#alphasphere

[liamtmlacey]

It's great to see that one of my all time favourite bands, Enter Shikari, is still using the AlphaSphere, a piece of technology that I helped develop for many years.

[groovemiki]

With AlphaSphere developers 🔮 #alphasphere （在 深圳體育館）

[uniquesquared]

Musikmesse - Top 5 Product Announcements

Once a year, around this very time, all eyes in the pro audio / music world find themselves drawn to Frankfurt. You're thinking it's some kind of sausage thing, and why not? However, I am actually talking about the European equivalent of NAMM known as Musikmesse. In addition to having a rad Euro name that makes me think of the average synth goon's noodle infested studio, Musikmesse is often regarded by those in certain quarters as the trade show where vapors become real and all the coolies trot out the next enviable piece of tech candy. I always dream of attending it myself, but there seems to be some reason I can't go every year. Last year, I believe I was in Germany not too long before, not too long after, but not at all during. This year, I was in Miami, watching the culmination of years of EDM erupt in a scene of shirtless dudes, neon wrapped bras and the endless quest to find Molly. Other people call it Ultra, but I like to think of it in the context of the long game. It almost seems like a conflict of interests to have WMC/ ULTRA and Musikmesse overlap; but it probably isn't. The fact is that the majority of ULTRA attendees couldn't care less how the music is made, they just want you to know that they are really, really, feeling it. That and they want you to either know or think that they must be rich. "I have bottle service at Mansion!" At Musikmesse, attendees are more likely to want you to know that they turned a coffeemaker into a controller for Ableton and they'd like you to partner up with them. I'm not going to lie, these are my kind of people. I personally see nothing in Mr. Coffee that can enhance my own performances, but that could be a lack of vision on my part. I am totally open to discussing it. All that said, as the guy who loves to talk about vapors and wares and trade shows around here, I have been selected to bring you my quick rundown on things that caught my eye. This will be my "top five" from Musikmesse. I want to preface this, however, with two things: 1. Our friend Phil at Digital Dj Tips has done his own rundown of "the best of the rest." So I am not going to hit those things. Phil is a powerful man and I do not mess with him. I also think he's pretty rad. 2. I am not so jazzed by everything that I saw this week that I can introduce things without criticism or whining. It's my thing, I have needs. So, all that said, rather than a top five: this is a best of the rest that Phil did not test. Let's kick it off. 1. Roland Jupiter 50 Here's one that comes complete with both complaints and applause. Last year Roland launched the Jupiter 80 with fanfare and a lot of attempts to relate it to its namesake synthesizer. Well, I'm not buying that. In fact, the release of this slimmer version of the previous behemoth synth wearing the Jupiter name kind of flies in the face of the simplest thing Roland could do to get me all aflutter. I ask and I ask, but seriously; Roland, you made the machines that define electronic music for most people. They were simple analog devices and were just fine the way they were. They were better than fine, they were, and still are, classics. Yes, I am talking 909s, 707s, 606s and all that Jazz. SH synths, Jupiters, Junos, and all the rest from Roland's catalog were just amazing and fine the way they were. People didn't seem upset back then that they lacked a touchscreen or 50 different engines for accurate modeling of violins played by people standing on a mountain with the sun hitting their back just so. I will never get it. The price point is so obvious. The GAIA SH-01 seemed like they were almost starting to think about their good old days and I bought one solely to support that decision. It also isn't too shabby for kicking plugins out of the studio. However, much as I grumbled at NAMM, I grumble now. Roland seem to think the market that cares about analog synths isn't interested in them; possibly judging this by the fact that no one buys their emulations? I don't know. I feel like someone over there has to see it. If you ever catch me drunk in a bar somewhere and want to set me off, ask me what I think of how Roland has handled their own legacy. To be fair, Roland have obviously overlooked my "synth geek" demographic, but are all about performing musicians. This has been their target market for a while now, and I am quite sure that between churches and all manner of performing acts, there is something profitable in their decision to break my heart again and again. The Jupiter 50 doesn't disappoint here either; bringing over the heart and soul of its big brother (SuperNatural sound with all the trimmings) in a lightweight 76 key package. You might have guessed they ditched the iPad reminiscent display from the 80 in favor of a simple LCD display more like the Junos they have been pushing in the $500-1000.00 market. I have yet to discover what the price difference will be, but one can only hope that those models I just mentioned might be a clue. USB midi/audio functionality and an included copy of Sonar LE as well as the Jupiter control plugin for Sonar round out the features Roland seems to be angling as the standard in the great Cakewalk partnership. It's a nice unit, but no matter what you add or take away, it isn't a Jupiter in the way I'll always wish it would be. So, awesome for some, less so for Lonely Paul. You'll notice I never give any brand as much crap as I do Roland, because they made