Gadgets Gizmos Gossip

Ableton and Novation have worked in partnership to produce what promises to be a popular DJ and producer tool. The Novation Launchpad.

If you’re familiar with Ableton Live and the various controller interfaces that are available for this popular piece of music production software you might be asking what is so special about this new one. However, if you had just seen the live demonstration that I have just seen you would be as keen as I am to get your hands on one.

They really have captured what is needed in a truly intuitive interface. I can’t wait to get one of these in my studio and my DJ partner says he’ll definitely be using one of these in his live sets.

The controller provides a matrix of 64 trigger pads that can be configured to trigger sound clips in Ableton, or control the Ableton Mixer or indeed any other aspect of the Ableton software. Here’s a summary of the key features:

• 64 (8×8 grid) square multi-colour back-lit buttons
• 8 round multi-colour back-lit system buttons (assignable)
• 8 round multi-colour back-lit function buttons (not assignable)
• L-shaped USB 1.1 connector.
• Made for each other - Designed in partnership with Ableton, Launchpad and Ableton Live integrate seamlessly; just load up Live, plug-in Launchpad and
  you’re ready to roll.
• Launch clips and scenes - Launchpad’s 64-button grid and dedicated scene
  launch buttons are ideal for launching and controlling your clips and
  scenes.
• Ableton Live Controller for
  DJ Performance and Studio Composition includes Ableton Live 8 Launch
  Pad Edition.
• On the go - Launchpad is perfect for the truly mobile performer, weighing in at under 750g and filling a space smaller than a 13″ laptop.
• Launchpad and Live operate as one - Bi-directional communication between Launchpad and Ableton Live ensures that, at any given time, each knows the status of the other.
• Instant Visual Session Overview - With its backlit multi-colour 64 button grid, Launchpad gives instant feedback on your session view - see at a glance
  what’s loaded, what’s playing, and what’s being recorded.
• Innovative control over your
  mix - Including volume, pans, sends, track arming, soloing
  and muting. Launchpad lets you jump to different levels across eight
  channels at once.
• Expand your Ableton control
  solution - Novation’s Automap-enabled controllers work
  seamlessly together - A ZeRO SL MkII to control the mix,
  whilst Launchpad triggers clips!
• Ableton Live 8 Launchpad Edition - Fully functional for performance and production. For existing users, Ableton Live 7 and 8 are Launchpad-ready.
• Create and perform anywhere, anytime - Launchpad is USB-powered, with no need for an additional
  power supply. Just a single USB lead, powered from your computer.
• Go Large! - Launchpad
  supports multiple unit operation. Connect up to 6 Launchpads at a time!
  Expand your grid with multiple Launchpads, or have one Launchpad
  dedicated to mixer mode, and the other to launching clips.
• Jump around your Live set -
  Using simple page buttons and a ‘Session Overview’,
  Launchpad gives you an overview of the clips you have loaded across
  your entire Live set.
• Don’t move! - With
  large rubber grips to hold it steady, once you choose a performance
  position for Launchpad, that’s where it stays!
• Windows Minimum Requirements: Windows XP or Vista, 1.5 GHz or faster, 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
• MAC Minimum Requirements: 10.4, or later recommended, G4 or faster / Intel Mac, 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 239 mm / 9.41 “, 24 mm / 0.945“, 239 mm / 9.41 “
• Weight: 717g / 1.58 lbs

But you’re going to have to wait until November 1st to get your mits on one of these. And you’ll only get one then if you pre-rder from the first batch that are to be delivered to DV247.com.

The really gob-smacking thing about this really cool product is the price. Only £149.99 - and this price even includes a bundled version of  Ableton Live 8. Incredible.

Check it out in this demo video and you’ll be pre-ordering yours today:

I was struck by a musical flare over the weekend and as the gadget lover that I am, I felt the urge to get some cool gadgets for my guitar so I went on the prowl over the internet to find some great gadgets on the net.

Here are a few that I found at a great site Sheargold Music.

Digitech RP90

The first gadget I came across, also my favorite, is the Digitech RP90 foot pedal. This great foot pedal features tone and effect libraries making is easy for you to program in sounds. The RP90 also comes with 100 aggressive sounding presets that are perfect for any guitar player.

This gadget is £79.00 and because of all the features that this gadget has, I would say it’s a must have for any guitar player.

Qwik Tune QTGP1 Tuner

The next gadget that caught my eye was the Qwik Tune QTGP1 Tuner, this is a great gadget for any level of guitar player. The QTGP1 Tuner provides fast and accurate guitar tuning, plus with its chord teacher, it will teach you over 250 different chords all from the LCD screen.

Currently this great gadget is half price and is only £9.99! A bargain for such a useful piece of kit.

YAMAHA MW10C

The final gadget that I came across was the Yamaha MW10C USB Recording System, this gadget is perfect for if you want to record your music and share it with the world. The MW10C USB Recording System simply plugs into your computer using a USB cable. The system is easy to use and really is plug in and play, once you plug the system into your computer you can easily record music straight to your computer without the need for any software drivers.

All of this comes at a cost though, £150.00, not the cheapest of guitar gadgets but with all the features that it has to offer and the ease of use, it has to be one of the best on the market.