping allows you to change the MIDI settings on the hardware
• Immersion Gold Platted Circuit Boards
• Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
• Open Source software tools to create your own LED talkback interaction
• Ohm Core software included for MIDI editing, and LED talkback programming
• Cell DNA video performance software included
• Standard MIDI IN and OUT jacks
• Made in the USA by humans
• Available in Aluminum and Wood models. Wood is available in blue,
  red, natural, and unfinished so you can stain or paint it any color you
  want.

The Ohm64 retails for $599. See our previous coverage of the Livid Instruments Ohm64 for more details.

Image: yamamo2

The “Naked Style” PICnome Fe music controller is a monome-style music controller that exposes its electronics as part of its design.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

The Snyderphonics Manta is a new illuminated touch-sensitive interface for controlling music or video that combines alien sexiness with open-ended flexibility.

Each sensor in the Manta’s hexagonal array can tell exactly how much surface area your finger is covering, and this data can be routed to any audio or video parameter you choose.

For instance, you could assign each sensor to a note in a musical scale, and route the surface-area data from each sensor to control the volume of that particular note. Play a chord, and you can control the volume of the different notes of the chord independently with your fingers. Alternatively, you could set each sensor to correspond to a video file, and fade between videos dynamically with your fingers.

According to 2secondfuse’s Vlad Spears:

The build quality is exceptional. The Manta is in the same league as Monome: hand created, all parts sourced and made in the United States, ROHS compliant, solid like a century tree.

400mA of power is drawn over USB, which provides both juice and i/o. A svelte 0.873cm (11/32″) thickness and feather weight means it’s easy to take everywhere you will take your laptop. It even comes with a swanky neoprene case.

If you’ve used the Manta, leave a comment with your thoughts.

The Snyderphonics Manta retails for $675. More details below.

The Manta also outputs centroid data to turn the Manta into a large X-Y multitouch surface, for applications that don’t require discrimination between discrete sensors. For instance, you could have the Y axis be pitch, the X axis be timbre, and the size of the point of contact (determined by whether you have your finger or your whole hand on the surface) be the volume of the note, and have a very hands-on performance synthesizer.

The Manta also features LED backlighting on each sensor, and all of these LEDs are controllable from the host computer. In addition to giving additional feedback when a sensor is pressed (the default setting), this allows you use the sensors as displays for information the computer is using, like the current stage of a step sequencer. All 48 hexagonal sensors and the four circular function butters have LED backlighting, and each of the two touch sliders has an 8-LED indicator strip. All of these 68 LEDs are controllable from the computer.

Features:

• 48 touch sensors in a 6 X 8 hexagonal array – each sensor can independently send both continuous control data and note-on/off events with velocity sensitivity simultaneously
• 2 assignable touch sliders
• 4 assignable touch-sensing function buttons with LED feedback – can be either momentary or latching
• USB device, showing up as a HID (Human Interface Device) to the operating system, and therefore will operate on Mac OS X, Windows (XP or Vista) and Linux without special drivers
• USB bus-powered – no additional power supply is needed. Peak current requirement is around 400mA, so if it’s powered by a hub, the hub will need to be plugged in
• 68 user-controllable LEDs
• sturdy handmade wooden casing
• slim profile, 9.75″ X 11.6″ X 11/32″ with no protruding knobs, buttons or sliders – fits in most laptop cases even with a laptop
• comes with a protective padded sleeve case
• low latency operation – around 5 ms
• completely made in the USA – including PCB fabrication, assembly, and woodworking
• electronics made to ROHS specifications (lead-free and without hazardous substances)

The Manta is easy to use as an input for software like Max/MSP or Supercollider, and a free program is provided with the Manta that allows any sensor to be routed to any MIDInote or continuous controller for interfacing with standard software like Abelton Live, Kontakt, Reason, Logic, or Digital Performer.

Spikenzie’s PolyPhonic SQ is a 64 button, wireless – Bluetooth, MIDI controller with a steampunk twist.

The controller is based on the Project 64 Button board hardware, an Arduino and serial to MIDI software from SpikenzieLabs. It is fully polyphonic – any number of keys may be pressed at the same time and notes are sustained as long as the keys are pressed.

It uses a new version of the SpikenzieLabs Serial – MIDI Converter software which also allows you to select the baud rate of your serial port. (The new version will be available for download next week.)

Note: “It works equally well with a USB cable but the bluetooth is sort of fun.”

In this video, Trackmate, a do-it-yourself tangible tracking system, is used to control a LusidOSC spatial application that sequences sounds to create and mix music.

Here’s a video that shows five ways can get started with Trackmate:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Both the software and the instructions to build the hardware are free and open source. You can get more info on Trackmate here.

Here’s an unboxing and demo video via Tom Cosm:

I’ve managed to get my grubby little hands on an APC40 before the official release date. I strolled down and collected it yesterday, and went straight home, set the camera rolling and filmed my first experience with the unit.

Watch the video as I plug it in and get straight into it!

Have you put your “grubby little hands” on the APC40? Leave a comment with your thoughts on it!

This Ableton Live 8 tutorial offers a quick demo of using the Vestax VCM600 with Live 8.

The VCM-600 is a $900 DJ MIDI controller designed with Vestax mixer technology. 160 parameters of your DJ software can be assigned to the advanced control section, and the VCM-600 has excellent compatibility with Ableton LIVE.

The VCM-600 shares the same quality control parts used on Vestax mixers and 2 LED panels are placed on each side of the controller to illuminate the top panel for clear operability and vision in clubs.

via AbletonAus