the toys that made me fall in love with electronic music and I miss those toys terribly. It's like a long relationship where it is just never going to be like the "first time" again. I suppose I give guys from Yamaha as many grumbles about never revisiting their 4 and 6 op synths like the DX series, but I can still pick those up by the truckload. I just want them to revisit them and put sliders and knobs all over them. If Roland ever listen to me, they might get the wrong idea; but hopefully they will notice no other company gets so much attention for not making stuff I want as they do. The ones we love hurt us the most. 2. Nu-Desine Alphasphere Remember what I was talking about with the Mr. Coffee? This is more refined, but not so far off from what I am talking about. The Alphasphere is a new take on performance interfaces. Sphere's and circles seem to be the theme here. Capable of polyphonic aftertouch, sending OSC and MIDI, NuDesine's product is a software paired controller made for flexibility. The company are tight lipped on the price, having said it will be similarly priced to "decent MIDI keyboards." However, in the immediate future, and at the 'Messe, the item was on pre-order, but not firmly priced. It looks to be an interesting controller, and who doesn't see the stage presence value of playing your tunes on a glowing blue ball? On the other hand, despite looking cool and making me think of new frontiers in mixing team sports and performance art, I am not inspired on sight by the device. Then again, the demo stuff I have seen seems limited to a drum and bass/ dubstep vibe so I could just be reacting to sounds, I am kind of (read completely) over. Like so many products in the same vein, I feel like these have to be touched to be evaluated and I will be sure to make a point of grabbing the first one I see. Hopefully, by then, they'll have some sounds on the demo model that don't make me want to walk around the club with a bat and tell people to stop humping the speakers. Either way, this was Nu-Desine's introduction to the world as a company and it seems like it was certainly an eye catcher. So good for them, but can it make coffee? 3.  Avid, the Mbox and ProTools Express I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this, but it is probably good news. If you all recall, not too many months ago I wrote about the October announcement by Avid of the Pro Tools 10 and an admittedly confusing pricing scheme. Looking back, I almost think the post should have included an info graphic, but I was kind of confused and I think visually depicting things that you are confused about is a good way to start an entire artistic crisis outright. What I was certain of at the time was that the new estimated cost of Pro Tools 10 left us free to choose our own hardware, but paying for quite a pricey license. In the months since, I have become acquainted with version 10 and I am kind of in love. It almost feels like they heard me bitching about it for the past three or four years and really rushed up to meet me with some modernized features and flexible routing improvement. Let's not forget the Channel Strip plugin and the greatly improved midi workflow. I still have some niggles here and there, but overall am very pleased with the work I've been getting done in PT 10 on the MobileStudio. That said, with the cost of entry raised and the track counts upped, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed the effect this would have on the entry level customers. Combine that with Logic's price drop, the affordability of Propellerhead's Reason 6 and all the other competitive packages out there, it is probably not shocking that Avid  found themselves looking for where to woo the customers who had been into the older MBox price schemes and the M-Powered types out there. Enter Pro Tools Express. Now for $499 (MBox) and $299 (MBox Mini), there is a lower priced point of entry that will get you up and running with AIR instruments, Elastic Time and 16 tracks of recording at up to 96khz. I think it is great that they aren't forgetting the penny pinchers in the market, but I feel like 16 tracks is just, restrictive. I personally can blow six tracks in a mix just for making delays feedback and freak out or side chaining invisible elements for ducking and pumping mixes; so I can't even wrap my brain around the kind of Beatle bouncing this would leave me doing. On the other hand, limitations are good. This is a great package for the songwriter or someone who knows they are heading to a studio and just wants to knock out a bit of preproduction before they head into work with the big toys. We'll see how the rest of the world reacts to said track count. I think this is a problem solver for those who can't be convinced that anything is as good and want something small on the cheap for their project studio. One thing I like about Avid announcements is that they always come with the price point clearly stated. This allows people to go ahead and get into rage or rejoice mode without the wait. With so many other items in the "it should cost something between the distance to the moon and the weight of a duck" area at trade show time, I suppose Avid should get some kind of award for always bringing their notes to class. 