This modular MIDI Controller concept builds on the inventive format of the ROLI Blocks

The term Modular has a long tryst with music production, from the very concept of modular synthesis to modularity in DAWs, to the more recent modular ROLI blocks system which lets you build an extendable and customizable music setup just by snapping different units together like they were puzzle pieces. Juan Manuel Martinez Prieto’s modular MIDI controller builds on the kind of easy-to-use modular nature of the ROLI blocks. The MIDI controller concept (which remains nameless at the time) relies on multiple parts that come together to create a nifty music-production kit that’s easy to set up, carry, and use.

The overall design of Prieto’s MIDI controller feels like a cross between the styles of ROLI and Teenage Engineering (arguably two of my favorite brands), with a little speckled CMF to just make things more pretty! A parametric equalizer sits on the top, controlled by a set of 5 rotary knobs below. You’ve got two sliders on the side, along with a jogdial that I assume is a Master Volume control, and finally a series of 6 light-up pads that let you play anything from synths to drum-sets. Additionally, the MIDI Controller even comes with its own stand that lets you prop it up, so you can produce music on the fly, or have the kit standing at your deejay table without occupying too much space!

Designer: Juan Manuel Martinez Prieto

Jenga Master Stacks 518 Blocks on a Single Vertical Plank

When I play Jenga, I’m lucky to get maybe 10 levels high before the whole tower comes tumbling down and scattering pieces all over the floor. But there are some serious Jenga experts out there who can do much better. Take this guy going by the moniker “lamlei” who claims to have stacked more than 500 Jenga blocks all on top of a single block.

To top it off, they put a little chair on top of their creation. All it needs now is a LEGO minifig doing a handstand on top of that and I’ll consider it done. Honestly, I don’t think I could get three Jenga planks to stack on top of a single vertical plank, and this guy managed to do it with 518, which as far as Reddit is concerned, is a world record of some sort. Since Guinness probably didn’t have one of their judges standing in the room to authenticate the feat, they might have something different to say about that claim. I’m still mighty impressed, and you should be too.

I’d like to see how many pieces they could remove from the center of this structure and place back on top before it collapsed. After all, there are official Jenga rules to be followed, no?

[via reddit]

A kit for the musician on the move!

I’ve always admired what ROLI does for two reasons. ROLI’s approach to music making has been unconventional and innovative because A. you don’t really need to be proficient at an instrument to make music, and B. they design their products in a way where interaction is so universal, a piano can sound like a violin, so said product can cater to a pianist as well as a violinist. This fluid and experiment-encouraging approach makes ROLI’s products somewhat of a universal standard for musicians and music aficionados.

Take for instance the Songmaker Kit. It contains the three products that make up the ROLI catalog, merged into one super-product, like some sort of Power Ranger Megazord. Combining the functionality brought by ROLI’s seaboard and the power blocks, you can literally make music on the go by connecting the entire setup to your phone or tablet. More of a hardcore guy? The Songmaker even connects to your laptop/desktop, allowing you to leverage the freedom of MIDI with the power of your digital audio workstation. Because inspiration can strike anytime, so you should be able to too!

Designer: Roland Lamb (ROLI)

Click Here to Buy Now

roli_songmaker_3

roli_songmaker_1

roli_songmaker_2

roli_songmaker_4

roli_songmaker_5

roli_songmaker_6

roli_songmaker_7

roli_songmaker_8

Click Here to Buy Now