XMIDI http://xmidi.com/blog Music, MIDI, Programming. In no particular order. Sun, 13 May 2012 14:41:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 A MIDI pedal for synthesizers? Check out MIDIpal http://xmidi.com/blog/a-midi-pedal-for-synthesizers-check-out-midipal/ http://xmidi.com/blog/a-midi-pedal-for-synthesizers-check-out-midipal/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 14:41:29 +0000 xmidi http://xmidi.com/blog/?p=552 [ Continue ... ]]]>
While guitarists enjoy a long history of manipulating their guitar sounds with guitar pedals, it’s nice to see a new type of gadget aimed at synth owners: the MIDIpal. This gadget can manipulate, tweak, filter, and generate MIDI streams to your heart’s content. For example, instead of pumping your synth through a delay/echo pedal, MIDIpal can generate a stream of trailing notes to create a MIDI delay. Need a quick arpeggiator to inspire you? Step Sequencer? The MIDIpal has a myriad of tricks up its sleeve:

  • Keyboard-controlled drums sequencer
  • Note randomizer
  • Chord memory
  • Arpeggiator
  • Delay
  • Scale Restriction (Where have I seen that before?)
  • 32 Step sequencer
  • MIDI Monitor
  • BPM counter
  • MIDI Stream splitter
  • Note dispatcher
  • Channel Stream Merger
  • Clock divider
  • MIDI clock generation
  • CC LFO generation

MIDIpal is currently sold by Mutable Instruments as a DIY electronics kit and runs on a 9V battery. The hardware is “open hardware” and is based around the ATMega328p (the same chip family used in the Arduino). The software is also open source so developers can tweak the code to their own liking (new arpeggiator patterns? new delay types?). The kit includes everything you need to have a completed MIDIpal including PCB, parts, and clear acrylic case for 69EUR (~$90US at the time of writing).





Mutable Instruments MIDIpal.

]]> http://xmidi.com/blog/a-midi-pedal-for-synthesizers-check-out-midipal/feed/ 0 Bicycle chain links as velcro alternative for guitar pedal board http://xmidi.com/blog/bicycle-chain-links-as-velcro-alternative-for-guitar-pedal-board/ http://xmidi.com/blog/bicycle-chain-links-as-velcro-alternative-for-guitar-pedal-board/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 13:09:28 +0000 xmidi http://xmidi.com/blog/?p=505 [ Continue ... ]]]> I recently picked up a very nice and lightweight pedal board made out of aluminum alloy tubing. This thing was a solid buy, comes with a softshell case, carrying strap, and some heavy duty two-inch velcro. As excited as I was to configure the order of my pedals and attach them to the pedalboard, one detail was making me uncomfortable: sticking velcro to my bottom of all my pedals. Like many guitarists, I’ve spent good money over the years and have amassed a nice little collection of pedals. I try my hardest to keep them in tip-top shape and mucking them up with velcro just didn’t seem like something I want to do.

After a bit of Googling, I came across a novel method of attaching pedals to pedalboards using a standard bicycle chain. This method will attach your pedals very securely and can be done in a short amount of time. I’ll describe what I used for my aluminum pedalboard, but this can easily be adapted for other types of material (wooden pedalboards, etc…)

What you’ll need

Breaking apart the chain links

The chain tool works by removing the small cylindrical rivets from each link. Line up one link from the chain in the tool and turn the handle until it has completely pushed out the rivet. After removing several rivets, you should have a pile of perfectly flat links and a pile of thicker links, we will be using the flat links.

Good Links Unused Links

Clean the links (optional but recommended)

Soak the links in a solution of dish detergent and hot water. I put all the flat links into a paper cup and swished it around, constantly draining and filling the cup until the water ran clear. This should take only a few minutes.

Attach Link To Pedals

Most guitar pedals have four (or more) screws on the bottom of the pedal, usually in the corners. To attach a link to the pedal, simply remove the screw and replace it with the link between the screw and the pedal. I’ve found that two links will easily and securely hold down a standard Boss-sized pedal by placing them opposite one another in a "kitty-corner" fashion. For larger pedals, use four links.

Decide pedal order

One of the biggest things that you have to do before drilling is deciding what order you’d like the pedals to be attached to the pedalboard. It’s pretty clear that since you’ll be screwing the pedals in place, it won’t be quick and easy to change their order. So take your time upfront and decide what order your pedals will be connected.

Connect patch cables between pedals

Before drilling, connect all the patch cables between pedals. I’ve configured my pedals to be pretty close together, leaving no room for plugging/unplugging once they are screwed in place. You may prefer to leave more room between pedals, either way, plugging them in now will give you a better idea of what your final setup will look like and assert that there will be enough room on the pedalboard to support your configuration.

Drill pilot holes and affix pedals

With all your pedals in place, drill 1/8″ holes through the open links into your pedalboard. Be sure to vacuum away (or brush away) the leftover shavings from the hole.


