control-surface

This Reactable demo from AHNE 2008 highlights a great DIY project.

Do you think this is an instrument, though, or more of a music toy?

Hercules has announced the availability of the new Hercules DJ Console Rmx.

The DJ Console Rmx features a solid metal casing with non-slip pads, a straightforward layout and a built-in audio interface with 4 inputs, 4 outputs.

The audio console, supplied with a carrying bag for total mobility, retails for $349.00.

“We consulted with over 1300 DJs throughout Europe and US and designed the DJ Console Rmx to their exact expectations,” says Francois Garet, Development Manager of the DJing solutions range for Hercules.

Here are the details: Read more…

Numark wants to make tweaking knobs as sexy as traditional DJing. It’s introduced a dedicated controller for MixMeister – imaginatively named MixMeister Control.

Individual hands-on controls are included for looping by track, EQ and FX, with control for up to four tracks at once. MixMeister Control offers 40 knobs, 53 buttons and a Jog Wheel for fast location management. Automation effects, VST plug-ins and other functions can be manipulated with minimal computer interaction.

MixMeister Control Features:

• Hardware control surface for MixMeister and other MIDI-capable DJ software
• USB 1.1 interface – No driver required
• Includes MixMeister Fusion Live software
• Compatible with other MIDI applications
• Works with Windows or Mac OS X

MixMeister Control is due in stores Q2-2008.

A demo of Josh Boughey’s Stribe, a DIY 8-channel multi-touch controller for music or video software.

Description: The Stribe is designed to be used in conjunction with a monome 40h or as a stand-alone instrument. By combining these interfaces with suitable software I hope to add a continuous control element to the electronic musician’s software control arsenal. It is designed for stage use, to provide an expressive, fun, and intuitive way to control both music and video. It’s size, durability, and tactile properties are designed to be appropriate for both hand-held and desktop use.

Details:

• The low-resolution 16 x 64 LED display is controlled in real time by either firmware or host software, or both.
• MIDI or OSC communication to compatible hardware and software is achieved via patches written in Max/MSP.
• Touchstrips down the center of each channel trigger events in the software and the firmware, which drive the display, creating a haptic feedback loop.
• Each of these eight “channels” has two 64-led-tall columns, e.g. a left and a right.
• The Stribe can act as a touch controlled meter bridge, or as an interactive, animated 16 x 64 led display.
• Oriented horizontally, the Stribe can more intuitively interface with step-sequencer type applications, allow direct manipulation of granular synthesis sampling or allow the user to perform “scratch” like gestures.

via Stretta

At the NAMM 2008 Winter Show, Novation launched Nocturn, their most affordable hardware controller to date,.

Featuring the latest Automap Universal 2.0 software, exclusive to Novation controllers, Nocturn provides automatic, instant and intelligent control of all automatable plug-ins within every major sequencer, including Pro Tools.

Nocturn features eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each equipped with a bright eleven-LED ring (ideal for laptop DJ’ing in a dark club environment). These are accompanied by eight user-assignable illuminated buttons and a smooth, professional 45mm cross-fader. The finishing touch is Novation’s unique ’speed dial’; a touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on. Read more…