Livid, best known for their VJ software (Union, Cell), have a new control surface for music and visuals called the Ohm. What’s nice about this control surface is that it’s clearly designed around specific user needs, with a control setup that should work well for music software (Traktor or any DJ software, Ableton Live, and custom Reaktor ensembles spring to mind), as well as visual performance. The pads are buttons, not velocity-sensitive pads, so this will be more useful for clip triggering (sound, visuals) than drum programming. That could make this more interesting to visualists than music folks, though at least some DJs will still be happy.
What we really love: the wooden case option, which costs the same as the metal version, looks cooler, and sheds two pounds. It’s also interesting to see Livid’s “patent-pending” design with the pads in the center and mixer-style faders split.
The basic specs:
- “Professional-grade controls.” (I’ll be the judge of that; Livid is in town so hope to get my hands on it soon.)
- 36 buttons in a 6×6 grid
- 8 faders, 1 DJ-style crossfader
- 9 function buttons, plus 8 trigger/mute buttons to go with the faders
- BPM tap button
- 5-pin MIDI out and USB
Livid Union 2.5 is included free if you’re interested in visual work. There are also demos of Ableton Live, FL Studio (Fruity Loops), and AMG One, though, so music is kept in mind.
The MIDI out could make this a nice companion to synths, too, and not just a computer accessory.
More on this soon. Of course, if you want a Viditar as your controller, you’ll have to get Livid to custom-build for you.
The Ohm is available for preorders now at an introductory US$790; the unit ships at $899 list at the end of the month.
Livid Ohm Hardware Product Page
And for more thoughts on what this can do for live visuals, video art, and VJing, head over to CDMusic’s sister site:
Livid’s New Ohm Control Surface, and the Hunt for the Perfect VJ Controller [Create Digital Motion]