question about an instrument

[Hugo Haesaert]

Hi -b and all !

Long post this, but could give some inspiration too .  This will put the
info in the archives too :)

Re-forwarding a forwarded post, so DO NOT EMAIL ME about this .

Happy reading .


Keep 'em oscillating :)


Hugo
=

*******Quote*start***DO*NOT*EMAIL*ME*******************************


Date sent:      	Mon, 09 Nov 1998 10:31:24 -0600
To:             	analogue at hyperreal.org, digitalhell at resrocket.com,
       	user-forum at waldorf-gmbh.de, xpansions at synthcom.com
From:           	Mark Pulver <mpulver at midiwall.com>
Subject:        	[Digital_Hell] Notron Sequencer Info


This just showed up on the Nord Modular list... I figured that I'd forward
it around a bit...


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Reply to: Brana Gavrilovic <vgavrilo at direct.ca>

http://www.nscience.com (not up yet)



My name is Brana and I am involved with Latronic in North America. You are
able to order the units through me when and if you're interested.  In
comparison to something like Cubase, where the Notron shines is in the
real-time control area.  You have the use of many knobs, buttons and data
wheels for manipulating midi in ways nothing else can.  In addition, where
it is also useful is in the programming department.  It is quite easy to
add things like pitch and controller information at the step level.  If
you're drum module allows lets say decay, filter or tone to be controlled
via midi controllers, than that info can be inputted into the Notron so
that for example each bass step has a different pitch.  In addition, it
allows for happy accidents as it will coax sounds out of your gear that
you though were never possible due to the way it manipulates MIDI. Please
read below to get a sense of some of its features.


The company is currently  back ordered for about a month (I just hooked up
with them).  Also, I'll let you in on a little secret:  they're
re-designing the product and will be releasing a Notron 2 in January. 
Will look slightly different (will have a metal shell instead of the
current plastic one) but will be able to do everything the original one
can plus more.  There will undoubtedly be a waiting list for this one too,
so if you want one then let me know and I'll put you on it. Here's a
little bit of info + sales pitch I received from the Latronic people on
the original Notron.  If you have any questions just ask.  Pricing depends
on the exchange rate, but should be somewhere around $1050 US or $1,600
CDN (which includes all taxes and shipping).  Here goes:


"You may have already spotted that Notron is unlike other midi
controllers. We have dared to escape from the boring restrictions of black
box technology, and design something new, sexy and fun. Having spent years
suffering from the dry-eye and R.S.I. of constant sequencer abuse we
decided to find an alternate route to mouse driven music, something more
naturally intuitive. What we needed was a human-midi interface that even
the musically challenged could use to create agreeable new sounds, and yet
would still enable the professional musician to explore interesting fresh
territory. We also wanted an instrument that looked and felt good, knobs
that really made a difference, and lots and lots of flashing lights. We
wanted user-friendly control of midi information with instant response;
basically the ability to do immediately things that take forever with a
sequencer. It would manipulate the serious user’s midi data with fascist
precision yet take the phrase ‘happy accident’ to a new plateau. It would
make midi sounds behave more like analogue. This wondrous device would be
backwards compatible with existing midi sequencing set-ups,be able to
control or be controlled by them, and inject organic life into midi
composing. So here it is. Notron. The all singing all dancing Midi machine
that does all this and more. A new and exciting accessory matching your
musical career.

Aimed at both the amateur and professional musician and DJ, and perfect
for in-house soundtrack composition; Notron is a midi composing and
controlling instrument. It has 4 elements.

Each element has 16 steps (remember old drum machines ?) each step with
it’s own 3 colour LED.

Each element can be assigned a different midi channel, has it’s own
control wheel and knobs to adjust note numbers, velocity, notelength,
etc... basically any midi controller information can be applied manually
or automatically. All steps can also be individually adjusted with all the
above parameters.

All events can be controlled in real time. Notron can play sequences from
22 bpm to 220 bpm. (actually up to 1500 bpm but if you wanna go that fast
you'll need insurance.) Notron can also be slaved to permit complete midi
control of already recorded midi tracks, or for spontaneous live work.
Using a combination of 87 tri colour LEDs, 102 buttons and 14 Rotary
Controls Notron provides OVER SIXTY SERIOUSLY USEFUL FUNCTIONS, including:

1. NOTE CONTROL. All notes on all steps on all elements can be
individually set for pitch, velocity and length in real time.

2. EVENT PROGRAMMING. Events such as chords, strummed notes, transpose
events, pitch bend and controllers can be programmed on to any step on any
element. Highly textured combinations of notes/samples can be easily and
quickly created.

