Tag Archives: MIDI Controllers

MIDI Controllers are hardware and software systems designed to generates and transmits MIDI data to MIDI-enabled devices. The most common types of MIDI Controllers are music keyboards, MIDI control surfaces and DJ control surfaces.

Here are the most recent posts at Synthtopia about MIDI Controllers.

Maago Intros 4×4 DJ Controller & 4×4 Virtual Controller For iOS

Posted on by
1

Maago has introduced a new hardware DJ controller, the 4×4, along with a virtual version of it for iOS, the 4×4 Virtual.

The Maago 4×4, shown above, is designed to give you ‘total control over Traktor’. Here’s what they have to say about it:

With more than 20 knobs and 40 buttons, this new hardware is built in a sturdy aluminum case and will be the perfect controller for all TRAKTOR PRO™ versions and any DJ software that supports the MIDI protocol. Simply connect the Maago 4×4 unit to a computer running TRAKTOR™ (or other DJ software) and gain instant control of your 4 decks, 4 effect parameters, loop controls, etc, all at same time and with no need to use the shift button to reach all these functions. High quality rotary knobs with a heavy-duty feel and 40 backlit buttons provide real visual and tactile feedback of your workflow, letting you perform on TRAKTOR™ without having to touch your computer.

Hardware Details

  • Buttons and knobs:
  • 40 high quality back lit buttons
  • 71 high quality buttons
  • 42 high quality small buttons
  • 11 high quality rotary enconders
  • 8 high quality knobs
  • 4 leds
  • Connections:
    • 2 USB ports / 1 Midi out + 1 Midi in
  • Dimensions:
    • 120 mm (4.7? ) x 52 mm (2?) x 294mm (11.5?)

    Pricing and availability are to be announced. See the Maago site for details.

    Continue reading →

    DJ Template For Livid OhmRGB

    Posted on by
    Reply
    YouTube Preview Image

    Developer Will Marshall sent word of his DJ Template for the Livid OhmRGB:

    I’ve just released a new version of my existing Ableton DJ template for the Livid Instruments OhmRGB.

    While my APC template has been quite popular (it even showed up on Synthtopia a couple of times), I’ve had numerous requests to add support for the Livid controllers, so here’s the first one :)

    The DJ Template Pro is available now for $20 at Marshall’s site.

    Marshall adds, “Enjoy das blinkenlichts”.

    gTar iPhone Guitar Has Three Levels Of Difficulty + USB/MIDI

    Posted on by
    2

    Incident Technologies has introduced the gTar, a hybrid iPhone dock + music controller guitar that’s described as ‘the first guitar that anybody can play’.

    The gTar uses digital sensors to sense your finger position and then the iPhone is used for sound generation.

    The guitar offers three levels of difficulty/playability:

    • If you’ve never played the guitar before, start with Easy, where you only need to play the open strings. This gives you the chance to start playing your favorite songs right away while getting a hands on feel for the strings. SmartPlay is in effect here, so if you hit the wrong string, you won’t hear anything.
    • When you’ve graduated from Easy, you can move up to Medium and start playing the frets and strings at the same time. Smart Play is still in effect, so you can continue to play without the fear of messing up.
    • When you’ve mastered a song and want to take it to the next level, try playing in Hard. Here, the gTar will continue to display the correct notes, but allows you to play whatever you want. SmartPlay stops working here, so every note you play will ring out.

    Several aspects of the gTar may make it interesting for electronic musicians:

    • The gTar is USB-MIDI compliant. Incident says that they’ll “be releasing some tutorials and hacks soon!”, if you’re interested in hacking the gTar to create/perform music.
    • They also plan to offer an SDK in the future, for people that are interested in building apps for the gTar.

    Continue reading →

    MIDI Mandala For iOS

    Posted on by
    Reply

    Intelligent Gadgets has released MIDI Mandala – a wireless Midi controller for iPod/Touch, iPhone, and iPad.

    The user selects a musical scale that is mapped to the mandala. The lowest note is in the center, followed in increasing pitch from the top, alternating back and forth, down to the bottom.

    MIDI Mandala lets you play networked MIDI synths wirelessly using the same circular control concept.
    You can run multiple versions at the same on different MIDI channels and control different synth sounds simultaneously.

    After touch controls let you change the pitch and loudness of a sound, providing subtle nuances of expression. 16 presets allow you to save your own custom settings.

    Unfortunately, the developers don’t mention CoreMIDI or hardware MIDI support.

    MIDI Mandala is $.99 in the App Store.

     

    Draw A Working Synthesizer With SketchSynth

    Posted on by
    4

    SketchSynth, by Billy Keyes, is a drawable OSC control panel which lets you create your own control panels, with just a marker and a piece of paper.

    Once drawn, the controller sends Open Sound Control (OSC) messages to anything that can receive them; in this case, a synthesizer running in Pure Data.

    Continue reading →

    Livid Intros Instruments Builder V2

    Posted on by
    2
    YouTube Preview Image

    Livid Instruments has introduced Builder v2, the second generation of its MIDI Brain system.

    Livid Builder is a line of DIY parts that make it easy for you to design your own MIDI control surfaces and devices, using buttons, knobs, encoders, velocity pads, arcade buttons, accelerometers, faders, other sensors, and talkback LED’s.

    Continue reading →

    Haken Audio Updates Continuum Fingerboard

    Posted on by
    6

    Haken Continuum controllerHaken Audio has released a firmware and software update for the Continuum Fingerboard. Version 5.01 includes additions to the programmable synthesizer in the Continuum Fingerboard, the EaganMatrix.

    The EaganMatrix design was inspired by classical modular matrix patching synthesizers such as the ARP 2500 and the EMS Synthi 100. However, unlike those analog predecessors, the EaganMatrix doesn’t use pins to make patch point connections. Instead, a dynamic formulaic equation can be placed inside a selected patch point, replacing that static pin, creating a simple to amazingly complex relationship between the Continuum playing surface and the flow of sound from patch point source to destination.

    The EaganMatrix is a modular digital synthesizer, allowing the user to craft their musical sound by digitally connecting audio and control modules via a patching matrix. The EaganMatrix synthesizer is internal to the Continuum Fingerboard, utilizing the Continuum’s internal DSP engine. No external hardware is required. The synthesizer is edited by using an external cross platform editing program, the Continuum Editor.

    The download for version 5.01 is available in the downloads section of the Haken Audio site. Full details are available (pdf).

    New App, iMoov, Turns Your iPhone Into A Wireless Motion-Controlled Effects Controller

    Posted on by
    Reply

    Developer MobileSword has released iMoov – a fully customizable wireless MIDI controller that can be used to control multiple effect parameters within Logic Pro 9, Traktor, Ableton Live and other apps.

    According to the developers, “iMoov is useful for DJs, live musicians and producers alike. Hold it in your hand, or strap it to your guitar – the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.”

    The iMoov is also compatible with the Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II.

    It’s currently a free download in the App Store, but they say that will be limited to the first 5,000 users. So, if it looks interesting, act now while it’s free.

    If you give iMoov a try, let us know how it works for you!

    Continue reading →