Dynamic control is fantastic. The idea is this: when you switch to a new app or instrument or effect, the hardware controller automatically assigns parameters to controls. That means no messing around with templates, assignment editors, and configuration, and the ability to quickly gain control of your software when editing or performing. Novation’s MIDI-controlling keyboards […]
Music
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Weekend Inspiration: Star Wars, Retold by Someone Who Hasn't Seen It
This has been posted all over the web this weekend, but in case there’s anyone out there in CDM Land who hasn’t already encountered it: Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn’t seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo. Of course, apart from being a high dose of both Cute and Funny, there’s a CDMo […]
Analog, Meet Digital: MOTU Volta Connects the Mac to CV Synths, Effects Graphically
Computers speak digital signal. Analog synths and modulars speak control voltage. (It’s sort of a “men are from Mars, women find these metaphors insulting” kind of situation.) What if you could bridge the two elegantly and graphically, using a drag-and-drop, modular interface with calibration and control features? MOTU has developed a solution called Volta. It’s […]
Authentic Chipmusic Soft Synth Emulation: Plogue Chipsounds Scoop from NAMM
From top: ComputeHer, 8 bit Weapon. You’ve heard the chip hype. But there’s something behind it: vintage digital chips can make wonderful sounds. And I’m thrilled that someone has painstakingly reproduced those sounds in an upcoming package. Emulating analog circuitry, from amps to classic synths, has been long understood. But we’ve finally reached an […]
Max For Live is Max In Live: MSP, Jitter, OSC, and All; The Open Source Side?
Standing on Max patches. Photo (CC) Sklathill. Many people are asking about what Max for Live can do. That’s a short answer: everything Max/MSP/Jitter can, plus some new stuff to make it work with Ableton Live. It might be better called “Max in Live.” Max for Live has all the objects that Max/MSP and Jitter […]
Akai APC40 Video from Ableton; More Controllers Coming
When Ableton refers to controllers, they do use “controllers,” plural. So you can expect more Ableton-official controllers coming soon. Ableton does have a video where you can see more in action. (Video via the terrific audioporncentral.) What I need you to tell me is what you can’t see in this video, so I can sit […]
Ableton’s Upgrade Options: Easier to Understand than a Large Hadron Collider
Photo: Derek K. Miller (penmachine) catches some Live action from friend Paul. Updated: Rewrite. We in fact had several users successfully upgrade from Live 6 to 7 overnight, for free. That seems to have been either some extremely particular circumstance or a server glitch. (Pointing to the latter, Ableton took their shop down for maintenance […]
Maschine and APC Answers: It Does Have Hardware MIDI, It Doesn’t Need Max
As I read through comments, it seems worth some additional notes and clarifications on Native Instruments’ Maschine hardware/software drum machine combo and Akai’s APC40 controller for Ableton Live. (That’s not to say that the two are comparable – though I do hope to see them running side by side soon!) Maschine: It Has Hardware MIDI […]
NAMM Bombshell: Max for Live Will Put Jitter in Ableton Live, Too, Integrating Visuals
Jitter screen grab by droolcup, which is what you’re about to need. I’ll give you a second to let that headline sink in. Max for Live, announced at the NAMM music trade show, adds Max/MSP/Jitter to Ableton Live, including – in a move that really caught me by surprise – Jitter. In addition to the […]