4. Stanton DJC.4 DJ Controller  Virtual DJ has clearly captured some hearts and minds out there. We all have our favorites and I personally rock out on Traktor in the modern times. That said, I suppose I am pretty locked into my own habits, but would be stupid not to sit up and take notice of the rapidly evolving line of products for this package. With the DJC.4 Dj controller, Stanton have really sought to create a flexible device that can work with laptop software or hardware outright, and to that end it is a flexible MIDI controller, Mappers rejoice! Demos on site given by B-Side make it clear that the focus of this thing is interchangeable functionality, which B Side demonstrated by flipping the functionality of the faders and the effect knobs. We'll be revisiting this unit in the future and discover the possibilities for ourselves, but there are some promising features to this thing. I always try to view new controllers with an open mind. My personal love of them is the way they have become something more like a guitar or synth in their consolidation of controls and decks in a single surface. In our rarefied "talking about gear" position, we have a responsibility to approach each one and not worry about how it compares to our own system of choice. There are enough arguments being started over surfaces by people who are invested in whatever they bought and want to think it is the best. I operate more on a "best for me" imperative and am never afraid to see someone else changing the game. I am not sure if I see that here, but it certainly looks like a fun surface to play with. The only thing I will say is that the platters (which are swank and look like Pioneer types) seem to be a little too close to the front of the control surface. The first thing I thought of when I saw this was that I would likely reach for a button and nudge the platters with my palm, inventing a new dance interrupting technique that I would have to call the "palm scratch to fail maneuver." However, the evolving Virtual DJ package and this flexible controller could easily be a match made in heaven. Maybe that fader knob switching thing would open up methods I haven't even considered for finessing the effects. I am interested to hear other people's reactions to this one as well as to get my hands on it and see what kind of mistakes I really make with it. It doesn't really matter anyway; the bottom line, fellow DJ types, is that the girls keep dancing and the dudes keep drinking. In my own humble, that's something too few of us remember when taking in the latest and greatest. 5. Alesis iO Mix 4-channel iPad mixer/interface  I think the iPad as a recording device is really coming of age. I am not sure what is going to push guys like me over the edge to using it as more than an app within my larger process; but Alesis seem to really be gunning for those with different requirements than my own. I think this might be an iDevice for the books. The new iO Mix 4-channel iPad interface gives away it's biggest selling point in the name. Four inputs is going to be a dealbreaker for a number of people who have been quite happily plugging tunes into their iPad and might just open it up as the acoustic/solo songwriter type's platform of choice. Four combo XLR-1/4" inputs allow simultaneous recording in the lighter than laptops and minimal cabling world of the ubiquitous tablet. Gain, pan and EQ controls as well as high pass filters accessible from the hardware make for a very functional mixer; and that's not even mentioning the phantom power available onboard the unit as well. The design of the thing is styled very much to make the user feel like they have their hands on a mixer and the unit stores the iPad with simplicity and ease so much so that they almost appear to have never been separate devices. There is also an onboard video output that is meant to turn the iPad into a presentation machine or a VJ's travel rig. Balanced outputs, headphone out, guitar DI switch and core audio compatibility make this thing a pretty solid choice for anyone looking to kick out the laptop and move into the tablet for their portable or project recording needs. I am a fan of this kind of development that makes toys into tools. I think the life of this thing will be interesting and fruitful, and I am very interested to see who uses it that I have not accounted for yet. Oh, and yes, the power supply does charge the iPad.   So that's really the best stuff I have uncovered from Musikmesse besides an awesome video in which Kris Menace goes around hassling people at the event. My major observation here is that it almost seems like a slow year or something. Did everyone blow their wad at Winter NAMM? Does it all seem like nothing huge happened because the world is keeping a secret from me? Have I simply already seen all the gear for this year? Will I remain unimpressed after Nashville NAMM comes and goes? I simply don't know, but you might. What devices did you guys see out there that had you itching to be at the Messe? Drop us a line and tell me how bad my sleuthing is. Make me excited. The other possibility I have been considering is that so much of what we have been salivating on from Musikmesse in recent years are the strange control surfaces and all manner of customized MIDI shenanigans. Seeing such a lack of hype, with the Alphasphere being the only one of these kind of surfaces to appear in my field of view, I am starting to wonder if even Mr. Coffee is over it. It does seem like the glut of manufacturers in the midi and dj controller area have been rushing to meet user demands. Maybe the world simply isn't really into hexagonal surfaces and new entry methods. I personally look at so much of it as rabbit holes for losing productivity; but I also tend to think that it is a great time to show up knowing nothing and choosing your own path. With that in mind, I always like to be encouraging about such trends. I am starting to wonder if manufactured crazy controllers were just rejected by the Tim Exiles of the world in favor of home rigged machinations. Either way, it seemed to me like I was under an ULTRA shaped rock, or Musikmesse went off pretty quietly this year. Maybe it's a mix of both?

