i saw the MIDIbox BLM video and i got really impressed by the work and by the idea.
i would upgrade to seq 4 just for having some other cool stuff to build.
but a question is arising…
could iPad or even a similar hardware, in the (near) future, substitute MIDI hardware such as the BLM or even the sequencer?
obviously iPad will cost much more than the DIY BLM or sequencer, but this is just the basic concept idea.
so, what would the hardware version of BLM have that iPad could not have?
so, what would the hardware version of BLM have that iPad could not have?
A decent HCI (Human Computer Interface).
Real buttons! And bigger too!.. NO ITUNES!!! :frantics:
Yes… I just “acquired” an iPad through exploiting government handouts… and was disappointed that it won’t even boot until you connect to iTunes. Disappointing, really… you’d think it could be marketed as an alternative to a desktop or notebook computer.
obviously iPad will cost much more than the DIY BLM or sequencer, but this is just the basic concept idea.
Now that depends on how much DIY you go… I agree that some LEDs and cheap switches soldered onto veroboard and buying DIN/DOUT/Core32 modules might be cheaper… but to make anything that looks decent, the 16x16 BLM cost will be close to the cost of a new iPad. Consider 256 “good” switches, and a top panel/frame, and a case, etc.
Not that I’m promoting iPad over a hardware BLM. The iPad can do more than just be a BLM, but it doesn’t have “real” buttons.
In case you’re interested, some examples of “doing more”:
http://hexler.net/software/touchosc
The iPad screen is a bit too small for an ergonomic 16x16+X BLM:
Touching the real BLM buttons is much better!
But there are applications which really make sense.
Wilba already gave some links - here another one of my personal fav:
http://moocowmusic.com/PianistPro/index.html
It sends OSC messages which can be received and transformed by MBSEQ:
It’s especially nice for playing flutes and harps!
(I don’t use the internal synthesizer…)
Sometimes I’m playing Piano Pro with the left, and BLM with the right hand - it works, and you will never hit a wrong note 
Best Regards, Thorsten.
