click here for more shots sent my way via Shagghie. Details:"Blue *shaved* LEDs, such that they are flush with the surface, which is better for extended use as your fingers don't impact the LEDs themselves, and it also diffuses the LED's intensity too by adding a 'frosting effect' of sorts. Very trick!
The MIDI in and out cables are for the Colin Frasier midi kit.... and they connect via two custom, well-made mini cables (1/8", pictured). The Colin midi kit is the best on the market by far....you can play back any midi sequence from the 303's own sequencer later on, so you effectively have 'infinite memory' when used with your DAW's sequencer, etc. It's totally, completely, amazing. For production, it's insane to be able to recall a track you worked on a year ago, and replay the midi sequence back to the 303...it's comes back IDENTICAL to the 303's original sequencer...just make sure Logic's 'quantize' features are off when recording the original 303 sequence. For live perforamance, it's also awesome to clock off the MachineDrum, without need for any third converter boxes, etc. The MD can even 'play' this 303 with it's own midi machines, too...for a different non-acid vibe. Radical!"
I can't see what so good about blue LEDs, and that's because they are so bright that they blind me. How about a variable RGB led, white, green, anything that isn't eyepiercingly blue? Logitech G11/G15 backlight keys did blue lights done right.
ReplyDelete(Disclaimer: I respect the whatever floats your boat argument, but still, blue LEDs?)
The LEDS on this particular 303 are a mix of white and blue LEDS. All of them have been shaved and as a result gain a 'frosted' element to them on the top where they were each manually (and painstakingly) sanded with fine-grain sand paper. While I might normally agree with you, as far as brightness goes at least, I would say these are not eyepiercingly bright. Many top manufactures opt for blue LEDs: Future-Retro, MacBeth, Access, API, Apogee, and many many more...there's something wonderfully techno and haunting about them, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Everyone has their opinion of course, and I appreciate your feed back and taking the time to comment. ta!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm going to give sanding/milling leds a shot now that you bring that up, the more reasonably bright blues out there the better. Gonna spread the word of this technique
ReplyDeleteOne last benefit of shaving LEDs is in some applications, like the 303, the LEDs can then be flush with the surface of the 303 itself, such that finger presses don't (over time) end up moving the LEDs around and weakening them. That was the original motivation in fact...since this 303 was destined for live application. (that is, until our roof leaked and almost collapsed this Christmas!)...
ReplyDeleteThe only downside (in theory) is that the plastic heads of the LEDs get weakened and could crack over time....though, I've yet to ever see this happen even once...
I also agree with you 100%... the lower-intensity LEDs are the only way to fly...unless you want to wear shades for your gig, then they high intensity ones are brilliant!