[uniquesquared]

NAMM 2013 - Media Preview Day

Another year, another NAMM, and we're back at it. Today was the Media Preview Day. If you don't know what that means- today is the day to get the first scoop on products at the show, and also a great day to go ahead and get through the whole "hey, bro, where's my badge at?" situation. Currently, my badge is secured,  and I have been and seen a few things worth mentioning. My first stop was to meet up with Ben from Dubreq, who announced their new Stylophone S2 with a cool video from Brett Domino recently. We got to talk to Ben a bit about how he and his father (who designed the original) came to realize they needed to release this all analog, British powerhouse into the world. Having gotten my hands on one, I can self-assuredly say I am getting the hell out of one ASAP.

The Stylophone S2 Sporting an Appropriately British Wrap...

Meanwhile, just over from the Stylophone, we found a couple of other Brits from Nu Desine demoing the Alphasphere, which we talked about a few months ago in our Musikmesse roundup. We had them run through some very cool features, including the ability to set scales and some crafty uses for aftertouch. It may look as simple as a spherical controller, but watching someone use one with confidence, I see a very interesting performance tool and light show coming to stages very soon. It also looks like a pretty great way to inspire some new composing methods. Nu Desine's Alphasphere

We also got a minute to catch up with Numark/ Akai/ M-Audio (inMusic) about some of their offerings this year. Where last year they had a lot of items under glass, many of which still haven't made it to retail, this year they had some very ready to go items. The Numark Orbit is a wireless, accelerometer enabled, pad controller that looks to set DJs free to launch into the audience. Projected to hit the streets in Spring and coming in at $99.00, it appears to be unique and flexible addition to rigs from Traktor to Ableton and back again. The Numark Orbit Wireless Controller

Also very interesting, the Axiom Air 25 looks to set a new standard for the line. Clearly influenced by their new owners, the Air 25 includes 16 (finally) drum pads and is squarely aimed at studios looking to consolidate controller space with a nice looking centerpiece in a compter based studio. Alongside it, the Max 25 represents a smaller desktop answer to the the step sequencer toting Max 49. The Axiom Air 25

The Akai MAX 25

Finally, the NS7 2 (mkII? wil confirm...) brings touch responsive rotaries, MPC pads, and spinning platters to the Serato party. We've got a video with Eric from Numark talking out the finer points of the device, but I must say it was an impressive looking and feeling controller with a bit of meat to it. The Numark NS7 2

A lot of things were still being set up, but we did our roaming, and got to talk to the lovely gentlemen plotting the "30 Years of MIDI" events for this year's show. There is clearly going to be a lot of iPad stuff going on... I heard a rumor that something to do with Traktor and iPads is even happening. Personally, I love hardware, and that's what I am here to see... (including a new Dave Smith device), but we'll be posting all about all of it in the next few days.

