
Preview the Latest Electronic Performance Gear from Connect 2023 Berklee faculty share some of their favorite tech from this weeks Electronic Digital Instrument (EDI) Summit-and the future is laptop-optional.
By
John Mirisola
June 6, 2023
Daedelus, assistant professor in the Electronic Production and Design Department, is a presenter and panelist at this years Connect 2023: EDI Summit.
Image courtesy of the artist
Theres a stereotyped idea, at least a decade old at this point, of an electronic music performer bobbing their head behind a laptop screen, clicking through programmed beats and synth cues mostly hidden from the audiences sight. And certainly, some truly memorable music and live experiences continue to come from this kind of performance setup. But this years Connect 2023: Electronic Digital Instrument (EDI) Summit offers an updated look at the EDI landscape-one in which laptops might still play a role in performance, but where the artist is freer than ever before to step out from behind the screen and create using tools that feel increasingly more intuitive, engaging, and human.
Explore the Future of Electronic Music Performance
Learn more about Connect 2023: EDI Summit, taking place June 9-11, and register.
The spirit of this years Connect 2023: EDI Summit is really a celebration of the many different ways that we are exploring electronic performance, says Michael Bierylo, chair of the Electronic Production and Design (EPD) Department, which is hosting the summit. When we began the EDI principal instrument program in 2019, electronic performance was focused on the laptop computer as the center of the instrument. While this is often still the case, we are seeing artists increasingly using hardware devices, such as drum machines, hardware sequencers, and synthesizers and DJ rigs in performances.
The summit will also cover developments in live playback engineering using EDIs, the integration of EDIs into music education, and much more, all centering on the theme of performance.
In advance of this weeks event, Berklee Now caught up with some of the summits Berklee-based presenters and asked them to tell us about the gear theyre most excited to feature at Connect 2023-what is it, how does it work, and what does it make possible for musical performance. Heres what they said:
Daedelus using a Monome Grid.
Image by Shubostar
Daedelus, Assistant Professor, EPD We are lucky to be hosting [keynote presenter] Brian Crabtree at the summit this year; his Monome Grid was at the forefront of a new approach to performing that was isomorphic and isometric-undoing some of the opinion that the traditional piano layout implies. A real innovation from the hundreds-year-old piano layout.
Michele Darling
Michele Darling, Assistant Chair, EPD Ableton has been at it again, releasing a new version of the groundbreaking instrument, Push 3. We are excited to feature it at the Connect summit this year. It integrates seamlessly with Ableton Live software, offering deep integration with Lives features. It allows users to control almost every aspect of their productions directly from the controller. A game-changing part is that they also offer a standalone version that can be played without a laptop, which can create more freedom for players to express themselves on the physical instrument. Also, because of its new design and extra touch-sensitive pads, it has the ability for players to be more expressive with dynamics and pitch control than ever before. It allows for more human expression when playing.
Dan Freeman playing Blinky.
Image by Erin Liu
Dan Freeman, Assistant Professor, EPD I call it Blinky. It's basically three controllers Velcroed together on a bass neck to form a single instrument. It's my way of uniting an instrument, sampler, sequencer, and audio effects processing onto a single performance interface. It's an interface that controls Ableton Live and allows me to do live looping performances solo or play with other musicians. My right hand plays the Ableton Push 2, and my left controls the looping, audio effects processing, and the sampler. It allows me to take my gear off of a table and return to an interface that I've used almost my whole life-the bass guitar. It also allows me to focus on virtuosic performance and live looping, and it's really fun to play. For Connect 2023, I'll be playing with the great jazz pianist Rachel Z as we merge the sound of jazz and electronic music.
Val Jeantys Sensory Percussion drum setup.
