Controllerism curiosities from the NAMM basement

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Justyn Myers

Some of the most intriguing curiosities at the NAMM Show can be found deep down in the subterranean exhibit Hall E. This show hall is generally populated by newer and smaller companies that may not be as established as giants like Avid or Yamaha, but these companies can often be some of the most innovative. Exciting instruments like the Video Guitar from Visionary Instruments and the world famous Reactable lurk in the basement of the Anaheim Convention Center, as well as some nifty new controllerist gadgets. Here are two that stood out.

Part DAW, part controller, the Rhizome could be the best of both worlds.

Rhizome SXE/LE

So it has a lot of knobs, pads, buttons and screens, but the Rhizome’s approach to control is really its most interesting feature. Most controllers control functions within a software DAW, you map a knob on your controller to a knob on your screen. The Rhizome sort-of is the DAW, or in other words, a controller with the software and computer built into it. I can definitely see the appeal of simply turning on a groove box and making music right away without having to plug in a bunch of cables and devices.

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The NAMM Show 2012 controllerism roundup

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Justyn Myers

The sun sets on Anaheim, Calif. as the teamsters load up the last crates full of trade show booth parts and the leather-clad aging 80′s rockers slink back to whatever coke-fueled nightmare they came from. Another NAMM Show is concluded.

Business was done, products were announced, Stevie Wonder played some new keyboards and many new friends and connections were made. The NAMM Show is a hotbed of activity and can drive a lot of change and innovation in the industry. So what’s the next big thing? Where is this crazy world of music technology headed? I can’t really say, only time will tell.

But we did see a lot of cool stuff at NAMM, all sorts of exciting new products from all your favorite manufacturers. Here’s a quick roundup. Let us know what you think.

Akai MAX49

The Akai MAX49 features CV and Gate outputs to control analog gear

Akai has a pretty exciting new keyboard. Semi-weighted keys with after touch, built in arpeggiator, step sequencer, touch strips with LED feedback and velocity sensitive pads all make this a pretty killer box. But the most interesting feature, to me, is the analog CV and gate outputs. This thing is essentially a MIDI to CV converter, giving you control over your software DAW and your vintage analog gear. Hello eBay, time to pick up that old Juno 106! If you play keyboard, the MAX49 will definitely be a powerful tool.

Totally amazing piece of controller!

Keith McMillen QuNeo

The QuNeo is pretty much the only truly innovative piece of controller gear I saw at NAMM. I’ve been waiting for a chance to play with this thing ever since the Kick Starter was launched, and it has definitely delivered. The QueNeo has so many different layers of control on each pad – velocity, pressure, position, etc. – I can’t even visualize how to play it yet. And the fact that they managed to fit all of those features into such a small, bus-powered package is simply mind boggling! I can’t wait to spend some more time with this controller.

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Controllerism.com is going to NAMM 2012!

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Justyn Myers

Yup, we’re about to get all up in that NAMM! More than half of the Controllerism.com staff will be attending the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif. this weekend. So expect all kinds of shenanigans, schmoozing and geeky press coverage of all the hottest new controllerism related products from your favorite manufacturers.

I’ve been receiving an endless stream of press releases and invitations to press conferences from just about every music manufacturer known to man. I’m excited to see the 12 Step and QuNeo from Keith McMillen, as well as Livid Instruments’ new CNTRL:R. But mainly I can’t wait to see what surprises this music technology geek-fest has to offer. I mean, who knows what or who we may encounter while we’re down there. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but you can expect continuous coverage of all things controllerism.

And, of course, there is the aforementioned Interface LA show on Friday that will feature Controllerism.com staff members Moldover and Nonagon. Carson and I will be there as well, so if you’re in the area, please come out and meet us!

Controllerists unite, this Friday in LA

Posted on January 17, 2012 by moldover

Controllerism & collaboration: they belong together. Heck, they’re practically the same word! The music geek-fest known as NAMM is just around the corner and it’s no coincidence that a crew of crews is gathering to drop some serious live electronic musicianship in the midst of the trade show schmooze-fest. If you’ll be anywhere in Southern California this weekend, come check out a ridiculously awesome lineup of performers brought to you by some of the hard working people supporting this culture.