Japanese company ZMP have developed a dancing robot prototype that makes up its own moves. The Miuro robot looks like a cross between a Space Odyssey pod and a dumb-bell, and is fourteen inches long. When fed with some music, Miuro responds spontaneously to the beats with an intricate dance based on complex mathematics.
Rocketsurgeon is always brimming with information and examples of the latest digital entertainment technologies, whether by implementing them on the site itself or providing news and reviews. Jadam Kahn has taken this ethic even further in compiling a directory of Music 2.0 sites.
Podcomplex was originally intended to be a podcasting hub, but has evolved in another direction - the site now provides access to free mp3 downloads from thousands of independent artists. However, new technology from Odiogo means that every post on this blog can now be downloaded or streamed as a podcast.
Today is a ‘Day of Silence’ for many Internet radio stations, who have decided to shut down their streams in protest against new charges that will be levied from the 15th of July. Protesting sites include Pandora, Yahoo!, Rhapsody, MTV, AccuRadio and many more.
Nowadays, many new bands have access to very sophisticated recording equipment, and production costs have dropped so much that creating an album is very much within reach of the artistic masses. The problem then is not the creation of the musical masterpiece, but getting it into the ears of the appropriate audience.
I have written several posts about alternative MIDI controllers, such as the Reactable (as used by Bjork) and the slightly more haphazard offerings of the Maker Faire.
Today I came across another MIDI controller which is actually on sale now - Percussa’s Audio Cubes. These are colourful, hand-sized controller cubes which can operate via USB or batteries. They glow in a variety of pleasant tones that can be synchronised with your music or controlled directly.
Propellerhead Software have just announced the Beta release of Reason 4.0, with a full release planned for the Autumn. A new Reason version is always cause for celebration, but what have the props got in store for us this time?
The major additions to version three were the M-Class mastering suite and the Combinator. Version four boasts a redesigned sequencer as well as the new polysonic Thor synth, an arpeggiator and a quantisation mixer.
The former Beatle Paul McCartney turned 64 on Monday, and although it’s not clear where Vera, Chuck and Dave have gotten to, Sir Paul himself is very much in the spotlight again with a colourful ad for Apple iTunes/iPod. Although perhaps not the most obvious figurehead for a new digital music era, it is good to see someone with such a mighty musical legacy embracing new technologies and continuing to develop his work. Happy Birthday Paul.
A survey conducted amongst students at the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (yes, it does exist)Â has revealed that many of them rated death metal as one of their favourite genres. Musical styles such as jazz or classical, traditionally viewed as the preferred choice of the nerdly geekitude, ranked at the bottom of the pile here.
Newcomers to the world of electronic music are often overwhelmed by the barrage of terminology bandied about by more experienced DAW users. Indeed, as one becomes more familiar with the systems, it is easy to forget just how daunting it can be for someone who is new to the tools and processes digital musicians take for granted.
With this in mind, I decided to develop a simple glossary of music technology/DAW terminology. The first (very short) draft is available in this blog’s sidebar, and i will be adding to it on a regular basis from now on. As a preview, I have included a few of the entries below…
