Bassnectar Controller (Assist)
02nd September 2011, in Highlights, News/Blog ( Comments)
Some of you may have noticed frequent links to the artist Matt Moldover throughout the site. We’re friends and colleagues.
It’s a warm and fuzzy relationship — we’re genuinely interested in helping each other whenever possible. I believe we have a pretty clear idea of each other’s goals within this world of music technology: I prefer to be the “Business Dude” while he prefers to be the “Artist Dude.” But in order to get where we are, we both had to become MIDI controller experts.
This creates some overlap. Case in point: Matt’s recent gig creating a custom controller for Bassnectar. We shared resources to complete the project, though Matt is responsible for the bulk of the work. My contribution was minor, but Matt ensured I received credit for my contribution. That’s just the kind of guy he is.
Update — the controller (now with a silver top panel) is appearing in some great photos from a recent Las Vegas festival:
http://photo.rukes.com/edc12lvb/slides/edc12lvb_116.html
http://photo.rukes.com/edc12lvb/slides/edc12lvb_093.html
16 Comments
September 9, 2011 11:54 pm
BassNectar Controller
[...] Cross from 60Works Controllers and I teamed up to design this prototype custom controller for artist BassNectar. It’s based [...]
October 8, 2011 3:50 pm
will
curious as to the template that goes with the layout… similar to midi fighters I’ve seen. I’ve often wondered how you get everything done with such a simple yet obviously awesome controller.
the mojo is still imho the best and most creative I’ve seen. the touch strips, ergonomic layout, etc. just brilliant. it was ahead of it’s time. it’s time is now if not closely approaching.
think about re releasing it.
I know it would at least be around 1200$ if “mass” produced, obviously more so if a smaller quantity sell, but id buy it. I certainly wish I could put it on my music store credit cards.
October 8, 2011 5:02 pm
Dave Cross (@60works)
There are no fancy tricks in the hardware mapping itself. The controller doesn’t actively “do” much more than your typical drum pad, but it has a longer shelf life for a passionate performer like Bassnectar.
I haven’t seen the accompanying Live set, though. There’s a chance a single trigger sets off a giant chain of events.
November 30, 2011 3:54 pm
jimbo@DAE (@Twitter ID)
I’ll have 10 of those, please!!!
January 6, 2012 3:02 pm
Adam (@@crucializerrva)
I believe Bassnectar uses a modified version of the Trigger Finger DJ template created by his collaborator, ILL Gates. The templates for multiple formats are available here: http://illgates.com/music-tools/
Cheers
January 06 2012 15:15 pm
Dave Cross
Thanks, Adam!
March 15, 2012 2:20 pm
Custom MIDI Controllers by Dave Cross / 60 Works « Sounds Defy Gravity
[...] dream controller that he’ll put together for you. He’s collaborated with Matt Moldover on a MIDI controller for Bassnectar and he recently visited Richie Hawtin to talk shop about interface design for performance. What [...]
May 15, 2012 7:37 pm
Starchild
The newer version Lorin is using has buttons next to the knobs. and one knob on each controller glows red or green. Looks so solid and simple! I’m assuming these run on a very similar template to the one he was using with the trigger finger which is a modified Ill.Gates DJus ExMachina template. Will these be available for sale at any point?
May 21 2012 23:11 pm
Dave Cross
Thanks for the update Starchild. Moldover tells me he's worked on a number of revisions for their team since the original post.
No word yet on sales of such a device. Any news on that front will be shared ASAP on this site.
July 5, 2012 9:58 am
Nolan W (@Twitter ID)
I think that the Red/Green knob on the newest edition of the controller is the knob mapped to tempo and it is the bright color in order to insure not accidentally grabbing that knob during a performance and freaking the tempo when he is actually reaching for his HPF or something like that.
Ill Gates actually takes the cap off of the fader that he has mapped for tempo on his Trigger Finger in order to prevent accidentally adjusting it by mistake. Very simple yet elegant solution to leave that control available but minimize the accidental adjustment of it.
July 25 2012 20:05 pm
Dave Cross @60works
Sitting next to one of these suckers as we speak. The bright green knob is merely fluorescent masking tape.
Still no update on sales, but watch this space for possible details!
March 27, 2013 9:35 pm
How the biggest electronic acts play their music live | buttons&knobs
[...] replaced the twin Trigger Fingers with a pair of Custom 60Works Controllers…so [...]
May 16, 2013 1:18 am
Dennis (@Twitter ID)
Any news on selling similar ones? Def interested here!
December 2, 2013 5:41 am
15 Concept Controllers That Didn’t Take Off | NUTesla | The Informant
[...] of launching the Midi Fighter 3D and working on other products at the same time, we decided to pass the project on to our friends 60Works, who teamed up with Moldover to build the same design, in use on tour [...]
December 2, 2013 11:29 am
15 Concept Controllers That Didn’t Take Off | DJ TechTools
[...] of launching the Midi Fighter 3D and working on other products at the same time, we decided to pass the project on to our friends 60Works, who teamed up with Moldover to build the same design, in use on tour [...]
September 20, 2014 7:25 pm
brian crim
Is there a way to get one of those?