Novation announces Launchpad S with better MIDI support, we go hands-on

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Novation announces Launchpad S with better MIDI support, we go handson video" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05438launchpadshero.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">A couple of years is a pretty good run in MIDI controller-land. It was 2009 when Novation's Launchpad turned the Ableton world onto its simplistic charms. It appears, however, the firm's decided it was long overdue a refresh, so that's exactly what it's done. Say hello to the Launchpad S. What does the S stand for? We're not entirely sure, but it could be for speedy, as Novation has ramped up the refresh rate to give a snappier response when you switch between modes.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">It could also be for superior lights, as the brightness has been dialled up in response to user feedback. It's also worth noting these pads are entirely USB-powered, making it trickier than simply sucking down more juice. One other superficial change -- perhaps more to give it its own sense of identity than anything else -- is a change of color. It's out with the original's black, and in with an almost metallic gray. So far so good, but we're really thinking that S stands for "software." Why? Because thanks to standards compliant MIDI implementation, the Launchpad S is now plug-and-play with a whole host more applications, not least core-MIDI iOS apps such as the popular <i>FL Studio Mobile</i>. We took a few minutes to get to know the Launchpad S a little better, which you can see in our video past the break.</div><div class="post-gallery" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><h3 class="title"><b>Novation Launchpad S hands-on</b></h3><br /><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05450-1365610861_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05451_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05452_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05448_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05449-1365610866_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/dsc05446_95x95.jpg" /> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">As you can imagine, the Launchpad S is pretty much identical to the original it revizes. But, given that that was four or so years ago, it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves. First and foremost, it's still an Ableton controller, with those 64 multi-colored pads letting you control your sessions all from the small, lightweight device. There are different modes, so that you can cleverly use columns of the pads almost like faders (slide your finger up the squares, watch the lights follow). The new iteration claims to be have an improved refresh rate, which means jumping between these user modes should now be a much smoother ride. Sadly, though, the devices on the stand at the show weren't connected to the right software to either test this out, or show it off. The lights do, indeed, look substantially brighter, and this should go a long way to silencing folk who thought this was an issue with the original. As for the visual update, well, we're not sure if it's an improvement, or if we simply find it fresh looking after staring at the old black one for so long. Either way, it definitely remains a handsome enough device that we'd still be happy to include it in our set-up. If you agree with us, you'll be able to do so starting April, for $169. Keep heading south for the video tour.</div></div>

Novation announces Launchpad S with better MIDI support, we go hands-on

A couple of years is a pretty good run in MIDI controller-land. It was 2009 when Novation's Launchpad turned the Ableton world onto its...

مزيد من المعلومات »

Ableton Push review: a dedicated controller for the Live faithful

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ableton Push review a dedicated controller for the Live faithful" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="619" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/ableton-push-review.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">MIDI<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7080182682816192337"> might be a little long in the tooth as protocols go, but it's been the prevailing standard for getting music hardware and software to play nice pretty much since its inception. As such, the MIDI controller is a fairly established staple in professional and bedroom studios alike. The problem is they're generic by nature. They come in all shapes and sizes, but to be profitable, they need to appeal to a broad range of applications. Ableton clearly didn't think this arrangement was up to snuff, though, so it created Push -- a software controller built entirely for its popular Live production software. While there have been Live-specific controllers before -- some even officially endorsed by Ableton -- Push is a whole new beast. It's one that hopes to unite hardware and software in a way that an all-purpose controller never could.</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Ableton also has lofty musical ambitions for Push: it claims it designed the hardware as an instrument in and of itself; something that lets you close the lid of the laptop and use to make music with, while not looking like you are checking your email. And, given that Ableton makes the software that it's building Push for, integration is understandably expected to be airtight. But how well does it work? Is it an instrument? Will it replace all your other controllers? Do you want one? Is it worth the $599 pre-order price? Will it blend? We've pushed ourselves to explore the device fully in an effort to find out (apart from that last question, of course).</div><div class="post-gallery" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><h3 class="title"><b>Ableton Push review</b></h3><br /><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05251800wm_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05252800wm_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05253800wm_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05254800wm_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05255800wm_95x95.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/dsc05257800wm_95x95.jpg" /> </div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-462863b" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/462863b/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=92382934&disablebranding=0&view_secret=92382934" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe></div>

Ableton Push review: a dedicated controller for the Live faithful

MIDI might be a little long in the tooth as protocols go, but it's been the prevailing standard for getting music hardware and softwa...

