GeoShred Studio for MacOS Released

Written by The MIDI Association on September 29, 2024. Posted in Digital Audio/MIDI Workstations, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News, MIDI Software.

GeoShred introduces a new paradigm for musical instruments, offering fluid expressiveness through a performance surface featuring the innovative “Almost Magic” pitch rounding. This cutting-edge software combines a unique performance interface with physics-based models of effects and musical instruments, creating a powerful tool for musicians. Originally designed for iOS devices, GeoShred is now available as an AUv3 plug-in for desktop DAWs, expanding its reach and integration into professional music production workflows.

GeoShred Studio, an AUv3 plug-in, runs seamlessly on macOS devices. Paired with GeoShredConnect, musicians can establish a MIDI/MPE connection between their iOS device running GeoShred and GeoShred Studio, enabling them to incorporate GeoShred’s expressive multi-dimensional control into their desktop production setup. This connection allows users to perform and record tracks from their iOS device as MIDI/MPE, which can be further refined and edited in the production process.

iCloud integration ensures that preset edits are synchronized between the iOS and macOS versions of GeoShred. For example, a preset saved on the iOS version of GeoShred automatically syncs with GeoShred Studio, providing a seamless experience across platforms.

Equipped with a built-in guitar physical model and 22 modeled effects, GeoShred Studio offers an impressive array of sonic possibilities. For those looking to expand their musical palette, an additional 33 physically modeled instruments from around the globe are available as in-app purchases (IAPs). These instruments range from guitars and bowed strings to woodwinds, brass, and traditional Indian and Chinese instruments.

GeoShred Studio is designed to be performed expressively using GeoShred’s isomorphic keyboard.

For users who don’t own the iOS version, the free GeoShred Control MPE controller (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/geoshred-control/id1336247116) is available for use with GeoShred Studio.

GeoShred Studio is also compatible with MPE controllers, conventional MIDI controllers, and even breath controllers, offering a wide range of performance options. GeoShred Studio is free to download, but core functionality requires the purchase of GeoShred Studio Essentials, which includes distinct instruments separate from those in the iOS/iPadOS app, and iOS/iPadOS purchases do not transfer.

Works with MacOS Catalina or greater.

GeoShred, unleash your musical potential!

We are offering a 25% discount on all iOS/iPadOS and MacOS products in celebration of GeoShred 7, valid until October 10, 2024. Pricing table at moforte.com/pricing

Celebrating Innovation: Voting Opens for MIDI Innovation Awards 2023

Written by JB Thiebaut on June 20, 2023. Posted in MIDI Association Event List, MIDI Innovation Awards, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), The MIDI Association Special Interest Groups. No Comments on Celebrating Innovation: Voting Opens for MIDI Innovation Awards 2023

We are excited to announce that voting for the MIDI Innovation Awards 2023 is officially open. In the tradition of our past two successful years, we continue to celebrate innovation, creativity, and the fantastic array of talent in our MIDI community. As MIDI marks its 40th birthday this year, we’re thrilled to see how far we’ve come and anticipate the future with MIDI 2.0, which is set to inspire another revolution in music.

This year, you can discover and cast your votes for the most innovative MIDI-based projects across five categories until July 21st. The categories are:

Commercial Hardware Products

Commercial Software Products

Prototypes and non-commercial hardware products

Prototypes and non-commercial software products

Artistic/Visual Project or Installation

The MIDI Innovation Awards 2023, a joint effort by Music Hackspace, The MIDI Association, and NAMM, showcases over 70 innovative entries ranging from MIDI controllers to art installation. The three entries with the most votes will be shortlisted and presented to our stellar jury who will select each category winner.

Discover all the entries of this year and cast your vote now!

We’re proud to announce new partnerships for 2023 with Sound On Sound, the world’s leading music technology magazine, and Music China, who will provide exhibition space to our winners at their Autumn 2023 trade fair in Shanghai. Our winners also receive significant support from The MIDI Association and Music Hackspace for the development of MIDI 2.0 prototypes, coverage in Sound On Sound, and an opportunity to exhibit at the 2023 NAMM Show.

The MIDI Innovation Awards entries will be evaluated by a distinguished jury representing various facets of the music industry. The esteemed judges include Jean-Michel Jarre, Nina Richards, Roger Linn, Michele Darling, Bian Liunian, and Pedro Eustache. They’ll be assessing entries based on innovation, inspiring and novel qualities, interoperability, and practical / commercial viability.

