Music By Anyone
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
Attending
NAMM can be overwhelming and disorienting to anyone that has never
attended. Like many trade shows there are so many vendors trying to
pull people in and showcase their products. The most compelling ideas
manifested from the exhibitors
wanting to engage people with no musical background such as Teenage
Engineering and Roli. Both displayed stand alone single components
that anyone could pick up and begin using right away. However, both
approached the users experience in very different ways.
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
Teenage
Engineering’s collaboration with Magnus Lidström
of Sonic Charge, to create
pocket
operator PO-32
Tonic
for synthetic beats that works with Microtonic
software. Magnus says “The goal with PO-32 was to squeeze…
perfectly optimized recreations of the oscillators, filters and
envelopes from the original Microtonic.” Each pocket operator is
about the size and look of a pocket calculator ranging in price of
$49-59 and the most expensive at $139 (bundled with Microtonic). To
help keep the price low on the nits, the developers have left the
cases and screen protectors off the unit. What you receive is a small
bare bones board with LCD screen and buttons. However, they do offer
silicone cases for $29. What makes the small operator so compelling
is one can simply pick any up and tap away on the buttons and create
a beat or rhythm. The operators can be synchronized together through
a line in and line out. Sounds can be created and downloaded directly
to the unit from the Microtonic software. Even
for the novice, it can feel easy to start on a simple beat and move
from it to something more complex.
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
Roli
was exciting because it focused on making modular boxes that any
person, whether musically inclined or not, could use. Even when no
computer is available, the Noise app can be downloaded for free to an
iPhone or iPad. Roli seems to want to create a community of musicians
as well. On Noise.fm,
songs and ideas can be uploaded and shared with others. Roli also
offers a chance to not only create music by offering a free app, but
offers the purchase of developer kits for Blocks. At $179.95, the
price on one block is low enough to take the chance on one unit but
once the Live and Loop blocks are added ($79.95 each), the price can
get high. However, Roli blocks can also be used as a midi controller
for many programs such as Ableton Live. With all Roli has to offer,
free software, musical community. Modeler and versatile units that
are compact and portable, developer tools, the price begins to look
so bad.
When
it comes to pushing ones musical creativity, Teenage Engineering and
Roli presented products that are easily accessible to a variety of
people.
By
Lavine Linarez
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| Photo by Lavine Linarez |
Lavine Linarez was given her first
camera at the age of 13 beginning her love of photo and art. She
later graduated from CalArts with a Fine Art and Photography degree.
Now a business owner, she specializes in event photography and
special effects makeup. She is influenced by Joel-Peter Witkin, Anton
Corijn, Skinny Puppy and all things weird.
Instagram: @zanlinez