[uniquesquared]

Musikmesse - Top 5 Product Announcements

Once a year, around this very time, all eyes in the pro audio / music world find themselves drawn to Frankfurt. You're thinking it's some kind of sausage thing, and why not? However, I am actually talking about the European equivalent of NAMM known as Musikmesse. In addition to having a rad Euro name that makes me think of the average synth goon's noodle infested studio, Musikmesse is often regarded by those in certain quarters as the trade show where vapors become real and all the coolies trot out the next enviable piece of tech candy. I always dream of attending it myself, but there seems to be some reason I can't go every year. Last year, I believe I was in Germany not too long before, not too long after, but not at all during. This year, I was in Miami, watching the culmination of years of EDM erupt in a scene of shirtless dudes, neon wrapped bras and the endless quest to find Molly. Other people call it Ultra, but I like to think of it in the context of the long game. It almost seems like a conflict of interests to have WMC/ ULTRA and Musikmesse overlap; but it probably isn't. The fact is that the majority of ULTRA attendees couldn't care less how the music is made, they just want you to know that they are really, really, feeling it. That and they want you to either know or think that they must be rich. "I have bottle service at Mansion!" At Musikmesse, attendees are more likely to want you to know that they turned a coffeemaker into a controller for Ableton and they'd like you to partner up with them. I'm not going to lie, these are my kind of people. I personally see nothing in Mr. Coffee that can enhance my own performances, but that could be a lack of vision on my part. I am totally open to discussing it. All that said, as the guy who loves to talk about vapors and wares and trade shows around here, I have been selected to bring you my quick rundown on things that caught my eye. This will be my "top five" from Musikmesse. I want to preface this, however, with two things: 1. Our friend Phil at Digital Dj Tips has done his own rundown of "the best of the rest." So I am not going to hit those things. Phil is a powerful man and I do not mess with him. I also think he's pretty rad. 2. I am not so jazzed by everything that I saw this week that I can introduce things without criticism or whining. It's my thing, I have needs. So, all that said, rather than a top five: this is a best of the rest that Phil did not test. Let's kick it off. 1. Roland Jupiter 50 Here's one that comes complete with both complaints and applause. Last year Roland launched the Jupiter 80 with fanfare and a lot of attempts to relate it to its namesake synthesizer. Well, I'm not buying that. In fact, the release of this slimmer version of the previous behemoth synth wearing the Jupiter name kind of flies in the face of the simplest thing Roland could do to get me all aflutter. I ask and I ask, but seriously; Roland, you made the machines that define electronic music for most people. They were simple analog devices and were just fine the way they were. They were better than fine, they were, and still are, classics. Yes, I am talking 909s, 707s, 606s and all that Jazz. SH synths, Jupiters, Junos, and all the rest from Roland's catalog were just amazing and fine the way they were. People didn't seem upset back then that they lacked a touchscreen or 50 different engines for accurate modeling of violins played by people standing on a mountain with the sun hitting their back just so. I will never get it. The price point is so obvious. The GAIA SH-01 seemed like they were almost starting to think about their good old days and I bought one solely to support that decision. It also isn't too shabby for kicking plugins out of the studio. However, much as I grumbled at NAMM, I grumble now. Roland seem to think the market that cares about analog synths isn't interested in them; possibly judging this by the fact that no one buys their emulations? I don't know. I feel like someone over there has to see it. If you ever catch me drunk in a bar somewhere and want to set me off, ask me what I think of how Roland has handled their own legacy. To be fair, Roland have obviously overlooked my "synth geek" demographic, but are all about performing musicians. This has been their target market for a while now, and I am quite sure that between churches and all manner of performing acts, there is something profitable in their decision to break my heart again and again. The Jupiter 50 doesn't disappoint here either; bringing over the heart and soul of its big brother (SuperNatural sound with all the trimmings) in a lightweight 76 key package. You might have guessed they ditched the iPad reminiscent display from the 80 in favor of a simple LCD display more like the Junos they have been pushing in the $500-1000.00 market. I have yet to discover what the price difference will be, but one can only hope that those models I just mentioned might be a clue. USB midi/audio functionality and an included copy of Sonar LE as well as the Jupiter control plugin for Sonar round out the features Roland seems to be angling as the standard in the great Cakewalk partnership. It's a nice unit, but no matter what you add or take away, it isn't a Jupiter in the way I'll always wish it would be. So, awesome for some, less so for Lonely Paul. You'll notice I never give any brand as much crap as I do Roland, because they made the toys that made me fall in love with electronic music and I miss those toys terribly. It's like a long relationship where it is just never going to be like the "first