The Continuum provides subtle, continuous control of software instruments. And now it has a stand that looks like it was lifted from the set of Deep Space Nine. Alternative controllers come and go, but some designers lavish attention and craft on their controllers. The Haken Continuum is one we’re likely to revisit over time, because […]

Felt + circuits = sustainable musical goodness. Powered by USB, this felt calculator can squeeze and squeak to make noise. Plastic, aluminum, wood … why not felt? Brian Crabtree and Kelli Cain, co-creators of the open source Monome multimedia controller, have long had an interest in alternative, sustainable materials for music and multimedia. They recently […]

Stu Maschwitz has built a lil ol’ forum around his action-movies-on-the-cheap book, “The DV Rebel’s Guide“, and like all good forums, the community is working together to solve problems and helping each other out. The problem: how to create a wire-pull blood bag effect. The solution is loads of fun. Not really useful for your […]

Stu Maschwitz has built a lil ol’ forum around his action-movies-on-the-cheap book, “The DV Rebel’s Guide“, and like all good forums, the community is working together to solve problems and helping each other out. The problem: how to create a wire-pull blood bag effect. The solution is loads of fun. Not really useful for your […]

We have a love/hate relationship with Behringer. Some of their products are crap, some are blatant rip-offs of other gear — some are both. But they make some very nice control surface units that lack a direct alternative, particularly at a low price. Prepend “poor man’s” on the beginning, put in some controller elbow grease, […]

Fathers have played a big part in a lot of our lives — well, at the very least, they’re an irreplaceable 50% of the fact that you exist at all. My Dad inspired a love of music, letting me experience the musical power of a college basketball pep band (still the greatest orchestration ever), playing […]

After weeks of suspense, it’s my pleasure to announce the winners of the CDM Giveaway. I’ve contacted the prize winners, so if your name is on the list, you should have an email from me. PreSonus FaderPort: Vincent Hill, Seattle, WA Numark Total Control: Nicolas Paciorek, Watertown, NY Native Instruments Elektrik Piano: Valerie Mabre, Marion, […]

Chris O’Shea sends along his latest project, a collaboration with sound designer and composer Owen Lloyd called Drop Spin Fade. Part of the Future of Sound tour, Drop Spin Fade allows users to position, sculpt, and play with sound in a 3D environment using gestural control. Drop Spin Fade The music/sound environment: Through a series […]

Handmade instruments aren’t so unusual in the audio and music world, but in the trickier land of videoism, they’re a relatively rare breed. These are some recent works from Derraindrop: The Rocky Top video synths (the “splattered” model is shown above) are available for sale at US$280, in beautiful handmade boxes. I’m honestly often disappointed […]

Handmade instruments aren’t so unusual in the audio and music world, but in the trickier land of videoism, they’re a relatively rare breed. These are some recent works from Derraindrop: The Rocky Top video synths (the “splattered” model is shown above) are available for sale at US$280, in beautiful handmade boxes. I’m honestly often disappointed […]