tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48247356145126974752024-02-20T21:46:34.800-08:00Musique non talentMusic stuff. Mostly digital and often mobile. Always lacking talent.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-31651882252504362682013-03-19T11:07:00.000-07:002013-03-19T11:07:33.168-07:00Hey, blogger has finally let me back in! I disappeared when they switched tech and told me the blog would be unavailable and I couldn't get it to log me back in. Well now it has!
Currently very busy with work, but also having fun with mobile music. In the last 18 months I've acquired a Mopho and a Monotribe (did lots of ebay selling!!!) and have been hacking away at existing devices. Most of my "fun" time has been spent tweaking my Nebulophone. I'll be posting some mods, code updates and videos soon.
Sorry it's been so long!
Robrobman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-33176238274205051392011-10-31T15:07:00.000-07:002011-10-31T15:12:53.652-07:00My first video - Monotron loves iPhoneWow, that was stressful! Much respect to anyone who creates videos with externally recorded audio!<br /><br />Anyway, my original title was going to be "Korgs and Moogs and autotune - oh my!"<br /><br />So I had some crazy ideas of how to have fun with my Monotron and a few iOS apps and here is the result. It would be cool to see people take these ideas and show what happens if you add talent to the mix :o) Let me know if you post a video.<br /><br />Enjoy! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqEeQzk5mEo"> Video on Youtube</a><br /><br />Robrobman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-62037611588144112052011-10-15T04:15:00.000-07:002011-10-15T04:25:12.598-07:00iKaossilatorDear Korg,<br /><br />iKaossilator is a blast! Love it to bits and have lost hours of my life over the last day or so just jamming. Any chance of:<br /><br />* Manually set tempo to 2 decimal places - I find the tap tempo a bit hit and miss<br />* Arpeggiator patterns like on the Kaossilator<br />* Real time global loop length or loop retrigger<br />* Audio rendering of loops then audio copy/paste with iCloud support<br /><br />Thanks.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-59082153851138459622011-08-13T09:48:00.001-07:002011-08-13T09:59:25.604-07:00New toys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWIFaiArE3BhoWB_D5qgGsMo0PFk_j4sbv3w5oar3w9JY7QJj1IxR7bpQeMZzYkr5Y8lJ1xukDnT0h1XEgGK35XHJYmAkpN5tgPWU7zDmXu1w6T8VVuTfB5jje64Um9lRG1CPcwNT000/s1600/DSC00987.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWIFaiArE3BhoWB_D5qgGsMo0PFk_j4sbv3w5oar3w9JY7QJj1IxR7bpQeMZzYkr5Y8lJ1xukDnT0h1XEgGK35XHJYmAkpN5tgPWU7zDmXu1w6T8VVuTfB5jje64Um9lRG1CPcwNT000/s400/DSC00987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640386072602782914" /></a>
<br />My latest purchases. Modded the Kaossilator on day 1 to include the superb overlay from Pat here: <a href="http://www.miscshitbits.com/2010/08/hello-kitty-kaossilator-grid-mod/">http://www.miscshitbits.com/2010/08/hello-kitty-kaossilator-grid-mod/</a>. To keep its touch sensitivity I used an extremely thin screen protector instead of a piece of clear acetate and it works a dream. Despite my worries about lining it up properly all is perfect, which is no mean feat given those little squares are less than 2mm across! With a stylus and scale set to chromatic I can play each note perfectly. Shame I can't actually <span style="font-weight:bold;">play</span> anything properly :o)
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<br />The Monotron came with me on holiday. Hooked up to Filtatron running on my iPhone I was in noise nirvana.
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<br />robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-9590857012513804082011-06-12T07:46:00.000-07:002011-06-12T08:02:16.930-07:00Happy birthday to meeeeee...A few weeks ago it was my birthday and I received Rock Band 3 and the Squier Strat guitar/controller. One of the first things I did was to hook it up to my iPad via the CCK and a midi cable. Worked a treat! Tried it with Garageband, Nlog Pro and BS-16i. Latency is surprisingly low, and definitely playable without compensation. Bending strings has no effect, neither does tremolo, so your expression is limited to how hard you pluck the strings, and that can be a little quirky too. Fretboard tracking is just about spot on (once I'd set the guitar pickup and fretboard how I wanted them) and chords work just dandy. In essence the guitar works like a keyboard - the strings (from the "mute" bar forward) are simply there to make contact with the frets to tell the controller where your finger is. It is the part from the pickup to the mute bar that tells the controller which string is being plucked and how hard.<br /><br />One interesting feature (a bit annoying really) is that plucking an open string never sends a midi off, so open string notes sound forever until you mute the string manually. Obviously with a synth patch that releases itself this is not a problem, but most of the patches I used were a pain and had too be muted by hand. Ironically most of the guitar sound patches I used suffered from this. You could probably do somethihng clever with Midi filtering on a PC I suppose.