Sunday Synth Jam: This video demonstrates jamming with the JazzMutant Lemur and Ableton Live.

It starts with a demo jam and then digs into the set up of the Lemur with Live.

via tonvibration:

playing a ableton live set with my current live control surface on the jazzmutant lemur.
(the soundquality is a little poor – sorry – next time i shouldn´t record it directly with the cam…. but it is only for demonstration purpose anyway…)
i talk a little about the controls at the end.

This is a preview of Specki Editor 2, an editor for the Radikal Spectralis synthesizer.

via wileysupergenius:

Documenting creating an external editor for the Spectralis Synthesizer

In this tutorial, Gareth Williams demonstrates how to quickly set the Jazzmutant Lemur to do sound design using Ableton Live.

Part 2 below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

via Jazzmutant:

Jazzmutant Lemur Weird MIDI Sequencer

via lostinetwork:

This video shows some applications from Lemur Breakpoint Object working like a MIDI sequencer, nodes triggering notes and fix them to a selected scale, minor, major, penthatonic, etc.

Also there´s a cc automation page to remote synth/sampler parameters.

The Main idea was to use it for soundscapes, and some pseudo random melodies.((Still in progress))

Emergency Bot TV Theme for LEMUR GuitarBot by Joshua Fried.

GuitarBot is a robotic guitar-like instrument from LEMUR: League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots.

via esinger3141

This video demos using a Jazzmutant Lemur to control a Machinedrum drum machine.

Awesome, huh?

Leave a comment with your thouhts!

via erasemusic

This video is a demo of Eight^2 – A flexible grid 64-Step music sequencer – a Pluggo to be used with a VST host and Jazzmutant Lemur.

Sunday was very quiet at the 2009 Winter NAMM Show this year. Some areas were ghost towns – like Yamaha’s vast space. While this may not bode well for the music industry, it meant that we got to spend a lot of time talking to manufacturers and also getting great photos of the new gear.

You can check out the hundreds of shots from the show at our 2009 NAMM Winter Show Flickr set.

Here are some of the highights of Day 4 of the 2009 NAMM Show:

• There was pink gear everywhere, like the pink control keyboards from CME.
• Arturia was showing Brass2, which is pretty impressive if you’re interested in physical modeling synthesis
• We had a chance to get hands-on with the Akai APC40 Ableton Live controller.
• The Roland VP-770 Vocal Keyboard sounds really really good, but the interface is a little confusing.
• I had a chance to take an in-depth look at the update Lemur, which looks droolworthy as ever.

Here are some photo highlights:

The Roland CP-30 is their new harpsichord. Look really closely at the lower left hand corner of the photo, though.

While we were there, we tried to get the inside look on as many instruments as we could, like this updated Rhodes piano.

And, as always, NAMM was a bit of a freak show:

2009 NAMM Show: Jazzmutant has announced the V2 software upgrade for their Lemur controller, along with price drops for both of the company’s multi-touch control surfaces. 

Jazzmutant’s Lemur and Dexter both offer multitouch-sensitive surfaces for music, with the Dexter aimed at DAW users and the Lemur a more open-ended system.

V2 comes packed with new objects and features that allow users to really interact with sound and manipulate it in real time. Workflow improvements, scripting additions and other features allow the controller to be used better, faster and more in tune with some of the most popular software applications around with Ableton Live users, in particular, benefiting from some of the new features.

Price Cuts

A V2-powered Lemur will be reduced to €/$1769,00 (£1,660) for a limited 60 day period, starting from NAMM. Jazzmutant will offer the Dexter as a DAW only controller at the heavily (and permanently) reduced price of €/$1519,00 (£1,430). Crossgrading from Dexter to Lemur will no longer be possible, the crossgrade from Lemur to Dexter remains an option.

