CMPSR Swipe App
CMPSR Swipe is an innovative and accessible musical instrument for iOS devices. You can play notes and chords simply by swiping, tapping, or even blinking. Opening the app, you’ll see eight colourful arrows in a circular layout. To play the note C, tap or swipe up towards the red arrow; for G, swipe, tap, or blink towards the green arrow. The speed of your movement affects volume (quick is louder, slower is softer), enabling dynamic expression. You can also play chords, switch on inversions, add sustain, use an arpeggiator, change octaves and adjust the key/scale. With an extensive library of instrument sounds and backing beats, Swipe encourages personalisation and experimentation. Settings are easy to navigate, and there is a voice-over function available. It’s incredibly easy to use and delivers great sound quality. Ideal for both mainstream and specialist education settings.
Price: FREE
Roland P-6 Creative Sampler
The latest in the Roland AIRA Compact family of instruments, the P-6 Creative Sampler allows you to quickly capture, manipulate, and perform with samples. It has a built-in microphone, or you can connect it to other devices using the analogue inputs or the USB-C port. A range of effects allows you to shape and enhance sounds, and create something uniquely your own. You can cut longer recordings into shorter pieces and play them using the keyboard on the device, or you can mix sounds together to create new music. The P-6 SampleTool software makes it easy to transfer samples between your computer and the P-6. Using the P-6, students can engage with concepts like sampling, granular sound design, and sequencing in a hands-on way. When charged, the battery will last for up to three hours.
Price: £189.00
iLoud Micro Monitor Pro
The original iLoud Micro Monitors are among the smallest studio-quality monitors available. Weighing just 3lb (per pair) and roughly the size of a lunchbox, their lightweight, compact design makes them easy to carry between classrooms or fit into a backpack. For those looking to upgrade, the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro version offers even higher performance. While maintaining the same small footprint, the Pro monitors weigh 6lb. These active, bi-amped monitors (with separate amps for low and mid/high frequencies) deliver impressive studio-quality sound. They provide a flat frequency response from 50Hz to 20kHz, ensuring accurate sound They provide a flat frequency response from 50Hz to 20kHz, ensuring accurate sound representation, crucial for mixing. Each speaker delivers 50W RMS, offering more than enough volume. Additionally, the Pro version includes built-in room correction, adjusting the sound to suit any acoustics (using a dedicated mic). It has two RCA inputs, a 1/8∲ stereo input, a 4-pin speaker connector, and Bluetooth compatibility.
Price: £559.99
Ableton Move
The new Ableton Move is a portable, standalone instrument and controller for Ableton Live. It looks like a mini-version of the Push, and comes with 32 velocity-sensitive, backlit pads for sampling, sequencing and looping. You can start your musical ideas on Move, then easily continue them on your computer with the included Ableton Live 12 software (compatible with Mac and PC). With a rechargeable battery, built-in speaker, and microphone, Move is perfect for creative music-making anywhere, even outside the studio or classroom. You can quickly record and sequence sounds, instruments, and voices directly on the device. Create music on four tracks using high-quality ‘Drift’ and ‘Wavetable’ synthesisers and choose from eight built-in effects. The MIDI connections let you add keyboard or drum pad inputs, providing greater flexibility. As a controller for Ableton Live, it offers note sequencing, tactile instrument control and transport functions, all in a compact design. Move comes with all the sounds you need to make a track – choose from over 1,500 samples, presets and drum hits from Ableton's sound design team.
Price: £399
