The BBC shared this video, from 1990, that offers a vintage look at MIDI and what it meant for the future of music-making.
MIDI was introduced in 1983, and was initially used as a standard for connecting hardware devices. But, as the video highlights, musicians were quickly connecting computers to hardware, via MIDI, which would lead to decades of innovation in how music is recorded, arranged and performed.
Video Summary:
“Kate Bellingham explores the exciting possibilities afforded to electronic music fans by MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface – which can connect together a whole host of electronic instruments and audio devices through a computer.
MIDI enables a single person to play, record and edit entire musical compositions. Composer Clive Williamson is an avid user of the technology, and demonstrates his setup – a synthesiser hooked up to an Atari ST computer running the Notator sequencing software. With a bit of arm-twisting, Chris is able to convince Kate and Techno co-presenter Mat Irvine to pick up an oboe and guitar and accompany him for a live performance.
Clip taken from Techno, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 5 March, 1990.”
The Dreadbox Artemis – a 6-voice analog synthesizer in desktop module format, is now available to pre-order.
The Artemis is a 6-voice desktop polyphonic analog synthesizer, with 2 VCOs with wave shaping, PWM and FM, High and Low Pass VCFs, 4 Sinevibes effects, polyphonic sequencer and 640 presets on board.
The company says “Built upon classic Dreadbox DNA, the Artemis brings a whole new polyphonic dimension to the Dreadbox family of analog synths.”
Features:
2x VCO with waveshape, PWM, FM.
1x Sub wave and Noise generator.
1x 24/12dB super creamy and chartered Low Pass resonant filter with keyboard tracking, drive and oscillator / noise FM.
1x High Pass filter.
2XADSR envelopes, one dedicated to VCA and one for LP filter
Cutoff and VCO FM Amount with smart, user-friendly control
640 presets— 10 banks of 64 each •
2x Poly LFOs with BPM sync, Fade IN, various waves and cross-mod controlling VCO pitch, VCF CUT, VCO WAVE and VCO PW.
Master stereo field spread.
4 Full stereo SINEVIBES effects
Distortion / Bit Crash
Modulation effects (Chorus, Ensemble, etc)
Polyphonic sequencer
Arpeggiator
MPE compatible
Polyphonic Aftertouch.
Mod Wheel, Aftertouch and velocity modulation matrix.
The Artemis is available now to pre-order, with a street price of about $1,399. Details are still to come at the Dreadbox site.
