Results for LED

Sequentix has announced the Cirklon, a hardware sequencer.

Cirklon is a totally new hardware sequencer design, with software based on the P3, but greatly improved both in usability and internal operation.

Cirklon features

• User-interface based around a 240×64 pixel graphic LED display, 19 rotary encoders with push-switches, 2 assignable knobs, 35 high-quality Cherry keys with integrated LEDs, and a further 35 tri-colour status LEDs.
• 16 tracks, with 5 independent MIDI INs and OUTs to connect a large number of controllers and synths/sound modules while keeping MIDI latency to a minimum.
• USB MIDI, native CV/gate support, and a dedicated DIN sync output.
• 32-bit, 72MHz ARM Cortex CPU runs a proprietary sequencer engine to ensure optimum timing accuracy.
• All MIDI ports are provided by hardware serial ports in the CPU core itself.
• CV/gate connectivity will be available in two levels – a pair of 12-bit resolution CV and gate outputs, or an external CV breakout box with a large number of CV outs (details to be finalised).
• Pattern storage is comprised of 2MB battery-backed internal RAM and 512MB internal NAND flash, with a SD/MMC card socket for data backup.

Cirklon is expected to be shipping in low volume in March, for under £1,000 GBP. Details to be announced.

More information: Sequentix / Cirklon

ThinkGeek has released Bliptronic 5000, an LED synthesizer.

If HAL 9000 mated with R2-D2 and their electronic offspring was tutored by Kraftwerk it would probably end up something like the Bliptronic 5000 LED Synthesizer.

At once a minimalist musical plaything and a hardcore old-skool synthesizer, the Bliptronic defies categorization as it belts out 8-Bit style style tunes from its grid of glowing buttons.

You’ll notice sound similar to a retro Casiotone with an interface not unlike a simplified Yamaha TENORI-ON… if that makes any sense. Either way, once you start touching the keys of the Bliptronic you’ll be hooked by it’s simple pattern-based approach to music.

Bliptronic 5000 features

• Unusual retro synthesizer is played with a grid of glowing buttons.
• Create looping patterns and change them dynamically while playing.
• Chain multiple units together and create more complex melodies.
• One octave range. 8 notes can be played simultaneously.
• 8 different old-skool synth sounding instruments to choose from.
• Sounds created using FM waveform synthesis.
• Set the BPM (beats per minute) from 60 to 180 in 20 BPM increments.
• Built in speaker with headphone jack and line-out jack.
• Front panel is constructed from brushed aluminum.
• Includes, manual and 2 link cables for connecting additional Bliptronic units.
• Requires 4 x AA batteries (not included).

The Bliptronic 5000 is available to purchase for $49.99 USD.

More information: Bliptronic 5000

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Even retro record covers can be used to create something amazing

There are those who will throw away their old record covers but there are those that will use them to create some mind blowing artistic stuff.

One of them is definitely Christian Marclay, a New York visual artist, DJ and composer who used record covers of Michael Jackson , Doors, Donna Summer, David Bowie and many others for this piece of art. The relationship of sound, vision, music, art and performance is the focus of his work.

More on Christian Marclay

# Two Garbage Cans and a Microphone

Rock the party with this DIY sound system.

Peter Kirn writes:

Say you’re an up-and-coming crew with a turntable and some mics. You’ve got a gig this Friday at the middle school gym (the janitor has been bribed appropriately) and the boys on the corner have been passing out your flyers to all the lovely ladies. Everything’s set, except you heard that Kool Herc is coming to battle. Herc and his mighty sound system schooled you last go-round, so you know you need something fresh to rock the bodies proper. Your DIY solution? The 55-gallon drum sound system.

… read more

Livid Instruments is now shipping the OHM64, an adaptable, programmable, and interactive MIDI control surface designed to give you hands-on control over your performance.

High-quality sliders, knobs and buttons provide the interface for creative expression, whether you’re mixing samples and synths or DJ’ing a cutting-edge set. Constructed with an aluminum faceplate and a gorgeous body of hand-finished wood, the quality is felt down to your fingertips. All of our controllers are proudly hand crafted and assembled for artists by artists in our Austin, Texas shop.

Ohm64 has bi-directional talkback communication allowing the controller to talk to your software, and software to your device. MIDI messages can be sent to the Ohm64 to light up the buttons for an interactive performance. Completely programable and mappable, the Ohm64 provides a flexible control surface that be used with any software or setup. Completely USB powered means you don’t have to worry about adapters and and power strips, and it is plug and play so no drivers are required.