Here are the Lemur v2 features in detail:

• Breakpoint object — Offers total control of synthesiser or sampler envelopes with a multi-segment envelope editor. Rather than assigning knobs to these sound shapers, jump right in and directly tweak an on-screen representation of the envelope. This familiar, visual interface allows you to see — and hear — exactly how you are changing the sound and you can easily add extra breakpoints with a simple double touch.
• Gesture object — This emulates a trackpad control with advanced gesture recognition and has three novel ways to interact with your sound. You can send different control messages to your computer simply by pinching, rotating or tracing your fingers. An example could be with surround sound: rotate to change the source position, pinch to change the source level, and trace to apply some filter to it. 
• Alias — Now you can easily produce a copy or alias of a controller object that sends exactly the same information to your computer. This takes up less memory and is much less time consuming than setting up a new object with identical characteristics. Manipulating the original or its doppelganger can now control the same computer parameters but from different interface screens. Moving one will automatically update its “mirror image”.
• Tabbed Container — Containers are virtual panels that contain a selection of controls. Tabbed containers allow you to change the contents of this panel at the tap of a finger. Put all the controls you need for one part of your performance in one tab, then simply push the next tab to reveal a whole new bank with zero hassle. This feature allows you to greatly improve interface layouts.
• Mouse and keyboard control — Now Lemur’s objects can be used to remotely control the mouse cursor or computer keyboard.
• Workflow improvements — Workflow improvements include the ability to simply drag objects from the new palette into the work area — any custom-made modules from your library will also appear here. It’s now no longer necessary to select a MIDI or OSC target for each parameter within an object — just choose a “parent” target and you’re done. There’s also a new ‘colour chooser’ to make your interfaces visually distinctive.
• Extended scripting abilities — A new multi-line script pane opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can now modify the physical behaviour, appearance or size of an object in real time. Add a ball to a Multiball object by touching a pad, or zoom in on a fader for ultimate precision. These scripts can act locally or be received from the computer. For Ableton users that means it is now possible to receive clip names and colours and display them on the Lemur. Any changes in your Live set are automatically reflected on the Lemur. 

This is a demo of a Lemur-based Tenori-On Clone. Not sure about the market for this – but you gotta love the blinky lights.

This is a quick video demonstrating using TouchOSC ito extend the functionality of a MIDI keyboard. 

Novation 25SL Compact and TouchOSC controlling Ableton 7 and a Access Virus Snow.

This looks ultra cool – but I think the main reason this is getting any attention is that people have been lusting after the JazzMutant Lemur for several years. 

Let me know what you think – musically useful, or just a bit of eye candy?

JazzMutant has announced the upcoming release of a new firmware for their Lemur multitouch-screen controller.

The version 2 firmware update offers a host of new object features. Workflow improvements, scripting additions and other features allow the controller to be used with some of the most popular software applications around, with Ableton Live users, in particular, benefiting from some of the new features. 

What’s new:

• Breakpoint object: offers total control of synthesiser or sampler envelopes with a multi-segment envelope editor to allow you to really get inside a sound. Rather than assigning knobs to these sound shapers, jump right in and directly tweak an on-screen representation of the envelope.
• Gesture object: this emulates a trackpad control with advanced gesture recognition and has three novel ways to interact with your sound. You can send different control messages to your computer simply by pinching, rotating or tracing your fingers.
• Alias: now you can easily produce a copy or alias of a controller object that sends exactly the same information to your computer. This takes up less memory and is much less time consuming than setting up a new object with identical characteristics. Manipulating the original or its doppelganger can now control the same computer parameters but from different interface screens. Moving one will automatically update its “mirror image”.
• Tabbed Container: containers are virtual panels that contain a selection of controls. Tabbed containers allow you to change the contents of this panel at the tap of a finger. This feature allows you to greatly improve interface layouts.
• Mouse and keyboard control: now Lemur’s objects can be used to remotely control the mouse cursor or computer keyboard.
• Workflow improvements: setting up your custom performance interface is a breeze with the improved and new-look Jazzeditor. Workflow improvements include the ability to simply drag objects from the new palette into the work area – any custom-made modules from your library will also appear here. It’s now no longer necessary to select a MIDI or OSC target for each parameter within an object – just choose a “parent” target and you’re done. There’s also a new ‘colour chooser’ to make your interfaces visually distinctive.
• Extended scripting abilities: a new multi-line script pane opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can now modify the physical behaviour, appearance or size of an object in real time. Add a ball to a Multiball object by touching a pad, or zoom in on a fader for ultimate precision. These scripts can act locally or be received from the computer. For Ableton users that means it is now possible to receive clip names and colours and display them on the Lemur. Any changes in your Live set are automatically reflected on the Lemur.

