Retro: Casio VL-10
A Casio VL-10 on eBay, and at the time of writing, going for over £20. The VL-10 was smaller than the original VL-1, being only 8" long. Ok, it only had 3 voices, and a 100 note sequencer, but for 80's that wasn't too bad.
Imagine what you could get packed into a box that size now! If someone was to design and manufacture something like this now I bet it would be awesome!
Audio Box Micro Composer: First Steps - Sequencing
This morning I played with more of the sequencer functions of Audio Box, which is actually very flexible when you get under the covers. You can not only copy and paste bars but notes and individual phrases too, which is really handy.
OT: iPhone runs FCP6 !!
This story comes from MyiPhone.com and shows Walter Biscardi and Peter Wiggins getting FCP6 to run on a prototype iPhone. Click on the title to check out the whole article.
So, what does this mean? Well, if it is true, it means that there could be a world of application software available for iPhone users in the future. If it isn't true, then that's a shame...
So, what does this mean? Well, if it is true, it means that there could be a world of application software available for iPhone users in the future. If it isn't true, then that's a shame...
Pacemaker DJ Device: 1st email
I registered for info on the pacemaker site, and here's what I got:
Thanks for your interest in Pacemaker!
Really, who thought it would be possible to shrink a professional DJ system to a size no larger than a peanut butter jelly sandwich? Well, we’re here. Pacemaker is the world’s first pocket-size DJ system!
You already know about the 120 GB, the SNR 103, the bend, pitch, cue, loop, EQ and sound-FX functionality, the separate line-out and headphones crossfaders, the separate line-out and headphones jacks and the two independent channels controlled via the same one interface – all elegantly wrapped in a peanut butter jelly sandwich, only prettier!
The news are that we’re well under way and really excited about the developments within our beta community prototype! (Perhaps we can invite you to come test it and help us develop our community concept?) Also, our absolutely free downloadable Mac and PC compatible computer client, enabling advanced and user friendly offline mixing, is getting ready for beta release, and we’ll shortly be able to make public our last remaining sock-dropping secret (you’ll love it!), and next is when the real fun begins!
We’ll get back to you shortly – like on June 12, when we launch our online interactive Pacemaker show reel on www.pacemaker.net, and in September, when we release our limited edition Pacemaker series, and in October, when the premiere edition Pacemaker will be on a carefully selected shelf near you!
I love stuff like, this, I can't wait to hear what's next, I'm hooked already!
Thanks for your interest in Pacemaker!
Really, who thought it would be possible to shrink a professional DJ system to a size no larger than a peanut butter jelly sandwich? Well, we’re here. Pacemaker is the world’s first pocket-size DJ system!
You already know about the 120 GB, the SNR 103, the bend, pitch, cue, loop, EQ and sound-FX functionality, the separate line-out and headphones crossfaders, the separate line-out and headphones jacks and the two independent channels controlled via the same one interface – all elegantly wrapped in a peanut butter jelly sandwich, only prettier!
The news are that we’re well under way and really excited about the developments within our beta community prototype! (Perhaps we can invite you to come test it and help us develop our community concept?) Also, our absolutely free downloadable Mac and PC compatible computer client, enabling advanced and user friendly offline mixing, is getting ready for beta release, and we’ll shortly be able to make public our last remaining sock-dropping secret (you’ll love it!), and next is when the real fun begins!
We’ll get back to you shortly – like on June 12, when we launch our online interactive Pacemaker show reel on www.pacemaker.net, and in September, when we release our limited edition Pacemaker series, and in October, when the premiere edition Pacemaker will be on a carefully selected shelf near you!
I love stuff like, this, I can't wait to hear what's next, I'm hooked already!
Pacemaker DJ Device
I picked up on this product from CDM (Create Digital Music). It is (or claims to be) the first pocket DJ system, and is due out this autumn. It looks like an interesting device, and as CDM says it could be useful for musicians as well as DJ's, who knows. As with all these things we'll have to see if the product actually sees the light of day.
Their web site says that they intend to bring in a range of products and services. Well, good for them, I hope it does work out, and I'll be watching closely to see what they deliver.
PSPSeq 2.10
Ethan Bordeaux has just released a new version of this nifty program. Updates are:
- Automated interpolation of synthesis parameters
- More track copying options to simplify and speed composing music
- Button combos enabling instant solo/unmute of all tracks, copy/paste of synthesis parameters, and removal of hits in a track
- Automated shifting of hits in a track for easy echo effects and arpeggiation
- Ability to record to ms0:/PSP/MUSIC directory for playback of loops and songs outside of PSPSeq
- More visualization modes and new visualization controls
- Access to time, battery life and available flash memory within PSPSeq
- New features for using PSPSeq in live environments
- Optimized WAV file playback
- Other minor bug fixes and optimizations to screen and audio rendering
- Many new sample songs and loops
Mobile Music Workshop started today
Well it started today. Sadly I couldn't make it, but never mind, maybe next year. It'll be interesting to see what comes out of it though.
miniMIXA V3 update
Well, from comments on Tim Cole's blog it sounds like miniMIXA V3 will be available to buy direct although there is no launch date as yet.