<br /><br />Overall as a "bonus" feature I think it makes a reasonable midi guitar at a pretty decent price. In the game itself (Xbox 360) it is fantastic and will definitely raise my (currently poor) playing skills, especially picking (which I tend too avoid normally).robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-36634356226689360122011-03-13T04:05:00.000-07:002011-03-13T04:24:24.316-07:00Windows 7 Slate/Table - one week of useHad a busy week but managed to get some time in using the Win 7 slate for music.<br /><br />First, and foremost, I cannot stress how incredible it is to have full music software running on something so thin and portable with a touch interface. In one instant it shows just how far behind mobile "studio" software is. I've been running Ableton Live Lite 8 and Virtual DJ Pro and almost re-falling on love with them as they are available to use within seconds of pressing the power button on a quiet, slim device that is always to hand.<br /><br />It's not all sweetness and light though. These apps were never designed for use on a touch screen and all too often I get frustrated by clicking on something that I didn't mean to, or wishing for a mouse. Coupled with my Keysonic 540RF wireless keyboard it all makes so much more sense. Obviously that reduces the portability so I tried my tiny bluetooth keyboard (not much bigger than an iPhone and weighs almost nothing) and was just as pleased when moving through Ableton's interface.<br /><br />Performance isn't up to the level of a non-Atom powered laptop, and battery life isn't iPad-bothering at about 4 hours, but it is perfectly happy running two tracks in Virtual DJ with effects and some attempts at turntablism. I haven't hooked up a turntable yet to try it with virtual vinyl so I can't comment on performance there. In Ableton recording audio was solid and using a few virtual instruments and VSTs was also great. Again, the improvement over iOS virtual synths (Nlog aside!) is phenomenal.<br /><br />What really brings the device alive though is hooking up my Behringer UMA25s. It's not a great keyboard in terms of key action (my Novation Remotes are miles better) but it has a good onboard audio interface with ASIO drivers and is amazingly portable. The performance of mic and guitar input is much better than the built-in soundcard on the slate. Of course it also works happily for both MIDI and sound duties without complaint, unlike my iPad with CCK that only works with MIDI unless I provide mains power as well.<br /><br />So far then I love the portability much more than the touch aspects of it. Touch is great for web surfing etc but Win 7 is about as far removed from the touch friendliness of iOS as you can get.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-15052838840498127062011-03-11T12:31:00.000-08:002011-03-11T13:13:50.409-08:00iPad GarageBand with MIDI gearThere's lots of opinions about GarageBand hitting the net so I'm not planning to rant about missing features or whatever. I just want to talk about my experiences of hooking up some MIDI gear to it.<br /><br />I have tested my Behringer UMA25s keyboard over USB via the Camera Connection Kit and my Novation Remote 49 via a cheapo USB MIDI interface into the CCK. The Novation also has sustain and expression pedals plugged in.<br /><br />First up, both were recognised perfectly and proceeded to play notes on GB's virtual synths and even the drumsets. Velocity sensitivity was transmitted properly (anyone else find the accelerometer "velocity" really hit and miss?). I really like many of the built-in patches, and playing them via a real keyboard is a joy.<br /><br />As you'd expect, pitch wheel and mod wheel both worked just fine, their effect being dependent on the particular patch. Knobs and rotaries were more hit and miss. With a General MIDI setup loaded into each keyboard, the only rotaries that changed anything were the pan control and volume. I was hoping filters, chorus, reverb and ADSR would match the GM spec. Not sure if there is a MIDI mapping table anywhere on the web.<br /><br />A less successful test was the arpeggiator. When switched on, incoming MIDI notes do not go to the arpeggiator. I like to use arpeggiators a lot (due to a lack of playing talent and a tendency to twiddle controls during playing) so this was a disappointment.<br /><br />A big surprise, however, was the recognition of the expression pedal from the Novation (and the sustain pedal - less surprisingly) and seemingly the channel aftertouch, which had me squealing filters using the key pressure. <br /><br />Overall, despite many criticisms from people, I am very happy with Garage Band for keyboard and MIDI. Oh, ok, it could use a piano roll :o)robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-59520207621589721012011-03-06T03:10:00.000-08:002011-03-06T03:55:33.316-08:00Using a Windows 7 Slate/Tablet - woohooo!About a year ago I agonised over whether to get a Windows touch screen device or the iPad. In the end the iPad won, and I love it. <br /><br />However, I have just been handed the allegedly "best Windows 7 tablet" to test for a while (thanks!) - it is the variously branded Pegatron-made tablet most notably branded as the ExoPC. I could write my own review of it as a tablet, but there's a great review <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/exopc-slate-913878/review">here at Tech Radar</a> instead.