مزيد من المعلومات »

Lego Bionicles drafted into Arduino-driven band with synthesizers and more (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Lego Bionicles drafted into Arduino-driven band with synthesizers and more (video)" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/bionicle-band-1.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Italian sound designer and producer Guiseppe Acito wanted to kick off his newly established blog with some fanfare. Naturally, that meant constructing a band from Lego Bionicle toys driven by an Arduino Uno and controlled by an iPad MIDI sequencer app called Nord Beat. Dubbed the Toa Mata Band, the musical group makes its tunes by beating on assorted drum pads, percussion instruments, synthesizers and even a Nintendo DS. Acito has published the ensemble's very first music video, and it seems like there are more to come as it carries an "episode one" label. Hit the jump for the footage -- which really starts cookin' around the 1:15 mark -- or hit the third source link for glamour shots of Toa Mata members and the whole setup.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MAbKXp7CP0g?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>

Lego Bionicles drafted into Arduino-driven band with synthesizers and more (video)

  Italian sound designer and producer Guiseppe Acito wanted to kick off his newly established blog with some fanfare. Naturally, that meant...

مزيد من المعلومات »

Artiphon's 'Instrument 1' is an iPhone powered multi-instrument, we go hands-on

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr /><div class="image-container" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Artiphon's Instrument One is an iPhone powered multi-instrument, we get hands-on" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04342-1359233504.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Music, MIDI and mobile? Seen that before, right? Well, yeah, but sometimes something comes along that surprises everyone. Artiphon's Instrument 1 is one such thing. And after all, there's more than one way to crack a nut. Artiphon's method involves creating a high-quality muli-instrument device that uses an iPhone or iPod touch as its brain. So, this is no plastic (bear with us) "appcessory." The Instrument 1 is made out of special quality African hardwood, and centers around an intentionally ambiguous design. There is a pair of high-quality custom speakers that give impressive 30W onboard sound. There is, of course, a line out and MIDI in / out too. The prototype we saw today doesn't have a built-in battery, but final production models will, making this a truly portable, complete solution. Dr Mike Butera, the firm's founder, was keen to explain to us that this is intended not to replicate one specific device (though it does a great job of guitar, violin, banjo and more), but rather to enable musicians to be able to work in a way they want to. The Instrument 1 works with any core MIDI enabled app, but there are plans to release a companion app for more detailed / custom mappings in the future. We got a private tour of the device, to tip-toe past the break for more.</div><div class="post-gallery" style="text-align: left;"><h3 class="title"><b>Artiphon Instrument One hands-on</b></h3><ul class="thumbs"><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04342_95x95.jpg" /> </li><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04313_95x95.jpg" /> </li><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04314-1359233278_95x95.jpg" /> </li><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04315_95x95.jpg" /> </li><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04316_95x95.jpg" /> </li><li class="thumb" data-count="27"> <img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/dsc04317_95x95.jpg" /> </li>See all photos</ul></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first thing we noticed was how authentic it felt. Authentic what? Well, ok, that's a little harder to explain. It definitely felt more like holding an instrument, than a MIDI device or an accessory component though. The oiled wood finish, metal speaker grilles and overall quality of the device make it feel like something you'd wield with care. The iPhone section is also pleasantly discreet. Sure, it takes somewhat center place, but at the same time keeps it out of the way when you're playing. Under the neck you'll also find some additional controls that steer the Instrument 1 in more dedicated instrument directions (bass mode for fret tapping, banjo mode with arpeggios etc). The small black box below the iPhone housing serves as a strum-surface (or when in violin mode, the area you "bow"), and the neck section is largely akin to a guitar neck, but when approached creatively, can be used in all manner of ways, such as drum-pads when resting on your lap. For those that want to know, it's currently sporting a 30-pin connector, but has room enough so that you can also use it with a lightning adaptor. There's also a physical volume control and a USB port.</div><div style="text-align: left;">As for the MIDI options... there are plenty. Polyphonic aftertouch, vibrato, versatile modulation and mapping, to name a few. There is an octave switch on the neck, also, so that you can get a wide range of musical notes with ease. Mike showed us that as there are two sensors on each neck-note, you can effectively cram two octaves into the same space too, should this better suit your needs. As mentioned above, currently this is the third prototype, but full production is expected soon. How much, then, does Artiphon want for the Instrument 1? That'll be $800 when it eventually rolls out towards the end of this year. A tall price for a MIDI controller perhaps, but you'll be replacing your entire band at the same time. Just don't tell them yet. Go south for the demo video.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-c4cf05bf" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/c4cf05bf/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=32528567&disablebranding=0&view_secret=32528567" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe></div>

Artiphon's 'Instrument 1' is an iPhone powered multi-instrument, we go hands-on

Music, MIDI and mobile? Seen that before, right? Well, yeah, but sometimes something comes along that surprises everyone. Artiphon's I...

مزيد من المعلومات »