gs.clipStep
Peter Kirn, in talking about the Lemur update; “Just like the old days of hooking up a sequencer modular to a bay of analog synths via patch cords, the Lemur becomes the sequencer and software like Ableton Live simply the sound source.” CreateDigitalMusic
I think that this is, somehow, an idea that we have not really explored as much as we should have. I have focused on the idea of using my monome as an extension of my computer software for a few years now. My very first thought about the monome was “this is exaclty what is missing from drum sequencing with a computer! Buttons!” Of course, there is more to the momome as mlr and the like convey, but I am, to this day surprised at the lack of a physical interface for, say, ultrabeat. I really don’t think any software company should start making hardware, but APIs for people who WANT to make hardware. Hopefully, some of the work coming out of Max for Live can help act as an example.
I am, actually, pretty daggum happy with clipstep, even on an 8×8 grid. (although, the completion of it has inspired me to buy leds for my second kit that has been silently waiting for oh so long.) It feels like I am much closer to using live like my EMX1. I love the EMX and drum machines like it, but my ideas are trapped in there. Live clips are easy enough to convert to MIDI. I have HUNDREDS of ideas trapped in Reason, which i love, but as a playground.