The Hotzbox - a new music instrument gives itself the honour

If I it not tried and had heard, I would not believe it. Simply possibly play something, all the same which - it sounds always correct. This dream becomes true by one new music instrument and its two main components named MIDI translator and Hotzbox.

The steuerzentrale, i.e. the Hotzbox, consists of a flat operator surface with highly sensitive, notice-dynamic Pads. These are partially arranged as a key board keyboard and also by groups. Each PAD spends a MIDI Event, which steers the software (translator). The translator, which must be in any ATARI with at least IMB main memory, regards this Events as control signals and converts it accordingly. In which form this is to happen, the user decides. In addition still another clay/tone producer is necessary, in order to hear the scales and chords spent by the translator. To recommend a bungee cord or a key board with multitimbralen abilities is in each case, since several MIDI channels can be used at the same time. This is the replicated system approach, which cannot exhaust however still long all connection types. Also the music-interested, which are not powerful the black and white keys, come this time at their expense. This circle of acquaintances is then likewise in a the position to play perfect melodies and einwuerfe.


The main menue is the global overview for MIDI data flow.
The hardware

The Hotzbox has the mass (L/B/H) 93.5 X 57 X 15,5cm and weighs about 30 kg. The surface consists of 124 Pads, which are arranged to groups. On the back MIDI connections are "IN", "OUT" and "THRU" as well as "AUX MIDI IN" and "AUX MIDI THRU". Last the two are likewise laid out for 5polig. With these DIN sockets associate then still another one 9polige (AUX 7) and 2 25polige D-SUB-sockets, Wing l and Wing r.

6 klinkenbuchsen (6,3mm) are likewise also from the portion. These are marked by "AUX 1" to "AUX 6". With some sockets the Hotzbox is expandable on further tax possibilities, so that one or more musicians on additional Pads can along-play. The description of rear wall is here with the mention the power LED, Netzschafter. Mains connection and reset-switches are sufficient. This box carries the names in of Los Angeles of living inventor, Jimmy Hotz, for that in the last years its wonderwork already several times on RK-acre-in-eats in Duesseldorf presented 1993 is it owing to the brothers Haring from Austria succeeded the Hotzbox on the music fair in Frankfurt at a Falcon030 to be introduced. One should be betrayed here already times. The heavy Hotzbox is not necessary necessarily. In its place easily a key board, although with easy restrictions, can be used, which is financially portable. So far exclusively the translator program running on the ATARI transfers all pre-programmable functions in this case.

The first view

It is remarkable that not one PAD carries an inscription and optically in no way a reference to its function is given. This is not an error of the manufacturer, but due to the free programmability of the MIDI translator a compelling measure. But no fear - numerous complete attitudes are for the joy of the Erwerbers a component of the program and contain comprehensive possibilities. Who would like to put on now even hand, is open, for each piece, which it would like to play with the box to provide its own Setup. Laterally and under the Pads sufficient place, in order to attach few is a marked sticker. This is at the beginning of meaningful, proves for the future however as unnecessary, there is PAD-group-oriented adapted. The sense of the translator is it to give to the Nichtmusiker the possibility to the hand of being able to play perfectly and the professional to make possible, its ideas free run to leave. The beginner enjoys about the complex melodies and chords, which are he to suddenly play able, and which professional, who wants to even compose and times no new ideas has (also that is to give it), plays from now on intuitively with the Pads complex einwuerfe and polyp-hone lines. New works could be produced so e.g. by playing same lines and changes in the program easily. Here experimenting forces itself upon quasi.


This illustration shows an overview of the UPPER -, the Lower and the zoom shot bank.
The secret

