Monotron vs MS-20
korg monotron (2010) and MS-20 (1979)
This japanese guy compared the output of sound.
Cutoff modulation LFO is used for comparison VCLF.
Must say that the 60 USD Monotron is doing a pretty darn good job at it 
The Odu concept and the LUM
Nicole Weber’s (Germany) Odu was probably the most stunning design work in the lot, including a full physical mock-up and UI design concepts. It’s an unusual combination of physical interface and Web-based sonic engine. On the Web side, users find sample content through a browser interface. On the physical side, a handheld interface turns those samples into tangible objects for manipulation and performance.
LUM is a music interface that translates the position in space (xyz) of luminous spheres in to sound.
Each axis is given a parameter, X = pitch, Y = loudness & Z = effects, although these may change.
The “controllers” incorporate 2 different colored LEDs each one activated by different buttons, allowing the user to handle 2 instruments simultaneously. The project was born in 2007 but is professionalised in late 2009.
Patternarium from Sonic Charge
The first is the introduction of the Microtonic Patternarium, what Sonic Charge refers to as an “online collaborative patch randomizer”. This tool will create random sounds and rhythms that you give the thumbs up or thumbs down to in order to influence their evolution.
The second is the announcement that the next version of Microtonic is currently in beta testing. The company is currently accepting applications for a limited number of beta testers, so if you’d like to give it a go, just fill out the application. No new details as of yet aside from the fact that it will support MIDI program change and drag and drop of patterns as MIDI files.
VST emulator from Argentina
Argentina-based DJ Pablo Martin gives us some insight on his new Emulator software.
This are the first images i make public of my new touchscreen MIDI controller (now with mulitouch support). The older Monotouchlive is now discontinued and the new software born is called EMULATOR.
The first version i plan to launch very soon, including control for traktor on internal mode; the other interfaces are under development (traktor external ableton etc etc)
This software is designed to work with tablet PCs, the model i suggest for use with my software is the wonderful HP TM2, or the older model TM2Z. It also can be used with lenovo multitouch tablet and DELL XT tablet. All these tablets support multitouch, have capacitive digitizers, but again i suggest the HP TM2, due to it having a wonderful capacitive digitizer from WACOM; it’s really good quality tablet.
The CPU power of TM2 is perfect to run Traktor; I tested with Ableton without any troubles. Some guys think the CPU on HP TM2 doesn’t have enough power, but that is wrong.The major problem with present touchscreen controllers is that you don’t have tactile feedback (you can’t feel with your fingers knobs, buttons, sliders etc etc), for that reason you need put your eyes all time on the touchscreen device for use the controller, and lose the focus over music software.
Emulator is a software where you have all what you need on same screen and combine the power of multitouch, the useful standard mouse and the native interface of software to be controlled all in one nice and useful GUI.
This software runs under windows 7; the first version I plan to launch only works on tablet PCs with 12.1 inch screen (1280×800). I decided to do this because the big LCD multitouch screens available on the market aren’t really accurate and enough for pro usage; [optical sensors can] generate false touch, ghost touches, etc. and you lose portability [on larger screens].
Beat on the block drum glove
Beat on the Block is a set of set of drum gloves that are designed to let you drum on anything.
The system is made up of a gloves paired with a backpack speaker system with a built-in looping system. The move below captures the prototype for the drum gloves in action:
Beat on the Block was created during a school project by: Kristo De Pooter, Arnoud den Besten, Sam Vesters, Thomas Leterme at the Artesis University college of Antwerp, Belgium May 2010.
New live album from Yazoo
We reported already on a scheduled Yazoo live album, but it has now also been confirmed officially. To be released on 27th September 2010 is the Yazoo double live CD “Reconnected live”. The live album will also be released on LCD and download. Recorded live in Summer 2008 it features classic tracks from Yazoo’s albums “Upstairs At Eric’s” and “You And Me Both”, including “Only You”, “Don’t Go”, “Situation” or tracks such as “Nobody’s Diary” which are performed live for the first time ever.
