Please welcome the latest entry from Korg into the USB controller market, the microKEY. At only $99, this little keyboard is the perfect choice for Sibelius, Finale, GarageBand, Mixcraft, or any of your favorite music software programs.
The microKEY is slim, lightweight, USB powered and compatible with all of your computer music software; use it to create your own compact and customized command center.
Here are the key features:
* USB MIDI keyboard – thin, lightweight, and USB-powered
* 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys
* Comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard
* Octave Shift and Key Transpose features access the full MIDI note range
* Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels add expression to your performance
* Dual USB ports are ideal for adding Korg’s nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL
(or other USB devices) to your setup
If you are a fan of the size and portability of our best selling Korg nanoKEY, the microKey is the logical next step to a slightly more robust controller with a more natural key feel. You can really play this little keyboard and with a very small footprint, and a great price, it is the perfect addition to your home or office music production setup.
For all of you iPad owners/users out there, by now you have probably heard of the two amazing iPad apps from Korg – iElectribe and the iMS-20. These two apps are among the highest rated music making apps on the Apple Store, and it is no surprise considering what you get when you purchase them. Unlike any other hardware manufacturer, Korg is releasing apps that are truly as close to the hardware devices that they emulate as you can get. I have purchased both for my own personal iPad, and have not been able to put them down. The iElectribe is every bit as good as the amazing hardware device from Korg. All of the original presets are there, it is very intuitive to navigate, and it sounds amazing. All you need to do is plug this thing into an amplifier and you are ready to go. The iMS-20 goes one or two steps further than the classic MS-20. Similar to the popular Korg DS-10, the iMS-20 includes the amazing Korg Kaoss pad controllers, and a pattern sequencer. You can really make some amazing sounds and songs with it.
Not surprisingly, there are already tons of how-to videos on YouTube. We have included two of them below. If you are a musician and an iPad owner, you must download these apps today. After viewing these videos, we are sure that you will.
Already own these apps? What do you think of them? We’d love to hear from you.
Sponsored by the Technology Institute for Music Educators (TI:ME) www.ti-me.org
SoundTree, Soundbeam UK, and TI:ME invite you to join us at one of our FREE* one-day Soundbeam workshops offered in the northeast US. Our workshops are designed for music educators and therapists who are interested in exploring how the Soundbeam system provides a medium through which even profoundly physically disabled or learning impaired individuals can become expressive and communicative using music and sound.
For folks who are new to the Soundbeam system, the workshop offers a wonderful opportunity to learn how the Soundbeam can be used in your own classrooms or therapy sessions. For current owners of the Soundbeam system, this workshop offers a chance to sharpen your Soundbeam skills.
The morning session of each workshop is Working with the Soundbeam 5. This session will include an introduction to what the Soundbeam is and how it works, and provide a working knowledge of how to navigate and use the system. The afternoon session of each workshop is Pracitcal Applications of the Soundbeam 5. This session will cover case studies and examples of the Soundbeam being used as a therapy device and used in the general music classroom.
To register for a Soundbeam workshop, simply click on this link. Act 48 continuing education credit hours available for Pennsylvania educators – be sure to include your PA DOE Professional Personal ID below.
*All Soundbeam workshops are free EXCEPT for Friday, November 12th at The Penn Stater Hotel. The Penn State workshop will cost $20 and includes a full lunch buffet and coffee/snack breaks during the workshop. Payment details for The Penn Stater workshop will be sent via email upon registration.
Yesterday I came across a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages who are creating music and digital media with computers. The International Competition for Young Media Creatives is a European competition but it is open to any student worldwide. It is sponsored by the SAE Institute in Frankfurt, Germany.
There are a number of different categories. They include: Music Production, Multimedia, Short Film, 3D FX/Animation, and Creativity First. The prize in each category is pretty impressive: an iMac and 3,000 Euros. For more information, visit their “>website. Please pass this on to anyone who you think might have students who would be interested in entering the competition. Good Luck!
A few years ago I was interviewed for an article written by Scott Watson in Music Education Technology Magazine that asked music educators what three pieces of technology would they choose to have if they were stranded on a desert island. My answers at the time were: the Korg GEC3 Group Education Controller, GarageBand, and Sibelius. There were two other teachers interviewed, and I find reading the article very interesting. Different teachers gravitate to different technologies – none of us had the same response. I recommend reading the article to see how educators use technology in their music programs.
Now that I am officially out of the classroom, my choices have changed a bit. My top three technology choices now are: the MicroTrack II from M-Audio, my Korg microKONTROL, and my Korg Kaossilator (surprise, surprise). The MicroTrack II is the most convenient hand-held MP3 recorder, and I literally have it with me at all times. Whenever I am presenting a session, or want to record audio, I pull the MicroTrack II out of my bag and press record. It is literally that easy. My other two choices may seem skewed (as Korg is my employer) but I have had my micrKONTROL for five years and many who know me usually see me with it slung over my shoulder. It is the perfect USB controller – 16 pads, a great control surface, and 37 mini keys. Portable and powerful, it is always on my desk or in my bag. Finally, it should come as no surprise that the Kaossilator rounds out my top three. I have never had so much fun with a piece of gear before. Everyone that I show it to does not want to give it back. Sibelius and GarageBand still are at the top of my list, but since leaving th classroom, I have been using them a little bit less. Reason 4.0, the Blue Snowball USB microphone, and ProTools would round out my top 8 picks.