Mark these key dates in your calendar:

July 21st: Voting closes, jury deliberation starts

August 16th: Finalists announced

September 16th: Live show online – winners revealed

October: Finalists are invited to participate in the Sound On Sound SynthFest UK and Music China, including the User Choice Awards competition

Vote for your favorites now, and help us champion the most innovative MIDI designs of 2023!

For more details, visit the MIDI Innovation Awards page.

Together, let’s keep the music playing and the innovations flowing!

New MPE Features In Ableton Live 11

Written by The MIDI Association on May 28, 2021. Posted in MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News. No Comments on New MPE Features In Ableton Live 11

Ableton 11 adds MPE support

The MPE specification was adopted by The MIDI Association at the 2018 Winter NAMM show.

MPE is designed for MIDI Devices that allow the performer to vary the pitch and timbre of individual notes while playing polyphonically. In many of these MIDI Devices, pitch is expressed by lateral motion on a continuous playing surface, while individual timbre changes are expressed by varying pressure, or moving fingers towards and away from the player.

MPE specifies the MIDI messages used for these three dimensions of control — regardless of how a particular controller physically expresses them — and defines how to configure Devices to send and receive this “multidimensional control data” for maximum interoperability.

MIDI Pitch Bend and Control Change messages are Channel Messages, meaning they affect all notes assigned to that Channel. To apply Channel Messages to individual notes, an MPE controller assigns each note its own Channel.

Ableton added MPE support to Ableton 11 giving Ableton users the ability to be more musically expressive.

What Is MPE?

MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) allows you to control multiple instrument parameters simultaneously depending on how you press the notes on your MPE-capable MIDI controller.

With MPE you can change these individual values for every note in real-time:

Pitch Bend (horizontal movement)
Slide (vertical movement)
Pressure

MPE MIDI messages are displayed once you record or draw a note, and you can edit them at any time.

Keyboards and other controllers are no longer limited to up/down motions and sometimes pressure. The MPE specification accommodates multiple performance gestures within a single note. How hard you strike a key or pad; how much you move your fingers side to side or up and down; how much pressure you apply after striking a key; how quickly or slowly you release from the surface: all of these gestures suddenly become musical with MPE. For example, instruments can translate side-to-side motion to provide vibrato like on an acoustic string instruments. A tiny amount of pressure on a key can “swell” the volume, or add brightness, to each part of a brass section.

With MPE you don’t just play a note—you play with a note. Because of this it is an artistic breakthrough as well as a technological one. It endows electronic instruments with greater potential for expressiveness.

by Craig Anderton, Author and MIDI Association President

Add more feeling to your music

Edit your recorded MPE MIDI Messages

Select the MIDI clip and click the Note Expression tab in the Clip View Editor.
You can view each parameter by clicking the Show/Hide lane buttons.
Similar to editing automation, you can move breakpoints, copy/paste/delete them, mark them, or use the draw mode.
Morph between chords and add bends by connecting the curve of a note with any subsequent note.

More details on using MPE in Ableton

What’s new in Live 11 | Ableton

Explore the new features, devices, sounds and workflow updates Live 11 has to offer.

https://www.ableton.com/en/live/

Explore MIDI Effects in Live – free workshop 27th April

Written by JB Thiebaut on April 21, 2021. Posted in Creating with MIDI, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). No Comments on Explore MIDI Effects in Live – free workshop 27th April

This workshop is part of a series of monthly free live events about MIDI organised by the Music Hackspace

Date & Time: Tuesday 27th April 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 1pm NYC / 10am LA

Level: Beginner

Ableton Live offers a vast playground of musical opportunities to create musical compositions and productions. Live’s native MIDI FX provides a range of tools to allow the composer and producer to create ideas in a myriad of ways. Max For Live complements these tools and expands musical possibilities. In this workshop you will creatively explore and deploy a range of MIDI FX in a musical setting. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to utilise the creative possibilities of MIDI FX in the Ableton Live environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

Identify and deploy MIDI FX
Explore native and M4L MIDI FX in Live
Render the output of MIDI FX into MIDI clips for further manipulation
Apply MIDI FX to create novel musical and sonic elements

Session Study Topics

Using MIDI FX
Native and M4L MIDI FX
Rendering MIDI FX outputs
Creatively using MIDI FX

Requirements

A computer and internet connection
A web cam and mic
A Zoom account
Access to a copy of Live Suite with M4L (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Mel is a London based music producer, vocalist and educator.

