“This is a first test to see how a performance might work using a numer of PDAs / handheld devices simultaneously. This test uses a TRG Pro (with an SG20 MIDI module attached), a Nintendo DS running Electroplankton, and a Treo 650 using AxisPad.”
“This was a little experiment in PDA performance. The main music is running in Bhajis Loops on a T3. The treo is using AxisPad, the TRG Pro is running ThereMIDI, and the other gear is a Yamaha MU15 and a Kaoss MINI.”
“Here’s another video featuring a T3 running Bhajis Loops in live mode, a Treo 650 running AxisPad, a TRG Pro running Theremini, and a Yamaha MU15 running off the TRG Pro. The whole thing is through a Kaoss Pad mini.”
“Another video from my last session of mucking around. This time more abstract and formless.”
“Some excerpts from my live show earlier this year. I’ve finally got around to editing them into something that can be watched.”
A nice collection of me trying out live things and then ending up with an actual live thing using PDAs and stuff. It was fun to do, but things really have moved on from there.
And in this performance an PO as well. In fact, in this show by Deerful, everything was battery powered, and I have to say that it worked beautifully.
You might remember Deerful from a video I posted a little while ago:
I’m a big fan of her work and so it was great to see her live for the first time at the Shacklewell Arms last Friday. It was an excellent performance. Deerful synth based pop is delicate, subtle and crafted with care. But just because it’s synth pop doesn’t mean it’s disposable, on the contrary her music is full of meaning and her lyrics are well worth several listens.
But apart from being battery powered you might be wondering why she’s getting a mention on PalmSounds, well that’s a good question and an easy answer too. Deerful is making music with a lot of mobile devices and apps too. In fact, her latest release (iTunes link) has been made with an OP-1 and NanoStudio on an iPad Mini. Moon Maps is one of the tracks on this release and I have to say that I’ve played it quite a few times now. I keep coming back.
But that’s not the only release from Deerful that I’ve enjoyed. City Bells (iTunes link) is also excellent and is probably one of the only songs I know of that has the word ‘Michaelmas’ in it, and yes, it rhymes too. If that wasn’t enough then Emma (Deerful) is also a part of School of Noise too, and if you don’t know what that is then click the link and find out, you won’t be sorry.
But playing with an all battery powered rig has it’s challenges too. Before the gig Emma talked to me about the challenges it creates and how a constant reliance on batteries can make one somewhat nervous. I can understand that having done it myself.
But none of this had any impact on her performance, which was wonderful. Polished and yet emotional. Even though this little rig was small enough to fit on this tiny table it gave a big sound and all very complimentary too. Throughout the gig there wasn’t one song I didn’t enjoy.
But there was one song that really stood out for me for a couple of reasons.
Emma introduced this song by assuring everyone in the audience that she wasn’t going to play it on a pocket calculator. Of course it was a Teenage Engineering PO (a robot I think). And the track was amazing. Really amazing. I hope that she releases it in the not too distant future. It was awesome to see someone perform with a PO device, and do it so competently as well, but to see and here this track and vocal were amazing. I can’t stress it enough.
So if you get a chance to see Emma (Deerful) then I’d strongly suggest that you take the opportunity. You won’t be sorry at all.
StompBox Band – Dual Effect Racks for your iPad, specifically designed for Bands or Guitarists who require a dual rack setup.
You can use StompBox Band Edition to provide two separate effect racks for different band members and output either a mix or separate outputs to your amps.
You can even pass a single guitar through both effect chains and morph between the two depending on how loud you play!
StompBox Band gives you the flexibility to have two effect racks running at the same time combined with the ability to utilise audio interfaces with multiple inputs & outputs.
Band Edition also has a built in Chord Explorer and Song Mode, allowing you to save commonly used patches and chords to song files. Use the Chord Explorer to audition your patches whilst making modifications.
StompBox Band supports AudioBus and Apple’s Inter-App Audio making it an excellent general purpose audio processing tool for all musicians, not just guitarists.
Simply listen through a pair of headphones, or attach external amplification to truly experience the program in all its glory!
StompBox and StompBox Free Owners can quickly and easily share their In-Apps Purchases with StompBox Band, no need to buy them twice.
CONDUCTR is the first Ableton Live controller for iPad SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE: a whole new concept, based on functionality, adaptability and intuitivity. CONDUCTR is ERGONOMIC (4 different view modes: you only see what you want to see), MODULAR (you can create as many User Modules as you want), EXPANDABLE (upcoming System Modules to customize it to the max) and SMART (it takes maximum advantage of multitouch technology: you can even play it without watching the iPad).
CONDUCTR’s interface is ergonomic: it ADAPTS TO YOUR NEEDS and can be changed up to 4 different view modes at any given time, even while playing live.