Some one will now ask itself: "from where does the crate want to know which I straight to play wants?" That is not foreseeable surely. Certain rules must be considered. In order to bring something light into the concept, is important it to know that certain groups of PADS and/or rows are summarized and are regarded as bank. Thus there is the Upper here -, the Lower and the zoom shot bank, those the most important tax brackets represent each PAD produced to MIDI Events, comparison without the production of note Events of a MIDI Keyboards, and steer translator cell. Here there actual secret hides itself. The PAD vents do not represent the ATARI outputs, son to that the Events of the cell, which straight were triggered by the PAD. Now each cell must be gefuttert separately with data which however not the concern of the new A riser is, since plentifully base material is provided. Behind the upper un lower bank 128 translation lattices (Grids) hide themselves. The zoom shot bank exhibits only 32. Each translation lattice is 128 * 12 a matrix and translates there entire MIDI Notenspektrum. I believe, there rattle already the first pocket calculators. In order to use the unausschoepfbaren possibilities now purposefully, still the most important bank, the zoom shot bank is missing. It provides in real time for switching the Grids of all cells. Here it becomes clear that the Hotzbox on several Midi channels sends at the same time and this holds for the ATARI in such a way naturally also with the expenditure. By triggers by zoom shot bank completely different Grids can be used on all Pads, and all this is released by only one PAD. The banks play then scales or complex chords, which can sound wrong in no case. Better said: "it rings out only what is in the cell intended for it. If this is wrongly "fed", the result will not sound satisfying. Each PAD plays thus a purposeful clay/tone or chord, no matter how much one may also strike beside it. If one plays something else, than one intended, it sounds never wrongly, at the most differently. The base material for the particulars bank scoops the program from the lower and upper chord tables. These are not directly accessible by PAD and contain 128 cells with Akkord and scale structures, which are used by the cells of the Upper -, Lower and zoom shot bank. Here the entire history of the harmony teachings is thus provided directly. A layman does not only have to take instruction, and the professional is pleased about the base material. Without now the detailed operating instructions in German language, in form of a DIN-A4-Ordners, read to have, is advisable it to pass on simply times in order to hear, how the box reacts.


The Overviewpage shows the outlined surface of the Hotzbox.

Connection

In order to come at all to playing, it is necessary to connect the MIDI Out of the Hotzbox with Midi in a ATARls with at least IMB main memories. The MIDI output of the ATARI leads in Midi in a multitimbralen bungee cord. In place of the Hotzbox, as already mentions above, a key board can be attached, which takes over then the functions of the Pads. The keyboard is divided thereby in 5 different PAD zones. The key board is no adequate replacement, represents however a quite more favorable solution. With this replicated system approach piece for piece each function is easy to learn. Who wants to improvise to its own Sequenzersongs, already somewhat more expenditure must operate. A second ATARI with sequencer often commodity or a hardware sequencer can simulate the zoom shot changes. With this configuration a programmable Patchbay is necessary for filtering redundant data, which could disturb the data streams of the translator. Now it is e.g. possible to take up the zoom shot instructions directly to the sequences in order to steer afterwards the translator from the sequencer. All what is played now on the Hotzbox, cannot be wrong completely simply any longer. In this case times more is not used a zoom shot PAD than such. More simply it goes really not more. The dream each music inspired becomes finally true. Whether the straight Flippers or brook is announced, does not play a role, additional playing on the box (or key board) enriches each Sequenzersong.


The small Hotzbox is somewhat handier than the large brother.
Special

There is not only the note and Programchange instructions, which are processed, but also complex CONTROLLER data such as Pitchbend, modulation etc.. The software processor with the designation stringer administers these data strands. Even the processing of the Velocity data is pre-setable and can by random number generator be steered. An adjustment to the attached clay/tone producers takes over the Translatot on the main menue side. One is thus not dependent on the transmit channels of the box, these simply on the desired channels is rerouted. If the concept is only once recognized, then one understands much automatically. The translator is not simple nevertheless to understand and required nevertheless unites exercise expenditure. For this reason one should take the provided complete solutions up at the beginning. Petrol ordinary consumer will surely find all vital one here. Who however the opinion it is that he has better ideas, programs simply its own chords, scales and cells, until he comes to the desired result.
A special application is still heading for effects. Here the film toners come fully at their expense. Since playing on several MID1-Kanaelen is at the same time possible, the complete operational sequence can be stopped first in the translator, and one can let Layer effects ring out afterwards even. With a Midi ton gate/cSwitch/power interface of the company Doepfer from Graefelfing is it a children's game to realize a complete Lightshow. The cheapest kit for this hardware costs starting from 25, - DM and is ideal for experimental purposes. The longer he over the Hotzbox thinks, the more occurs to the MIDI user to this topic. One is safe: Who has the box only times in hands, she will begin not only for a purpose, but new operational areas again and again will find. A function, which was missing to me to kind of snapping, is the chord recognition, which can steer the translator. A zoom shot change is released generally by Programchange and is not simulatable therefore not with the key board keys. If the translator would recognize the chords here, how arrange a zoom shot change with the announcement in the display of some rhythm key boards and on the basis this function, a direct Mitspielen would be to the sequencer or rhythm key board without long adjustment work possible. It would be beautiful, if the topic could be a component of the next update. A rhythm key board, which can spend the bass on an individual Midi channel, is also able to drive through the zoom shot changes. The bass notes, which are usually played mono phons, can steer then by skillful adjustment the translator. With very fast bass runs should be done therefore without Programchange instructions, because the bungee cord cannot react then fast enough.


