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Arch4ngell « A great controller, once tamed! »
Published on 04/13/14 at 13:08Monophonic Controller noon to touch and pressure-sensitive surface with a pad of modulation, which also features a small lofi synth.
Connectivity, Eowave has chosen to do in the multi-task: food, setting the device, and output midi data is done via the USB connection; and only 3.5 jack is used either audio output (mono) or CV for controlling a modular synth.
In operation, a pretty blue LED illuminates the instrument translucent Plexiglas, which earned him a small mention "This instrument is not a lightsaber, please use with caution" in the manual.
UTILIZATION
The manual pdf is essential, and yet I found lack of detail. But it is impossible to set the sound Ribbon without reading. Setting which, moreover, is relatively simple once you read the manual, but requires the installation of Max 5 Runtime software. Fortunately, this software can run free (contrary to what a quick search on the net could pretend a neophyte).
But even when all these conditions are met, it sometimes surprises. Most often, simply exit the software, disconnect the device and restart to make it work.
That said, the software is not necessary if we simply use the device mode
SOUNDS
"Lofi" is a politically correct term meaning that the sound is poor: So there are artifacts in the treble.
There is a choice between several waveforms: sawtooth, square, triangle, sine, or noise (utilité. ..?)). These sounds are quite typed "Ondes Martenot".
The pavement modulation Ribbon "too" sensitive modulation of sound is almost "all or nothing". Frequency modulation is a fairly typical dubstep sound effect, and the amplitude modulation is in fact a direct control of the output volume.
About this block modulation, I do not know what the technology but it is extremely sensitive (which can be fixed with a post-it not too thick, but hey, it is not to talk DIY), I noticed that he was sensitive to moisture and condensation in souflant gently above, one can gradually increase the ... er, capacity? sensor. Progressive sound effect interesting.
As for the touch tape itself, it sends three types of MIDI data: the / note-off-on note, pitchbend depending on the pitch of the note, and the "volume" pressure dependent on the tape ( in synth mode, feels little influence).
We note in passing that it is possible to configure the behavior of the touch tape: either it sends a base note, plus an absolute pitchbend (ideal for controlling a synthesizer); or it sends a note on a scale of 0 to 127 (not in my opinion to play something musical as well); or it sends the nearest position of the finger notes, with or without pitchbend on (which is perfect for controlling an instrument, piano-player or a sample).
In the latter setting, however, requires that the target instrument (VSTi for example) accepts pitchbend -48 to +48 semitones. Unfortunately, I've realized after purchase, all of these settings pitchbend are available for use in midi controller mode.
It takes some pressure to trigger a note, so the virtuosity takes a hit. In addition, use synth lofi, the instrument should be considered "frettless" if you allow me the comparison with string instruments: outcome, just a novice will hardly even a month after buying the device. Indeed, silkscreen little help because it does not really correspond to the notes.
If I were to give advice to beginners: Use the first as controller, one tames the instrument and easier.
Last tip: this is a monophonic instrument, but the position sensor uses resistive technology. So if you press the tape in two places, one note is played, the "average" of the two. In reality, this is not really the average algebraic sense, it is a logarithmic averaging only nerds like me can find simple.
Fortunately, there is a "geometric" trick to play fair (This is the picture in surprise at the end): it's all about equal proportions ...
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for 3 months now and I start (just) to master. Like any new instrument, it must often use to acquire dexterity.
The synth is a bit gimmicky, but it's nice to have an all-in-one does not have to depend on a sound module ...
I use it mainly with software that I use to physical modeling of instruments (bass, cello, flute ... et cetera) and it is a pure delight. The use of samples is not easy because they tend to resent 48 semitones ptichbend unaltered! However, some hosts samples are doing very well anyway.
With experience, I certainly would do this choice; although I know with some knowledge of electronics and a half lower budget one is able to do almost the same thing.
Connectivity, Eowave has chosen to do in the multi-task: food, setting the device, and output midi data is done via the USB connection; and only 3.5 jack is used either audio output (mono) or CV for controlling a modular synth.
In operation, a pretty blue LED illuminates the instrument translucent Plexiglas, which earned him a small mention "This instrument is not a lightsaber, please use with caution" in the manual.
UTILIZATION
The manual pdf is essential, and yet I found lack of detail. But it is impossible to set the sound Ribbon without reading. Setting which, moreover, is relatively simple once you read the manual, but requires the installation of Max 5 Runtime software. Fortunately, this software can run free (contrary to what a quick search on the net could pretend a neophyte).
But even when all these conditions are met, it sometimes surprises. Most often, simply exit the software, disconnect the device and restart to make it work.
That said, the software is not necessary if we simply use the device mode
SOUNDS
"Lofi" is a politically correct term meaning that the sound is poor: So there are artifacts in the treble.
There is a choice between several waveforms: sawtooth, square, triangle, sine, or noise (utilité. ..?)). These sounds are quite typed "Ondes Martenot".
The pavement modulation Ribbon "too" sensitive modulation of sound is almost "all or nothing". Frequency modulation is a fairly typical dubstep sound effect, and the amplitude modulation is in fact a direct control of the output volume.
About this block modulation, I do not know what the technology but it is extremely sensitive (which can be fixed with a post-it not too thick, but hey, it is not to talk DIY), I noticed that he was sensitive to moisture and condensation in souflant gently above, one can gradually increase the ... er, capacity? sensor. Progressive sound effect interesting.
As for the touch tape itself, it sends three types of MIDI data: the / note-off-on note, pitchbend depending on the pitch of the note, and the "volume" pressure dependent on the tape ( in synth mode, feels little influence).
We note in passing that it is possible to configure the behavior of the touch tape: either it sends a base note, plus an absolute pitchbend (ideal for controlling a synthesizer); or it sends a note on a scale of 0 to 127 (not in my opinion to play something musical as well); or it sends the nearest position of the finger notes, with or without pitchbend on (which is perfect for controlling an instrument, piano-player or a sample).
In the latter setting, however, requires that the target instrument (VSTi for example) accepts pitchbend -48 to +48 semitones. Unfortunately, I've realized after purchase, all of these settings pitchbend are available for use in midi controller mode.
It takes some pressure to trigger a note, so the virtuosity takes a hit. In addition, use synth lofi, the instrument should be considered "frettless" if you allow me the comparison with string instruments: outcome, just a novice will hardly even a month after buying the device. Indeed, silkscreen little help because it does not really correspond to the notes.
If I were to give advice to beginners: Use the first as controller, one tames the instrument and easier.
Last tip: this is a monophonic instrument, but the position sensor uses resistive technology. So if you press the tape in two places, one note is played, the "average" of the two. In reality, this is not really the average algebraic sense, it is a logarithmic averaging only nerds like me can find simple.
Fortunately, there is a "geometric" trick to play fair (This is the picture in surprise at the end): it's all about equal proportions ...
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for 3 months now and I start (just) to master. Like any new instrument, it must often use to acquire dexterity.
The synth is a bit gimmicky, but it's nice to have an all-in-one does not have to depend on a sound module ...
I use it mainly with software that I use to physical modeling of instruments (bass, cello, flute ... et cetera) and it is a pure delight. The use of samples is not easy because they tend to resent 48 semitones ptichbend unaltered! However, some hosts samples are doing very well anyway.
With experience, I certainly would do this choice; although I know with some knowledge of electronics and a half lower budget one is able to do almost the same thing.