Producer
TECH
TECH SPEC
USB buss powered
SEQUEnCEr
Mac 0SX and PC
(Windows/Vista)
Works with Cubase, Logic,
SIdEKICK
Reason and ProTools
LCD parameter display
22 buttons and 21 LEDs
Jog and shuttle strip
Frontier’s new
PRICE-
Digital Audio £170
Workstation controller,
CONTACT
the Alphatrack, is so
frontierdesign.com
much more than a
glorified channel fader...
SMALL BUT PERFECTLY formed, Fron-
tier’s Alphatrack is the latest desktop
controller for sequencer software and
promises to free up desktop space whilst
offering countless creative possibilities.
Modelled on a single channel of a studio
mixing desk, the controls are logically
laid out with a 100mm motorised channel
fader on the left, three touch-sensitive
encoders at the top and a range of but-
tons in the middle, which expand its use
beyond that of a simple channel strip.
After installing the drivers, Alphatrack
will show up as a control surface in the
Digital Audio Workstation. Select an audio
or instrument track and the Alphtrack
will automatically follow the software
focus and adjust its parameter readouts
VERDICT
to match. This means that the motorised
The middle section has four function but-
channel fader will snap to a new position.
BUILD QUALITY 4.0
tons that perform different tasks, depend-
Sitting alongside the fader are illuminated
EASE OF USE 4.5
ing on the current mode. Below them is a
buttons that cover essential functions, like
FEATURES 4.5
pair of track selection buttons and another
VALUE FOR MONEY 4.0
record, solo, mute and shift.
for loop and flip.
depending on whether you tap towards the SOUND QUALITY N/A
A trio of encoders work hand-in-hand
The transport section sits below and is well
middle or nearer the edges.
with the selection buttons below them.
thought out with a couple of nice touches,
Between them they can be used to select
HYPE
such as the rewind/forward buttons —
As channel strip controllers go, Alphatrack
Take control of all the main
and edit EQs, plug-ins, track automation,
these will shuttle at increasing speeds
functions of the virtual mixing
is a surprisingly good new additon to the
pan and sends. The encoders work well for
desk..
with subsequent tapping.
market, boasting a vaster range of func-
precise settings because they are dented
A further enhancement comes in the
tions compared to its nearest rival from
GRIPE
at the middle, while the LCD gives a
shape of the shuttle strip that enables
Presonus.
The encoder buttons are a bit
continuous readout of the current function
on the short side.
users to scroll along the timeline from left
Many of these extra functions cut down
— including plug-in parameters.
to right using a fingertip.
on time spent swapping between mouse
A cleverly designed controller
This means it is totally possible to load up
Users can either do this with a smooth
for mixing and recording with
and controller so —after getting to know
a plug-in, edit the parameters and record
lots of useful extras.
gliding motion or by tapping on either
what it’s capable of — the Alphatrack will
automation all from the Alphatrack — all
the left or right half of the strip. This
feel like a proper extension of the virtual
in a seamless workflow.
advances the play head in increments and
mixing desk
can be varied from one to four-bar blocks,
4/5
SPiCE UP programmed Kaoscillator live certain key sounds (kicks MANY SEQUENCERS have a
recordings by playing effects performance pad synth. and snares) free from randomisation/
live over the top onto a new distortion. Try subtle humanisation quantisation
channel. Re-sequence bits THE KEY TO distorting a distortion or saturation to function, good for adding a
TIPS
that don’t work and repeat sound without distorting the the beats to adjust the wonky feel to some
the bits that do. Ideally, use track is to only focus on contrast. elements.
something like Korg’s certain elements and leave
www.djmag.com
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DJ470.tech_producer.indd 109 16/1/09 16:03:13
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