<br /><br />In a nutshell it's got an 11.6" 1366x768 multi-touch capacitive screen, mini-HDMI, 2GB RAM, a 32GB SSD, Atom 450 procesor, SD card slot, a couple of USB ports (yayyyy), a combined 3.5mm headset jack (booooo)and something like 4 hours battery life. Amazingly it is only about 1mm thicker than my iPad but it feels much bigger. So in essence a remarkably thin touch screen netbook without keyboard and with HD res screen.<br /><br />I've only just got it, so will add to this as I go along (e.g. photos), but I am very keen to push it as a mobile music device. I've installed Ableton Live 8.2.1 and Virtual DJ thus far, along with a bunch of VSTis and VST fx. I installed ASIO4ALL but there may be a Realtek HD Asio driver somewhere. I can report thus far that all seem to work just fine, albeit tiny! <br /><br />Hardware wise I plugged in my Behringer UMA25S and that worked straight away for MIDI and audio duties with no noticeable latency playing VSTis in Ableton. I have also tried my USB guitar cable and that works fine, but there's noticeable latency. Need to spend some time on that. Will be testing Hercules DJ console, UC33e, Korg Nanopad and my incredible Saitek P8000 (that needs a blog post all of its own one day.)<br /><br />So far my few hours with it have been enjoyable, with a few Windows 7 frustrations due to the tiny on screen buttons coupled with my big hands. I do have a stylus somewhere so may try that. Interestingly the touch screen, although capacitive, supports 256 levels of pressure! How, exactly, I don't know. <br /><br />The acid test, after a few weeks with it, will be "would I spend my own money on one?"robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-78458600779312578392011-03-03T14:35:00.000-08:002011-03-03T14:42:57.686-08:00DJ Player 3 submitted to AppleI know this is not a news blog but I have had a chance to try this out and it is very professional and about the best non-scratching DJ app I have tried. Here's the rather extensive list of updates:<br /><br />Universal app with native iPad and iPhone interfaces.<br />New interface design, new minimal look.<br />New workflow, new navigation. No more "which side is which" and "where am i".<br />No importing necessary: directly uses your iPod library, with playlist support. Mass analyzing of iPod library tracks, sort by BPM too. USB or WiFi upload is still available.<br />Serato and Traktor metadata support (BPM and cue points).<br />Much-much lower latency, reduced CPU usage. Feels faster.<br />Double-deck output mode for hardware mixer.<br />4 gapless cue points, play like a sampler.<br />Reverse play (tap before or after the pitch fader head).<br />Auto beatgrid and waveform display.<br />Automatic Vinyl Vision creation in background.<br />Better sounding flanger and echo.<br />Navigate between the screens using a gesture (iPad only, slide your finger from outside of the screen towards the center).<br />Swap play/cue button position.<br />Sharp echo/reverb release on/off.<br />iPad only: master output fader, master VU meter before or after.<br />Network BPM sync: if there is only one deck loaded, the app broadcasts and receives the current BPM value over the local WiFi network or Bluetooth, so you can sync between different devices. Very useful in Classic Club mode, or when you switch DJs in the booth.<br /><br /><br />So there you go. Definitely worth a try!robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-59145665395591410512011-03-02T11:36:00.000-08:002011-03-02T11:48:53.090-08:00All this, and iPad 2!Just watched the Apple iPad 2 launch event. Nice to see it thinner and lighter and the addition of the cameras would be good for Skype assuming it works with Skype. <br /><br />Garageband will be nice to see, and the boost in CPU is welcomed but other than that not much for musicians, especially no USB or SD. <br /><br />Glad to see the screen res remained as devs are strugling with 3 resolutions as it is.<br /><br />iOS 4.3 doesn't bring much for me. Just hope the USB power limit gets raised again for MIdI devices etc.<br /><br />HDMI sounds fine and all that, but my current iPad boasted VGA output with the purchased cable. I have tried 4 monitors, 1 TV and a projector and not a single one works with my iPad. <br /><br />Most impressive is the cute screen cover thing. Wonder how, exactly, the hinge attaches with magnets? <br /><br />So generally a nice incremental update and not so much that I feel like selling a body part to upgrade. Of course if my bank balance ever supports it then it will be hard to resist!robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-44890506315408956162011-02-09T09:16:00.000-08:002011-02-09T09:29:29.861-08:00BS-16i now with CoreMIDII've tweeted about this, but I want to get some detail in.