At the intersection of technology and creativity, there’s a marvelous playground where one can find a multitude of novel applications. One such entrant is ‘Midi Touchbar’, an innovative application crafted by the inventive mind(s?) of Urban Lienert. The brilliance of this application is that it pushes the boundaries of traditional musical composition and performance by reimagining the utilization of our everyday tech gadgets.
Midi Touchbar is specifically designed to leverage the unused potential of the MacBook’s Touch Bar, transforming it into a music controller that sends MIDI signals to your digital audio workstation (DAW). The result? A seamless, on-the-go music-making experience that allows you to exercise your creativity wherever you have your MacBook.
Upon installing Midi Touchbar, I immediately found myself drawn to its user-friendly interface. The software provides an impressively straightforward way of mapping the Touch Bar to various DAW controls. For example, one can manipulate volume levels, navigate through a track, adjust EQ parameters, or even play musical notes, all from the petite expanse of the Touch Bar.
Functionality is key, but the true charm of Midi Touchbar lies in its customization options. It is built on the principle of adaptability, allowing the users to tailor the Touch Bar layout to their own unique needs. You can create your own set of controls, accommodating anything from simple transport (play, pause, etc) controls, surprisingly playable 2 octave keyboards, all the way to intricate setups for live performances.
Included are control surface templates for several common DAWs, namely Ableton Live, Steinberg’s Cubase, and Bitwig Studio. However, even if you use something I didn’t mention, the app is more than straightforward for developing your own template.
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That said, any software review would be incomplete without addressing potential limitations. In the case of Midi Touchbar, the main concern is compatibility. Currently, the software is only compatible with MacBooks equipped with a Touch Bar, limiting its user base. While this might seem restrictive, it is also an opportunity for the app to expand its capabilities to other platforms in the future.
Another aspect to consider is the inherent limitation of the Touch Bar itself. The small size can make it a challenge to perform precise controls, particularly for those with larger fingers. However, I’ve found that with a bit of practice, it becomes much easier to achieve the desired control.
In conclusion, Midi Touchbar is a refreshing embodiment of creativity-meets-technology. Despite a few inherent limitations, it offers an innovative way to bring music production and performance closer to the masses, hopefully saving many beginners from costly and bulky hardware which they don’t even know why they need. I am surprised with the way this application has affected the way I create music. The application provides a fun, portable, and accessible platform that allows the user to experiment with music production in a truly unique way.
So, whether you’re a professional music producer, a DJ seeking to add an edge to your live performances, or just a curious MacBook user, Midi Touchbar is certainly worth a try. Its versatility, combined with its innovative and user-friendly design, make it a stand-out choice in the ever-growing world of music software.
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