Monday, December 8, 2014

Ableton Push

In software development, it’s almost inevitable that there comes a point where adding more features leads to rapidly diminishing marginal returns. In the case of DAWs, how many of us can truly say we use all of the functionality of our software? We demand programs which can do absolutely everything and then quibble about missing features, but chances are very few of us are really pushing our music software anywhere near the limits of its potential.
Since the great DAW revolution which occurred some time around the turn of the millennium, most music software has been far more powerful than many big budget hardware studios. The challenge now lies not in pushing the limitations of the software itself, but in finding more efficient ways to get the most out of ourselves.
The most obvious solution is to use a hardware controller to provide easier access to options which may be hidden, complex or otherwise unintuitive in the software itself. The proliferation of hardware controllers is nothing new; from mixer-style control surfaces to pad controllers and knob-laden MIDI keyboards, there are now hundreds of options available. Push addresses the issue head on: designed from the ground up for use with Ableton Live 9, this is bespoke hardware designed specifically for seamless integration with the DAW.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

AmpliTube iRig overview

IK Multimedia has made available the iRig guitar and bass interface adapter for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The new iRig interface allows guitar and bass players to plug their instruments directly into the headphone/microphone input jack on their mobile Apple device and access the new world of mobile guitar and bass tone — AmpliTube for iPhone.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review


Time to exhale; the Traktor Kontrol S4 four-deck controller for Traktor Pro is here, and we have a full review. Native Instruments’ first all-in-one, 4-channel controller/soundcard for Traktor Pro comes with the specialized Traktor Pro S4 software, as well as some lofty expectations. Let’s find out where the S4 lives up to the hype, and where it may fall a bit short.

Reviewed: Native Instruments Kontrol S4 Price: $999 (MSRP), $899 (common retail price) Communication: MIDI over USB (requires power supply)  /  (Mac and Windows).

Thursday, October 28, 2010

SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Ambience Control overview


The Reflexion Filter is basically a portable device for recording live sound sources with reduced room ambience. It is an advanced composite wall which is positioned behind any microphone by means of a variable position stand clamp assembly which ships with the product. The main function is to help obtain a ‘dry’ vocal or instrument recording. This is especially useful in studios without proper acoustic treatment, but can also be used to help record takes in control rooms, where the performer also has to operate the recording device, or in rehearsal studios to reduce ambient noise.

Buy SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Ambience Control on Amazon


Monday, October 25, 2010

Rock House's Lead & Rhythm Techniques overview


Rock House released Lead & Rhythm Techniques, a two-DVD set featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Firewind guitarist Gus G. Learn the natural minor and Phrygian major scales, patterns, scale sequences and full neck runs he uses to form leads that rip into shred masterpieces. Learn diminished sweep and chromatic arpeggios, emotional bending techniques and how to create a minor 3rd harmony lead. Gus reveals the chords, voicings, syncopated, pivoting staccato, interval and clean-picked rhythms that enable him to take control of the fret board and form his style.

Buy Lead & Rhythm Techniques on Amazon