To Liontracs; Are you going to introduce a basic model just a plain sample playback synth using opensource technology in which we can upgradeable until it becomes a full blown X-76?

I think user participation in a Sound Library is a great idea. Those willing to submit sounds are free to do so. If they do submit 'awesome' sounds there may be a rating system 1-5, etc., much like for instance Winamp Media Player uses a rating system for plug-in authors. If the Lionstracs user base grows to be a substantial one over time there could be a great impact (for good) where owners and users of the Media Station X76 could share sounds and there could possibly be a intricately woven 'community' of support and growth and "participation" for the Media Station X76. What a thrill to be able to create and share great sounds with other users of the Media Station X76. Support for a product can only be a positive thing. I see it as almost like a Linux community where users participate in the growth and refinement of its OS. A person is able to make and compile a new Kernel or add-on for the Linux OS. It is the same situation with the Media Station X76. People helping people make a better product -with better 'sounds', in the case of the X76 Media Station.

Best regards,
Mike

PS: I hope some good Demos can be made by Ron Parker. Something to 'highlight' your product, not detract from it.

Domenik,
Sbenno,

I'm a bit worried over this soundfont focus.
I thought soundfonts were a dying business.

Everybody is now publishing sample libraries based on some included softsampler player engine (kontakt, ...), not sound fonts.

We're talking gigabytes of disk streaming samples, playable with 512-1Gb of ram instead of 16-128 Mb soundfonts;

goto http://www.garritan.com/mp3.html#GPO for some sound comparisons ($249!) and this business is just starting; (see http://www.zero-g.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=803)

If one could add (soft)arrangers to it ...
Call it a hardware supported FLR2003

Or maybe ask Jos Maas' onemanband (http://home.zonnet.nl/josmaas/onemanband/index.htm) for a linux version??

I sincerely hope the linux world has an answer to these 'sonic' trends.

If the answer is yes, THEN you're hardware all-in-one concept would really shine.

Keep up the good work!

Chris, I think that most of us in this forum are interested in instruments which are easy to carry, and are concerned with the size and weight of the instruments. I will submit that the same logic which you apply to the 88-key instruments (which usually are not even portable enough to be frequently moved from gig to gig by a solo performer) should be applicable to the 76 key instruments (as in Ketron SD1).

However, there is also an alternative solution - Yamaha used it on one of the eraly PSRs, and I thought it was quite practical. They used a rotating cylinder under the keys, so that you could control it with your thumb or even a heel of your palm. I think this could be a good approach to keep the frame and size of the instrument short and light.

Another concern with the Neko/Liontracks - for any kind of studio functionality we would need a totally silent computer - no fans, and (preferrably) no disk. I am not sure that either one is addressing this problem.

Regareds,
Alex

I do remember that roll-bar-under-the-keys thing on the older PSRs. While it was certainly compact, it wouldn't be my first choice for a performance controller. Manufacturers have often used novely ideas for performance controls on portable keyboards. I guess it depends how important the pitch and mod controls are to each user. While some people never use them at all, certain pro players frequently have to have the performance wheel assemblies replaced because of excessive use.

The main issue with pitch wheel placement is not so much about whether it's at the top or bottom as it is about how close the wheel is to the side of the instrument. What's important is having somewhere to wrap your fingers, elevating your hand slightly so that the heel of your palm can move freely without rubbing against the front panel while your thumb operates the wheel. This can be accomplished effectively with wheels at the top or bottom, as long as they are close to the edge.

With mid-panel placement, the heel of your left hand will drag across the front panel; resricting the movement of your thumb on the wheel, making your hand sore and, over time, rubbing off the paint in a small arc. The only way to avoid this is to form a kind of spider with your fingers to get the heel of your hand off the panel. Although this works it's not a very stable anchor and you will need to keep adjusting the position of your hand.

This is probably more information than anybody wanted about pitch wheel placement! Sorry about that. It just so happens that I spent hundreds of hours researching this particular issue for a manufacturer once in a past life. Guess I need to get out more


[This message has been edited by Chris A (edited 11-20-2003).]

Hi Elle,

Reguarding Soundfonts as a dying business, thanks for the tip. I'm pretty out of touch. I think Benno and one of the other guys brought up the same point as you. It'll be simple enough to translate sample libraries to Soundfont libraries which is how we can view this. Make any sense?

Benno is the person who should reply to you but he's busy. He is developing the sampler that you're interested in and has reported excellent results. I'm under the impression that the sampler will be working when I recieve a MS prototype on November 27.

Reguarding sound libraries, Benno has been contacted by someone who I believe has asked us to not name them, yet. The person has sent Benno their library so it's very likely that everything will work out. Without naming the person I can only say that you already have. Is that vague and yet indicative enough? Ah, the beauty of vaporware.

Ron Parker

Hi Chris,

After reading your information, I checked a couple keyboards at the studio and both were designed with either joystick or wheels located so the player can wrap their fingers. Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the great information.

Ron Parker

Dear friends
just changed some hardware parts in the Mediastation.
For the Mediastation standard and Pro version I had change the LCD 8.2" 640X480 pixel in to TFT 8.4", 800X600 pixel, 18Bit color accelered and FULL Touchscreen!
Now is possible use the finger like the original mouse pointer in both 3 VGA OUT: Internal TFT, extelnal TFT and TV.
Each application may be controlled by finger, without use the standard mouse! It mean: Mozilla browser, emails, Audio editing, Ardur, Muse, Video application....all what you like, with mouse or your finger.

In the Mediastation standard, will remain the 2 wheels: Pitch bend and Modulation.
In the Mediastation Pro, ( AMD 3.2Ghz CPU) no wheels in the cover but 2 NEW Joystik Balls.
Joystik 1: Pitch bend and Modulation for the keyboard
Joystik 2: X-Y data entry controls, like for the lights Goldenscan, move the windows GUI or Video GUI....all what you want to do in realtime!

regards
Domenik

Hi guys
for your know, the distribution contract with Music Industries corporation is made!
jannuary 15 we are hosted by Music Industries corporation at the NAMM, HALL C, both#4334.

We come there with 2 mediastation, the standard and the Pro version
Each mediastation will shown with: external TFT 15" monitor, PLASMA TV 42 or 50", DSL cable for IM, LIVE videoconference, 2 main speaker and 2 monitor speakers. NO MIXER and more external device.

The all show will do by MEDIASTATION ONLY!

Cheers
domenik