ERAE Touch has shown off its newest, fully MIDI 2.0 compatible, highly configurable controller surface. It combines a powerful LED panel, silicone touch surface, polyphonic control, highly customisable drag-and-drop elements, 1000 high quality force sensitive resistors for intricate, subtle, nuanced control, a blazing 1ms response time thanks to five onboard […]
MIDI
Expressive E used NAMM to show off its incredible Osmose “standalone expressive synthesiser”, which boasts a whole range of controls built right into the keys and keyed itself, for the shaping and manipulation of sounds. Most keyboards don’t offer a lot of expressive possibilities by themselves, even if fitted with […]
Philip Glass’s baby grand piano sampled by Spitfire Audio Spitfire Audio’s latest LABS free software instrument captures celebrated composer Philip Glass’s beloved baby grand piano as aptly titled Glass Piano. It puts the sound of an instrument which was used in all his compositions for the past 30 years into […]
Casio CT-S1000V with vocal synthesis Casio has introduced its new Casiotone CT-S1000V, claiming to be the first vocal synthesizer than can turn any text into a musical phrase and then ‘sing’ it using full harmony based on notes played on the keyboard. On board Casio has loaded in 100 Lyric […]
Although this guide was written in 2018, no subsequent releases of GarageBand have included the ability to change time signatures midway through a project. MuseScore has been updated to version 4 but the procedure remains substantially the same. Introduction While most music compositions and arrangements you’re likely to work on […]
Alongside their M-Track Eight comes a four track USB audio and MIDI interface from M-Audio. Features include: Efficient desktop design offering up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution 4 XLR+1/4? combo inputs accommodate any source Selectable phantom power and guitar-level switching 1/4” balanced outs; monitor (1, 2) with level; fixed (3,4) 4 […]
Korg has announced the availability of its new taktile USB controller keyboard. Based on the same design as the new TRITON taktile, but without the TRITON sounds, this is an ideal keyboard for those who want a versatile controller without need of the sounds. Available in two keyboard sizes (two […]
It may be far from the conventional sort of rhythm MIDI controller one thinks of – an electronic drum kit, perhaps, or the drum pads on a controller keyboard – but in fact it’s possibly one of the most natural ways of capturing human rhythm. Consider the idle (or even […]
Nektar has announced the launch of an entry-level USB MIDI controller keyboard, offering a great choice for those just dipping their toe into the water of DAW control. The Impact LX49 is a 49-key synth action keyboard offering a host of controls perfect for controlling software such as Reason and […]
Introduction The Apple iPad is quickly becoming a go-to portable music device for many musicians, whether they’re composing, sequencing, performing, DJing, notating, or crafting sounds. Thanks to the iOS 4.2 upgrade, MIDI is now very much a feature of all iOS devices. There’s now a huge range of apps available, […]
QuNexus is an ultra-controllable portable keyboard designed for both live performance and studio work. Conceived and designed by Keith McMillen, who already has a vast array of innovative hardware credits, it was funded through Kickstarter and is now available to buy. The 25-key (2 octave) controller keyboard features pressure-sensitive silicone […]
Cables and connectors aren’t particularly exciting, but they are essential particularly in the evolving world of music making using tablet PCs such as the Apple iPad. To this end, Yamaha has introduced its i-UX1 MIDI interface cable that enables quick, easy, seamless connection between the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch and MIDI instruments. […]
Alesis has introduced its Vortex USB/MIDI Keytar controller complete with an onboard accelerometer. Bearing similarities to the Roland AX-Synth, the Vortex gives keyboard performers the freedom to move around during a performance while still being able to control a host of other equipment. Alesis Vortex Key Features Dynamic, shoulder-worn performance […]
Alesis has unveiled a bigger brother to the QX49 launched last year. The QX61 is an advanced five-octave MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software. As well as the 61 touch sensitive keys there are four […]
Alesis has unveiled a smaller brother to the QX49 launched last year. The QX25 is an advanced MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software. As well as the 25 touch sensitive keys there are four pads […]
Alesis has launched the Q61, a five-octave MIDI/USB controller keyboard capable of sending the basic MIDI control messages most musicians need. This makes it an ideal keyboard for those wanting to control other keyboards, sound modules and virtual instruments on a PC or Mac. It doesn’t have all the bells, […]
If you want to get your hands on a piece of Korg kit from the mid-90s, check out this auction for a Korg X3. The Korg X3 is a synthesizer produced by Korg in 1993. The X3 features 200 Programs, 200 Combinations, 32-voice polyphony, a 32,000 note, 16-track sequencer with […]
Roland has updated its impressive MIDI foot pedal with the introduction of the PK-6 dynamic MIDI pedal. Looking much like the pedals found on an organ, this versatile piece of kit allows the keyboard player/pianist great creativity and flexibility by controlling MIDI with the feet. Compatible with most MIDI devices […]
Thereminesque and yet distinct in its own right, the airpiano is an exciting looking instrument which allows both discrete and continuous control of MIDI/OSC events and controllers. Interfacing with dedicated software which can then be used to control and record to any other audio or sequencing software, the airpiano allows […]
Bit late off the mark on this one. In January, Alesis announced its latest controller keyboard. The QX49 USB/MIDI keyboard offers four octaves (49 keys) of controller goodness. It’s got most everything you could want from this kind of controller keyboard: velocity sensitive keys, drum pads, rotary knobs, long-throw faders, […]
You may not have realised it, but the Atari 520ST was pretty influential in the late ’80s and ’90s Manchester music scene. The first commercial computer to incorporate dedicated MIDI ports, it made it easy to connect up to synths and other MIDI-compatible devices. A working 520ST has now gone […]