Einige Setups bieten perfektes Grundmaterial
Zur Anleitung

Die Bedienungsanleitung ist zwar sehr großräumig geschrieben, aber nicht immer leicht zu lesen. Da dieses Programm zur Zeit das einzige seiner Art ist, muß man sich schon durch eine Fülle von neuen Fachausdrücken kämpfen. Zum besseren Verständnis befindet sich auf jeder Seite mindestens eine Abbildung, und ein umfassendes Tutorial erleichtert den Einstieg ungemein.


Mit der Funktion "Channel Shadows" ist das Rooten auf mehrere MIDI-Kanäle gleichzeitig möglich.
Fazit

Es ist kaum möglich, mit wenigen Worten das Leistungspotential des Translators zu beschreiben. Allein die Tatsache, daß kein Verspieler mehr möglich ist, läßt die Herzen höher schlagen. Hier werden sich wohl auch die Gitarristen angesprochen fühlen, die nun auf den Tasten klimpern können. Mit einem entsprechenden MIDI-Converter dürfte der Gitarrist sogar direkt triggern können. Jimmy Hotz hat sicherlich nicht geahnt, zu welchen Leistungen seine Soft- und Hardware-Entwicklung fähig sein wird, als er diese ins Leben rief. Übrigens: Jimmy hat 13 ATARIs zu Hause stehen, was wohl für diesen Rechner sprechen sollte. Ob Jimmy die Box auf seiner Fleetwood Mac-Tournee einsetzt, kann ich eventuell nach der Tournee in Erfahrung bringen. Meines Wissens sind Billy Idol und J.M. Jarre bereits stolze Besitzer der großen Hotzbox. Aufgrund des hohen Preises für die Hardware werden wohl vorerst nur die Profimusiker in den Genuß kommen, auf einer großen Box zu spielen. Es bleibt aber weiterhin die Alternative, ein normales MIDI-Keyboard als Trigger-Gerät einzusetzen oder sich die Medium-Hotzbox zuzulegen, die immerhin nur die Hälfte kostet. Der Translator erhält aufgrund der Einzigartigkeit und des guten Preis-/Leistungsverhältnisses das Prädikat: Empfehlenswert.

Die aktuellen Preise lauten zur Zeit wie folgt:

    MIDI-Translator Light-Version: DM 490,-
    MIDI-Translator Full-Version: DM 790,-
    Hotzbox Touchboard large: DM 15.000,-
    Hotzbox Touchboard medium: DM 7.000,-

Bei Betrachtung der Einzelpreise verkrampft sich die Geldbörse schon ein wenig, aber gemessen an der Funktionsvielfalt und den Herstellerkosten ist nichts dagegen einzuwenden. Es ist durchaus möglich, daß sich die Preise in naher Zukunft nach unten bewegen.

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Bezugsquelle:
Haring und Haring
MIDI-Translator Hard- und Software
Höfen 112
A-5261 Uttendorf
Tel.: 07724-2543 (nur innerhalb Österreichs)
Tel.: 0043-7724-2543 (für alle anderen)
FAX: 07722-65845 (nur innerhalb Österreichs)
FAX: 0043-7722-65845 (für alle anderen)
Tel.: 08677-64840 (Büro Deutschland)
FAX: 08677-65536 (Büro Deutschland)

Translator Software

Positiv:
einzigartige Software
flexibel und universell einsetzbar
reichlich Grundmaterial wird mitgeliefert
schnelle Zoom-Wechsel in Echtzeit
ausführliche deutsche Bedienungsanleitung
kann von jedem MiDI-Gerät gesteuert werden

Negativ: -

Hotzbox-Hardware

Positiv:
universell einsetzbar
dynamisch und hochempfindlich
über die Rückwand erweiterbar

Negativ:
sehr schwer
hoher Preis

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Letzte Aktualisierung: 20.11. 2001. Copyright-Bestimmungen: siehe "Über diese Seite".