The open source MIDIBox soon to be released
I have posted on this little beauty before, but than there were not much to see – but now I must say we are up for a treat 
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/5250512]
The MIDIbox.org site reports that MIDIbox Sequencer version 4 will be released “soon”.
Details on the demo below.
MIDIbox is an open source hardware platform for making MIDI sequencers and controllers.
MIDIbox Sequencer Version 4 Demo
[0:00] The electronic harp is played by Sculpture (part of Logic Audio) – a Physical Modelling Synth which I really like!
[0:00] MBSEQV4 plays the 16-step sequence with a new “step progression” feature: on each 4 step interval, the step is triggered twice. In addition, a customized groove template is applied on the velocity to accent the notes based on the master measure. This results into a more complex sequence which varies on each beat, but still sounds nice and not too random!
[0:01] to understand the “step progression” feature watch the GP LEDs – they are stopping each 4th step
[0:11] an Echo Fx is added with 64T delay. Note value is increased by +3 and forced to scale
[0:17] an additional VST synth is added which gets use of the new “step progression” feature as well
[0:21] Echo Fx: temporary increased to 6 repeats with +3 Note Value and +150% delay on each echo – let’s scrub the harp!
[0:31] adding drums
[0:41] adding more synth lines, again with “step progression” to vary the sequence
[1:04] adding a chord sequence played by MIDIbox SID V2 (a typical arpeggio patch is used)
[1:48] probably you haven’t noticed it due to the bad video quality, but I switched to another pattern which plays the electronic harp at C-3 on each step – the groove template is still enabled (boring?)
[2:05] now something completely different: a LFO is applied on the harp sequence with sine waveform and an interval of 4 steps. Force-to-Scale is enabled
[2:07] the LFO also sends a CC to Sculpture to vary the timbre.
[2:13] adding Echo Fx (1 repeat, 64ppqn delay, +150% tick) to this “modulated sequence”
[2:19] changing LFO waveform to Triangle
[2:31] changing LFO waveform to Sawtooth
[2:36] changing Echo Fx to 6 repeats
[2:46] slowly changing LFO the period to 16 steps (enjoy the change-over effects!)
[2:52] slowly changing LFO reset to 16 steps (enjoy the change-over effects!)
[3:00] changing LFO waveform to Sine, play drums again
[3:14] changing LFO waveform to Triangle
[3:21] changing CC offset of LFO
[3:33] unmuting the other instruments
[3:56] switching back to original sequence (my favourite moment 
[4:16] muting/unmuting the toms…
[4:30] slowly muting the tracks
[4:40] thanks for listening! 
This track is the result of a rainy saturday afternoon.
mOne – an Open source step sequencer
Looks pretty awesome
Can it be anything but German
My big question though, to all of you, does it really exist?? Check out there webpage >>
Here are the specifications:
- Hardware Step Sequencer
- 8 Spuren a 8 Patterns mit jeweils 16 Steps
- Jede Spur kann eigenen MIDI-Kanal (Eingabe, Ausgabe) haben
- Interne Auflösung von 24 Pulses pro 1/4 Note (PPQN)
- Aufnahme durch externe MIDI-Geräte
- Externe und interne Synchronisation (Play, Stop, Resume, Clock)
- Modifizieren der Sequenz während der Wiedergabe
- Softwarekonzept Open-Source
- Programmierung durch Arduino IDE
- Basiert auf Atmel ATmega1280
- USB-Schnittstelle zur Kommunikation mit dem PC/MAC
- MIDI-Schnittstellen (MIDI-Eingang, MIDI-Ausgang)
- 28 Silikon-Buttons, 2 Rotary-Encoder mit Bestätigung und ein LC-Display
Feel like drawing or painting your music?
HighC is a graphical music creation tool. It is a synthesizer, a sequencer and a mixer. Its goal is to make music composition as simple and direct as sketching.
An entertaining and educational tool…
No music experience needed: create stunning soundscapes and crazy ringtones in a matter of minutes. Learn acoustics, music theory and audio synthesis with a gentle, graphic approach.
that meets demanding professional needs
Master advanced synthesis techniques: FM, ring mod, additive, granular, and much more. No complex dashboards of knobs, dials and connectors with unpredictable effects. No programming. Just draw to unleash your creativity!
Changes in HighC v2.75
- Printing functionality, enabling export to PDF file format.
- Overview shows the cursor in all views during playback.
- Set the default pitch of imported sound samples (to correct potential pitch detection algorithm errors).
- Tune the sampled audio files.
- Audio file import in the FLAC format. FLAC is a lossless audio compression format that saves about 2/3rds of the original file size.
- Distribution reduced from 16 to 10Mb.
Don't be fooled by the name – Teenage Engineering
It is a real synthesizer, a lot of people have even thought it was an April 1st hoax, but it is well worth checking out
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5SRRysKg8k&feature=player_embedded]
The Operator-1, Teenage Engineering’s portable synthesizer. It’s a synth, sampler, drum sequencer and controller all in one!
About section:
The Tape Operator is designed with logic in mind.
Every key and encoder is placed in way that makes sense, even if you use it with one hand or if you are lefthanded. And everything is color-coded for quick and easy reading.
And the same color codes are used on the bright active OLED display to make it even more easy to locate the right encoder or function.
Everything displayed with a refresh-rate of 60 frames per second.
On the right side of the case you’ll find all the neccasary connectors.