The public beta of the v2 firmware update will launched at AES (October 3rd to 5th) with the full version released Q4 2008. The full update will be free.

via MacMusic

This allows you to remote control and receive feedback from software and hardware that implements the OSC protocol such as Pure Data and Max/MSP.

The interface provides a number of different touch controls to send/receive messages:

• Faders
• Rotary controls
• Push buttons
• Toggle buttons
• XY pads
• Multi-faders
• Multi-toggles
• LEDs

The program comes with four layouts that are organized in multiple pages.

The League Of Electronic Musical Urban Robots‘ Eric Singer demonstrates the Slime-o-Tron – a controller that works by moving conductive slime around copper nails.

What do you think? Is this the most disgusting way to create music ever invented?

Via Gearwire; More at Make.

At the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled Microsoft Surface, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft. Surface turns a tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through gestures, touch and physical objects.

While no musical applications were mentioned in the announcement, Microsoft Surface appears to be a mainstream implementation of technologies pioneered by the Lemur and the Reactable. The potential for music applications could be endless.

Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that small groups can use at the same time. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information on their own or collaboratively with their friends and families, just like in the real world.

“With Surface, we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology,” Ballmer said. “We see this as a multibillion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface is the first step in realizing that vision.”

Microsoft highlights four key features in their announcment:

• Direct interaction. Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands, interacting with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
• Multi-touch. Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger like a typical touch-screen, but up to dozens of items at once.
• Multi-user. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
• Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.

The JazzMutant Lemur, described as the most advanced and innovative controller created for musicians, sound designers, composers, audio engineers and media artists, now is taking things to the next level of control.

After taking the turn to complete workflow optimization with the last update, the new Version 1.6 not only includes a boost of added functionality, it also brings instant and smooth communication between the Lemur and the host computer providing simplification and out of the box usage.

Here’s the details on the update:

Lemur Version 1.6 Overview

• New JazzDaemon background application for seamless integration, immediate communication and smooth network operation.
• New internal storage of modules, interfaces and projects at the Lemur including smart navigation.
• New local browser dialogue with project view and interface pre-view facilitates easy managment and instant availability of projects, templates and modules from the Lemur.
• Adjustments of default settings and MIDI + OSC routings now directly operatable from the Lemur.
• 3 new objects and improvement of all present Objects. Refinement of workflow with better visibilty and graphical representation of function.
• New grid function for precise and clear control adding visual indicators for exact parameter positions.
• Hiding complexity and achieving simplicity.