<div><br /></div><div>I got BS-16i when it first came out with hardly any fanfare. Almost no-one mentioned it. But here was an iOS synth that uses soundfonts in SF2 format. I nearly wept! Also added along the way was the ability to load and play MIDI files. Fan-flipping-tastic! </div><div><br /></div><div>So you load up a soundfont, choose a MIDI channel (e.g. 1-9 for instruments, 10 for drums etc.) and play away. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now the new version supports Core MIDI on the iPad and I am blown away. I loaded up a 32mb GM soundfont and plugged my Novation Remote25 in and set it to the GM template.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't sure what to expect but literally EVERYTHING worked as it should from the keyboard:</div><div><ul><li>Patch select</li><li>Pitch and Mod wheels</li><li>All mapped GM CC controls, including</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Portamento on/off and time knob</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mono/poly switch</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Filter cutoff and resonance</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chorus</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reverb</li><li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ADSR</li><li>Midi channel select</li></ul><div>I didn't have to set up anything. It was just like someone had slapped a sound module into my keyboard. The only thing I couldn't use was the MMC controls (Play/Pause etc. ) so that would be cool to see.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now there are a couple of bugs - the occasional note doesn't sound but the MIDI got through (the on-screen key moves) but it is rare - but for the price if you want a way of using your soundfont collection without your PC then this is it. There are loads of amazing free soundfonts out there, it's not just GM :o)</div><div><br /></div><div>It is so good I am tempted to buy a Line 6 midi mobilizer so I can use it on my iPhone too!</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder how much it would be pushing it to allow display/edit/record of midi tracks? The sound engine is there and the MIDI playback is there...</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I reckon everyone should buy it and give this developer the credit they deserve for their mobile efforts. <a href="http://appshopper.com/music/bs-16i">http://appshopper.com/music/bs-16i</a></div><div><br /></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-45207739068426257392011-02-09T05:11:00.001-08:002011-02-09T05:27:09.766-08:00Two quid iPhone tripod!I decided to make a tripod for my iPhone for stop frame videos, time lapse, hands free etc.<div><br /></div><div>Ingredients: </div><div>1 X basic extending camera tripod from Poundland (everything costs a pound)</div><div>1 X iPhone 3GS hard case from Poundland</div><div>1 X nut (I found it in a box)</div><div>Small amount of glue (I used epoxy)</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply glue the nut onto the back of the hard case and screw onto the Tripod when needed! Works fantastically and actually looks pretty nifty. Works in both portrait and landscape and tilts to most angles (using the adjustable legs if needed).</div><div><br /></div><div>Also functions as a handy deskstand :o)</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIw1uTGtihr6GMVL0-vFG-J1ntNS3INVCpri7OsSYGUnrk9phrZGvdih-acNr2rMp2vuzK-wRDaWpuMrFVod38DCQl0URmNY7yxIN0UJpQueRiQwNSq23b67ESpyoDb1kkg8_pzN_k2E/s400/IMG_0352.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571679480375443586" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEg7DbEOKV7CP1KMnOALIvLSwa22ibCwtzKsXvpHu4QdRhT4w2B-WJ19zpgZRJzit1ZdKLj2JZ_NK5rr-dicZCHYbG2_vrnngY0ryDYavbE53SEZYtDPym-uTPK2_xvcmrIjgfm1yIOY/s400/IMG_0353.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571679712039082578" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCt1CSOkcUi_erY99PQ2AnstZjQ-6pr8b2trlBzt3JabYO-kRxV0iFmlVGS_we76YQrbuvqCnkzMI3FuQHQf0L-8dt9AlggD_PBtEb5w-D2GQ-IotuG2SdpmWSW4mukCanCUd8KIlJXM/s400/IMG_0355.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571680273864420850" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHISnl6XHIN70lig8ab1vUg7mEI380svJ4gpV5zHlm4T2j5ErvOfWhrMFdrMX_UgDS6uhJGvuvDjH2IyfHBdjeRYykMtvJ56MSaYJknXgcbY8m-a95HXnvvNiNqb0flgyzBhETpK3OGz4/s400/IMG_0354.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571679996345145586" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-15797533529980579262011-01-30T09:02:00.001-08:002011-01-30T09:46:28.270-08:00My ideal DJ appI have a vision of a "perfect" DJ app for iOS. Funny thing is, I think all of the features currently exist in various apps, but not altogether in one. What do you think?<div><br /></div><div>* iPod library access (a must have - and many do!)