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
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/07/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has announced the appointment of Kathy Samuels ...
01/07/2026
Shade has announced Custom Objects and Automations, a platform expansion releasing June 29, 2026, that adds database and workflow automation capabilities direct...
01/07/2026
FOR-A America has announced the addition of Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz to its U.S. sales team. Both report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strate...
01/07/2026
NBC Sports will air all 15 MLB games nationally on Sunday, July 5, across NBC, P...
01/07/2026
Clear-Com has announced a wireless communications upgrade for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, deploying FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems across both prod...
01/07/2026
England's performance team will use Sony's STATSports APEX GPS tracking system to monitor player physical data in real time during FIFA World Cup 2026 m...
01/07/2026
Adder Technology has announced the appointment of Neil Hillier as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hillier succeeds Adrian Dickens, who transiti...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. has announced a strategic transaction creating two separate companies. The Production and Playout business will continue as Bitcentral, now own...
01/07/2026
DAZN has announced results from DAZN48, its creator initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Launched in April 2026, the program received thousands of applicatio...
01/07/2026
Sarah Rose, VP, global services, Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT), will be inducted into the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame at t...
01/07/2026
Gravity Media and the World Economic Forum's production team provided broadc...
01/07/2026
Insight Productions has announced the launch of Insight Storm, a 53-foot mobile broadcast unit built for esports production. The truck is built around a Ross Vi...
01/07/2026
ESPN has announced several content initiatives marking America's 250th anniversary, as part of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Celebrates America pro...
01/07/2026
Eleven production kits, REMI workflows, and cloud distribution bring 40 World Cu...
01/07/2026
The conference also discussed the opportunities offered an industry that is endu...
01/07/2026
The Mountain West Conference has announced the launch of MW , a direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe. The platform will carry live Mountain We...
01/07/2026
New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more
Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...
01/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
01/07/2026
Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals
Sweetwater and Andertons M...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Manfrotto Introduces UNCOVER, the new premium camera bag collection for modern h...
01/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Powers Houston Tamil Sangam Literacy Competition
Brie Clayton July 1, 2026
0 Comments
Volunteers use ATEM Mini Pro, Blackmagic Desig...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
PlayBox Technology has published State of Broadcast Infrastructure 2026, an in-depth industry research report examining the technologies, operational challenges...
01/07/2026
LONDON, UK, 1 JULY Jigsaw24 has appointed Alan Henry as Head of Sales for Media and Entertainment, reinforcing its continued investment in helping broadcaster...
01/07/2026
Content Vault, the patent-pending secure content distribution platform protecting high-value media from disclosures, theft and unauthorised access, today announ...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. a leading provider of enterprise software and digital media solutions for news, sports and entertainment broadcasters, as well as streaming pla...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through nation...
01/07/2026
Chyron Launches the All-New Chyron Academy: A Reimagined, Hands-On Learning Expe...
01/07/2026
Amplium Captures Kawasaki Brave Thunders Game with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersiv...
01/07/2026
Boris FX Optics Expands Plugin Support to Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinit...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
01/07/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign featuring Deborah Meaden challenges consumers to rethink everyday bathroom wasteWednesday 1 July 2026
Fussy asks Bri...
01/07/2026
Constituency-level analysis reveals where girls miss out most on sport - and where targeted action could unlock more than £640 million in economic and health be...
01/07/2026
Wuppertal July 1, 2026
Riedel and SKAARHOJ Expand Collaboration With SimplyLive IntegrationRiedel Communications today announced an expanded collaboration wit...
01/07/2026
Apple today introduced power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio, a groundbre...
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.
