MIDI

Is Push the ultimate Ableton controller? An all-in-one workflow

Is Push The Ultimate Ableton controller?   With the range and variety in today’s market for MIDI Controllers in music production – does the Ableton Push 2 still hold its name of being the forefront of MIDI controllability? This article dives into this, by comparing the Push 2 with other MIDI Controllers that boast an all-in-one workflow.   su_divider top=”no” size=”1″   What Are MIDI Controllers?   MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controllers are devices that can’t create sounds by themselves, but rather – control the interface of the DAW. This allows users to have functionality beyond the limitations of the computer keyboard and trackpad. A controller usually has various buttons, knobs, or sliders that are mapped to the DAW by default, or can be custom mapped. This can be extremely helpful while performing your music live or even in the studio as it helps with maintaining a certain kind …

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MIDI 2.0 & MPE – A Gamechanger For Electronic Music

MIDI 2.0 & MPE The world of music production is quickly evolving – and it’s recently experienced two game-changing introductions: MIDI 2.0 & MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). This article covers what these changes imply, an overview of the technicalities involved, and how they will change the face of music forever. su_divider top=”no” size=”1″ What Is MIDI? MIDI (or Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a communication protocol that was created in the early ‘80s that enables digital music equipment to communicate with one another. Its invention allowed a MIDI instrument to generate a digital MIDI message that could then trigger a note on another instrument (such as a synthesizer). Dave Smith (the founder of Sequential) & Ikutaro Kakehashi (the founder of Roland) are attributed as the founders of MIDI. Hear Smith tell the tale of how MIDI was born in this 6-minute clip below.   su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq6_vy4Pcwk” width=”200″ height=”200″   Fast …

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Top 10 MIDI Keyboards 2021 – Unlock Your Flow

Top 10 MIDI Keyboards 2021 A MIDI Keyboard is a useful device that allows music producers to intuitively input chords, melodies, and even drums into their DAW. They usually come with velocity-sensitive keys, pads, and knobs to help provide that human feel to your electronic tracks. This article rounds up the top 10 MIDI keyboards of 2021 and will help inform you about what to consider before purchasing one. Why Do I Need A MIDI Keyboard? Have you ever seen an instrumentalist ‘lose’ themselves in the music they are creating? Eyes closed, head pointed to the sky, and absolutely surrendered to the piano, guitar, or drums that they’re playing?   (Source: Tash Sultana, Image by Jim Bennet/FilmMagic May 2020) This is the feeling that we musicians like to call “the flow state” – and it’s one that music producers can find hard to reach behind the clickity-clack of a mouse …

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ABLETON 11 Devices – Inspired by Nature, Interview with creator Dillon Bastan

Ableton 11 Devices – ‘Inspired by Nature’ Interview with creator Dillon Bastan Ableton 11 has a lot of great new features coming out in 2021. We had the pleasure of speaking with device designer Dillon Bastan about his 6 new devices for Ableton Live 11 –  “Inspired By Nature”. You can see Dillon’s demo for each device at the bottom of the page.    What is your background, are you a physicist? What got you interested in making sounds based on natural phenomena? I’m not a physicist at all and am coming from a music background/self-taught programming, my academic math level is low. For some of the devices I make I try to get to a game-like/playful approach to sound generation/design. A couple of years ago I began to learn more about coding simulations of natural phenomena, particularly simple particle systems in the case of these devices, so it was …

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FeelYourSound ChordPotion 2 – Generate Fresh MIDI Ideas!

ChordPotion 2 – Generate Fresh MIDI Ideas! Feel Your Sound is back with a new chord composition tool called ChordPotion 2. In case you haven’t seen our last article on them, check it out for some more background! ChordPotion is a MIDI plug-in that transforms incoming chord notes into entirely new phrases, rhythmic chords, and melodies using its algorithmic AI. It’s mighty powerful, and handy as heck.   su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxJ5x7EImI” width=”400″ height=”200″ rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes”   su_box title=”ChordPotion2 Rating: 8/10″ style=”glass” box_color=”#333333″ su_row su_column size=”1/2″ Pros: – Versatile collection of variation presets + banks – MIDI export – Straightforward interface, easy to use /su_column su_column size=”1/2″ Cons: – Limited visual feedback – Variations names provide limited explanation of the pattern preset /su_column su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#d2d2d2″ size=”1″ ChordPotion 2 is a wonderful addition to the FeelYourSound lineup. Get your copy here for $49 USD. /su_row /su_box   Breakdown     ChordPotion2 is …

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Should You Buy It? – Genki Instruments Wave Ring

Should You Buy It? – Genki Instruments Wave Ring A while back we covered the now available MIDI controller – Wave – by Genki instruments. They eventually made their crowdsourcing goals and have produced fully functional models of the ring controller. We reached out for a demo unit and were glad we did, it’s as fun as it looks. A video review is to come but for now, read this article breakdown of the Genki Instruments Wave.   su_box title=”Genki Instruments Wave Rating: 8.5/10″ style=”glass” box_color=”#333333″ su_row su_column size=”1/2″ Pros: – unique and comfortable form factor – easy to set up – highly customizeable – big live performance potential /su_column su_column size=”1/2″ Cons: – multidimensional gestures bleed into each other – your dumb ass may lose it because it’s small /su_column su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#d2d2d2″ size=”1″ Get yours now for $199 on the Genki website. /su_row /su_box   su_divider top=”no” Breakdown …

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