Electronic, Ambient and New Age Music
The Skylight MSS-2007 Midi Step Sequencer
21/02/09 22:39
Back in 2-006, I was looking to break out of the computer environment for composing music as I felt it provided me with too much comfort and as such I felt the required constraints when working on musical elements were not introduced. This has the effect of less focus on individual elements’ structure and quality and when glueing everything together, the musical piece suffered.
I was looking after a Midi step sequencer that one can use to work on a given pattern at a time, and spend enough time on it.
When shopping around, I soon realized the price range for commercial products is too high for my taste and have elected to build a device on my own making, tailoring it to my requirements and meeting price/value constraints.
I soon discovered the MIDIBox project http://www.ucapps.de/. This site’s all about DIY projects for MIDI enthusiasts, ranging from control boxes, sequencers and even Commodore 64 SID chip modules.
Purchasing the required PCBs, I then headed strait to building the sequencer's guts. This was fairly easy. The tricky part was the front panel.
I had ordered a ready made front panel from Front Panel Express, an online service that has a fairly easy software to design the front panel, and then went to build and wire the front panel layout.
Well, after about 2-3 months of work (not continues of course), I had finally completed my first big DIY project and it worked like a charm!
I was looking after a Midi step sequencer that one can use to work on a given pattern at a time, and spend enough time on it.
When shopping around, I soon realized the price range for commercial products is too high for my taste and have elected to build a device on my own making, tailoring it to my requirements and meeting price/value constraints.
I soon discovered the MIDIBox project http://www.ucapps.de/. This site’s all about DIY projects for MIDI enthusiasts, ranging from control boxes, sequencers and even Commodore 64 SID chip modules.
Purchasing the required PCBs, I then headed strait to building the sequencer's guts. This was fairly easy. The tricky part was the front panel.
I had ordered a ready made front panel from Front Panel Express, an online service that has a fairly easy software to design the front panel, and then went to build and wire the front panel layout.
Well, after about 2-3 months of work (not continues of course), I had finally completed my first big DIY project and it worked like a charm!
Upgrading the master keyboard
01/02/09 22:38
Three years ago I had purchased the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 to serve as my main, and only, keyboard controller. I was especially focused around piano-like action of the keys and was also mindful over the price of such keyboards.
Some time ago I grew more and more upset with the keyboard fell of the Keystation Pro and decided it was about time I upgrade.
Well, after selling the Keystation is a rock bottom price, I zoomed in on two options, the Kawai MP5 and the Roland RD300sx. Playing them both I found the Kawai to be an all around winner on aspects of quality of sound, quality of build and materials as well as the ergonomics of the design.
Price was also a factor as the Roland costs %50 more than the Kawai...
Some time ago I grew more and more upset with the keyboard fell of the Keystation Pro and decided it was about time I upgrade.
Well, after selling the Keystation is a rock bottom price, I zoomed in on two options, the Kawai MP5 and the Roland RD300sx. Playing them both I found the Kawai to be an all around winner on aspects of quality of sound, quality of build and materials as well as the ergonomics of the design.
Price was also a factor as the Roland costs %50 more than the Kawai...