Val Jeanty, Associate Professor, Ensembles As a drummer/percussionist who works with mostly digital instruments, Sunhouses Sensory Percussion is now the main tool of all my compositions. Sensory Percussion uses sensors that are attached to my Reverie kit with Evans mesh drum heads and allow me to tap into my creative flow with more freedom for live improvisations, from incredibly accurate acoustic drum sounds to otherworldly soundscapes. And unlike backing tracks, Sensory Percussion responds to the nuances of my playing and creates subtle variations that make the electronic elements feel more human and empowering.
Isabella Koen
Image by Rue Sakayama
Isabella Koen, Assistant Professor, EPD I'll be presenting on organizational methods for constructing a live techno performance using hardware. I'm excited to share the possibilities of performance using Elektron hardware and the Access Virus C synth. The Elektron Octatrack, Elektron Analog Rytm, and Access Virus C allow for ways of composing, structuring, and performing a live set that fosters improvisation, fluidity, and precision. The sampling and sound capabilities of both Elektron pieces afford deep paths into exploring the manipulation and modification of sound, while the Access Virus C provides intuitive ways to achieve the classic '90s-early 2000s rave, techno, an
North America Stories
08/07/2025
WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is applauding the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill and provision...
08/07/2025
SYDNEY RTS has announced that Channel 7 Sydney has deployed a new comms system from RTS as part of a larger ST-2110 upgrade....
08/07/2025
ATLANTA & CINCINNATI Gray Media, Inc. and The E.W. Scripps Company have entered into agreements to swap television stations across five mid-sized and small mark...
07/07/2025
Advanced vision solutions deliver more than reliable night vision for tactical-edge warfighters. Today's technological advances can provide the capability f...
07/07/2025
BALTIMORE Sinclair has named Narinder Sahai its executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately....
07/07/2025
Riedel Communications today announced the launch of RefSuite, a powerful new Managed Technology solution tailored to professional sports workflows. RefSuite com...
07/07/2025
Regional base will foster client engagement, partner collaboration, and executive touchpoints
Skandha Media Services, a leading provider of cloud-native media ...
07/07/2025
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced its Against All Odds - ASG Builds Cutti...
07/07/2025
Agreement secured on the strength of Skandha's proven track record in delivering reliable managed services across the full content life cycle for existing h...
07/07/2025
1-2 Punch: The Cloud, Generative AI, and the Future of Sports-Content Distributi...
07/07/2025
Tests and decisions: Formula E host broadcaster Aurora on launching new AR graph...
07/07/2025
Building tension: Using new AR graphics for storytelling at the Formula E penult...
07/07/2025
Altitude Sports' Matt Krol on the Success of the RSN's In-Arena Postgame...
07/07/2025
SVG Rewind: Four NFL Clubs Bring Us on Set of Respective Media Day Shoots An in-depth conversation with 49ers Laura Johnson, Ravens Jay O'Brien, Las Vegas R...
07/07/2025
Cosm To Build Fifth Shared Reality Venue in Cleveland as Part of Bedrock's ...
07/07/2025
Back to All News
She Walks in Darkness, Agust n D az Yanes New Film, Premieres ...
05/07/2025
Back to All News
Superestar, the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18
Entertainment
05 July 2025
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Dis...
04/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...
04/07/2025
Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...
04/07/2025
Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...
04/07/2025
Create Any Planet in After Effects
Graham Quince July 4, 2025
0 Comments
The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...
04/07/2025
Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion
Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...
04/07/2025
Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...
04/07/2025
WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...
04/07/2025
Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...
04/07/2025
CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive
Brie Clayton July 3, 2025
0 Comments
Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...
03/07/2025
To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...
03/07/2025
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....
03/07/2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...
03/07/2025
As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...
03/07/2025
Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...
03/07/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....
03/07/2025
WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...
03/07/2025
PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....
03/07/2025
Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...
03/07/2025
For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...
03/07/2025
Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...
03/07/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...
03/07/2025
Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...
03/07/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...
03/07/2025
nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...
03/07/2025
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...
03/07/2025
Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...
03/07/2025
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...
03/07/2025
Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...
03/07/2025
Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...
03/07/2025
Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...
03/07/2025
Back to All News
Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...