The Reward for Kindness

A few weeks ago, while thinking of more ways to keep from spending more money, I said to myself, "Hey, this clip launching in Ableton Live would be so much easier with a touch screen!" The concept would be similar to the hardware MIDI controllers on the market for Live (e.g. Akai's APC line, or Ableton's Push). I considered the alternatives: add a touch screen to my existing laptop, purchase a new all in one computer, design a monster computer and include a touch screen like the ones we have at work - all expensive propositions. What about one of those computers that doubles as a tablet (e.g Microsoft Surface)? I started looking around online. I saw a thorough review of running Live on the Surface. Seemed to be some issues. Finally, I wondered if there were any Android apps that function as MIDI controllers. Whadaya know about that? There are MIDI controllers on Android. I also saw a video of someone using remote desktop to run Live from their tablet.

I decided to check out a controller app specifically designed to work with Live. After the 15 minute trial I was sold! Why? At a 90-95% savings over buying a hardware controller, I could have essentially the same functionality. So I went ahead and bought two of the four modules available for the app.

Like all Android apps, there were a few issues, and I had a few questions about using the app. I contacted the developer, letting him know first of all that I loved the app, so that he would understand my questions were not complaints, but observations so he could help me understand which issues were limitations of my hardware, and which may be "features" of the software. I provided a lot of details. I also noted to him that between the time I started using the app and when I wrote the email, I added a faster hard drive and increased the memory on my laptop (that I'm using as my music workstation), and that this improved PC performance resolved some of the issues. I also offered some ideas regarding features I would like to see in the future.

The developer was greatly appreciative of my feedback, and responded quickly with answers, recommendations and intentions to correct some issues. He also offered to provide me the other two modules for free because of my helpful feedback. Sometimes it pays to be kind.

In any case, that app is called LK (available for Android or iPad). Here's a demo of the app.

I actually used this app to rearrange one of the assignments from that Intro to Ableton course. Here's my posting from Soundcloud.


There, so I'm not just talking about it. I'm actually making music. You need to go make some too!

Until next time. . .