</div><div>* Realistic turntable simulation (see Flare Scratch and Tap.DJ)</div><div>* Dual stereo audio out (Red Bull BPM has this through streaming to a second device)</div><div>* Useful multi-FX and filters with XY pad control (Looptastic has this)</div><div>* Access to DLNA/UPnP devices for tracks over WiFi (Plugplayer has this)</div><div>* Multiple cue/loop points saved with the song (Tap.DJ again)</div><div>* Adjustable crossfader curves (Red Bull BPM)</div><div>* EQ plus kills (Red Bull BPM)</div><div>* BPM control - syncing etc. (Quite a few, but Red Bull BPM stands out)</div><div>* Mix recording (DJay, Tap.DJ)</div><div>* Pitch bend (Djay, Red Bull BPM)</div><div><br /></div><div>I know there's loads of other apps out there, and I know some of those mentioned do other things, but those are the features and apps that immediately came to mind. </div><div><br /></div><div>As with Guitar FX apps, I am holding out for something near to my "ideal" before splashing out in a bigger way (cash is tight!). I've got Flare, Tap.DJ, Looptastic and Sonosaurus Rex as well as the free version of Red Bull BPM. I haven't tried DJay (no lite version to try) and haven't yet made the jump to the full Red Bull BPM Pro. At the moment Tap.DJ is sucking up most of my time.</div><div><br /></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-43150273070652252012010-12-12T05:02:00.001-08:002010-12-12T05:54:29.933-08:002011 wish listIt has been a great year for mobile music, especially since the arrival of the iPad. So this isn't in anyway me being greedy or whining, just some stuff I'd like to see in the New Year.<div><br /></div><div>Hardware:</div><div><ul><li>An iDevice with a USB port!</li><li>Or CCK support for the iPhone</li></ul><div>iOS:</div><ul><li>Support for more than 1 stereo input/output, or a "standard" for streaming audio to another iDevice whilst simultaneously playing a different stream locally. Some DJ apps have this already.</li><li>A central "sandbox" file system. It is driving me crazy having all these awesome apps but the only way to access common audio is to copy and paste it using (the excellent BTW) Audio Copy/Paste, filling my device with endless copies of the same audio! Make it so I have to confirm any changes or deletion to avoid rogue apps deleting my swag, but for the love of Steve, please let apps use the same data files!</li></ul></div><div>Guitar: </div><div><ul><li>An FX/recording app with a built-in web browser so I can get my favourite TAB websites open at the same time as recording and playing my guitar.</li><li>Amplitube and iShred to recognise my USB audio devices.</li><li>MIDI support for knob control, pedals etc.</li></ul><div>MIDI/Audio:</div></div><div><ul><li>Better iPad compatibility with MIDI devices that currently "use too much power" despite being powered by batteries or mains.</li><li>CoreMIDI support for (deep breath) TouchOSC (ignore the irony - I just don't have time for PD mapping!), Pianist Pro, Pocket Organ, Pro Keys, BS-16i, Ellatron, iVoxel, iGOG, iMS-20, Xenon, Beatmaker, NanoStudio, DXi Piano. </li><li>More app support for midi file in/out.</li><li>Option for background audio in all apps. ThumJam does this brilliantly for backing loops.s</li></ul><div>App specific:</div></div><div><ul><li>VoiceBand - MIDI out. I've been hugely impressed by the speed and accuracy of VoiceBand's pitch and volume detection, now I'd like to use that with my own sounds. Plugging a guitar into it has to be experienced to be believed!</li><li>BS-16i - a sequencer with MIDI support and ACP. I was amazed to hear BS-16i in action with some of my soundfonts and MIDI tracks. To be able to edit and create these would be fab.</li><li>DXi piano - DX/TX patch support. It looks like it almost has something like this with the SYSEX-like patch export and import. Must be close, surely?</li></ul><div>Apps I'd love:</div></div><div><ul><li>FM7/FM8 from Native Instruments. I would pay quite a bit for that if it was a proper port.</li><li>If my wish for a file system came true, then a fully featured sample editor to trim and tweak my samples and loops would be cool.</li><li>More Korg legacy stuff! iMS-20 is fantastic.</li><li>A magic bean that lets iOS run VST plug-ins :o)</li></ul></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-7804570088558299142010-12-12T04:22:00.000-08:002010-12-12T04:32:21.383-08:00Switching off my Loox :o(My beloved Loox 720 sits on my bedside table. It has to be plugged in at all times because in those pre-WinMo 5 days if the device ran out of batteries it lost everything and reset itself. As the battery only lasts about 3 hours that is a bit critical.<div><br /></div><div>But what a great device. Even now the specs look good: twice the screen resolution of my iPhone 3GS, more RAM than my 3GS and as much storage as I could stuff in via BOTH SD and CF cards. USB host port. It found a home in my car as an amazing GPS unit too. All that from 5 years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>It took me through some great music making times: Griff, Pocket Stompbox and MeTeoR to name but a few.