OHM64 features

• TalkBack — All of the buttons have programmable LEDs, so you can create your own interfaces simply by sending MIDI commands back to the Ohm.
• USB Powered and Plug and Play — The Ohm64 is completely plug and play and USB powered. This means you don’t need drivers to use it and it works with a single USB cable.
• High Quality Faders and Knobs — The smoothness of the faders and knobs of the Ohm64 give it a true instrument feel. High quality dual rail sliders and all knobs give you precise hands on control.
• MIDI In and Out — MIDI in and MIDI out jacks let you control analog MIDI devices or connect other controllers to your Ohm64. You can also send MIDI from your computer to the Ohm64.
• Crossfader — The DJ style crossfader is designed to withstand heavy use and it comes with a custom wood knob designed for performance.
• Ohm64 Editor — All of the assignments on the Ohm can be changed, remapped, and saved to the Ohm using Livid’s open source Ohm64 Editor software.
• Custom Design — Livid Instruments controllers are built by hand (with the help of a few robots) and multiple finishes as well as an unfinished model are offered.
• Software — The Ohm64 comes with a full copy of the Cell DNA VJ software. Also available is a growing library of open source tools to transform you controller into a custom performance instrument.

The OHM64 is now available from the Livid Shop for $599 USD.

More information: Livid Instruments

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Tactile Metronome – Wayne and Layne

The Tactile Metronome is a tap-controlled metronome and "beat looper." "Syncopation machine." "Metronome with an attitude."

You tap the piezo speaker to set the frequency. The display shows the beats per minute, and the two buttons adjust the speed.

"Ehhh." "Boring," you say. Not so fast!

You can tap patterns into it, currently up to 12 beats long. As long as you tap the pattern in three times, it jumps in and continues beeping in that rhythm. The metronome can beep in three different tones, so you can play with more than one at a time.

Tactile Metronome features

• Easy to assemble kit makes for a great learning experience. All parts are easy-to-solder through-hole, with no tiny surface mount parts.
• Fully open-source design means that everything is freely available and ready to be hacked, including the circuit schematic, PCB layout, part list, and microcontroller firmware.
• Piezoelectric speaker is used as the pattern input, by simply tapping in the tempo or pattern. Once the metronome learns your pattern, it starts beeping with the same piezo element.
• Seven-segment displays provide feedback in the form of beats-per-minute (BPM) readings.
• Custom, professionally-made PCB provides a solid base for happy tappers. All circuit connections are routed on two layers without the use of vias, reducing confusion while assembling.
• A Pre-programmed Microcontroller means you don’t need a specialized microcontroller programmer to get started with the Tactile Metronome. If you want to experiment with modifying the firmware, an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) header is provided to enable easy re-programming.

# Circuit bending work station

Matt the modulator built a deluxe substitution box for experimenting with different resistor & capacitor values for circuit bending.

Circuit bending work station

• Resistance pots (4k7, 100k, 1m).
• Capacitance – 12 caps selector poly 47-pf, 100-pf, 470-pf, 1-nf, 4n7 nf, 10-nf, 100nf, 1-uf, 1uf elec 1uf, 4.7uf, 10uf, 100uf.
• LED.
• Signal tracer simply a 1w amp maplin kit to trace audio signal in a circuit.

… read more

Audio production software has come a long way. Where as in the past one would typically use a number of traditional instruments, synthesizers, drum machines, mixing panels, etc., software has opened the door for many home studio musicians to produce music on a budget.

Although you could easily get along using software exclusively, you may still want to use a controller when recording music, so you can actually “play it” instead of programming everything.

Native Instruments has recently introduced Maschine, a powerful combination of software and hardware, or as they put it, a complete Groove Production Studio.

MASCHINE combines the flexibility of computer-based music production with the ease of a groove box into one powerful creative tool. Utilizing onboard samples or your own audio files, MASCHINE’s symbiosis of hardware and software not only ensures a fast and fun workflow, but lets you easily turn your ideas into professional productions.

So let’s take a looks at what this Maschine is all about!

Where’s the installation disk?

I generally don’t read manuals anyway, but Native Instruments doesn’t encourage me much either. I open the box and the first thing I see is this lovely control surface. All I can think is “hook it up man, let’s get going!”

I am a long time Windows user though, so I know better than to just hook up anything USB without checking for drivers first. The installation disc was all the way in the bottom of the box, so I almost missed it.

The installation of the drivers and Maschine software was a breeze; it just takes a while to copy all the content from the DVD. After authorizing Maschine in the Service Center, I figured it was a good idea to download the latest update as well. All set to go, let’s see what we have here!

… read more