She spends most of her time teaching people how to make music with Ableton Live and Push. When she’s not doing any of the above, she makes educational content and helps music teachers and schools integrate technology into their classrooms. She is particularly interested in training and supporting female and non-binary people to succeed in the music world.

Create with MPE in Live 11

Written by JB Thiebaut on April 15, 2021. Posted in MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News. No Comments on Create with MPE in Live 11

Date & Time: Tuesday 20th April 6pm UK

Level: Beginner

MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) offers a vast playground of musical opportunities to create musical compositions and productions. Live 11 supports a range of MPE tools to allow the composer and producer to create ideas in a myriad of ways. In this workshop you will creatively explore and deploy a range of MPE techniques in a musical setting. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to utilise the creative possibilities of MPE in the Ableton Live environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

Identify the role and function of MPE
Explore MPE compatible devices in Live
Utilize MPE controllers within Live 11
Apply MPE to create novel musical and sonic elements

Session Study Topics

Using MPE
MPE devices in Live
MPE controllers
Creatively using MPE

Requirements

A computer and internet connection
A web cam and mic
A Zoom account
Access to a copy of Live 11 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Mel is a London based music producer, vocalist and educator.

The MIDI Association at NAMM’s Believe In Music Week 2021

Written by The MIDI Association on April 5, 2021. Posted in MIDI Association Event List, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), NAMM. No Comments on The MIDI Association at NAMM’s Believe In Music Week 2021

NAMM is all virtual this year!

Every major event in the history of the MIDI Association has happened at Winter NAMM.

Whether it was the first introduction of MIDI at the 1983 NAMM to the adoption of MIDI 2.0 at the NAMM 2020, the NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants has always been a part and a partner in our shared journey together.

At Winter NAMM we always hold a joint meeting between The MIDI Association and AMEI (the Japanese Association of Musical Electronics Industry) which oversees the MIDI spec in Japan. We also hold our Annual General Meeting where the MIDI Association corporate members meet, adopt new specifications and discuss plans for the next year.

This year is different because NAMM is holding an all virtual event called Believe In Music. The event opens on Monday, January 11, 2021 but most of the events take place the week of January 18.

We decided to try to keep thing as normal as possible so here is the schedule of MIDI Association events for Believe in Music week.

MIDI Association Sessions at Believe In Music

What: MIDI Session 1: MIDI Polyphonic Expression MPE

MPE is a relatively new MIDI specification, the universal protocol for electronic music. MPE allows digital instruments to behave more like acoustic instruments in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control. So players can modulate parameters like timbre, pitch, and amplitude — all at the same time.

Join Audio Modeling, Keith McMillan Industries, moForte and ROLI and other MPE companies in an exploration of MIDI Polyphonic Expression.

What: MIDI Session 2: MIDI 2.0 Profile Configuration and Property Exchange

Profile ConfigurationMIDI gear can now have Profiles that can dynamically configure a device for a particular use case. The MIDI Association has adopted our first Profile – Default Controller Mapping and is considering Profiles for Orchestral Articulations, Drawbar Organ, Guitar, Piano, DAW Control, Effects and more.Property ExchangeWhile Profiles set up an entire device, Property Exchange messages provide specific, detailed information sharing. These messages can discover, retrieve, and set many properties like preset names, individual parameter settings, and unique functionalities. For example, your recording software could display everything you need to know about a synthesizer onscreen, effectively bringing hardware synths up to the same level of recallability as their software counterparts.

Property Exchange will bring the same level of recallability that soft synths have to hardware MIDI products

What: MIDI Session 3: Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI (Wireless MIDI)

When MIDI first started there was only one transport- the 5 Pin Din cable.But soon there were many different ways to send MIDI messages over USB, RTP, Firewire, and many more cables and transports. But none has been more transformative than MIDI-BLE because it allows you to send MIDI wirelessly over Bluetooth freeing products and performers from the restriction of being tethered to a cable. Join Aodyo, CME, Novalia, Roland, Quicco, Yamaha, and other BLE companies in a discussion of the benefits of BLE-MIDI.

