laptop music

Ever feel like smacking your computer around?

Now you’ve got good reason. SmackTop is an open-source utility for Mac laptops (after 2005) which translates the accelerometer (Sudden Motion Sensor) data into MIDI data and audio impulses.

This lets you control your favorite DAW by tilting and smacking your laptop.

This seems like it could be a bad idea for a lot of reasons – but it offers a new, more physical way of interacting with music. Read more…

Stanton has come back from an awkward breakup with Native Instruments and introduced FinalScratch OPEN, a system that “offers DJs the freedom of choice, allowing them to decide which software THEY want to use, utilizing the state of the art Stanton ScratchAmp.”

No hard feelings, there, huh?

The FinalScratch Open Scratch Amp is a state-of-the-art low latency FireWire 96k / 24 bit audio interface that is compatible for use with a variety of software applications, making it an ideal solution for programs that do not currently ship with a sound card, such as MixVibes, Deckadance, Ableton Live, Traktor DJ Studio, PCDJ, and the like, and providing the connections needed from turntables, cd players, and microphones. Read more…

It looks like Stanton DJ is taking the needs of electronic laptop musicians seriously. They’ve introduced the ÜBERSTAND laptop stand, designed for the traveling laptop DJ or musician.

The ÜBERSTAND folds for easy travel. Unfolded, it safely elevates a laptop above the workspace while providing a specially crafted shelf for the Stanton ScratchAmp or any other external hard-drive.

Specifications:

• Stable, rugged laptop stand for use by DJs and musicians
• Folds flat into a 12″ zippered bag (included)
• Metal – aircraft grade – aluminum and stainless steel
• Lightweight and small form factor when folded
• Adjustable shelf to store Final Scratch ScratchAmp or external hard-drive
• Reusable plastic ties and Velcro

The ÜBERSTAND will retail for $79.99.