So now it is your turn. What would you take with you to a desert island? You have to choose only 3 things (I know it is difficult). I’d love to get a big response on this so please pass it on to your friends and colleagues.
I read on Wired.com today about a very interesting upcoming event in Detroit, MI. The story is about how Asimo, one of the most well known robots (which is made by Honda), will conduct the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on an upcoming concert. The concert is more of a kick-off commercial for a long-term partnership between the orchestra and the car manufacturer who has donated $1 million dollars to the “Power of Dreams” education fund.
Honda will film the event, which takes place on Tuesday, May 13th. Attendees will include students from the Detroit School of the Arts. When the film is posted on their site, I will post a link to it here.
So what do you think? Shameless commercial? Interesting idea? Can a robot actually conduct a professional orchestra? What genius is programming it? Will the musicians actually follow it? Is this good for classical music? Has the Detroit Symphony “jumped the shark”? I’d love to hear from you.
I justed posted a podcast containing two compositions that we recorded yesterday with the Kaossilator Orkestra at the Franklin Avenue Middle School in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
The structure of the first piece is based on Morse Code. After giving the students a drum loop, they spelled words using the Kaossilator from Korg. This is the third time we have rehearsed together as a group and I am finding that having a system like Morse Code (giving the students a tactile direction) is more successful than some of the other pieces that I have written out for them.
The second piece is based on Braille. We chose the word “Rainbow” because there were 7 students yesterday. Each student was assigned a letter from the word and then given direction on how to create each letter using Braille.
I was very pleased with the results as the pieces are more controlled than some of the ones we tried in earlier rehearsals. The concept of the Kaossilator Orkestra is becoming clearer as we move forward. Personally, I am thrilled by the possibilities for this type of group in the school setting. What do you think? Could you see an ensemble like this in your school?
Before reading any further, if you haven’t already seen the video, take a moment and watch a great video on YouTube called iBand. They have a few other videos as well that you might be interested in.
What do you think?
I believe that this is another example of how music is changing and how it is the students that we teach that will reshape the way music educators approach performance ensembles in the future. That might seem like a bold statement, but I am a firm believer that the technology shown in the video makes music making very inviting for students. While the tune might not be the best composition ever created, it shows how innovative kids can be. Take two iPhones and a Nintendo DS and Voila! you’ve got a band. Instead of fearing that traditional performing ensembles will die because of technology (a huge over reaction) I believe that music educators have an opportunity to bring performance experiences to many more students than those who are currently a member of a performing ensemble at school. Ask yourself how many students (what percentage) in your school are members of the band, chorus, or orchestra? 10%? 20%? 30%? Even the best music programs in America would be fortunate to have more than a 50% participation rate? What about the vast amount of students who will never have an opportunity to perform? Sure, you might have a Battle of the Bands once a year to showcase some of the millions of kids who play guitar, bass, drums or keyboard. I’ll bet that many of the students who are not performers at school are closet performers at home, using the same technology that the iBand uses. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have every student performing? Do you think that technology could make that happen? Websites that offer free software downloads that contain music making opportunities level the playing field in terms of socioeconomic status. Are the iBand members musical even if they are not playing “instruments”?
I’d love to hear from you and your students. Perhaps you could show the students the video and get their reactions. Have them post their comments here! Are you an iBand fan?
In an effort to promote a bit more discourse on my blog, I have posted the following question that I believe should generate quite a few comments: Which notation program do you prefer: Sibelius or Finale and why? I will remain neutral on this one. The point of this entry is to investigate why people prefer one program over the other to see if any themes emerge. So…it’s your turn! Please take a moment to post your opinion on this question, or post a reaction to something that has already been posted. I look forward to hearing from you!
Today I am in San Antonio, TX for the 2008 TMEA Conference, and I have to say, I’ve never seen anything like this. It is by far the largest music educator conference I have ever attended. When I was here 4 years ago for the TI:ME National Conference I spent all of my time presenting, so I didn’t get a chance to visit the exhibit hall. Yesterday I spent the whole day working in the SoundTree booth and I was absolutely amazed by the size of it all! There are more exhibitors than any other show, more teachers, and it is extremely well run.
Dr. Thomas Rudolph is here with SoundTree and he presented a very informative session on Digital Audio for Music Educators. To view his session materials, visit the SoundTree TMEA 2008 page.
On a slightly more personal note, last night I had the pleasure of celebrating Jody Underwoods’ 30th Birthday (the SoundTree Southern Account Manager). The highlight of the evening was Jody taking over on piano at Durty Nellies and performing Billy Joel’s Piano Man. He received a well deserved standing ovation – but I don’t think the house piano player was too thrilled! Happy Birthday Jody!