DJ Qbert’s BLE MIDI Interactive Album Cover by Novalia

What: MIDI Session 4: MIDI 2.0 Protocol Messages- The Key to More Expressive MIDI

MIDI 2.0 is bi-directional and changes MIDI from a monologue to a dialog. For example, with the new MIDI-CI (Capability Inquiry) messages, MIDI 2.0 devices can talk to each other, and auto-configure themselves to work together.

Higher Resolution, More Controllers and Better Timing

To deliver an unprecedented level of musical and artistic expressiveness, MIDI 2.0 re-imagines the role of performance controllers, Controllers are now easier to use, and there are more of them: over 32,000 controllers, including controls for individual notes. Enhanced, 32-bit resolution gives controls a smooth, continuous, “analog” feel. New Note-On options were added for articulation control and precise note pitch.

MIDI 2.0 has MIDI 1.0 inside it making translation back and forth easy

What: The First Annual MIDI Innovation Awards

KMI K-Board Pro 4 with a Bitwig Studio 8-Track Bundle Makes MPE Easy

Written by The MIDI Association on November 15, 2019. Posted in Creating with MIDI, Keyboard Controllers, May Is MIDI Month Sponsors, MIDI Hardware, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News. No Comments on KMI K-Board Pro 4 with a Bitwig Studio 8-Track Bundle Makes MPE Easy

The KMI K-Board Pro 4

The KMI K-Board Pro 4 started off as Kickstarter campaign in 2016 and quickly got to its funding goal of $50.000. What sets the Pro 4 apart from other controllers is KMI’s patented Smart Sensor Fabric technology which is a unique and proprietary conductive material that changes resistance as it is compressed.

KMI’s patented Smart Sensor Fabric technology

Expressive

KBP4 has Smart Fabric Sensors under each key bringing five dimensions of expressivity to your playing

Playable

KBP4 is configured like a traditional keyboard, giving you a familiar playing surface so you can start expressing yourself immediately.

Programmable

The KBP4 Editor Software works with Mac, Windows, or in a web browser to fully customize every element of the KBP4 playing experience

K-Board Pro 4 Editor

This browser page is a K-Board Pro 4 Editor that uses Web MIDI so you to edit the K-Board any time your connected to the Internet.

https://files.keithmcmillen.com/products/k-board-pro-4/editor/

Every K-Board Pro 4 ships with a free license for Bitwig Studio 8-Track

Bitwig Studio 8-Track, the trim and effective digital audio workstation to start producing, performing, and designing sounds like a pro. 8-Track includes a large selection of Bitwig devices for use on up to eight project tracks with audio or MIDI. Plug in your controller, record your instrument, produce simple arrangements, design new sounds, or just jam.

Bitwig Studio 8-Track is the sketch pad for your musical ideas featuring the acclaimed workflow of Bitwig Studio.

Bitwig Studio 8-Track is available exclusively through bundles with selected partners.

K-Board Pro 4 , BitWig and MPE Expressions

KMI put together a tutorial to show how to setup the K-Board with Bitwig to take advantage of MPE’s advance MIDI expression capabilities,

For more information, check out this link

Mapping K-Board Pro 4 MPE Expressions in Bitwig Studio | Keith McMillen Instruments

https://www.keithmcmillen.com/blog/tutorials/mapping-k-board-pro-4-mpe-expressions-in-bitwig-studio/

ROLI BLOCKS-Modular Wireless MIDI Touch System

Written by The MIDI Association on May 20, 2019. Posted in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Wireless MIDI, Keyboard Controllers, May Is MIDI Month Sponsors, MIDI Connections, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News. No Comments on ROLI BLOCKS-Modular Wireless MIDI Touch System

BLOCKS is a modular music making system made up of 5 components

Seaboard Block Super Powered Keyboard

Multi-award-winning Seaboard interface

5D Touch technology

24 keywave, two-octave playing surface

Hundreds of free sounds

Suite of music making software for desktop and mobile

Wireless and portable for making music on the go

Connects to other Blocks

Lightpad Block Expressive Musical Touchpad

Touch responsive soft silicon playing surface
LED illumination reconfigures Lightpad M for different notes and scales
Adaptable surface can become a drum pad, fader bank, effects launcher and more
Hundreds of free sounds
Suite of music making software for desktop and mobile
Wireless and portable for making music on the go
Connects to other Blocks

Perform with the Live Block

The Live Block is for performance. The buttons let you switch scales and octaves, trigger chords and arpeggios, and sustain notes in real time.