CONDUCTR features 3 System Modules (Clips, Mixer and Master) and as many User Modules as you want. You can control up to 5 parameters from any device and any track featured in your Ableton Live set on each User Module.
CONDUCTR IS EXPANDABLE: it will grow within a short time with upcoming new System Modules.
Oh, and you can even play it… WITHOUT WATCHING THE IPAD!
WARNING: CONDUCTR is a software controller. It doesn’t produce any sound by itself.
REQUIREMENTS:
Ableton Live 8.2.6 or higher.
Mac OSX 10.6 or higher / Windows XP or higher.
CONDUCTR WORKS WIRELESS, so you will need to install the Conductr Server software in your computer. Download it for free at conductr.net/downloads.
MAIN FEATURES:
ERGONOMIC INTERFACE When you are playing live, you don’t really need to see EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. The CONDUCTR interface is flexible and can be adapted to your specific, moment-to-moment needs in order to show only the elements you want to focus on.
4 different view modes: 4, 3, 2 or 1 views on screen.
View modes can be changed on the fly according to any momentary need.
Each view can contain 1 module.
Modules can be changed on any view while playing.
CLIP MODULE
Clear and simple clips grid with scene side launchers and both individual tracks and master stop buttons.
Simply drag the grid with two fingers to find the clips you are looking for!
Clip and loop evolution bars.
SHIFT mode to give you fast access to tracks and Master Volume and Mute.
LINK function to hook up the Clip module and the Mixer module’s horizontal touch scroll.
MIXER MODULE
Clear and simple control of each track’s Volume and Mute.
Smart faders.
High-resolution clip peak meters with ultra-low latency.
SHIFT mode for fast access to each track’s Pan smart crossfader and Solo and Record buttons.
LOCK/UNLOCK Master Volume function.
Track’s volume LIMITER function.
LINK function to hook up the Mixer Module and the Clip Module’s views.
MASTER MODULE
Clear and simple Module including: Master Volume, Cue Volume, A/B Crossfader, and transport controls.
USER MODULES
Create as many User Modules as you want.
Each User Module can contain up to 5 parameter controllers from any device on any track featured in your Ableton Live set.
4 different control interfaces: faders, crossfaders, buttons and quantized scales.
User Modules can be created on the fly by surfing and selecting any of your set’s parameters on the iPad or through the LEARN feature.
User Modules can be quickly edited at any time, even while playing.
RESET feature: create parameter’s values memories and recover them whenever you want.
LEARN FUNCTION Fastest and easiest module set up ever!
Add any parameter to any User Module by simply moving it on your desktop software set.
GESTURAL MODE Play your User Modules without watching the iPad!
Control different User Module parameters depending on how many fingers you use anywhere on the screen.
I love hearing from people who are making music with mobile devices and apps, so it was great to hear from Silvia (aka PSGirl) Gree-Do. Here’s what they say about themselves:
Gree-Do use mobile instruments on stage for experimental electronic music improvisation. Gree-Do, from Tenerife, are David Ramos and Javier Tapia. Last Saturday they gave their first live concert, and Javier Tapia used (among other equipment) a Korg Monotribe an iPad running NodeBeat and an iPhone with iRig as an effect unit for his electric guitar.
David used a Korg Kaossilator too. For the last theme of the concert they invited PSGirl to join the improvisation who used Animoog with a collection of sounds made by herself.
I’m hoping we’ll get to see a video of the performance soon.
I’ve been wondering for a while if G+ would provide something useful for the mobile music community. With this latest announcement I’ve got an idea of what might be possible.
Here’s the full announcement from Google product manager Matt Leske:
Since we launched Google+ a little over a year ago, we’ve seen a thriving community of musicians connect with fans in really cool ways. In particular: singer/songwriters like +Daria Musk bands like +Suite 709 and many others are using Hangouts On Air to perform live for global audiences, and jam with fans face-to-face. We wanted to make these live hangout concerts sound more like the stage, so today we’re rolling out Studio Mode. As a musician, all you need to do is start your Hangout On Air, click settings, and switch from Voice to Studio Mode. Studio Mode optimizes your individual audio for music instead of conversation, and no else needs to change a thing! Check out the video with +Suite 709 to hear the difference (and for the full effect, listen with your favorite pair of headphones).
So this is great news for live online music, but let’s just imagine for a minute if this new feature of G+ was available in a mobile API that developers could use so a user could broadcast live performance from inside an app into a google hangout. Wouldn’t that take mobile music in a very interesting direction?
The Brazilian Prog Rock Band DOGMA performing “Benediction”. Excerpt with iPad and Guitar solos. Recorded at StudioBar in Belo Horizonte (Brazil). Sorry about the audio quality. 🙂
The app used on the iPad is MorphWiz. More about Music Apps and mobile music on www.musicapps.com.br
PalmSounds 