3. BEATWRAP. Automatically alters the pitch of a sample (usually drum
sample loop) to fit in exactly the same way as it is currently fitting in
the sequence to any new B.P.M. by pressing a key and rotating the tempo
wheel. On the fly!

4. SUPERSTEP. A unique feature which allows the user to place preset
waveforms onto the sequence to alter pitchbend, aftertouch or any other
controller, simultaneously if desired.  The presets can be fully
manipulated and customized in real time using control knobs.

5. SCALE ASSIGN. Assigns one of 32 preset scales to an element and then
transposes the sequence to play only correct notes within the key of that
scale.

6. REBOUND. Sets the chosen element to play its’ sequence of notes/events
forwards then backwards.More interesting than it sounds on paper!

7. STRUM UP/DOWN. Plays the notes of a formed chord in a variety of
styles/speeds/direction via a key press.

8. SEQUENCE SHIFT. Allows the sequence of notes on the 4 elements to be
shifted relative to each other by any amount (within the chosen resolution
of the element/s) whilst the sequences are playing.

9. LOOP POINTS. The length of a sequence can easily be chosen to create
interesting timing cycles with other elements. 7/11 time ?...No problem.

10. ECHO. Up to 4 completely different echo settings can be applied at
once. They are always in time and can be altered in delay,repeats and
decay.

11. STEP OVERDRIVE. Sets a controllable amount of retriggering of a chosen
step. Incredible results on drum loop samples.

12. LOCKED STEPS. Stops a step from being altered while all around it can
be changed. eg; lock kick drum step then alter all others on element.

13. CONTROLLER WHEELS. The 4 element wheels can be assigned to affect
controller numbers, eg; panning, reverb, modulation and brightness (or any
other combination) and then applied in real time to the sequence. Can
produce mind bending results!

MUSICAL DIRECTION; We have found that users inevitably create the type of
music that THEY want to hear.

COMFORT; The unique shape of the casing enables the user to comfortably
operate the instrument from his or her lap. Get your feet up and relax
into it.

MEMORY; Work in progress?...save that Masterpiece. Patterns and Midi
setups can be saved internally, then chained for playback with
non-destructive sound manipulation.

PIN NUMBER SECURITY; Yep! If your Notron is stolen it will demand a unique
key sequence with over 10,000 permutations, or it will be completely
unusable. At least giving you the satisfaction that it can’t be used or
sold by the thieving ******!

NEW FUNCTIONS!!!
Sysex dump, Virtual Recording, More Scales, Kill Consecutives, Beatcreep:
human feel shuffle, Independent Echo, Midi Kill, Remote control, etc....

here's a few quotes:

"In the studio Notron took me on a voyage of discovery which has caused me
to reassess something I once firmly believed - namely, that no machine can
inspire... the Notron is wonderful." SOUND ON SOUND

"Using Notron like an analogue sequencer of old is FAB!"
FUTURE MUSIC

"This is the gadget I've been awaiting for years. Notron makes everything
tweakable on playback...create looping textures unlike anything you'd play
from a keyboard." SOUND ON SOUND

Anyone who says all music has already  been done obviously never had
a Notron."
ANDY HUGHES of THE ORB

The Latronic Notron is a sequencer that will inspire all who touch it to
experiment  with rhythm and explore tomorrows music." DJ MAGAZINE

"For trance, ambient or techno it's unbeatable - especially if you have
live performance in mind." MAKING MUSIC

"It's become an integral part of the studio here. I keep on trying to NOT
tell people about it - but I just can't help myself! It's a fantastic
machine." KEV at THE ORBIT CLUB

"It's a cross between a four-track sequencer and a very powerful MIDI
controller...the thing is just filled to bursting with capability. When I
finally hit the sack I had coloured lights flashing before my eyes and
wondrous new music ringing in my ears." MAKING MUSIC MAGAZINE

"I've used Notron on everything I've done since I got it!"
DJ CLAUDE YOUNG

"My new album is done ONLY using Notron - it's my only sequencer.
I've done ten tracks so far - two to go - it's a brilliant machine!
Also, all the singles I've done in the last 8 months have been on my
Notron."
DJ JAMES RUSKIN JANUARY 98

"We recently did a liveperformance using Notron into a couple of Nord
Leads which was really exciting and I'm now working with Sun Electric
using Notron which is very interesting." PRODUCER THOMAS FEHLMAN (BERLIN)

"I use Notron at the centre of my setup to get some really unexpected
sounds out of all sorts of synths. It's great for overdubbing percussive
passes because you can sync to existing tracks and add something
different." PRODUCER GARETH JONES at THE STRONGROOM LONDON


Brana Gavrilovic
vgavrilo at direct.ca
New Science Music
http://www.nscience.com


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