time" again. I suppose I give guys from Yamaha as many grumbles about never revisiting their 4 and 6 op synths like the DX series, but I can still pick those up by the truckload. I just want them to revisit them and put sliders and knobs all over them. If Roland ever listen to me, they might get the wrong idea; but hopefully they will notice no other company gets so much attention for not making stuff I want as they do. The ones we love hurt us the most. 2. Nu-Desine Alphasphere Remember what I was talking about with the Mr. Coffee? This is more refined, but not so far off from what I am talking about. The Alphasphere is a new take on performance interfaces. Sphere's and circles seem to be the theme here. Capable of polyphonic aftertouch, sending OSC and MIDI, NuDesine's product is a software paired controller made for flexibility. The company are tight lipped on the price, having said it will be similarly priced to "decent MIDI keyboards." However, in the immediate future, and at the 'Messe, the item was on pre-order, but not firmly priced. It looks to be an interesting controller, and who doesn't see the stage presence value of playing your tunes on a glowing blue ball? On the other hand, despite looking cool and making me think of new frontiers in mixing team sports and performance art, I am not inspired on sight by the device. Then again, the demo stuff I have seen seems limited to a drum and bass/ dubstep vibe so I could just be reacting to sounds, I am kind of (read completely) over. Like so many products in the same vein, I feel like these have to be touched to be evaluated and I will be sure to make a point of grabbing the first one I see. Hopefully, by then, they'll have some sounds on the demo model that don't make me want to walk around the club with a bat and tell people to stop humping the speakers. Either way, this was Nu-Desine's introduction to the world as a company and it seems like it was certainly an eye catcher. So good for them, but can it make coffee? 3.  Avid, the Mbox and ProTools Express I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this, but it is probably good news. If you all recall, not too many months ago I wrote about the October announcement by Avid of the Pro Tools 10 and an admittedly confusing pricing scheme. Looking back, I almost think the post should have included an info graphic, but I was kind of confused and I think visually depicting things that you are confused about is a good way to start an entire artistic crisis outright. What I was certain of at the time was that the new estimated cost of Pro Tools 10 left us free to choose our own hardware, but paying for quite a pricey license. In the months since, I have become acquainted with version 10 and I am kind of in love. It almost feels like they heard me bitching about it for the past three or four years and really rushed up to meet me with some modernized features and flexible routing improvement. Let's not forget the Channel Strip plugin and the greatly improved midi workflow. I still have some niggles here and there, but overall am very pleased with the work I've been getting done in PT 10 on the MobileStudio. That said, with the cost of entry raised and the track counts upped, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed the effect this would have on the entry level customers. Combine that with Logic's price drop, the affordability of Propellerhead's Reason 6 and all the other competitive packages out there, it is probably not shocking that Avid  found themselves looking for where to woo the customers who had been into the older MBox price schemes and the M-Powered types out there. Enter Pro Tools Express. Now for $499 (MBox) and $299 (MBox Mini), there is a lower priced point of entry that will get you up and running with AIR instruments, Elastic Time and 16 tracks of recording at up to 96khz. I think it is great that they aren't forgetting the penny pinchers in the market, but I feel like 16 tracks is just, restrictive. I personally can blow six tracks in a mix just for making delays feedback and freak out or side chaining invisible elements for ducking and pumping mixes; so I can't even wrap my brain around the kind of Beatle bouncing this would leave me doing. On the other hand, limitations are good. This is a great package for the songwriter or someone who knows they are heading to a studio and just wants to knock out a bit of preproduction before they head into work with the big toys. We'll see how the rest of the world reacts to said track count. I think this is a problem solver for those who can't be convinced that anything is as good and want something small on the cheap for their project studio. One thing I like about Avid announcements is that they always come with the price point clearly stated. This allows people to go ahead and get into rage or rejoice mode without the wait. With so many other items in the "it should cost something between the distance to the moon and the weight of a duck" area at trade show time, I suppose Avid should get some kind of award for always bringing their notes to class. 