I prefer screwing down each pedal as I complete the holes for each pedal. It should take a little bit of force to screw in each screw, this is normal, I’ve selected a somewhat smaller pilot hole to get the best "grab" from each screw.

Done!

That’s it, your pedals should now be securely fastened to your pedalboard without any fear of them coming off when carried vertically or even upside down.




(completed pedalboard, bottom row is fastened with screws)

]]> http://xmidi.com/blog/bicycle-chain-links-as-velcro-alternative-for-guitar-pedal-board/feed/ 0 DJ Turntable Cake http://xmidi.com/blog/dj-turntable-cake/ http://xmidi.com/blog/dj-turntable-cake/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:18:42 +0000 xmidi http://xmidi.com/blog/?p=486 When I got married in November 2009, my wife surprised me with a custom-made groom’s cake modeled after a Technics 1200 turntable (well, a 1210 actually). Easily the most badass cake I’ll ever eat. The cake was made by Luscious Layers in Chicago.

(Click image for larger view)

]]> http://xmidi.com/blog/dj-turntable-cake/feed/ 0 Top Gift Ideas For Musicians http://xmidi.com/blog/top-gift-ideas-for-musicians/ http://xmidi.com/blog/top-gift-ideas-for-musicians/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:30:45 +0000 xmidi http://xmidi.com/blog/?p=333 [ Continue ... ]]]> Musicians can be a difficult bunch of people to buy gifts for. After all, music itself is a highly subjective thing, so it should come as no surprise that musicians can be very selective about the musical instruments and accessories they use. I’ve tried to curate a list of instruments and accessories that cover a broad range of prices and best "bang-for-your-buck". I hope you find this list useful.

Electronic Musicians / DJs

Korg MONOTRON 16-key Synthesizer

I truly love this little guy. Awesome little analog synth with great mod-ability going for ~$59.99, but there is a $20 off mail-in rebate until December 31st making this a great little gift at only ~$39.99.

Korg MONOTRON at Amazon.com

Bliptronic 5000

Another sub-$50 gadget that electronics musicians love…

Bliptronic 5000 at Amazon.com

Turntable Watch by FLUD

My wife actually bought me this watch for my last birthday, I had no idea that it even existed in the world and it just blew me away. Your turntablist husband (or wife!) will absolutely love it.

Turntable Watch at Amazon.com





MIDI Controllers

MIDI Controllers are a staple in any studio or bedroom of electronic musicians. There are more controllers than Carter has pills out in the world, here is a nice group of inexpensive controllers that are designed mainly for laptop DJs/Musicians but also work very well in a proper desktop studio.

Akai Pro LPD8 Controller
Akai LPK25 MIDI Keyboard
Korg nanoKEY MIDI Keyboard
Akai APC20 Ableton Controller
Akai APC40 Abelton Controller

Guitarists


Tuners

Every guitarist needs a good tuner. These two tuners are the top of the line.

TC Electronics PolyTune
Boss TU-3 Tuner





MINI / Practice Amps

Whether you are living in an apartment where you can’t make a lot of noise, or just feel like playing late at night while your significant other sleeps, these MINI/Practice amps are inexpensive and quite cool.

Vox amPlug AC30 Guitar Headphone Amp (~$40)
Orange CR3 MicroCrush (~$70)
Marshall MS2 Micro Amp (~$45)
Fender Mini 57′ Twin (~$45)
Danelectro N10B HoneyTone Mini Amp (~$19)

Circuit Benders / DIY Instruments

Arduino

One of the coolest items to emerge in the past few years is the Arduino, its basically a tiny computer on a board with "pins" that let you connect all kinds of electronic components to build your own electronic gizmos. Musicians have taken to the Arduino to make all kinds of various bleepy, glitchy unique instruments. Some have built their own MIDI controllers all powered by an Arduino. Use of this board requires programming skill (namely: C/C++), but their is a huge Arduino community out there with plenty of examples and code to get you started. Getting Started with Arduino is a great companion book and will have you up and running in no time.

Arduino Uno Board

Electronic Projects for Musicians

This book is classic, originally released in the mid-70′s and written by the talented Craig Anderton. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at building your own guitar pedal, this is it. Plenty of projects for musicians to construct and mod.

Electronic Projects for Musicians

Handmade Electronic Music

I thumbed through this book at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and was impressed at how the author explained how to get started in Circuit Bending, this is definitely a great beginners book for future Circuit Benders out there. Lots of hands on activities mixed with explanations of what’s what inside your average gizmo.

Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking

Make: Electronics

Make Magazine is a staple for anyone in the DIY/Tinkering arena, this electronics book is geared for beginners and is a great start if you’re interested in getting started with electronics. Get a breadboard with this one, you’re going to want to start building right away.

Make: Electronics (Learning by Discovery)

Circuit Bending Book

The title of this book says it all: want a bit of kit that no one else has? Build it yourself!

Circuit Bending – Build Your Own Alien Instruments

To Be Continued…