Controllers

Everyone remembers this video of DJ Puzzle fooling around with the Yamaha TENORI-ON. For those who came away entranced by the blinking light-boxes, the opportunity to purchase one of these sequencing miracles will soon be upon us. Much like the Woodstock '99, it will be a festival to remember. Unlike Woodstock '99, however, you might actually remember what happened afterward.  

The CME VX Series is unique in that its the only keyboard on the market with motorized faders. Don't believe me? I didn't believe me either, so I Googled "keyboard motorized faders," and it turned out I was right.  

Berlin keyboardist Mitchell Sigman proves that the M-Audio ProKeys series does more than just act as a controller. The built-in sounds are a key component to the appeal of this item.  

Ey, StompIO, Il diner è aspetta, viene a casa ora! Why you make a-you momma wait, ah? And clean off a-you boots before you come inside, StompIO, Madre Mary li protegge!  

ESI's new K.ON keyboard controller is making waves across the pond. It will soon be available here in the U.S. as well, bringing it's 88 keys and nine endless knobs stateside.  

Michael Una displays how to convert audio to MIDI using nothing but an African Thumb Piano. The thumb piano is made out of a gourd, which makes for an interesting MIDI conversion.  

Electronic musician, Jamie Radford talks about the gear he uses and his plans to create music for the movies  

SIMS Audio has released and began shipment on the PRIMUS a25, a 25 key MIDI/USB keyboard that also serves as a USB interface. A complete software bundle from Native Instruments is paired with it.

The USB bus...  

If one of the Akai MPC's suddenly grew a set of keys, it might look something like the newly available Akai MPK49 performance controller. It's a USB/MIDI controller that has 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and 12...  

M-Audio didn't just upgrade the name of the KeyStudio 49i. Based off of the KeyStation 49e, the KeyStudio 49i is much more than a controller. This M-Powered board has built in Steinway sounds and reverb effects already...  

Now available in the USA, CME's M-Key is a simplified version of their U-Key Mobiltone, a piece of hardware actually dedicated to composing cell phone ringtones. With all of the ring-tone download commercials, the proliferation...  

In what could possibly be the last of these XioSynth sound tests for some time, Jason Donnelly finishes off the tones contributed by producer Roots Manuva before moving onto some 80's pads and something called the Super...  

The Novation XioSynth 25 is back yet again, and its intimidating bank of sounds is putting up quite a fight. In this segment, we get an aural taste of some sounds programmed by Rennie Pilgrem.

Stay tuned as we...  

It's time for some more sounds on the Novation XioSynth 25. As we cruise through them, this segment features many of the sounds contributed by Ferry Corsten.

Stay tuned to see what other producers contributed...  

We continue on with the overview of all of the presets on the Novation XioSynth. There are many more super cool synth pad and slide effects, although we fear that if we demo all 200 sounds, our only lingering human memory...  

We continue cycling through the presets on the Novation XioSynth 25 to display the range of tones you can achieve with this tiny powerhouse fresh from the box. There are lots of nitty gritty bass sounds on this one and...  

The Novation XioSynth 25 is more than just an impressive, little controller. It also comes packed with expertly crafted preset sounds and looks incredible with a little star wiping action.

Jason Donnelly puts...  

Rob Jones from Novation controls Ableton Live with the Novation SL Compact controller with the time saving Auto Map feature. The SL Compact allows for an infinite number of pages, or parameters, for those of you who write...  

We're at the Novation booth with Rob Jones who talks a bit about why the SL Compact is so convenient to use for such a pro quality controller. Basically, it all comes down to Novation's awesome AutoMap feature, which makes...  

Arturia shows us a new analog synth-style computer that's either catlike or cheese-trap-like in its ability to rid you of your mouse. Arturia's new controller is part of the Analog Factory Experience, used to control the...  

ARTURIA announces their Analog Factory Experience hybrid synthesizer. This unique concept pairs a native software application with a dedicated controller-keyboard to make use straightforward yet innovative for an enjoyable...  

DJ Puzzle walks through his process of MIDI performance using the Access Virus TI and Steinberg's Cubase 4. Using the Virus TI, Puzzle demonstrates how to create an eight bar loop from the sound source to mastering.

...  

The Novation X-Station is regarded by many as being a great controller, but for those on a budget, it offers a lot more. Granted, the preamps aren't on the level of something like the Focusrite Sapphire Pro, but for...  

In the late 1980s Mentallo and the Fixer started making "industrial" music in Texas. Before applying the term "industrial" in this case it is best to put yourself in a time machine and go back to the time period--when...  

August 2007 sees the release of a new MIDI controller from Novation. Available in a 25 or 49 key version, the Novation ReMOTE SL Compact is exploding with large features packed into a compact unit.

The biggest...  

When we asked Astrophagus about the type of music they did guitarist, pianist, vocalist, Jason Cain had a complicated reply.

"What do we do? Half the time I'm not really sure what it is we do. We certainly...  

Are you looking for new uses for your Wii remote? Does your busy tour schedule leave you without any time to even use your wii? Wii 2 Midi might solve both of your problems.

WiiToMidi turns your wii controller...  

The U46MK2 brings Digital DJ and music software company MixVibes together for a new audio interface that features a fully integrated hardware/software solution. This unit is compatible with both laptop and desktop computers,...  

Goyah is an Italian singer-songwriter who plays a sort of goth-tinged symphonic rock with classical influences. He draws on disparate influences to mould a subtle, laid back and emotional music.

"I like to interchange...  

We all know about how amazing Ableton Live is both as a performance and DJ tool. The other night, a fellow Producer/DJ friend of mine was out and heard a DJ "spinning" with Ableton. The DJ was train-wrecking left...