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then it was superceded (but not yet turned off) by my WinMo 5 phone, the Glofiish x500. Lower screen res, sure, but it had a phone and built in GPS. My favourite apps had a new home. Then along came the iPod touch. Within a few months even the Glofiish found itself on rare use for Griff and Stompbox sessions. So I turned it off (knowing it won't lose all its stuff). </div><div><br /></div><div>So now the Loox just sits there, LED glowing but screen covered in a thin layer of dust. It still works brilliantly. Still has an amazing screen. But it simply doesn't get used. It just takes space and power. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today I'm going to pull the plug...</div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-35926224415727609282010-11-22T14:51:00.001-08:002010-11-22T15:02:47.230-08:00Initial experiments with iOS4.2 and MIDI/AudioGetting late but a few people have asked for an update.<div><br /></div><div>First, compatibility with the Novation Remote (25 and 49 tested) and the Behringer UMA25S plugged into my iPad via CCK:</div><div><br /></div><div>* Behringer: Powered from batteries the iPad recognises and uses the MIDI input from the keyboard perfectly but doesn't enable audio from the UMA25S (says it uses too much power). Powered from PSU the iPad recognises and uses BOTH the MIDI and audio in/out. Fantastic!</div><div><br /></div><div>* Novation: The iPad always fails to enable the MIDI, complaining about power usage, regardless of whether I use batteries, PSU, USB or any combination. Same goes for both my Remote 25 and 49. Gutted as the keyboards on these are both excellent.</div><div><br /></div><div>So concentrating on the UMA25S then, I did some app testing.</div><div><br /></div><div>* MIDI in was perfect on the apps that supported MIDI. Hope for lots of updates soon!</div><div>* These guitar apps worked fantastically (such a great sound quality and low noise compared to my iRig): Stompbox (the best IMHO), Ampkit, RiotFX, Amps & Cabs, EffectorLite.</div><div>* These guitar apps failed to recognise there was USB audio in: AmpliTube, iShred Live.</div><div>* These apps used the USB audio-in perfectly: Filtatron, Improvox</div><div>* These apps required me to plug headphones into the iPad but did recognise the USB audio in: Voiceband (which takes on a whole new meaning when used with a guitar and a low noise input!)</div><div><br /></div><div>That's it for now. Will update as and when I get around to it.</div><div><br /></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-12073867396071141352010-11-22T08:55:00.000-08:002010-11-22T08:59:02.623-08:00Finally, iOS4.2 is outMan that was a long wait.<br /><br />Time to head off home and join the hoards of people updating to iOS 4.2<br /><br />I already know the camera connection kit is a bit picky about which midi devices and sound devices it works with and seems to cry about a lack of power at every possible turn. Perhaps the final release will be more forgiving?<br /><br />I assume the iPhone isn't getting CCK compatibility but I'll know for sure in a few hours.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-86187672805004235932010-11-15T12:32:00.000-08:002010-11-21T11:09:01.454-08:00Tickling the plasticsStill waiting for iOS4.2 and rumoured deadlines come and go with all the build-up and let down that comes with it. However a recent ebay session of loft clearing gave me the funds to get a 25 key keyboard as mentioned in my previous post. After intense deliberation and a few failed bids I narrowed my choice right down. I was intent on getting a battery controlled solution, not just for iPad fun but also with an eye on Rock Band 3 with its Pro mode supporting MIDI keyboards. I also decided expression pedal input was a requirement for what I do.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy9gVFusYT0uE3LUehhVrqH_oEHUwHn8Tg7PccZArdjxKyA1n-UvdKjnTXBKSgnoKrF7L9fyxBDun60HU3eK0-0MHRGo9hC-nmnDfHFAp-Z1d7sfCTi1FolebinPCOg3bb5iQ4ll_TlQ/s320/Remote_25.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539882612941240786" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>With the Novation X-station running just outside my budget I was looking at the Novation Remote 25, Remote 25SL and the Behringer UMA25S. I had some concerns over the rather fancy nature of the 25SL as it looks heavily dependent on computer-side software for configuration. I already know about the Remote 25 because I have (and love) a Remote 49 as my main keyboard - loads of controls, great keyboard and full MIDI in/out/thru.</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU5LOf09ciSOuFKO8gtmf45FRWN0zcJEU4AJQs6YgccVBmAEIlDaJO1PXhXSZUGGVI_4jC8Q15txONl77hy8vK03egouwNbf18bTkhJCDLiIVQmf3J-IONisOUe8H0V_TDsm_pLIUGyo/s320/lr_25-Behringer-UMA25S.