The RedFaux Transmission

New Addition to My Setup: Akai LPK25

 This week I purchased an Akai LPK25 midi-keyboard controller to accompany my portable audio set up.  I was using my Kurzweil K2000 as my midi controller, which works great but doesn't fit in a laptop bag too well ;-) I also wanted to find something nice and small for live shows.  Gone are the days of me dragging 6 synthesizers to the club for a show... eesh.

So far I like the LPK25. It's small and feels pretty sturdy.  All I had to do was plug the usb cable in and kick up Ableton Live and it just worked, which was nice.  It also comes with an app that allows you to edit the keymapping. 

 

The LPK25 has velocity sensitive keys and buttons for switching octaves, and programs as well as an arpeggiator function. I use this in conjunction with my Korg NanoKontrol and my Boss DR-660 which I use as a drum controller.  I'm hoping to add a Novation Launchpad to the mix at some point soon. 

Probably the most impressive feature of the keyboard is the built in arpeggiator.  No it doesn't trigger an arpeggiator in your DAW it is an arpeggiator, which is a great instant gratification feature when playing live or composing.  There is an arpeggio start button & tap tempo button.  You can also set rate and order on the fly. 

Perhaps my only complaint is that the feel of the keys are kind of sponge-y and the velocity seems to drop off abruptly, meaning sometimes when you hit the keys very softly they don't trigger anything, however it hasn't been a big issue so far.  The keys are small, so if you have big hands this may not be the keyboard for you.  I have small fingers, so I don't have a problem. The keyboard also, doesn't come with a manual, but you can download one here.

I've yet to put this puppy through the ringer but so far in my studio this little guy works great.  I would recommend it to anyone looking for a portable solution for their keyboard controller.

- Until next time... Over N Out

RED

My Favorite Picks from Musikmesse 2010

Musikmesse is the big annual European music convention that went from March 24-27 this year in Frankfurt Germany.  Definitely not as big and as flashy as NAMM this year, but there were some cool products that caught my eye.  Here are my top 5 picks.

1. Korg Monotron

The Monotron is a mobile phone sized analog synthesizer that runs on 2 AAA batteries. The little instrument has a ribbon keyboard, a VCO, VCF and LFO. It's cute and tiny and reminds me of the nebulophone kit we made in the Austin Handmade Workshop a few months ago, although that synth is not analog.  The Monotron also allows you to patch any instrument into it's filter. I understand that Korg's aim was to make a purely analog synth, but the absense of MIDI on this little beast annoys me. This synth intrigues me and might be a fun addition to a live setup, but I probably wouldn't want to pay more than $100 for it.  Available in May 2010.

2. Korg MP10

The Korg MP10 is a media player for musicians.  Basically its intended for musicians who play with backing tracks.  It stores and plays MP3s & MIDI files. It also boasts a TC Helion voice processor, a bunch of onboard effects and allows for DJ style crossfading and mixing along with s-video outputs. The MP10 is intriguing to me but I definitely want to see a demo, because the description begs so many questions.. such as:

• Can I play a midi file & and an mp3 at the same time?
• If they are the same tempo will they be synched?
• Is there any plans to include a vst player at any point? It would be awesome to be able to host vsts on this as well.
• Can you play video while you are playing back mp3s or midi? Wouldn't it be great to have your visuals and audio for your show all in one box?

Available May 2010

3. Roland Lucina

You have probably already seen this on the internet as its receiving alot of hype.  The Lucina is the little sibling of the Roland Axxe. Roland is currently marketing it to kids, but I think they are going to find that us big musicians think its pretty cool too.  A low-priced MIDI controller that can be used strapped around your shoulder or on a keyboard stand, the Lucina also features an onboard sound set and the ability to play mp3 files from a USB device if you want to play along with your favorite songs.  The estimated street price for the Lucina is $699.00.  I'm going to be keeping my eye on this instrument as this may be my live controller of choice in the future.

4. Roland Gaia Synth

The Roland Gaia is a virtual analog 3 engine synth that is completely covered with sliders and knobs.  Roland claims the Gaia is like having three synths in one.  If you listen to the fat sounds in the demo you would be likely to agree with them.  This synth looks and sounds great to me, but doesn't seem to do much more than a bunch of stacked vsts on my laptop.  However with a street price of $739 I may be more likely to go back to big hardware synths at some point.

5. Roland FR-3X Accordian

I'm not an accordian player and this isn't Roland's first electronic accordian apparently, but I was impressed that there is such a thing.  It is battery powered and comes with a built in speaker that is loud enough to play at small venues without additional amplification. This new model also allows you to use the accordian as a MIDI controller. The FR-3X will be available April 2010.

- Until next time... over N out

RED

11 Things I want in a Stage MIDI Controller

So there has been so many advances in how we play electronic music in the last 20 years its incredible.  It stuns me though, that there has yet to be a live controller that has captured the community's heart yet.  Sure we've had a handful of controllers like the Keytar, and some breath controllers but nothing that you would feel awesomely cool playing while prancing about on stage.  The Eigenharp seems to have all the features but it looks like a mutant bassoon. Probably the closest cool looking controller I've seen is this mashup between a Monome and a guitar. (check it out in my MIDI controller photo gallery)  However, it still has strings and is a functional guitar which isn't really something I'm interested in. 

Now there are several of great sedentary controllers that sit on your keyboard stand or desk. But, why should the lead singer and guitarists have all the fun? Us keyboardist wanna jump about like morons too!

;-)

Top 11 Things I Want in a Stage Controller

1. I want it to look bad ass.  (Yes I know this seems superficial, but if you are going to prance about on stage with something strapped to your chest it better look fricken cool.   That's what I say.)

2. I want to be able to play melodies & beats on it.

3. It should cost less than $1000.00 (I know this is probably the kicker as well, but almost more important than #1)

4. I want to be able to change patches.

5. I want to be able to trigger clips from Ableton live with it. (not always, but this would be helpful at times. )

6. I want to be able to tweak the sounds live (volume, env cutoff, etc._

7. I want said tweakables to be programmable

8. I want it to have a nice weight and balance to it, like a guitar.

9. I want it to be wireless

10. I want to be able to control sounds on my laptop or any other synth module

11.  And did I mention it needs to look bad ass?

So did I miss anything? Is there something you would want to see in a stage controller?

- Over N Out

p.s. Check my MIDI controller photo gallery to see the different live controllers I mention in this post.