Want intuitive in an interface? Can't get much more intuitive than this: now-defunct interactive world-rhythm band D'CuCKOO (1986-1998, superceded by RhythMix) built the MIDIBALL: a helium-filled balloon packed with wireless triggers so that the audience could trigger sounds and images. D'CuCKOO also built bamboo trigger sticks, marimbas and drums and even a giant interactive 3D […]

Rob Read from Edirol tells CDM that, while the announcement of the new CG-8 video synth is hours old, we can expect some video samples on the site soon. Better news: Edirol hopes to show off this gear in person in New York, possibly as soon as this summer. New Yawkas, I'll see you at […]

This week's understatement of note: "Sometimes I am self-driven to do some weird stuff. I have no idea why." Indeed, Troy Errthum. Like turning an old upright piano into a 20-gallon pianoquarium, complete with live fish. (via hackaday) The piano itself is no longer playable (guess that's what happens when you replace the soundboard with […]

Now in public beta (form required) but launching in August, Digitalmusician.net is an ambitious one-stop-shop for online collaboration. No, it's not just new-fangled live collaboration; it's the whole package: Interactive VST collaboration: Send audio and MIDI via a VST 2.0 plugin live to and from anywhere, with high-quality audio (256 kb MP3 max, stereo), on […]

Tom Erbe of Soundhack fame has finally brought his old Mac utility Instant Player to OS X. (download the beta from his freeware page) Option-click a sound in the Finder, and it plays instantly — no mucking about in the multi-column view required. Insanely cool for quick sound browsing, so give it a shot! Updated: […]

The story so far: Pro Tools has traditionally been tied to software, including their LE software which requires an Mbox or 002 interface. Then Digidesign purchased M-Audio, a company that had become the fastest-growing music maker in the business by selling hardware accessories for all of Digi's rivals. Well, if you've been waiting to see […]

No major new products from Windows developer Cakewalk — that came in January at NAMM — but worth mentioning: TAKE THAT, DIGIDESIGN: Audio and MIDI production environment SONAR LE will now be bundled with Edirol hardware. Windows users, this means some serious value with Edirol keyboards and audio interfaces. LE is no crippleware: 24-bit / […]

Prefer the "a la carte" approach to virtual amps/effects for your guitar to the "all you can eat buffet" bundle? Native Instruments' new Guitar Combos series will offer three amp models with effects: Twang Combo: models Fender Twin Reverb AC Box Combo: models Vox AC-30 Plexi Combo: models Marshall JMP50 Each features cabinet emulation with […]

Reaktor is already a so-insanely-powerful-it-makes-my-head-hurt powerhouse combining sound creation, sampling, effects, and interactivity. Now get ready for Native Instruments' Reaktor 5: Core Technology: Low-level signal processing is now woven into the DNA of Reaktor, so you can build custom oscillators, filters, EQs, delays, and the like from scratch. (Look out, Max/MSP, in other words!) And […]

Terry Smythe has digitally scanned 2,650 vintage piano rolls (and counting) and converted them into zipped-up MIDI file archives. Those are standard MIDI files, folks, so fire up GarageBand or Live or whatever and see what you can do with them! Check out the technical details of how it was done; there are enough people […]