Max for live tutorials
Just uploaded another new Max for live tutorial. This one focuses on using the Live API, OSC and the lemur in Max for live.
If you own a grid based controller such as the launchpad, APC40, Ohm 64, block, lemur or monome then this tutorial is for you. The tutorial shows you how to use the Live API and OSC (open sound control) to build apps for grid controllers.
Enjoy
Zander
Video from Matthew Davidson, monome expert. He talks about how Max for Live and the monome work together and the intergration between Max/msp & Live. Matt’s also put up some videos show the monome with Max for live.
Cheers Matt.
Zander
As Max for Livehas is now available we are going to be seeing more videos of users doing their thing with a whole host of stuff.
Today it’s monome time, (oooo yeahhh). These videos are from Matthew Davidson and show the monome interfacing with Ableton Live using Max for Live and monome apps. Monome apps used are polygome & step filter and he says he will be sharing the apps soon so keep checking his site.
Nomome - Launchpad as monome
Well the internet moves fast! While I was sleeping Novation anouced the release of the programmers reference, a break down of how the launchpad handles midi. Within a couple of hours there was a post on the monome forums by Matt DiFonzo introducing the nomome. The nomome is a monome emulator for the launchpad, allowing you to use the launchpad as, you guessed it, a monome.
The nomome is in early development but if your the proud owner of a new launchpad download it and try it out. Don’t forget to rep Matt DiFonzo and send him any bugs you get. You need max/msp runtime and a virtual midi port to run it. All available for free.
Have fun.
Zander
Livid block
This week Livid announced they were releasing a new open source midi controller called Block. The block has 64 back lit LED buttons in an 8 by 8 grid, an extra 7 buttons for other functions, 8 knobs and two faders. All of the buttons, knobs and faders are freely assignable and not locked to anything but more about that later.
The block is plug and play compliant, meaning no drivers and is USB powered so no dragging round extra power leads or losing power at a gig. The USB port is at the back of the unit too so there’s nothing to stop you putting other units next to it. The block has bi directional midi, which basically means it can receive and send midi data. So when you change something in the software you see the controller react and visa versa.
The block is released on the 1st of November but can be pre ordered now and will cost $399.
Livid block back
The Livid block is made from beautifully crafted and stained lightweight wood with an anodized aluminium faceplate. The units are made and assembled in the USA, Texas to be exact, so there not mass produced like other companies.
The block is 10.25″ by 10.25″ and is 1.5″ high making it portable and compact. It weighs in at 1.36 kg which is very light for a controller. These properties make this a good contender for live use, especially as it looks great too.
Livid block front
All of the block’s buttons, knobs and faders are fully assignable and not stuck to say just Ableton Live. Block will work with anything that will except midi learn, i.e. max/msp, synths, plugins and DAW’s.
Behind all this flexibilty is the software called blockEditor. Blockeditor will alow the user to create their own grid matrix’s and means the block is completely custimisable unlike the APC40 at the moment (roll on MaxLive).
BlockEditor is open source which means it can be modified and developed outside of the conpanys original intentions. This is likely to see the block be used for all sorts of carzy things which is definetly exciting.
Could this be a more affordable option over a monome? After all it does have knobs and a slider which is a plus over a monome and is completely custumisable. That said you could also go for the Novation Launchpad, although it’s missing some knobs. I can’t help but feeling this new matrix controller war is having a great effect on the monome by bringing it into the spot light and cementing it’s rep as the daady of matrix controllers. Hope so.
Novation Launchpad
Novation put there left foot into the Ableton Live controller market this week and announced the release of the Launchpad. The Launchpad is an Ableton Live controller based around an 8×8 button matrix similar to an Akai APC40 or a monome. The controller has been developed in conjunction with Ableton and is officially supported and endorsed by Ableton.
The controller itself bares an incredible resemblance to an Akai APC40 without buttons and a monome with menu buttons and a plastic case. The 8×8 matrix works the same as an APC40’s, launching, stopping and arming clips and is fully backlit with different colours for different functions.
Along the top and right hand side of the unit are buttons for editing parameters with the pads. The top has the grid navigation, i.e. that red box you get in Ableton + APC40 around the 8×8 clips being used. You also get buttons for selecting between the mixer, FX and user mappings so you can use the pans to input data. The right side you have vol, pan sends, solo, track on and track arm buttons. The idea is that you use the pads as a vertical button fader to make adjustments. See the video below for more details.
The Launchpad runs on USB which has a little L shaped USB lead which connects on the right hand side. Novation have said that they you can use Launchpads together to create more control, definitely an interesting note so as you could get two people performing together. The Launchpad also runs on Novations Automap which gives it the edge over the APC40 which has no dedicated editor yet.