4. Stanton DJC.4 DJ Controller  Virtual DJ has clearly captured some hearts and minds out there. We all have our favorites and I personally rock out on Traktor in the modern times. That said, I suppose I am pretty locked into my own habits, but would be stupid not to sit up and take notice of the rapidly evolving line of products for this package. With the DJC.4 Dj controller, Stanton have really sought to create a flexible device that can work with laptop software or hardware outright, and to that end it is a flexible MIDI controller, Mappers rejoice! Demos on site given by B-Side make it clear that the focus of this thing is interchangeable functionality, which B Side demonstrated by flipping the functionality of the faders and the effect knobs. We'll be revisiting this unit in the future and discover the possibilities for ourselves, but there are some promising features to this thing. I always try to view new controllers with an open mind. My personal love of them is the way they have become something more like a guitar or synth in their consolidation of controls and decks in a single surface. In our rarefied "talking about gear" position, we have a responsibility to approach each one and not worry about how it compares to our own system of choice. There are enough arguments being started over surfaces by people who are invested in whatever they bought and want to think it is the best. I operate more on a "best for me" imperative and am never afraid to see someone else changing the game. I am not sure if I see that here, but it certainly looks like a fun surface to play with. The only thing I will say is that the platters (which are swank and look like Pioneer types) seem to be a little too close to the front of the control surface. The first thing I thought of when I saw this was that I would likely reach for a button and nudge the platters with my palm, inventing a new dance interrupting technique that I would have to call the "palm scratch to fail maneuver." However, the evolving Virtual DJ package and this flexible controller could easily be a match made in heaven. Maybe that fader knob switching thing would open up methods I haven't even considered for finessing the effects. I am interested to hear other people's reactions to this one as well as to get my hands on it and see what kind of mistakes I really make with it. It doesn't really matter anyway; the bottom line, fellow DJ types, is that the girls keep dancing and the dudes keep drinking. In my own humble, that's something too few of us remember when taking in the latest and greatest. 5. Alesis iO Mix 4-channel iPad mixer/interface  I think the iPad as a recording device is really coming of age. I am not sure what is going to push guys like me over the edge to using it as more than an app within my larger process; but Alesis seem to really be gunning for those with different requirements than my own. I think this might be an iDevice for the books. The new iO Mix 4-channel iPad interface gives away it's biggest selling point in the name. Four inputs is going to be a dealbreaker for a number of people who have been quite happily plugging tunes into their iPad and might just open it up as the acoustic/solo songwriter type's platform of choice. Four combo XLR-1/4" inputs allow simultaneous recording in the lighter than laptops and minimal cabling world of the ubiquitous tablet. Gain, pan and EQ controls as well as high pass filters accessible from the hardware make for a very functional mixer; and that's not even mentioning the phantom power available onboard the unit as well. The design of the thing is styled very much to make the user feel like they have their hands on a mixer and the unit stores the iPad with simplicity and ease so much so that they almost appear to have never been separate devices. There is also an onboard video output that is meant to turn the iPad into a presentation machine or a VJ's travel rig. Balanced outputs, headphone out, guitar DI switch and core audio compatibility make this thing a pretty solid choice for anyone looking to kick out the laptop and move into the tablet for their portable or project recording needs. I am a fan of this kind of development that makes toys into tools. I think the life of this thing will be interesting and fruitful, and I am very interested to see who uses it that I have not accounted for yet. Oh, and yes, the power supply does charge the iPad.   So that's really the best stuff I have uncovered from Musikmesse besides an awesome video in which Kris Menace goes around hassling people at the event. My major observation here is that it almost seems like a slow year or something. Did everyone blow their wad at Winter NAMM? Does it all seem like nothing huge happened because the world is keeping a secret from me? Have I simply already seen all the gear for this year? Will I remain unimpressed after Nashville NAMM comes and goes? I simply don't know, but you might. What devices did you guys see out there that had you itching to be at the Messe? Drop us a line and tell me how bad my sleuthing is. Make me excited. The other possibility I have been considering is that so much of what we have been salivating on from Musikmesse in recent years are the strange control surfaces and all manner of customized MIDI shenanigans. Seeing such a lack of hype, with the Alphasphere being the only one of these kind of surfaces to appear in my field of view, I am starting to wonder if even Mr. Coffee is over it. It does seem like the glut of manufacturers in the midi and dj controller area have been rushing to meet user demands. Maybe the world simply isn't really into hexagonal surfaces and new entry methods. I personally look at so much of it as rabbit holes for losing productivity; but I also tend to think that it is a great time to show up knowing nothing and choosing your own path. With that in mind, I always like to be encouraging about such trends. I am starting to wonder if manufactured crazy controllers were just rejected by the Tim Exiles of the world in favor of home rigged machinations. Either way, it seemed to me like I was under an ULTRA shaped rock, or Musikmesse went off pretty quietly this year. Maybe it's a mix of both?

