Friday, November 23, 2007

The Open Labs Miko Workstation

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The Miko workstation is the latest droolworthy invention from the eggheads over at Open Labs. As you can see in the video, the Miko further blurs the line between DAW and PC by integrating control surfaces like a 37-key semi-weighted keyboard, a control module featuring 5 faders, 5 Modes buttons, 3 Transpose buttons, 5 directions buttons and 5 Transport buttons, a qwerty keyboard, and a Penny & Giles crossfader (among other things) with a windows-based computing architecture and an impressive built in 24 bit/96khz audio interface with multiple ins and outs. The idea is to completely replace the need to bring any other hardware to the stage, as it offers itself up as a seamless host for literally all PC-compatible audio software.

The Miko also offers a full complement of PC goodness, including multiple expansion slots (like PCI/PCIE spaces and empty 3.5" drive bays), an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a dual layer DVD-RW drive, and a hard drive that is expandable up to 1.5 terabytes, and even a 10/100 ethernet card and wifi. While the Summer NAMM video is a bit dry and noisy, it gets the point across and shows off all the major features; visit the the Open Labs homepage for a full rundown of features, specs, ad copy, audio demos and videos of famous people talking about how cool it is.

There are several different versions, including the scaled-down Neko and the attrociously titled Timbaland Edition; the standard model retails around $4,099 USD.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

BBC Radiophonic Workshop documentary

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Long before slick dance clubs began to shake all night to the sound of electronically created music, the reclusive elite of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was pioneering the art of sound design. While the art of Live PA evolved long after the Workshop ceased production, its role in the history of sound synthesis and electronic music cannot be denied. While most associate the Workshop with the classic British sci fi series Doctor Who, its history is much deeper and complex than the mere production of the series' strange sound effects. The documentary, which is actually in three parts, follows the evolution of the Workshop, and illustrates thecrucial role the Workshop played in history of electronic music. The section regarding the production methods used for the Doctor Who theme really are worth a watch, and the footage of the ancient hardware really tickles my vintage gear fetish.

Part 2

Part 3

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Ogi - LivePA @ Tesla (07.09.2007.)

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Sunday, November 18, 2007

Bulgur Brothers @ Mutek Mexico 12.10.2007

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.:Bulgur Brothers @ Mutek Mexico 12.10.2007:.

Here we go, a new liveset hot off the presses and for once on time this week. This week's liveset is from the Bulger Brothers who consists of Mikael Stavöstrand, Andreas Tilliander, Johan Skugge.


via Andersb

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Sonicstate.com: First Look at the Kaossilator

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Sonicstate.com has a great video up that demonstrates some of the features of the new kaossilator. I have to admit that at first glance a few months ago I was not all that impressed by the kaossilator by its specs, but now looking at it being worked live it looks like it could be a wonderful live tool. It seems to be completely focused on improvisational music and does not store the phrases when you turn it off. The only question that I really have remaining is how deep can you edit the sounds, if at all.

via ProAudioNews.net

Friday, November 16, 2007

Decimal Live November 2007

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.:Decimal Live November 2007:.

It is technically still this week isn't it? Yeah, sure it is. For this week's liveset we have a performance from Chicago artist Decimal. In this liveset he is preparing for the release of some music and is taking his liveset in a different direction as he described below.

Quote:

This was preformed using a single laptop running Live, a UC-33 controller, and a radium 49 controller. I first prepared by breaking down parts and various sounds from many of my tracks (including much of my music forthcoming on several techno labels like Enemy, Material, and Stockholm LTD) Then i rearrange, reloop, and restructure the sampled audio in Live; reworking components and tracks from the ground up in real-time, improvisationally, to create new structures and unique blends, in addition to executing musical themes from my music in new and different ways.

Anyone familiar with any of my previous livesets may remember my penchant for providing a conceptual inspiration for the method of preformance. In this case, I am pushing my capacity as a performer by eliminating nearly all of the prearranged sequences(even longer ones) allowing me greater ability to improvise flow and structure, albeit at the expense of whatever crazy drama i could cook up. Granted i could perform these sequences live, but i usually have so much going on (sequencing everything else from the ground up, all the software to preform a many complicated sequences would tax my cpu) so its not feasible. I feel i have an adequate amount of directional control through a range of material and edited sources, all the while maintaining a powerful sound quality ('better than vinyl')
.


Find more of Decimal's stuff at Myspace.com/decimaltechno

Bird Electronics DJ5: Palm Sized Mixer

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.:Bird-Electron.co.jp:. (Link in Japanese)

Looking to get that guerilla livePA rig up and running but just can't find a small enough mixer? Well then it looks like Bird Electronics has you covered. Recently announced is the new DJ5 micro mixer.

It has all of the standard features of your 2-channel DJ style mixer: A pair of 3.5-millimeter input and output jacks, left / right headphone volume and a slide switch for Line 1 / Line 2 / Mix. It also includes a steel and aluminum casing and the ability to run off of two AA batteries. Price is $132, but unfortunately this appears to be on sale in Japan only.

via Engadget.com

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Interesting LivePA Picture

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via LivePA.org

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Grooveshark.com: Another way to share your music

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.:Grooveshark.com:.

Looking for another way to get your music online and perhaps make a little money? A new startup called Grooveshark will do just that, but it also seems to reward users and artists for reviewing other people's work.

The approach here is a little different then others however, with the interface acting as more as an application rather then a webpage.

Overall an interesting approach and perhaps worth a look in the sea of music sharing sites.


via ProAudioNews.net

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Even 6 year olds can use Ableton Live

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Found this great video over at the LivePA.org boards. Here is a six year old, presumably named Dune from the video title, playing with Ableton live. I have no idea if he wrote the music (man it would be cool if he did write it), but at the very least it does demonstrate how easy to use Ableton is.

It leads you to wonder though. If a six year old can do it so easily, how talented really are all of you laptop users........ d-_-b


via LivePA.org

Thursday, November 08, 2007

2x's the Tesla Coils = 2x's the Fun

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.:2x's the Tesla Coils = 2x's the Fun:.

And you thought hearing the Mario theme on a Tesla Coil was sweet. Now hear it in stereo!!!!!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The truth behind "Live" PA

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Love this video.


via Serious-Sounds.net

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Error404 LivePA @ Resistor 05-18-07

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.:Error404 LivePA @ Resistor 05-18-07:.

This week's liveset comes from Error404 from Birmingham England. Not a whole lot of information on this artist, as seems to be the case with so many livePA acts (man you guys need to start making some bios). He does have a myspace page though and several releases on what appear to be some netlabels.

Be sure to check him out over at .:Myspace.com/djerror404:.

Inkwell Live PA - LLW Sept 02-07 Vancouver

1 comments

Friday, November 02, 2007

Soundsnap.com: Find Free Loops/Samples

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.:Snowcap.com:.

Looking for another avenue to find free loops and samples on the net? Well looks like there is a new sample search engine in town and it is called Soundsnap.com, and it is supported by Digidesign.

At first glance It looks to be your standard search and find database, but after digging a little deeper it looks like the site actually is going for the web 2.0 community approach, allowing users to upload and share their samples. At the moment the sample library is a little sparse, being as new as it is, but give it some time and some eager users and I think it could take off.

Give it a check, I know you are always looking for that next good movie quote to throw over your techno.

via ProAudioNews.net