There’s a wide array of MIDI keyboard controllers to choose from. From small portable models with mini-keys to full-size weighted piano keyboards. There are basic wheels and pedals to full-blown panels of faders, pads, and other controllers. Therefore, let’s talk about the considerations you need to look into when choosing a MIDI controller.
The first one would be connectivity. Many modern controllers still include a DIN MIDI jack for full compatibility, however, nowadays USB is the most common connection for MIDI controllers since it enables direct connection to not only computer-based DAWs, but also to music apps running on tablets and smartphones.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/what-to-consider-when-choosing-your-next-midi-keyboard-controller
Home Recording Equipment
Sound Processing: Mid-Side Stereo
A Mid-Side stereo is a specialized way of recording and/or processing a stereo audio signal. During the analog days, M-S processing was an important part of mastering for vinyl, and it still holds true until now. It’s still a popular tool for mastering.
A mid-side audio signal replaces the individual left and right audio components of a stereo audio signal with the mid and side components of the stereo audio. It is not only a processing tool but also a stereo microphone technique. A Mid-Side recording utilizes two microphones in a specific configuration. It utilizes two mics with different polar patterns, as a coincident pair with a unique placement.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/sound-processing-mid-side-stereo
Back to basics: How to use Ableton Live 10 and Push
Ableton Live may not be new but there’s still a lot of users jumping aboard the Ableton train all the time. Its most distinctive features are the Session View. There we jam and experiment – and warping, which provides easy time-stretching and looping of audio.
Although Live follows a one-window display principle, it’s easy to customize it to your own preferences, thanks to the Look Feel tab. The browser is used to access your entire Live library. As well as seeing devices and their presets, you can view samples, plug-ins and create shortcuts to any folder on your computer, or a connected drive, or even to online storage.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/tutorials/ableton-live/how-to-use-ableton-live-10-push/
IK Multimedia Releases UNO Drum Editor For Mac/PC And iPad
IK Multimedia has released a dedicated software editor for its UNO Drum analogue/PCM drum machine. It was designed to offer deep control for more impactful recordings and performance. Moreover, it provides easy access to all parameters, easy customization, and advanced kit and pattern management, with convenient support for Mac/PC and iPad.
The presets can be added locally or from the hardware unit, then edited and saved on the user’s device or stored back on UNO Drum for stand-alone use.
Unlike the usual software editor, UNO Drum Editor can function both as a standalone application and an integrated DAW plug-in for use in the studio, live performance, or on-the-go music creation.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/ik-multimedia-releases-uno-drum-editor-for-macpc-and-ipad
Audio Test Kitchen creates a virtual showroom for microphones
Audio Test Kitchen was founded by Alex Oana and Ian Hlatky. It is the world’s first online virtual microphone showroom. It offers unbiased microphone comparison across hundreds of different large condenser microphones. The good thing about it is free to use. It also allows users to audition each mic directly through their headphones or speakers.
Audio Test Kitchen relies on DPA’s 4041 large-diaphragm mics, 4011 cardioid mic and 4006 omnidirectional mics as reference points. The company captures a vocal performance in an anechoic chamber with the DPA mics and replay the audio through a specially tuned loudspeaker that serves as a surrogate for the human voice.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/news/audio-test-kitchen-dpa/