Lemur Version 1.6 In Depth

• The new JazzDaemon background application launched with Version 1.6 supplies seamless integration by bridging the output of the Lemur to the available MIDI ports and applications handling MIDI on the host computer. The multiplicity of MIDI sources and destinations is handled by the JazzDeamon allowing bidirectional MIDI network distribution between one or several Lemurs and any kind of available MIDI application on one or several host computer. You can now control any of your MIDI applications easily with two Lemurs or more, or in another setup control two of your MIDI applications running on two different computers from a single Lemur.
• For plain sailing operation the JazzDeamon autodetects the Lemur when connected to the host, and once installed, all settings and MIDI routings can be comfortably managed from the Lemur’s touchscreen browsing through the new Settings Dialogue.
• The new internal storage function added to version 1.6 perfectly matches the benefits available through the JazzDaemon and provides immediate availability and fast switching of projects from the Lemur’s touch-screen, containing all interfaces and mappings. The new local Browser Dialogue with project view and interface preview facilitates easy managment of projects, templates and default settings from the Lemur. You can flag any project as your Startup Project, for immediate loading when the Lemur is turned on. Already available for download, the constantly growing library of templates for applications such as Ableton Live, Reaktor, Traktor DJ, Logic, Cubase and essential work tools like the Control Surface Emulation now come included as set factory presets.
• Seriously adapting the users’ requests, Version 1.6 does not stop here, but it introduces a row of significant added functions and refinements.
• The new Range Object is a highly customizable slider allowing intuitive scaling of a continous range. A neat tool for sample part looping or dynamic filter control.
• The new Text Object allows efficient and effortless labelling of objects and is assignable to all other objects. Place it wherever you want, customize font size and alignment, profit from automatic multiline expansion. You can hide and show text dynamically and have it blink on demand: you’ll never forget what this red slider does in your interface!
• The new Custom Botton Object is a powerful object that can be used as button or switch. It can be labelled with text in the same way as the Text Object or tagged with a broad range of bitmap symbols such as play, stop, pause and alike with different colors for on and off. The Custom Button Object brings clear visibility and graphical representation of function to any highly customized template.
• Efficient desktop managment can be achieved by the revised object grouping integrated in the JazzEditor, now including horizontal and vertical distribution and alignment for faster grouping and organization of objects.
• The Container Object has been enhanced with the new lock-unlock feature, locking or unlocking the inside layout for safer work in progress. As important second addition to the Container Object it is now possible to devide between the top and low level of parameters. The lock option now let interface designers hide complexity and give access to just the necessary set of parameters to tinker with. Focussing on the contextual parameters of all objects embedded in the Container, this feature permits to center on the relevant elements to control. You may lock the modules that you share on the User Area of the JazzMutant website and simplify the interface for the benefit of the user.
• The Multiball Object, Fader Object, Knob Object and Multislider Object introduce the new grid function to divide their areas in equal steps and quantize their output, for maximum precision. An essential function for any production requirement such as surround design or critical performance state where it is neccessary to tap in exact positions. Add a grid to your knob object to emulate those Moog rotary filter selectors. Divide your Faders to instantly jump through a bank of 10 presets. A grid in your Multiball lets you toy with discrete sets of 2D positions, adding precision to your surround panning setup. The Grid Function does not only allow precise control, moreover it adds visual indicators to the objects so exact parameter positions can be anticipated.
• The new objects guarantee exact and optimized interface design. How then does this plentitude of parameter additions affect the user? All improvements were made with one simple goal in mind: maximum intuitive workflow melted with maximum efficiency. Where most conventional audio and media controllers fail, the Lemur starts to live: precision and creativity are no longer contradictions but side by side companions.

JazzMutant Lemur is a hardware controller for new media applications featuring a proprietary multitouch LCD touchscreen. The Lemur uses OSC messages to communicate with a Windows or Mac host computer over 100-base T Ethernet.

Version 1.5 features an improved JazzEditor that provides more efficient design tools and improved routing of control data-MIDI and OSC-to media applications. Thanks to the Lemur’s extended MIDI control capabilities, audio software applications can update the user interface display while you are using the touch surface. This allows the Lemur to function as a flexible two-way control surface.

2006 Winter NAMM Expo: Cycling ‘74

New software features in version 1.3 allow the Lemur to be reconfigured in powerful ways from a host computer via the OSC (Open Sound Control) protocol.

The Lemur is a hardware controller for new media applications featuring a proprietary LCD touch screen for which users create their own user interfaces. The Lemur sends OSC messages to a Windows or Mac host computer over 100-base T Ethernet. The new version 1.3 software expands the repertoire of OSC commands the host computer can send back to the Lemur, allowing any of the eight types of user interface objects to be changed on the fly. This allows the Lemur to be used both as a controller and a status monitor.

