Products of Interest Evo Keyboard Controller Evo is listed for approximately The arc is available in two models: US$ 657 for the 24-key version and arc two, measuring 6 × 3.5 × 1.5 in., The Evo keyboard controller from approximately US$ 1,315 for the and the larger arc four model, which German company Endeavour comes 48-key model. Contact: Endeavour, measures 10.5 × 3.5 × 1.5 in. The in 24- and 48-key models. Each of Max-Planck-Str. 4, 48691 Vreden, top unit surface and encoder surface the keys on the controller features Germany; telephone (+49) 256- is constructed from anodized milled a sensor that reads the position of 439-29992; fax (+1) 256-439-299-79; aluminum and sheet aluminum, with the finger to give input data beyond electronic mail [email protected]; cut glass used for the LED ring. The simply pitch and velocity, allowing Web www.endeavour.de/. unit includes recessed rubber feet to individual keys to be used to control prevent slipping during performance. faders and continuous controllers. The arc is assembled by hand. Finger movements are detected even Monome Arc The arc two is listed for US$ 500 while the key is held down and can and the arc four for S$ 800. Con- be used to shape the sound using Philadelphia-based company tact: Monome; electronic mail info control parameters. The controller Monome are best known for their @monome.org; Web monome.org/. can transmit MIDI and OSC messages button-matrix controllers, such as to a computer via an Ethernet port. the Monome 64. Their new release, The sensor is confined to a specific the arc, is a set of two or four high- MXL Black Widow Microphone area of each key so that the keys can resolution optical rotary encoders in a solid wood black walnut surround be played straight, without triggering The Black Widow microphone from (see Figure 1). The encoders were the sensor, if required. The first 1 cm MXL is a large diaphragm condenser designed to avoid the noise and la- of each key is sensor-free. Each key microphone with a small body pro- tency of analog potentiometers and has a 4-cm-long sensor that is set file and a shiny black chrome finish the jumps in value associated with back 1 cm from the front of the (see Figure 2). It is designed to pro- low-resolution encoders. The large key. This enables the user to choose vide rich, deep tones for vocals and to play with or without sensors. A encoders have 1,024 steps per revolu- scanning rate of 250 Hz, with 8-bit tion and an integrated push button. resolution, is used by the sensors. The They are each surrounded by a pro- user can switch between absolute and grammable ring of 64 LEDs. Each LED relative finger positions. Eight on- has 16 levels of brightness, which can board processors are used to query the be individually programmed. The arc sensors, with an additional processor is powered by USB and transmits used to synchronize them. OSC messages to the computer using A range of software is available the same USB connection. The light for use with the Evo. The Evosizer pattern of the LEDs can be mapped is an analog synthesizer that can be to parameter values output from a used as a standalone application for software application. Windows and Mac OS or as a plug-in for the Max for Live expansion of Ableton Live. Evo2Midi connects the output data from the controller keyboard to the user’s MIDI software, mapping the sensor and key data to MIDI messages. A Max/MSP external object is also available. The 24-key Evo measures 400 × 350 × 100 mm and weighs just over 1 kg. The 48-key model measures 700 × 350 × 100 mm and weighs just over 2 kg. Figure 1. The arc optical Figure 2. The MXL Black rotary encoders from Widow diaphragm doi:10.1162/COMJ r 00169 Monome. condenser microphone. 102 Computer Music Journal Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00169 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 3. Blue Microphone’s Tiki Figure 4. Blue Microphone’s Spark USB microphone. Digital USB microphone. response curve of the signal but does not degrade or color it as happens with filters. The microphone is packaged with an adjustable desk stand with built-in shockmount. A headphone jack is also built in to the microphone for zero-latency, real-time monitor- ing. Controls are provided on the microphone body for volume, gain, and mute, and an LED meter provides feedback to the user. The Spark Dig- clear, smooth performance for use ital is compatible with Macintosh with instruments. The 32-mm gold- and PC machines. It is a plug-and- sputtered capsule has a fixed cardioid play device. Cables are included with pattern. The microphone features a USB and Apple 30-pin