Touch Block-Add Expression Faster

Touch Block helps you adjust the expressive behavior of your Seaboard Block and Lightpad Block. Turn up or turn down the responsiveness of the surface to the Strike, Glide, Slide, Press, and Lift dimensions of touch. Maximize the depth of expression available through pressure, or minimize the pitch-bend effect of sideways movements. Customize your control of any sound in real time and on the fly.

Loop Block-Produce Faster

Loop Block helps you produce a track faster. Record loops and play them back. Set your tempo, and quantize your loops so they’re always in time.

ROLI Dashboard

Customize BLOCKS and the Seaboard RISE for your workflow

Blocks become open-ended MIDI control surfaces through ROLI Dashboard. Customize the LED-illuminated Lightpad Block by loading different apps, including a note grid, a bank of faders and more. Use Control Blocks as CC controllers for your favorite DAW.

BLOCKS: The Instrument That Grows With You | ROLI

https://roli.com/products/blocks/

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https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AE10–roland-aerophone-ae-10-digital-wind-instrument-silver

K Board Pro 4- Expressive Smart Sensor Keyboard

Written by The MIDI Association on May 15, 2019. Posted in Keyboard Controllers, May Is MIDI Month Sponsors, MIDI News, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), MIDI Product News. No Comments on K Board Pro 4- Expressive Smart Sensor Keyboard

With K-Board Pro 4 we’ve taken the format of a traditional keyboard and updated it for the 21st Century. With our SmartFabric™ Sensors underneath each key you can tweak any synthesis parameter in real time by moving your fingers while you are playing. The MIDI MPE Standard is the future for expressive controllers and we have designed the K-Board Pro 4 to be the ultimate MPE Controller.

by Keith McMillen

Multidimensional Expression

The Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board Pro 4 is a 4-octave MIDI keyboard controller with multidimensional touch sensitivity in each key. K-Board Pro 4 supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) that allows additional gestures individually on each key. You can wiggle your finger horizontally to generate MIDI CC commands, slide vertically to open up a filter, or apply pressure to control volume. For non-MPE synths, the K-Board Pro 4 provides fully featured polyphonic aftertouch. The data from each gesture is completely assignable and sent individually per note.

Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board Pro 4 Features:

Provides a level of expressiveness previously attainable only with acoustic instruments
Expressive Smart Sensor Keyboard Fabric technology
Support for MPE (MIDI polyphonic expression) protocol
SmartFabric sensors underneath each key
Transmits attack and release velocity and continuous pressure, as well as horizontal and vertical position data
48 resilient silicone keys and no moving parts for superior durability
USB powered; class compliant
MacOS/Windows, iOS/Android compatibility

SmartFabric sensor technology

Under each key is Keith McMillen Instruments’ patented Smart Sensor Fabric technology which let you tweak any synthesis parameter in real time simply by moving your fingers while you are playing.

The K-Board Pro 4 is USB powered and class compliant to ensure compatibility with MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, as well as all MIDI-enabled hardware.

Editors in OSX, Windows and Web MIDI formats

Keith McMillan Instruments provides editors for OSX and Windows, but you can also edit and update your K Board Pro 4 directly online using Web MIDI.

K-Board Pro 4 | Keith McMillen Instruments

https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/k-board-pro-4/

MPE MIDI Live! Chat Podcast

Written by The MIDI Association on June 2, 2018. Posted in Alternate Controllers, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). No Comments on MPE MIDI Live! Chat Podcast

On May 26, we held the very first MIDI Live! chat with a panel of MPE specialists.

We recorded the session and it is presented here as a podcast.

Listeners were not only able to send in questions via text but were able to actually join the discussion and interact directly with the panelists. Roger Linn demoed his Linnstrument live from his studio in Los Altos.

DIscussions included the differences between the original MPE spec and the final MMA specification, MPE checklists, and test sequences, and the requirements for obtaining an MMA MPE logo that is under development.

We’ve already started planning for the release of the MIDI-CI speciffications so stay tuned to the MIDI Live! channel for future events!