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539883074810660834" />The Behringer is an interesting little option - light, easy on batteries and has a built-in USB audio interface. Reviews say its keyboard is quirky, due to half-height action, but are generally</div><div> favourable. It only has 8 knobs too, versus a whole host of controls on the Remote 25 & 25SL. An additional fun element, especially with Rock Band 3 in mind, is the guitar lugs and included strap, bringing it rather close to the official RB3 "keytar" controller.<br /><br />Anyway, I ended up buying BOTH the UMA25S and the Remote 25 and am expecting them to arrive this week. I don't intend to keep both, as that's a bit over my budget, so I shall try them both for a short while before deciding which one to keep. I don't know how useful the Behringer's audio interface will be with the iPad but it would (I think) allow me to mix the iPad's audio with the audio from my iPhone using its line in and direct monitoring. It may offer me a more satisfactory way to get my guitar into the iPad too, as I have to say I haven't been hugely impressed with the iRig hardware thus far - too much noise and feedback despite taking the suggested precautions.<br /><br />Once I've had a good play I will post my thoughts.</div></div></div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-52281071418241178182010-11-07T11:12:00.000-08:002010-11-07T11:38:39.911-08:00iOS 4.2 and USB MidiFinally after months of waiting iOS 4.2 for iPad is due to arrive sometime this month. Speculation went nuts after some news stories mistook Apple's suggestion that the DST alarm problem (which affected me too) would go away after November 7th to be a launch date for 4.2 rather than just being the date that the US changes its clocks!<br /><br />Ever since hearing that Core MIDI would be in iOS 4.2 I've been waiting to see whether or not that would mean MIDI over USB via the Camera Connection Kit. I have a few MIDI controllers and some USB MIDI controllers too, so MIDI is a big part of what I like to mess around with. Hooking these up to the iPad would be fantastic. <br /><br />Whilst NDAs seem to block anyone from saying anything, MooCow music put out a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Pwa3SbFFE">video on YouTube </a> that got me all excited. Not only does it show MIDI happily going over USB but that video is an X Station 25. Why is that important? Well the X Station is not class-compliant, and also it has a built in USB audio interface. So that bodes well for compatibility of other devices. I would be keen to know from MooCow if the iPad in the video had its audio in/out taken over by the X Station.<br /><br />So now (for me) the hunt is on for a 25 key controller keyboard. Mine are all 49 key and not portable in any way. It'll have to be compatible with the iPad and ideally battery powered, to avoid having to use a USB splitter cable and some form of external power source such as the Duracell PPS2.<br /><br />There's a fair few to choose from, but nothing yet stands out as "perfect" to me, and of course compatibility cannot be guaranteed. I'd welcome any comments from anyone who has tried and succeeded with any of these mentioned (or any other 25 key controllers). So far I'm looking at:<br /><br />Novation Xiosynth<br />M-audio Axiom<br />Novation SL25 MK1<br />M-audio oxygen<br />Akai MPK25<br />Alesis Photon X25<br />Novation Nocturn 25<br />Novation x-station<br />Novation SL25 Compact<br />Novation SL25 Mk 2<br /><br />Of these, the only battery powered ones are the Novation Xiosynth, X Station, SL 25 MK1 and the Alesis Photon X25. Any other suggestions?<br /><br />Looking forward to some awesome times over Xmas. The list of fantastic iOS music apps just keeps on growing, and MIDI support will be mind blowing.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-37145434181867311032010-09-20T08:04:00.000-07:002010-09-20T08:09:22.345-07:00StompBox is on the way.<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uajLN9qtsHE?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uajLN9qtsHE?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I can't wait! StompBox on PPC was awesome and this just looks fantastic - the closest thing to a full guitar rig I have yet seen on iOS.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-20019603157493853172010-07-22T12:17:00.000-07:002010-07-22T12:45:05.285-07:00While my guitar gently bleepsWhat a great time for mobile guitarists! Barely a week goes by without another iOS app for axe ministers and right now the fight for FX king is well and truly on. Although only just now overtaking the benchmark set a few years ago by Pocket PC based Pocket Stompbox, iOS apps have rapidly gone from simple delay and distortion to fully fledged stomp box, amp and cab simulators. I've tried just about all of them and at the moment my top two are Riot FX and the recently released Amplitube iRig. IRig is considerably pricier, but worth the money IMHO. IK Multimedia have just released the iPad version, which is a separate app also priced at $20, which is a little disappointing for those who have already forked out the same for the iPhone version. A universal app would be much more welcomed I'm