Man cannot live by synthesizers alone. No, really; even I’m not that dedicated. I keep something to nosh on while I work; don’t you? So, while this time last year I was celebrating the keytar (thanks for the reminder, matrixsynth), here we’ll go off-topic and say that good food and time with family and friends […]

Tobias, the talented creator of the NitroTracker homebrew software for Nintendo DS (see our DS homebrew roundup), sends us a new project: wireless MIDI control. The MIDI implementation is pretty clever: tap keys with the stylus to play them, and get vibrato/modulation by rubbing a key. You can send MIDI data from the DS, which […]

Wireless control has major appeal for VJs and live visualists: control visuals in different locations wirelessly, move about while performing, and, erm, grab a cocktail during your set. (Well, at least I occasionally want to do that last one. All without performing my dynamic performance, mind you.) There are commercial options like M-Audio’s wireless adapter, […]

CDM Stalwart bliss thinks that Wired’s article on Miya Masaoka‘s Laser Koto is worthy of front page CDM status. Well let’s have a look at the required aspects of a CDM article: Electronic Music? Check. Samples? Check. Lasers? Check. Midi? Check. Arduino? Check. Laptop? Check. Max/MSP? Check. Yep, I think we can squeeze it in […]

Peter has disappeared for a well-deserved break. I can’t replace him. I can’t even see myself getting to the place from which I could see the path which would allow me to tell you something about music or audio which he hasn’t already covered at length and in depth. However, I can tell you plenty […]

Peter has looked at M-Audio’s new MidAir cable-free midi keyboard and adapter on CDMu, but I’d like to bring it up here for those who don’t visit the ‘Mu daily (shame!). The MidAir 37 controller is just an incremental upgrade on the existing MidAir 25, adding an extra octave and 9 faders. These are definitely […]

Out of the lab, and into the world: Flash 9 is now official and no longer beta. Flash Player 9 Linux is still in beta, but coming. (I’ll be really interested to do some Windows vs. Mac vs. Linux benchmarking. Linux as a deployment platform has some real appeal.) I’m personally finding that the combination […]

Now that’s what I call a Thanksgiving present. At long last, Native Instruments is shipping desperately-awaited Universal Binary versions of their remaining software. Available now: Guitar Rig (2.2 update). Coming this week (probably while I’m traveling), Kontakt. Next week: Traktor and Reaktor are due (note that sometimes last-minute delays can hold things up, but NI […]

You’ve waited. You’ve suffered. Some of you bought Intel Macs and couldn’t run your plug-ins. Others have been holding off on that slick new MacBook while your PowerBook dies a slow, prolonged death. Finally, though, the final wave of plug-ins are coming to the Intel Macs. There are still more to come, but the pace […]