[jingweir]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZdgr6sLQ1Q)

[nonsoloamoreblog]

Do you know how to relax and party in only one day in Dubai?

Here are some tips I tested for you.

  Morning Sport

I woke up, took a shower, get dressed and went to the beach to have my Tai Chi Session with a real Shaolin Monk (I wrote about it an another post). This kind of sport relaxes you and your blood pressure will go higher but very slowly.

After one hour of sports I was really hungry and I absolutely needed my coffee. At the beach bar there was a great buffet waiting for us. Fresh fruits, shakes, muffins without gluten, white eggs and salad. Very light but tasty after the sports.

What comes next? Sure Spa!

I absolutely needed a very good massage and a relaxing swim. :-)

SPA

At the Jumeirah Talise Spa in Dubai there is the perfect oasis. You will definitely forget everything around you and experience only the wonderful hands of the massage girls. But let’s start step by step. You enter Talise Spa and they bring you to the women exclusive facilities. There you can change and drink tea while you are waiting for your appointment.

AlphaSphere

My first appointment was at (or with?) the AlphaSphere. AlphaSphere is kind of a bed with light, sound (music), heat and vibration. You lay down in a room with this kind of space bed. Close your eyes and enjoy the vibration with a nice music. It resolves the body tension and lows your blood pressure. I had to be very very careful after the 20 minutes because I always have low blood pressure. I felt a little dizzy. So I had to sit down for a few minutes, drink some water and waited to my blood pressure to get a little up. So – don’t forget to drink water before you get up.

  Massage

A nice women came and picked me up at the Alpha Sphere and brought me in another room. After a cup of tea (yes tea is very good and seems to be very usual there)  I laid down and we discussed how I would like to have the massage (and how strong). We started with a full body massage to relieve tension in the mind and muscles. After that incredible experience she massaged my scalp, head, neck, combined with shoulders. I think after one hour I was completely a new person. No tension in any muscle and totally relaxed.

Pool & Lunch

What is better than enjoying an exclusive pool after a wonderful, relaxing massage. Sure a good swim at the private pool and a sun bath. I felt a little decadent but I totally enjoyed it. ;-)

After that awesome and healthy morning I couldn’t just have a burger for lunch. That would have been so wrong. For that reason we had some great salad with beetroot, couscous and some very good dessert.

Party Pacha

How could you possibly stay at the Madinat Jumeirah without going to the very famous Pacha? Right that is absolutely not possible. Right around the corner there is this very known disco Pacha.

The Pacha in Dubai was opened in October 2014. It is an expansion from the Pacha Ibiza. If you usually fly to Ibiza and you miss the staff so deeply don’t worry because as soon as they close in Spain the staff travels to Dubai. This Pacha has 3 levels – main room, red room and rooftop bar.

I wasn’t sure what to find there when I went but I didn’t expect that. All the people dancing, drinking, cool deep house music and dancers on tables. The rooftop bar was absolutely awesome. So much fun. With great music, my cosmopolitan cocktail and my nice companion Anna and Mi Hai.

What I also really enjoyed? The Skyline. So great dancing on the top of the disco and watching this wonderful panorama.

The people at the Pacha Dubai looks like the party people in every other country. Girls with mini dresses and high heels. Guys well dressed and cool haircuts. Who expects something less stylish will be disappointed because the Dubai Pacha has everything what the Dubai Ibiza has.

I’ve read about the island Bab Al Badr. It is an island that they are going to build. They already said that this will be a real party island with more entertainment than Ibiza or Miami.

I’d love to check this out one day too.

For more info to the Spa days: Madinat Jumeirah 

Or take a look at the Pacha Dubai Homepage: Pacha

My day was so great and filled with lot’s of great and interesting stuff. And I hadn’t even to leave the Hotel. Everything was right there.

  Thanks a lot to the tourism board of Dubai who invited me to this great press trip.

How to relax and party in one day in Dubai Do you know how to relax and party in only one day in Dubai? Here are some tips I tested for you.

[musikblarg]