Most intriguing are the new messages for switching among the Lemur’s multiple interface “pages” from the host computer. This means, for example, that a composition could automatically change the interface presented to a performer as a piece progresses. Other new features include new graphic designs for many of the UI objects, six new functions for the Lemur’s powerful built-in mathematical expression language, and new ways to customize the appearance of the standard objects.

Version 1.3 continues JazzMutant’s policy of regular updating of the Lemur software since the product was first released in mid-2005. New features added over the past several months include MIDI support, a new “RingArea” UI objects that resembles a super joystick, and a unique time synchronization system.

About Cycling ‘74

Cycling ‘74 creates and distributes Mac OS and Windows software for audio, video, and multimedia innovators. Products include the Max/MSP/Jitter graphical programming environment, the Pluggo, Mode and Hipno collections of Max/MSP-based audio plug-ins, the Radial loop-based composition and performance system, the Octirama and UpMix advanced surround design tools, and the interactive algorithmic composition program M. Cycling ‘74 also releases creative musical and multimedia works through their c74 recording label and audio source libraries for musicians, sound designers and media producers through its Cycles series.

More information is available at the Cycling ‘74 site.

2006 Winter NAMM Expo: Cycling ‘74

New software features in version 1.3 allow the Lemur to be reconfigured in powerful ways from a host computer via the OSC (Open Sound Control) protocol.

The Lemur is a hardware controller for new media applications featuring a proprietary LCD touch screen for which users create their own user interfaces. The Lemur sends OSC messages to a Windows or Mac host computer over 100-base T Ethernet. The new version 1.3 software expands the repertoire of OSC commands the host computer can send back to the Lemur, allowing any of the eight types of user interface objects to be changed on the fly. This allows the Lemur to be used both as a controller and a status monitor.

Most intriguing are the new messages for switching among the Lemur’s multiple interface “pages” from the host computer. This means, for example, that a composition could automatically change the interface presented to a performer as a piece progresses. Other new features include new graphic designs for many of the UI objects, six new functions for the Lemur’s powerful built-in mathematical expression language, and new ways to customize the appearance of the standard objects.

Version 1.3 continues JazzMutant’s policy of regular updating of the Lemur software since the product was first released in mid-2005. New features added over the past several months include MIDI support, a new “RingArea” UI objects that resembles a super joystick, and a unique time synchronization system.

About Cycling ‘74

Cycling ‘74 creates and distributes Mac OS and Windows software for audio, video, and multimedia innovators. Products include the Max/MSP/Jitter graphical programming environment, the Pluggo, Mode and Hipno collections of Max/MSP-based audio plug-ins, the Radial loop-based composition and performance system, the Octirama and UpMix advanced surround design tools, and the interactive algorithmic composition program M. Cycling ‘74 also releases creative musical and multimedia works through their c74 recording label and audio source libraries for musicians, sound designers and media producers through its Cycles series.

More information is available at the Cycling ‘74 site.

New JazzMutant Site: The main new feature of the web site is its Workshop section. The new section is a collection of tutorials and examples to help you get the feel of your new Lemur in a couple of hours, while using your favorite software.

Available tutorials: “Surround Panning Strategies” with Cubase SX ; “Exploring Granular Synthesis” with Max/MSP and a Lemur project template destinated to control the most popular loop-based sequencer: Ableton Live 5.

Controller Version 1.2 : Both JazzEditor and the Lemur firmware have also been greatly updated: objects improvement (the circular 2D controller RingArea now accept several attractors creating complex oscillation movements ; the Area object has been merged with the Multiball object featuring new Cursor and Physic modes) ; MIDI implementation (several new features ease the JazzEditor to scale and generate MIDI output from the OSC messages sent by the Lemur) ; Expression Parser / Compiler (new math operator and functions have been added).

Source: JazzMutant