TB303 ♥ Tenori
Tenori is driving 303. Tenori-On (Midi Sequence) – – Futureretro Orb (Convert Cv/Gate) – – TB-303 Mod (Cv/Gate In)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnbk8zTezOs
Nice and relaxing music
Audio direct digital synthesizer (DDS)
Circuit Girl Jeri Ellsworth demonstrates how to make a simple audio direct digital synthesizer (DDS) with a 74hc4060, EPROM and a few passive components.
Jeri Ellsworth (born 1974) is an American entrepreneur and self-taught computer chip designer. She is best known for, in 2004, creating a Commodore 64 emulator within a joystick, called Commodore 30-in-1 Direct to TV. The “computer in a joystick” could run 30 video games from the early 1980s, and was very popular during the 2004 Christmas season, at peak selling over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel.
Dave Ball from Soft Cell releases new stuff
Dave Ball at work on new project
About Celine and Nite Wreckage A cutting-edge collaboration between electro pioneer DAVE BALL and feisty newcomer CELINE HISPICHE, CELINE & NITE WRECKAGE are what punk rock might have sounded like – had it been invented in the East End of Victorian London. One part Marie Lloyd to one part Poly Styrene, CELINE is not just a singer but a force of nature – and a witty wordsmith who takes her unlikely inspiration from an olde-worlde London of pea soupers, gin-shops and hansom cabs. CELINE & NITE WRECKAGE take Celine’s sharp-witted satirical sketches – delivered in an in-yer-face vocal style that conjures up the East End quicker than a plate of jellied eels and an Ian Dury album – with the filthy electro beats of DAVE BALL, a legend with 30-plus years of experience at the cutting edge of electronic music with Soft Cell and The Grid. Whether she’s glammed up in ballgowns and sequins, or sheathed in an industrial boilersuit, CELINE is every inch the punk rock Marie Lloyd, casting a jaundiced – but always witty – eye over dystopian 21st century London, as seen through the eyes of a gin palace queen. “As soon as I met Celine I saw we shared a mutual interest in the parallels between London today and the London of the past 300 years – especially the seamier side!” says Ball. “I immediately liked the idea of fusing my modern electronic music with her love of Hogarth and music hall.” Adds Ball: “Celine is a fantastically vivacious person with great ideas. To me she’s like a female reincarnation of Ian Dury – who I regard not only as a one-off lyrical genius, but also one of the greatest rappers.” Celine, who improvises many of her lyrics, says the thread that links the songs is the underground side of modern-day city life. “I want to transport listeners to the backstreet brothels of Soho,” she says. “Take them on a journey to Bedlam like a modern-day Hogarth and see how much we’ve changed in nearly 300 years. “Look at London – or any other major world city – in 2010. We’ve still got inner city poverty, we’ve still got the harlots and we’ve still got the Mother’s Ruin – only instead of gin it’s crack and crystal meth.” The sleazy, squelchy beats behind Celine’s satirical survey of society come courtesy of collaborators Nite Wreckage – Dave Ball and his production partner Rick Mulhall (aka remix team Nitewreckers), plus drummer Terry Neale. CELINE & NITEWRECKAGE are currently finishing their debut album “EVOLUTION? REVOLUTION!” at Kick Studios in Richmond, West London and available for live dates and festivals.
New album from John Foxx, feat Steve jansen, Harold Budd…
Out now is “D.N.A”, a new double disc set (CD & DVD) which features unique collaborations between John Foxx and some of his favourite film-makers, with all of the short movies on the DVD being made especially for this project. The CD features the music from some of the films, plus tracks that Foxx had recorded as ‘possibilities’ for soundtracks.
The final track on the disc, “Over the Mirage” is a new collaboration between John Foxx, Harold Budd and Ruben Garcia, while both parts (“2” & “7”) of “A Secret Life” and “Violet Bloom” were recorded with Steve D’Agostino.
Ex-Japan percussionist Steve Jansen also features on the “A Secret Life” instrumentals. The artwork for the project has been designed by Jonathan Barnbook, who has previously worked with Damien Hirst and David Bowie.
DATAMASKIN
