MIDI control surface

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! Read more…

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.” Read more…

MIDI Motion Machine (App Store link) is a new $.99 iPhone app that lets you control MIDI devices.

Description:

MIDI Motion Machine is an accelerometer based MIDI controller app for your iPhone/iPod Touch. Tilt your iPhone/iPod to control any MIDI CC parameter.

Like other CM Software MIDI Products, MIDI Motion Machine sends MIDI messages over WiFi to a server application on your computer, which relays the MIDI messages to your favorite MIDI capable apps just like it was a hardware controller.

Download the free server application from our website (http://www.cmsoftwaredesigns.com) for Mac/Win/Linux.

MMM is very configurable. It has 5 user patches that are quickly selectable using numbered buttons at the bottom of the screen. Each user patch can have it’s own MIDI Channel and MIDI CC configurations. The accelerometer visual display changes color based on which of the 5 patches is selected.

As a bonus, MMM has a set of sound triggers that overlay the accelerometer display. These can be used to trigger beats, samples and play drum kits while you’re twisting sounds by tilting the accelerometer.

2009 NAMM Show: Numark has announced that Omni Control, its professional DJ control surface with built-in audio interface, is now shipping.

Omni Control is a complete, professional computer-DJ system consisting of a hardware controller with built-in audio I/O. Omni Control is designed to plug directly into any sound system and perform. A built-in 24–bit computer audio interface feeds audio to two stereo outputs and headphones. The Omni Control features low latency 44.1kHz and 88.2kHz audio ASIO drivers. 

“Omni Control builds on our successful Total Control, adding upgrades that customers requested,” said Gregg Stein, Director of Marketing, Numark. “We took our popular USB hardware-control surface, tweaked everything for higher performance, added in a computer audio interface, and bundled it with a copy of Traktor LE 3 and MixMeister Fusion Live.”

Omni Control is now shipping, with an MSRP of $549.99 and an estimated street price of $349.99

You can preview the Omni Control with the videos embedded above. Let me know what you think!

2009 NAMM Show: Alesis is now shipping its awesome MasterControl audio interface and control surface. 

MasterControl is a professional audio interface and recording control surface, providing engineers with 44.1 — 192kHz-recording capability and full-featured control of HUI-compatible DAWs and external MIDI devices.

• The input section consists of two XLR inputs with phantom power and channel inserts, six TRS line inputs and extensive expansion capability. Twenty six simultaneous inputs are possible with the optional S/PDIF and dual S/MUX ADAT Lightpipe inputs. Six analog outputs are configurable for use with 5.1 surround, three sets of stereo pairs or six discrete outputs.
• MasterControl offers dedicated speaker switching, let you dynamically select between multiple monitors to check their mixes on different speakers or in different rooms. A stereo headphone output is also provided for an additional mix reference.
• Each channel contains dedicated Solo, Record Enable, Mute and Select buttons for instant access to the most essential channel functions. The large, multifunction jog wheel can be used to shuttle, zoom and enter data.
• Nine 100mm-motorized faders and a dedicated transport-control section provide guess-free access to the most crucial recording operations.
• Two banks of eight assignable buttons enable users to customize functionality for commonly used actions such as markers, loop points and automation modes.
• Eight 360-degree assignable virtual potentiometers with three banks let you control 24 different parameters for extensive control of nearly any DAW.
• Removable, customizable templates provide a visual overview of all preset operations. All presets are fully editable and configurable.

Read more…