Mobile Studio: Palm OS4: ThumbMusic
ThumbMusic is a digital kalimba, the application requires at least a Palm III with OS 3.0. It is a really small app running in about 3k of memory. If you click on the title of the post you'll go to a web page about the app and there you can download the source code for it too.
I use this on my clie T425. Which is an old OS4 device, in fact a monochrome one at that, but fine for running older palm applications that won't run in OS5.
This is the Coolest site I've seen in a long time!
I stumbled over this web site today. It is fantastic. You've gotta take a look!
miniMIXA V3 microphone recording and synching coming soon in V3!
Well it seems like there's a new version of miniMIXA on the horizon, and with it, some new and exiting features. Here's what Tim Cole's blog says about what they've been doing.
"Well, we are now getting very close to nailing miniMIXA V3. One of the important things we have been asked for, and so we wanted to get in, was synching of microphone recordings. Well, we have done it . What that means is that you now get a count in period before you make a microphone recording - so you can get ready for your take. You can set how many bars you want this to be and how many bars you want to record for, as well as a system latency factor (as all mobile devices have different capabilities) - and the recording then synchs to the bar boundary. It is really useful and great fun!
The miniMIXA++ product will also include an autoloop recording feature. This means you can do take after take and only keep the take when you think you have nailed it.
This feature addition will make it much easier to use miniMIXA for capturing ideas on a mic, maybe as you are riffing or jamming to a background groove. You could then even sing/jam, record and sync harmonies on top."
Sounds good, let's see what it looks like when it arrives.
"Well, we are now getting very close to nailing miniMIXA V3. One of the important things we have been asked for, and so we wanted to get in, was synching of microphone recordings. Well, we have done it . What that means is that you now get a count in period before you make a microphone recording - so you can get ready for your take. You can set how many bars you want this to be and how many bars you want to record for, as well as a system latency factor (as all mobile devices have different capabilities) - and the recording then synchs to the bar boundary. It is really useful and great fun!
The miniMIXA++ product will also include an autoloop recording feature. This means you can do take after take and only keep the take when you think you have nailed it.
This feature addition will make it much easier to use miniMIXA for capturing ideas on a mic, maybe as you are riffing or jamming to a background groove. You could then even sing/jam, record and sync harmonies on top."
Sounds good, let's see what it looks like when it arrives.
What's in the bag?
I thought I'd post a little insight into what I tend to carry around in my bag most days. I'm guessing that most of us have a gear bag of some sort. The kind of bag that has loads of pockets for devices and notebooks and cables and adapters / cards etc. Mine's no different in that respect, but it does contain a number of PDAs and supporting gear. Here's what's in it at the moment:
- Dell Axim X51v (newest PDA)
- Palm Tungsten T3
- Treo 650
- Sony Clie T425
- Sennheiser PX100 headphones
- 2x Ear buds
- iPod 30gb
No, not all of that is in there every day to be fair, and some days other stuff gets in too, like:
- Digital camera
- Pocket speakers
- Zoom PS04 4-track
And of course, depending on what I am actually carrying, and what I plan to do with it, I carry a small tin or adapters and connectors and cards (SD, CF and SmartMedia).
So, what gets into your bag and why?
- Dell Axim X51v (newest PDA)
- Palm Tungsten T3
- Treo 650
- Sony Clie T425
- Sennheiser PX100 headphones
- 2x Ear buds
- iPod 30gb
No, not all of that is in there every day to be fair, and some days other stuff gets in too, like:
- Digital camera
- Pocket speakers
- Zoom PS04 4-track
And of course, depending on what I am actually carrying, and what I plan to do with it, I carry a small tin or adapters and connectors and cards (SD, CF and SmartMedia).
So, what gets into your bag and why?
Audio Box Micro Composer: First Steps
I've been checking out Audio Box Micro Composer. I have to say that I am really impressed by synthesis and automation, it is a really powerful application for creating interesting sounds. Patches can all be saved obviously, and the parameters can be automated.
I often find it difficult moving to a different way of working with new software, but I'm getting to grips with Audio Box, and I think it is going to be really worth it.
CDM Looks at LittleGPTracker
A good post on CDM about this tracker app. I must admit that I did follow it for a while, but had lost sight of it. It looks like it has had quite a few updates since I last checked it out.
VL-Tone: Retro or Cutting Edge?
Another post from CDM that I spotted. I had a VL-Tone when they came out, in fact I think I had two at one point and would sequence them both together. I thought that they were brilliant, and if you think about it they were in effect the precursor to handheld music.
I think it would be brilliant if someone was to develop a new style VL-Tone, with audio and all sorts of bells and whistles. I'd probably buy one. In fact, I've just been considering getting an old style VL!
MiniTones
I saw this app on PalmInfoCenter. I've never been keen on ringtones and ringtone apps, but as this is freeware I thought it might be fun to try out.
This small freeware app allows you to select a MP3 file and add it to your ringtone list in Sounds. It also features a file splitter so you can use a section of a song instead of the whole song. A drawback to this is that it copies the file to main memory and can be a memory hog. Usage of the files does not require the app to be installed.
Note: This app does NOT convert a MP3 to MIDI. It only adds a MP3 into the sounds list.
QOTD: What do you read?
What the best PDA news or info sources you read? What else do you read? I like CDM and Music Thing amongst others.
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