"Winning combination of digital oscillators through analog filters and tons of modulation! There is also a polyphonic sequencer that can run multiple voices or external gear."
"Momentarely circuit bend Mirage. It was sitting in my studio not in use but turned on as always, it suddenly decided to play by its self. First a glitch, than a noise and than a composition started to form. There are lot of circuit bend instrument in the studio, maybe its contagious, perhaps a glitch in the Mirage's memory or disk, maybe its just simply alive and possessed by a ghost withing than never revealed it's self in all the years I've owned it.
It can surelly compose some interesting computer music."
"Made in 80's, sounds like 80's.. Only few default sounds were used including drums, there is also a default guitar sound towards the end of this live partial composition. It was roughly recorded prior making the video which come out a bit crap."
1. Roland Piano Plus HP-450 PB-300 PR-800 MIDI Creation System
"A walk through of the Piano Plus system which for 1983-1984 was an introduction into what would develop into the 'Workstation' keyboard where you could record a composition and then add additional parts.
This is a much simpler technology but still very fun to create on.
I've hooked it up to a Nord Rack 2 to garnish more synth sounds."
2. Roland PR-800 MIDI recorder quick one-hand demo with PB-300 Piano Plus HP-450
"I hit record and play on the Roland Piano which goes into the PR-800 and gets recorded. Then I hit stop, go back to the start of the measures/bars and hit play.
The PR-800 then outputs the recorded digital sequence to the Nord Rack 2. I can change the tempo on the PR-800 or change the sound on the Nord of course. Can also play along with the Roland HP-450 piano to add a melody. All sound can go through the HP-450 amp and speakers.
A very simple but effective early MIDI recorder/sequencer, the 1983-1984 Piano Plus system by Roland consisted of the HP-450 Analog piano (great keyboard feel), the PB-300 analog drum machine and the PR-800 "Piano Recorder."
Together they gave your MIDI keyboard setup the ability to record a song in MIDI event capture, then play it back either via the HP-450 or to any external MIDI tone generator. The drum machine supplied preset "home organ" type of beats but also created arpeggiator out back to the piano or to an external MIDI device.
Consider this a home organ broken out into separate components you could mix and match with other gear in your MIDI setup. Or consider this perhaps the first Keyboard Arranger ever, certainly the first from Roland - later taking the form of the RA-90, RA-95 and so on.
The arpeggiator provided either note-runs or comping chords and there was a separate analog oscillator that created bass lines within the PB-300 as you held down a chord in your left hand.
Lastly, you could run outputs of the PB-300 or other MIDI gear through the HP-450 system to create a cohesive instrument via the HP-450 amplifier and speakers.
A rare and unique piece of MIDI history during the early days of MIDI and home Personal Computing as well.
I had not previously come across a basic demo of what the Roland PR-800 does, so here is one finally. There is also provision on the back to save your digital MIDI recordings via cassette tape!"
Playlist:
Novation // Launchpad Mini - KiNK Performance
Novation // Launchpad X - Sandunes Performance
Novation's New Launchpad X and Mini MK3 - sonicstate
LAUNCHPAD X – What is it and what can it do? - BoBeats
Review: LaunchPad X vs MINI MK3 // Custom layout tutorial // Novation LaunchPad - leploop
Sonic LAB: Launchpad X And Mini Review - sonicstate
"Marking ten years since the arrival of the original Launchpad, Novation is immensely proud to release the latest full-sized and portable versions of the world’s favourite Ableton Live grid controller: Launchpad X and Launchpad Mini [MK3].
Made to perform, Launchpad X is Novation’s essential MIDI pad controller for Live, enabling fast and effortless clip and scene launching, expressive instrument play, and direct transport and mixer control. Launchpad X’s 64 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads are Novation’s most responsive yet, while Drum and Note Modes provide automatic switching between percussive and melodic instrument triggering, and the dedicated Capture MIDI button means you’ll never lose a great idea again. Dynamic Note and Scale modes keep your basslines, melodies, chords and leads perfectly in key, and crucial performance controls – stop, solo, mute, record arm, levels, pans and sends – are a button press away. With USB-C connectivity and no drivers to install, Launchpad X puts everything you need right at your fingertips, so you can spend less time mousing around and more time making music.
Made to move, Launchpad Mini is Novation’s most compact and portable 64-pad MIDI grid controller, giving you everything you need to start performing in Ableton Live - and it'll fit in your bag. Bright RGB pads perfectly match your clips and scenes, making it easier than ever to see your Ableton Live sessions, while immediate and tactile access to Live’s performance controls liberate you from the mouse and keyboard, and Drum and Note modes let you instantly flip between playing beats and melodies.
Extending Launchpad X and Launchpad Mini’s remit beyond Ableton Live, you can customise the MIDI mappings of each within three (Mini) or four (X) custom modes using Novation Components, for control of almost anything. Send out MIDI CCs, notes and program change messages, and even use rows or columns as faders – the only limit is your imagination. And both models come complete with a comprehensive bundle of included software, including Ableton Live Lite, a range of plug-ins by AAS, XLN Audio, klevgrand and Softube, two-months’ free subscription to Splice, and membership of Sound Collective, bringing Novation hardware owners a new free plug-in every couple of months.
Whether you prefer the advanced features and velocity sensitivity of X or the unrivalled portability of Mini, there’s a Launchpad for every performer and producer. Launchpad X and Launchpad Mini are available now through Novation stockists and direct from the Novation eStore*. (*where applicable)."