• 3.5mm input for audio/external microphone
• 3.5mm output for line out /headphones
• 3-pole power-connector for charging the internal battery or for use with power adaptor.
The power connector itself is the same as used in robotic automation applications
• USB 2.0 port for hooking up your OP to your computer transferring your recorded music
• Two holes special machined for carry strap
• Turn the machine upside-down there are two M6 holes for use with our Studio System parts.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTtXBRCXTKk]
Commodore 64 Cynthcart
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKADOmFqRMs]
Overview
A software / hardware combo that allows for control of the analog filter inside a Commodore 64 that is running Cynthcart from a host computer (eg, Macbok, PC).
Software
• 16-step filter sequencer
• Set the speed of the filter sequence (with intervals between values reaching 2ms)
• Set the length of the sequence from 1 to 16 beats
• Offset value allows for shifting the filter values up or down on a larger scale
• MIDI mode allows sending data directly to control the filter (this mode disables the sequencer)
Download the Max/MSP patch here:
http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/downloads/max_patches/C64_FILTER.zip
It requires Max/MSP runtime which can be downloaded from http://www.cycling74.com/.
Screenshot
Interface
The hardware is very simple, and is based around an Arduino board that is using a bit-banging SPI technique to write data to a 100KΩ digital pot (model MCP42100). Approximately 7 of the 8 bits of data actually change the value of the filter (this could be due to the resistance value of the pot).
Any microcontroller that can either do SPI natively or through bit-banging should be able to handle this simple operation.
Software, schematics + code >>
Cool on-line sequencer tool from Hobnox
Here it is, it’ll supply you with an emulator of some famous little machines, used by DJs, producers and bands all over the planet. Right now, we can equip you with a rebuilt Roland TR-808, TR-909, TB-303 and some floorboards. Interested? Give it a try!
Novation Nocturn
Novation unveils a new USB controller called Nocturn. Featuring the latest Automap Universal 2.0 software, exclusive to Novation controllers, Nocturn provides automatic, instant and intelligent control of all automatable plug-ins within every major sequencer, including Pro Tools.
Features :
– 8 touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each equipped with a bright eleven-LED ring
– 8 user-assignable illuminated buttons
– smooth, professional 45mm cross-fader
– Novation’s unique ‘speed dial’; a touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on!
Probably the most interesting aspect of this controller is bundled software that features a “heads-up transparent control GUI” that places a “transparent control map across your computer screen, to be recalled or hidden at will.” Simply boot up the plug-in, and you’ll see at a glance how the parameters are automatically assigned to each of Nocturn’s controls. An instant click and control ‘learn’ function is also available for quick re-assigning of controls, or for creating your own controller map in seconds. Multiple page options mean that you can assign a potentially infinite number of parameters for each plug-in.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9B7oPhy20w]
Prophet'08 and Akai MPC released at NAMM
Prophet ’08 Synthesizer Module
A beauty!!
The Prophet ’08 Synthesizer Module is a tabletop “knobby” module with all of the features and controls of the Prophet ’08 Keyboard (minus the keyboard, of course) in an even more compact enclosure. Includes rack ears for optional rack-mounting. The eight-voice synthesizer with the completely analog signal path brought to the table features like velocity and aftertouch as well as an arpeggiator, gated stop sequencer, and split and layer sounds.
Akai MPC5000
The MPC5000 is the first MPC ever to include 8-track streaming hard disk recording, a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator, a new sequencing engine with 960 ppq resolution, pad and track muting and mixing, 64 continuous sample tracks. There’s even a new FX engine with 4 FX buses and 2FX per bus.
In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory Ð expandable up to 192MB. The display is twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000 so waveforms appear crystal-clear. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. The MPC5000 is the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. A turntable preamp is also included.
The MPC5000’s virtual analog synth eliminates need for external analog synth modules or buggy software based synthesizers. The new 8-track direct to disk recorder lets you produce your whole song in the MPC and then mix it down with the internal sequenced programs and any input thru material. Add the optional CD/DVD drive and you can then burn an audio or data CD or your mix. Over 650MB of premium-quality sounds from Loopmasters are included to get you up and running with pro-quality production in seconds.
KikAxxe – faithful emulation of a classic ARP AXXE synthesizer
Nice little new synthesizer to play around with.
Built from the same award winning analog modeling technology used for TimewARP 2600, KikAXXE delivers a fat analog sound and much more.
In addition to the faithful emulation of a classic ARP AXXE synthesizer, KikAXXE includes a 16 step analog style sequencer, a drum machine and a modeled tape delay. All in all, KikAXXE is a blast to use.
Download a 30 day trial here >>
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTn__bAsuYc]
Octopus BlackSea – mmmmm nice :-)
Played around with this little beauty during Xmas:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISVw7xiR5w]
And I must say it is rather impressive, below a short description taking from the producers website
Octopus is a MIDI sequencer – simply put, a machine to generate control data for sound-producing devices, e.g. synthesizers.
Octopus’ most outstanding trait is probably its recognition by an authoritative audience as a musical instrument. The merit lies in the fact that comparable products are traditionally perceived as “just” intricate electronic devices.
User experience and musical creation are the centerpieces of the Octopus design. Its embodiment is a no-compromise machine.
The recipe is to combine a high-end user interface, a domain-specific data framework, and the power of modern real-time computing technology.
DATAMASKIN