sure, but you can run the iPhone version on the iPad in Zoom-o-vision of course. As iRig comes with what I think is a great fun Wah Wah simulator I'll be trying to think of a way to latch my iPhone onto me whilst playing - maybe one of those sports armband case things on my foot :)<br /><br />Recently a "dream come true" arrived in the shape of iShred Live, a live input version of THE BEST guitar sim on any device. I've wanted this from the moment the original iShred came out. Unfortunately the competition is so fierce that iShred Live is not yet a front-runner in the live FX stakes. I hope it will become one. <br /><br />Still to come is Ampkit, with accompanying hardware to rival IK's hardware/software combo. Interestingly the Ampkit hardware is battery powered which the makers claim will provide less crosstalk and feedback. As I'm not flush enough to buy both I'll be looking for reviews keenly to see which is best for my meagre buck (or should I say pound?!)<br /><br />Mentions should also go out to the various other apps that have graced my iDevices in the search for FX heaven - stompvox, effectorlite, amps&cabs and GuitarFx deluxe.<br /><br />Links and pics to come.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-61658542630948577982010-06-01T07:39:00.000-07:002010-06-01T07:40:35.572-07:00iPaidShiny new iPad is busy syncing as I write. So much for willpower...robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-5382782330982884592010-05-07T09:11:00.000-07:002010-05-07T09:14:48.148-07:00iWay robbery!The UK price of a $499 iPad? $633 at current exchange rate. Thanks Steve, love you too.robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-79725422600052261862010-05-01T00:25:00.000-07:002010-05-01T14:36:05.839-07:00Born again: the FULL Rebirth on you iPhoneNot a typo. You read that correctly. Go now! http://appshopper.com/music/rebirthrobman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824735614512697475.post-73878913372355584862010-04-15T12:09:00.000-07:002010-04-15T12:41:03.024-07:00I wanna be slated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBP-dnW9Y29UXlY1BFNGErUWnDthSiv9s8HpOLhcW8vF7Efq-5mdXdpZixxAjJ9nqzV1XAHaBgPdTuHQYSYQJ48BJJXkWz91LDjQVphTTovIqtKGuS0Zyc1bJO4Gq6OMSpwdt-p06ZFk/s1600/hp_slate_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBP-dnW9Y29UXlY1BFNGErUWnDthSiv9s8HpOLhcW8vF7Efq-5mdXdpZixxAjJ9nqzV1XAHaBgPdTuHQYSYQJ48BJJXkWz91LDjQVphTTovIqtKGuS0Zyc1bJO4Gq6OMSpwdt-p06ZFk/s320/hp_slate_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460451450324824018" /></a><br />The iPad is out (in the US anyway), and will be here in the UK next month. No word on pricing yet, which is a tad worrying. My guesstimate is over £400 for the base model. <div><br /></div><div>I still have gear lust for it. It looks lovely and, taken as a "giant iPod Touch", it seems to run very slick indeed. I have to say few of the apps have really astounded me yet. Perhaps the most impressive native app in my mind is Korg's iElectribe. Most of my fave synths have yet to be updated, but I'm sure they would be much more usable with larger on-screen "keys".</div><div><br /></div><div>But apart from the unknown price, and the delays, some cracks are starting to appear. Weak wifi is a concern for me (my access is borderline at best) and I recently heard over at <a href="http://the-palm-sound.blogspot.com/">PalmSounds</a> that the dock connector doesn't support audio-in, which buggers up my beloved stereo recording Macally iVoice Pro 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has made me sit up and consider my usage requirements. In all honesty, my music making is better served by my PC, with its multiple soundcards (one internal, one USB) and professional level audio software (Cubase VST and VirtualDJ). The reason I do more with my iPhone is simple: it is there, on my desk or in my pocket, and is "instant on". My PC is a hulking beast that takes about a week to finish booting up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going full circle this points me back towards portable Windows based devices. I lusted after the Viliv S5 before getting my iPhone, and then kept a watchful eye over the myriad tablet/slate devices that were rushed to announcement a short while before everyone knew Apple was likely to announce a slate/tablet. Most of these run either Android or a Linux variant, but the HP slate has really caught my eye. It's a PC. It runs PC software. It's compatible with PC peripherals. It's portable and multi-touch. It's expandable. It runs Flash on websites (Hobnox?). It's allegedly going to be competitively priced with the iPad. I work with Windows all day and like it. I could run the Windows-only work apps I need on the HP slate. The only kick in the plums is the screen resolution - 1024x600 is also what puts me of most netbooks. It does have HDMI output though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm, am I breaking up with the iPad before we even go on our first date?</div>robman84http://www.blogger.com/profile/13196116400045431491noreply@blogger.com4