This first video is an overview of Lumatone's features and characeristics. Ini the coming weeks and months, we'll be diving into more specific explorations of the features, uses, and capabilities of this beautiful new instrument.
In this episode, Dave runs you through Lumatone's hardware and specifications.
In this episode, Dave runs you through Lumatone's free "Lumatone Editor" software, and the basics around how to build and edit Lumatone mappings.
If you'd like to see how easy it is to update your Lumatone's firmware, Dave's got a video for ya.
Need to calibrate your Lumatone's keys or wheels? Dave walks you through how to do that in this quick episode of Learning Lumatone.
Join Dave as he gives an overview of how to integrate your Lumatone with various sound creation devices and instruments.
One of the most amazing features of Lumatone is its ability to convert every one of its 280 keys into a continuous controller.
Dave walks you through the second of Lumatone's three primary expression modes: that rare and coveted Polyphonic Aftertouch!
Lumatouch is a brand new mode of expression exclusive to Lumatone. Dave walks you through it in this episode.
In this episode, we start diving into the many layouts possible on Lumatone, beginning with the popular Bosanquet-Wilson layout.
Dave fills ya in on the wonders of the Harmonic Table layout on Lumatone.
Every once in a while, Dave will answer your burning questions in a little recurring episode we like to call... Q+A. In this episode: Onboard sounds, why it costs what it does, plug and play microtonality, hairpieces, and more!
As Dave continues to explore the default presets on Lumatone, today he walks us through the many ways you can use Lumatone as a multi-timbral controller, turning the 280 keys of your Lumatone into your own personal orchestra.
In this episode, Dave breaks down the importance of understanding how midi note numbers and channels are used by Lumatone to communicate pitch over midi.
Dave starts exploring 31-EDO, a popular microtonal layout on Lumatone., for the first time.
Dave brings you part 2 of his episodes on Lumatone's Harmonic Table layout. A magical 12-tone mapping that changes how you think about intervals and melodies..
When it comes to playing microtonally on Lumatone, Pianoteq is one of the most popular virtual instruments available.
Surge XT is a free, super powerful synth that integrates beautifully with Lumatone and all its features, including microtonality.
Kontakt is a popular, powerful virtual instrument engine used all over the world. And you might not have realized that in a lot of cases, it's easy to set up Kontakt to play nice with Lumatone's microtonal mappings.
Arturia's incredible synth emulations are world renowned and loved by artists... but can you play them microtonally? Turns out you can. Dave walks you through a new trick to bring microtones to these fine instruments... when used together with your Lumatone, of course.
Dave starts exploring 19-EDO, which for a lot of people, is the gateway tuning to microtonality on a Lumatone. Learn how easy this tuning is to pick up and its similarities to the standard 12-note tuning that we all know and love.
Dave's back with a first look at playing 22-EDO on the Lumatone. There's some real magic to be had when you divide your octave by 22 notes, and in this episode we're exploring the basics of how to make it all happen.
In this episode, join Dave as he tackles the magical quarter-tones of the 24-EDO layout on Lumatone.
Lumatone doesn't just enable every the tuning under the rainbow. It also is is a game changing performance machine that brings you Polyphonic Aftertouch, a continuous controller on every key, and our expressive LUMATOUCH mode. Dave expands on how you can use all three modes in concert with inspiring results.
Dave's back with a first look at the massive 53-EDO tuning on the Lumatone. Divide your octave by 53 equally spaced notes and see how intuitive and creative it can all be. Here we'll explore the basics of how to make it all happen.
Ever wondered what they mean by "Just Intonation?" Dave walks through the basics of what this is and how it relates to the many tunings you can play on a Lumatone.
In this episode, join Dave as he explores the first tuning that isn't included by default with your Lumatone. Learn all about 41-EDO with a mapping provided by respected microtonalist Cam Taylor.
We get asked a lot what it means when we say Lumatone is an "Isomorphic" keyboard. In this episode, Dave breaks down the meaning of the word, and why it makes Lumatone such a powerful and creative instrument.
Dave's back with a second look at the magical 22-EDO on the Lumatone. Take a look at more of the flavours you access when you divide your octave by 22 notes.
Dave's back with a second look at the inspiring 19-EDO on the Lumatone. Take a look at more of the flavours you can access when you divide your octave by 19 notes.
Dave's back with a whopper of an episode! Watch as he experiments by shooting out the standard 12-EDO tuning with five microtonal tunings: 19-EDO, 22-EDO, 31-EDO, 41-EDO, and 53-EDO.
WIth this episode, Dave is starting to explore some lesser known tunings, this time treating you to a first look at the 27-EDO tuning which maps out beautifully on Lumatone. We've also included a link below to download the mapping as an LTN file to try out on your instrument.
Dave tackles a 17-EDO mapping on Lumatone, in this basic primer looking over the many flavours of this unique tuning system. What does it sound like when you divide the octave by 17 notes?
Whatever your sounds are, Lumatone helps you put your entire musical palette in front of you and keep your attention in the creative realm. Stay inspired and keep your hands on an instrument, instead of constantly switching between keyboards, computers, and synths. You can even use CC mode on Lumatone keys to manipulate synth parameters and voicings with a flick of a finger, without leaving your Lumatone.
We get a lot of questions every day from all of you, and this marks the first in a new series called "Quick Answers," where Dave works to answer the most commonly asked questions in a minute or two.
The second question answered in our "Quick Answers" series, where Dave works to answer the most commonly asked questions in a minute or two.
What do we mean when we talk about "flavours of thirds" in microtonality?It's another one of those common question addressed in our "Quick Answers" series.
What's the Harmonic Table, that second preset on your Lumatone? Well, it's one of the most inspiring ways to visualize music differently. It lays out the notes of the traditional western tuning in a way that uses diagonal axis and color to snap out of old habits and find new melodic pathways.
Did you know any one of Lumatone's 280 keys can act as a midi CC? Yep. All of the sudden, you can place precise fader-like control of any modulation -- under any finger you like -- as you play. Control dynamics, filter cutoff, pitch, vibrato... anything.
One of the most compelling uses of Lumatone amongst composers and producers is its unique ability to map multiple instruments -- up to 16 -- on one instrument!
Wicki-Hayden organizes notes vertically instead of horizontally, allowing for several advantages. You get a lot more repeating notes across the board, for one. But on Lumatone, this means you also get a lot of new ways to use the diagonal axis (thank you hexagons!) to easily play different intervals. Whole tones, fifths, minor thirds, fourths, and octaves are all represented by different diagonals. It's a spectacular and inspiring new way to think about making melodies and forming chords.