connections. low noise FET pre-amplifier and fully The microphone has a frequency re- balanced transformerless output. A sponse of 26 Hz to 20 kHz, maximum three-position pad switch gives the SPL of 128 dB (A-weighted), and a choice of 0 dB, –10 dB, and –20 dB, signal-to-noise ratio of 84 dB. pre-attenuated. Audio examples and manuals The microphone measures 1.8 for both the Tiki and Spark Digital × 5.7 in. and weighs 1 lb. It has a are available on Blue Microphones’ maximum SPL of 158 dB, with pad Web site. set to –20 dB and 0.5 percent THD. The Tiki microphone is listed The signal-to-noise ratio is 80 dB for US$ 59.95 and the Spark Dig- (1 Pa, A-weighted) and the frequency ital for US$ 199.95. Contact: Blue response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz. amount of background noise. The Microphones; 5706 Corsa Avenue The Black Widow is listed for Natural Recording Mode is used for #102, Westlake Village, California US$ 199. Contact: MXL Micro- recording instrument and vocals. The 91362-4057, USA; telephone (+1) phones, 1910 E. Maple Avenue, El Tiki microphone is a plug-and-play 818-879-5200; fax (+1) 818-879-7258; Segundo, California 90245, USA; device which does not require drivers. Web www.bluemic.com/. telephone (+1) 310-333-0606; fax It features two custom-designed (+1) 310-333-0688; electronic mail condenser capsules and has a fre- quency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz. [email protected]; Web Holophone Super C www.marshall-usa.com/. A multi-colored LED indicates the status, including mute. The Tiki is Customizable Microphone packaged with an extended docking cable and carrying case. The micro- Holphone’s Super C is a retro-styled Blue Microphones Tiki and Spark phone is compatible with Windows handheld super-cardioid condenser Digital USB Microphones and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher). microphone (see Figure 5). It is the The company’s Spark Digital mi- first in a new line of customizable Blue Microphone’s Tiki is a 3-in. crophone is a condenser microphone single-channel stage and studio mi- long USB microphone designed to with both USB and iPad connections crophones. The company is best automatically minimize the amount (see Figure 4). It features two different known for its multi-channel micro- of background noise picked up and to sound options. In Normal mode the phone technology, from which the automatically mute when appropriate microphone has increased sensitiv- Super C’s capsule comes. (see Figure 3). An Intelligent Speech ity to low frequencies and in Focus The Super C microphone produces Mode can be used for voice recordings mode has more emphasis on clarity low handling noise and is designed and with Skype, conference calls, and and detail of the audio signal. The to be durable but comfortable to use. podcast recording. It brings the user’s input driver of the capsule itself is The casing, windscreen, and grille can voice to the fore, while iZotope noise- changed when using these modes. all be changed instantly to a range of cancelling technology minimizes the This alters the dynamic frequency traditional and bright colors, allowing Products of Interest 103 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00169 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 5. Holophone’s Super C Figure 6. Tascam’s DP-24 Digital super-cardioid condenser Portastudio 24-track recorder. microphone. tracks simultaneously and has a A 32-channel DP-32 is also avail- range of input processors, guitar amp able. The larger model features eight simulations, and effects that can be monophonic and twelve stereo tracks used when recording. and has the same number of inputs, Eight combination microphone/ simultaneous track recording, and instrument inputs are built into the general features as the DP-24. rear panel, with phantom power pro- The Tascam DP-24 is listed for vided for condenser microphones. US$ 1,199.99 and the DP-32 for The recorder has dedicated mixing US$ 1,299.99. Contact: TEAC Amer- the user to customize the microphone controls and has a total of 19 linear ica, 7733 Telegraph Rd. Montebello, to suit their own preferences and faders and 12 channel strips. Audio California 90640, USA; telephone set/stage design. is recorded onto SD/SDHC media (+1) 323-726-0303; Web tascam.com. The microphone is assembled by cards. A USB port is provided for hand and is packaged with a custom transfer of audio to computer and a carrying case and a microphone clip. CD-RW drive is also integrated into The Super C microphone is listed Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 Linear the recorder body.