The old saying, "You got peanut butter on my chocolate!" expresses a deep truth about creativity: two things that differ in characteristics but share a common domain may yield fruitful results when combined.
The people at Frontier Design have taken that lesson to heart. They've taken the wireless network and the audio control surface, spread one all over the other, and thereby given us a whole new experience of using audio gear. They call it the TranzPort, a name that works on multiple levels: the TranzPort allows you to control the transports of your audio software, is designed to be transported from one place to another, works by providing a transport across wireless and USB protocols, and, when you add all that up, you'll likely be TranzPorted by the experience of using it, as I was.
And so I hereby grant the Tranzport a coveted Flow Award, which recognizes technology that actually supports creative flow. Read my full review here.
Update: Ableton has recently announced that Live has joined the list of apps that support the Tranzport:
"With TranzPort, Live users can quickly launch scenes, jump to markers, adjust loop points, change tempo, and toggle between arrangement and session views. On a per track basis, TranzPort can also be used to change level and pan, mute, solo, record arm, and even launch clips."
Thanks to the brilliant Dr. Mad of MadPlayer fame for the tip about the Tranzport.
Categories
Audio
Comments (2)
Read More Entries by Spencer Critchley.
Thanks for dropping by, Fat Man!
No kidding, Spencer. I got a Tranzport and I'm amazed at how many issues it cleaned up for me--and how cleanly it cleaned them.
The Expert Guy at Guitar Center warned me that there was no way it would work at the same time as my Mackie control surface...
BUT IT DOES!!!
For recording, I can just take the Tranzport to the Big Room With The Instruments and start tape with it. Then when I want to mix, or to monitor more carefully, I pop back into the little room with the Mackie. No mouse clicks, even.