Now heres the really important part. The Launchpad retails at £150,which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a monome or Akai APC40. Could the Launchpad be a monome or APC40 killer? Well I’ve just purchased an APC40 and I’m not worried about losing out to the launchpad, no buyers remorse here as I really wanted some knobs to twiddle. Monome might be a bit worried but that said a monome is a very powerful tool and totally customizable so maybe not.
Createdigitalmusic.com got to twiddle and fiddle with a prototype so check out there post and so did musicradar.com.
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Akai APC40
The daddy of all Ableton Live controllers, the APC40 has it all pads, knobs, faders, a crossfader, buttons and even lights up like a christmas tree. Can you tell I want one.
Akai MPk25
Maybe not on everyones top Ableton Live controller lists but you have to think outside the box a little. All the elements are there, keys, knobs, pads and buttons it’s up to you how you use them.
Monome
Incredebly hard to get your mits on and growing a cult following by the day. The monome is probably one of the more geekier controllers and requires a little bit of programing than your average out of the box job. That said it’s possibiltys are endless and although it’s not always associated with Ableton Live I think the two have a bright future together.
The MPD32 kind of looks like a less developed APC40 to my eyes. Anyway it has all the makings of a good controller pads, sliders, knobs and buttons.
The Novation Nocturn is an unlikely contender for the top 5 but from own experiences it’s very very good. It’s got the elements, buttons, knobs and a crossfader but the real star is the software behind it which gives the Nocturn much more flexibilty over it’s competitors. Check out my review for more info.
Well there you have it the top 5 controllers for Ableton Live. Post your own top 5 in the comments. One thing has become obvious though that there is only one controller made for Ableton Live and thats the APC40.
Coldcut live
Lets face it, looking at a guy standing behind a laptop on stage just click a mouse is very boring. Unless of course hes really into it and jumps around loads. One way to take the focus off you behind you laptop is visuals. Have a big screen behind you and a projecter that runs visuals that are associated or created for your music. More and more venues have projectors and screens already installed as DJ’s have started to use visuals more. Get in touch with a local artist, annimator or film maker and ask them to create some visuals for your set. I’ve even seen visuals been created live and in sync with the set by a visual artist sitting by the side of the stage.
Monome
One problem with laptop performers is that they don’t look like their doing anything apart from clicking a mouse on stage. People want to see interaction between musicians and instruments live, thats what they go to see, instruments being played live. This is what laptop sets are missing, laptops aren’t seen as instruments yet so you have to do a little bit more work.
Akai APC40
Midi controllers are one way to spice up the visual performance of a laptop set. There are so many availible now that are aimed at laptop performers, the Akai APC40, monome, Tenori-On and a whole host of keyboard and control surfaces. Using one on stage will break you away form using a mouse so much and give the audience something more interesting to look at. The audience will be able to see you pressing, touching, playing something and then hear the resulting sound. They will see it like an instrument and therefore enjoy it more.
Get another band member in or multiple band members to play live instruments along side your laptop performance. Which instruments all depends on the style of music your performing but the most common one’s i’ve seen are a drummer, bassist, keyboard or synth player and even sometimes a vocalist or MC.
Kieren Hebden & Steve ried
Doing this will take the focus away from the laptop whilst also creating a band where the laptop is seen as an instrument. I’ve seen prfuse 73 bring in a drummer along side his laptop performance and it worked great. Caribou is another artist who plays with a full band and has parts played/mainpulated by a laptop. Laptop performer and pioneer Four tet, plays as Kieren hebden and Steve reid in a laptop and drummer combo.
Set up a video camera on stage so that it can see what your doing at the laptop and then have the video projected onto a wall or screen behind you. If you can’t do that have you laptop screen projected instead.
This will show the audience what your actually doing to the laptop to get sound out of it, removing the myth that your checking your checking your email or facebook. I’ve seen Coldcut do this not only on the laptops but with turntables and midi controllers too.
This might seem like a really bleeding obvious one but some lights or lighting installation on stage will work wonders. Everybody love’s flashing, colourful lights. Get a visual artist to create some sort of light installation on stage, even if it;s just lamps and fairy lights it will make a difference.
I’ve been and done some gigs with lighting installations and they were great. One actually had an installation that was like a chamber around the performer. You could see them in this pulsating and colourful light box thing and it was fun and interesting.
So there you have it 5 ways to make your laptop performance more interesting. Now you have no excuse to be just stood behind a laptop with a mouse and funny expression. Half of these suggestions don’t take much money to implement. I hope to be seeing more lights and midi controllers at laptop gigs soon.
Zander
