monome.org has introduced white whale – a new Euro module that lets you use a monome grid controller as the interface to a grid-enabled live probabilistic step sequencer.
According to the developers, “white whale is the culmination of methods and experiments based on a decade of step sequencer design for the grid”.
Here’s a video demo of white whale in action:
Here’s what they have to say about the new module:
a monome grid is plugged into the front panel of the module, serving as a complete interface. the sequencer continues running when the grid is disconnected, facilitating both live performance and precomposed playback of generative systems.
a sixteen step loop is the foundation. 4 triggers can be toggled per step, along with two separate cv values. 0-10v cv can be dialed via a parameter knob, copied from other steps, and tuned up and down via the grid. a cv map mode is provided for creating scales, and preset scales are recallable.
a probability index is provided independently for the triggers and each cv channel. these can serve as step mutes (at 0 or 100 percent) or chance possibility per step (for fills, emergent melody generation, etc). each cv step can be set to have a choice of several values.
sixteen patterns are quickly accessible. for longer sequences these patterns can be strung together in any determined order, including chance possibilities between pattern selection.
sets of patterns are storable to internal flash memory for instant recall on power-up.
timing can be internal (controlled via a panel pot) or externally triggered. loop lengths and positions can be set intuitively on the grid.
many subtle additional features make this instrument incredibly versatile yet approachable, introducing possibilities far beyond the standard step sequencer.
Here are a series of video tutorials for the white whale:
white whale has a retail price of US $280. It requires a monome as an interface; late 128 (8×16) models are recommended. See the monome.org site for more info.
If you’ve used white whale, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!
chainable? to use the same signal in digital world?
it’s still just a way to make 16 step patterns though, right?
the demo was not that good …personally
i could do better with a qunexus and ML185 max4live sequencer
I don’t get ti. Seems like the hard way, to do everything.
Ha. Well said, I think.
Although I have great respect for the designers of monome, their ideals, and their beautiful controllers, I do catch myself wondering about such gear and its users. Do people choose gear like this for a good challenge? Because there seem to be far easier ways to make similar music. Is it only about the end result? The process? The slick minimal gear? The sense of accomplishment at getting all these various protocols working together at last?
As usual I guess it’s about a combination and what feels right to the individual. Glad we have choices such as this, even if I personally would probably never buy it.
I have $10 iOS apps that do more than this. Way more. I think I need to stay away from this sight for awhile. People are just making stuff because they can.
Just remember that 10 years from now, your $10 iPad apps are going to be useless — the devices that ran them will be long-dead and computer technology will gripped by a new, probably incompatible, paradigm.
White whale owners will still be able to make mysterious probabilistic 16-step sequences. Of course, whether that’s a good thing is a different matter altogether.
haha, true, but.. in 10 years there will still be $10 apps. Only they will be better. And I will still be using my Moog.
While I definitely agree with your point that software instruments have an expiry date, I want to be contrarian for a moment and point out that a lot of people out there are still using an Atari ST for sequencing.