Hardware MIDI Controllers
While not essential, MIDI controllers can be useful tools when connected to a digital audio workstation. It should be noted that MIDI controllers create and transmit data to trigger sounds on a connected soſtware/hardware platform. Unlike digital keyboard or synthesizer, they do not have any onboard sounds and thus cannot function as standalone devices. Tere are many makes and models to choose from, ranging in price, number of keys, trigger pads, and modula- tion switches. Below is a short list of highly rated sub-$100 controllers. Te term ‘mini’ implies ultra-portable models with reduced key size and footprint. Some models feature trigger pads allowing users to start/stop musical cues, or to generate rhythm tracks. All connect to a computer (PC or MAC) via standard USB connections.
Arturia MiniLab MkII • Keys: 25 • Trigger Pads: Yes • Price: $99
Korg microKEY2 37 Mini-Key Controller • Keys: 37 • Trigger Pads: None • Price: $99.99
M-Audio Keystation • Keys: 49 • Trigger Pads: No • Price: $99
M-Audio Keystation Mini II • Keys: 32 • Trigger Pads: No • Price: $49
Nektar IMPACT LX • Keys 25 • Trigger Pads: Yes • Price: $99
Novation Launchkey Mini Keyboard Controller • Keys: 25 • Trigger Pads: Yes • Price: $99.99
Pearson LittleBits (by Korg) • Pricing o Individual: $159.00 o Educational Pricing: Class Pack - $1779.95 (6 sets for 3-18 students)
LittleBits makes STEAM technology kits for educational purposes. Kits are modular and consist of student friend- ly color-coded, magnetic building blocks that easily snap together without soldering, programing or wiring. All components (regardless of specific kit) are designed to be
interchangeable which creates some intriguing inventive possibilities (e.g. ‘smart home’ controls, robots, and digital instruments). To that point, the ‘Synth Kit’ co-designed with KORG will certainly appeal to music educators in STEM-focused schools. A starter ‘synth kit’ arrives with the following modules: delay, envelope, filter, keyboard, micro sequencer, oscillator, mix, power, randomizer, split module and speakers. Te accompanying ‘Invention Guide-Book’ is written with the layperson (i.e. non-technologist) in mind and provides jargon-free, step-by-step instructions that scale up from basic musical circuits to advanced ‘daisy chained’ creations. Te guide is available for free on the LittleBits website:
http://d2q6sbo7w75ef4.cloudfront.net/ SYNTH-booklet.pdf
Pocket Operator
Link:
https://www.teenageengineering.com/products/po Price: Starting from $49
Pocket-Operators (possibly a play on pocket calculator) are a family of small ultra-portable music devices. Tese palm- sized devices are essentially a streamlined PC board with onboard sounds, step-sequencers, patterns and effects. Built in speakers and microphone, efficient twin AAA battery operation (2-year standby time), and its low cost (starting at $49) make these devices effective as stand-alone or inte- grated options. Different models can be synchronized and connected to each other and other modular synthesizers, expanding the sonic palette. Models include drum machine units, bass line generators, samplers, sequencers, instru- mental and vocal synthesizers
Web-Based Sharing
For students seeking to share their original music online SoundCloud and BandCamp are two feasible options. Tese platforms allow individuals to upload, share, and discover new music via a variety of devices. While both allow free streaming, they diverge in pricing tiers for uploads and the dominant genres present.
Soundcloud • Link:
https://soundcloud.com/ • Focus:
o Discovering, sharing and promoting original music in a community
o Lots of musical draſts and singles o Dominant genres - Electronica and Hip Hop
• Pricing: o Varies for uploads (listening to streams is free) o Royalties/Payments for streams: None o Partner Account: Price – Free | Upload quota – 3 Hours
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