Results for tenori-on

WOK has released Blip2000, a matrix step-sequencer plug-in for Windows.

Sure you know the Bliptronic5000® or the Tenori-On™. If the first one lacks MIDI and the second one is too expensive for you, you might try this VST-version of a matrix stepsequencer: Blip2000

Every column corresponds to one step, each line represents a note. Just click the buttons to enable the notes to be played. The orange line runs thru while playing. Select the number of steps to play (2-16), the speed in relation to the host clock, the direction (forward, backward, random etc.). Blip2000 outputs MIDI notes, so you can use your favourite synth (-plugin) as the sound source. MIDI channel, note length and velocity can be set.

With the fields on the left side you can adjust any scale to be played – or use Blip2000 as a drum sequencer!

Blip2000 features

• Clear and easy interface.
• Number of steps selectable (up to 16).
• Note per line selectable from 3 octaves with display.
• Several play modes (forward-backward and so on).
• Syncs to host – clock divider adjustable.
• Sequence transpose by MIDI input .
• MIDI ouput channel selectable.
• Automatable in the DAW.
• Sequences can be saved as VST plugin presets.
• Random play.
• MIDI-ouput; any plugin or synthesizer can be used as sound source.
• Low on CPU.

Blip2000 is available as a donationware VST instrument plug-in for Windows. The free version has a nag-screen, but is fully functional.

More information: WOK / Blip2000

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:

# MidiFighter Kit

Ean Golden at djtechtools writes:

I am pleased to announce that in 2 weeks time we will be selling DIY MidiFighter kits in the web-store. This kit will be the first incarnation of our brand new controller line that allows several different levels of customization. Everything from creating original color combos to adding more analog interfaces and customizing the open-source firmware is possible with this exciting new tool.

MidiFighter Kit

MidiFighter kit details

• Release Date: November 30th.
• Price: Aprox $125 for the Kit + Arcade Buttons ($2.50 each) optional wood case- $40.
• Plug and Play-compatible device, compliant MIDI controller.
• USB powered.
• Must be assembled (no expertise required).
• 16 programmable buttons.
• 16 programmable LEDs.
• Expandable to 20 programmable buttons and 4 analog controls.
• Limited-edition 200-piece run in this configuration (black PCB with blue LEDs).

… read more

Some interesting things I found recently:

# The Stretta Procedure: obo

Matthew writes:

There was a recent request on the monome forums for an application that does what the popular tonematrix does, which itself is inspired by the tenori-on. I took some parts out of my residue application for the monome (it's full of techno! DD103!) and added a simple four voice internal sine wave synth.

If you like tonematrix, but would prefer something standalone, with MIDI output, sync and tweakable note assignments, you can download this standalone application for MacOS X. It is free! Enjoy!

Then, maybe at some point I'll get around to adapting it to the monome.

# FL Studio’s FPC, room for improvement?

FL Studio user Survei petitions for a better FPC (FL Pad Controller).

Simply put, compared to the layering sound design possibilities in the Step Sequencer, the FPC is extremely limited, because it doesn’t have many layer-specific controls. For instance, it doesn’t have any envelopes for the LAYERS within the pads. But the FPC would be awesome and fill a void in my production if the individual waveforms were like Sampler Channels, in that you can click on EACH and EVERY individual waveform and have a Sampler Settings window come up for every waveform. This would be an easy solution to the FPC’s problem of not having much control over the sounds of the layers. It is common in today’s production to make custom drum sounds by combining multiple drum sounds. The waveforms are our clay from which we sculpt our sounds from using tools that are in the Sampler Channels.

# Sarien.net – Instant adventure gaming – Do you have fond memories of playing Sierra’s adventure games? You can now play them online!

Welcome to Sarien.net, the portal for reliving the classic Sierra On-Line adventure games. With its focus on instant fun and a unique multiplayer experience, Sarien.net hopes to win new gamers' hearts and promote the adventure game genre.

Currently available: King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown, Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards, Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel, Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter, Space Quest II: Vohaul’s Revenge, The Black Cauldron.

# •· hypetape – Hypetape is the illegitimate lovechild of Hype Machine and Muxtape, where you can create and share playlists containing tracks other people have been talking about from around the internet.

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Native Instruments Spiral (YouTube) – a sequenced Reaktor synth by Lazyfish, part of the Reaktor Animated Circuits KORE SoundPack (also available free to Reaktor users. Whoohoo!)

# Phantastron – This is a very special circuit and remind me of the old days playing with HeathKits in the basement. I'm very glad that I can offer this experience to you. It's a great way to learn about tubes, synthesis and extra-super-old-school synth-brewing.

# cellsDS at glitchDS – cellsDS is a free flexible, programmable grid-based music sequencer for the Nintendo DS. cellsDS is six sequencers in one, with each sequencer being controlled by a user definable Lua script. It is the peculiar anti-social stepchild of the Tenori-On and Monome.

# AES news and rumors – ProTooler Blog posts the latest news and rumors from AES:

Already time for AES again! Man, time flies. Unfortunately I won’t be attending it this year. The worst part about that isn’t necessarily that I can’t go around molesting the latest gear, but that I’ll miss all the kickass parties I’ve been invited to! Oh well. I’ll of course do my best to cover the news, and hopefully some friendly dude or dudette will supply me with some floor footage as well (if you’re going and is interested, let me know).

In the meantime, here are some of the AES news that have dropped into my mailbox over the last few weeks.

Some interesting things I found recently:

# IK Multimedia Rebuts Mag on Free Software; Why They Missed the Point

Freeware vs Commercial software? I know what I prefer… Whatever gets the job done!

Peter Kirn wrote a great article at CDM:

There’s a strange debate going on over the free software (as in freeware, not necessarily open source) issue of Computer Music magazine. After seeing the magazine’s top 10 reasons to use free software, commercial developer IK Multimedia got surprisingly defensive, and issued a rebuttal.

# aeo: DrawSound + Balls
DrawSound is a performance instrument that uses multi-touch input technology to create sound and music from the act of drawing. DrawSound has been used live by The SINE WAVE QUARTET and aeo. It was on display at the Second International Conference on Tangible and Embedded Interaction [Bonn 2008].

# Stanton to Release Touch DJ Controller; Surface One, Thunder, Reborn?

Peter Kirn reports on the Stanton DaScratch

Stanton is teasing a new DJ controller with touch controls, and particularly a circular scratch/control area, with live LED feedback. This allows “virtual” controllers not only for DJs, but (Stanton hopes) VJs, laptop musicians, and the like. (Stanton says “multimedia artist,” to which we suggest “visualists”.) I especially enjoy the “confidential” site, though I’m not sure marking press release with “do not publish / embargoed” has much more impact given a lot of sites these days.

# hiuman – Runaway Harp – As the 1mm water streams are interrupted, the light weakens, fingers find delights in the water harp. Echo is silent, until light returns.

# TENORI-OFF
FUKUCHI Kentaro writes:

TENORI-ON is one of the coolest electric musical device: it is portable, easy to play and good for audio-visual performance. But I have not purchased it yet because it is expensive and a shortage in Japan.

So he built his own version, the Tenori-Off.