Articles by: Martin Delaney

Halina Rice: "You could spend ten years tweaking your live rig in your bedroom, but one gig will change the way you see and hear everything. There's no substitute"

By Computer Music, Martin Delaney published 16 June 22

A-V artist Halina Rice tells Martin Delaney about the evolutionary process that took her immersive live show from dream to reality

How to create microtonal music using Ableton Live's Microtuner

By Martin Delaney published 15 June 22

This new plugin, free to Live 11 users, allows you to escape the boundaries of conventional tonality

Novation FLkey 37 and FLkey Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 5 April 22

$199.99 & $109.99

Novation introduces the first dedicated MIDI keyboards for Image-Line’s legendary FL Studio software - in 37-key and Mini formats.

TS7: "A lot of electronic musicians don’t play actual instruments; they don’t seem to go there"

By Martin Delaney, Computer Music published 26 January 22

Producer/DJ TS7 needed some creative solutions to take his productions into the live arena. Martin Delaney reports from the road

Akai MPC Studio MKII review

By Martin Delaney published 21 December 21

£230

Akai’s revamped MPC Studio combines hardware control with software power to deliver everything needed to run an MPC-based setup

Roland Verselab MV-1 review

By Martin Delaney published 2 June 21

£599
€644
$699

The MV-1 prioritises vocals – as per the name – but it still covers you for samples and instruments

The MIDImix has a footprint smaller than our 11-inch MacBook Air and is very lightweight

Akai MIDImix review

By Martin Delaney published 2 September 15

£60
€88
$149

Affordable MIDI mixer with faders, buttons, and knobs

You can load different modules and switch views on the fly without interrupting your jams

Patchworks Conductr review

By Martin Delaney published 23 December 14

iPad app for Ableton Live performers

The Key 25 has the same footprint as an 11-inch MacBook Air, yet remains surprisingly playable

Akai APC Key 25 review

By Martin Delaney published 8 October 14

£100
€144
$199

A little keyboard with big control options

The Mini has more clip launch buttons than any other Akai device, with 64 of them

Akai APC Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 6 October 14

£80
€111
$199

A compact clip-launching Ableton Live controller

The APC40 still looks like an APC40, but there are some tweaks to the layout

Akai APC40 mkII review

By Martin Delaney published 2 October 14

£240
€411
$499

A mighty overhaul for the classic controller

The plastic-shelled speaker cabinets slot together, facing inwards, for transit

Fender Passport Studio review

By Martin Delaney published 22 August 14

£373
€449
$799

Can these portable plastic monitors perform?

Everything's neatly colour coded, labelled, and ready to run from your hardware

Sonic Faction Dope Matrix review

By Martin Delaney published 13 July 14

$40

Virtual modular synth for Live

The Keypad offers Ableton Live users plenty of control options at a low price

Reloop Keypad review

By Martin Delaney published 30 June 14

£145
€159
$299

Budget Ableton Live controller

Despite it's small size, the Launch Control feels very sturdy and well-made

Novation Launch Control review

By Martin Delaney published 15 January 14

£79
€109
$124

Portable, versatile iOS/PC controller

The Launchpad is strong in many areas; with other iOS apps, and with Live, Reason, FL Studio... anything on your computer that receives MIDI

Novation Launchpad Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 20 December 13

£80
€109
$129

iOS-compatible mini MIDI pad

The Launch page equates to Live's Session View, showing clips, scenes, and tracks

Liine LiveControl 2 for iPad review

By Martin Delaney published 15 October 13

Ableton Live controller app

Keith McMillen QuNeo has 27 touch-based controls including pads, sliders, and rotary 'knobs'

Keith McMillen QuNeo review

By Martin Delaney published 25 February 13

£199
€249
$249

Multi-coloured MIDI control

CNTRL:R boasts the usual Livid Instruments construction quality and small-build cachet.

Livid Instruments CNTRL:R review

By Martin Delaney published 11 June 12

€899
$749

The iRig MIDI will work with any MIDI-compatible app.

IK iRig MIDI review

By Martin Delaney published 21 March 12

€55
$69.99

touchAble offers a lot of control potential, but it's not without its problems.

touchAble Ableton controller review

By Martin Delaney published 10 November 10

£9

An Ableton Live controller app for iPad that promises to do it all

Griid only has one trick in its arsenal, but does it do it well?

Liine Griid review

By Martin Delaney published 10 November 10

£15
$9.99

Former JazzMutants produce Live clip launcher app

Video: Ableton Live's Session and Arrangement Views

By Martin Delaney published 19 June 08

See how the two interfaces work together