Equipment

OSC - Open Sound Control Protocol

2011-04-06T18:26:17Z

Even if you only own one piece of music hardware, there's a very good chance it's equipped with MIDI. The connection protocol has become so ubiquitous that it's almost impossible to find new synths, controllers or even software that don't support it. However, the skeptics would have us believe that Its days are numbered thanks to new protocols arriving on the market.

While such alarmist attitudes are probably unfounded, it seems that there's an increasing demand of something slightly more advanced the long-established industry standard. In this article we are looking at Open Sound Control (OSC), one of the protocols vying to steal MIDI's crown. We'll see what it's all about and why you might expect to hear a lot more over the next few years.

The History of Sequencers

2011-03-19T13:03:58Z

These days, the sequencer is almost synonymous with the digital audio workstation (DAW), but its history goes back way beyond the computer era. From modular synths to '70s drum machines and '80s home computers, sequencers have been used to make life easier for musicians for nearly half a decade.

Essentially, a sequencer is a device that triggers notes to be played back by other equipment, but we'll see that there are a variety of different ways this can be achieved. Whether it's step sequencing, a simple loop-based sequencer or full-blown MIDI DAWs, sequencers are a crucial part of every studio.

Apple iPad

2011-03-16T21:01:07Z

Unless you’ve been deliberately avoiding it you can’t have missed the hype surrounding the launch of Apple’s iPad. We've got hold a 16 GB WiFi model to put through its paces. We know its media and gaming skills but what does it offer us musicians and producers?

Sights and Sounds

The first thing you notice about the iPad is its outstanding build quality. The case feels tough while remaining light and easily portable. I wouldn’t want to throw it straight into a bag without a case to protect the glass screen, but it certainly feels very solid.

I found the LED-backlit screen exceptionally clear and the multi-touch easily tracks ten separate finger gestures at once (in fact, the iPad actually responds to eleven simultaneous gestures). The accelerometer ensures that the screen remains upright, but the orientation can also be locked using a sliding switch.

Steinberg CI1 and CI2+

2011-03-09T17:59:40Z

5teinberg introduced the CI2 USB audio interface last year - clearly aimed at those new to music production, as well as potential users looking for something better than the internal soundcard of their chosen computer, be it a PC or a Mac. The fact that it was bundled with Cubase AI5 (a reduced feature-set version of Cubase 5) clearly indicated that Steinberg saw the need for a complete good-value studio-in-a-box solution. In fact, the hardware side of things is handled by Steinberg's parent company, Yamaha, who clearly have a pretty good track record when it comes to all things audio.

So, less than a year later, we have the CI2+ and the CI1 interfaces. Though broadly similar in pure audio interface terms, these sit on either side of the original CI2 when it comes to their overall feature-set and software offerings. Let 's start with a recap of what's on offer, starting with the CI1 and the features common to both. The interface box is about the size of a decent hardback novel and, while housed in plastic, feels substantial when placed on your desktop.

M-Audio FireWire 410

2009-09-24T19:16:11Z

M-Audio FireWire 410’s 4-in/10-out audio configuration is perfect for personal recording situations where users build up tracks one at a time, yet need multiple outputs. The unit supports 96kHz recording and playback on all ins and outs, additionally offering high-resolution 192kHz stereo outputs.

The product’s ten outputs allow computer-based recording systems to behave more like traditional analog recorders or samplers, where signals are bussed to and from multiple channels of an analog mixer or to multi-channel monitoring systems. Software-controlled DSP handles all internal routing and mixing. The software drivers also deliver extremely low-latency monitoring, and the unit also offers zero-latency direct hardware monitoring. 1x1 MIDI I/O rounds out FireWire 410’s functionality as a one-stop solution for personal composition and recording.

Yamaha CP1 Stage Piano

2009-08-24T13:59:29Z

Yamaha have, it's fair to say, always been at the forefront of stage piano technology. The first pianos to wear the CP badge were the now-classic CP70/80 electric grands, adopted by many big-name artists over the years.

As with the recently-launched Roland V Piano, the Yamaha CP1 uses modelling technology (combined with sampling) to capture the nuances of a real piano. However, while VA synths get close to the magic of real analogue, modelling technology is still in its infancy compared to purely sample-based pianos.

MIDI Instruments and MIDI Software

2009-08-17T21:00:55Z

Almost every recording studio has some instruments. And almost every modern electronic instrument has MIDI interface. This is the interface you will use to connect your instruments with computer. You will also need some MIDI software to record, edit and play back your music. Most people recognize the MIDI interface by the three 5-pin ports labeled IN, OUT, and THRU, found on the back of every MIDI device. But what exactly is MIDI? What can MIDI software do?