- Latest news | Jordan Crandall wins award for "Gatherings" project at Transmediale 2011! Read more about the "Gatherings" project.
- Latest news | Vegas To Vesta album "Thin Line On The Horizon" with Linda Brown now available for purchase through iTunes. More info.
- Latest news | My lazer bass remix of "Vegas To Vesta - Valentine"! Hear it on Soundcloud.
PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
product design, software programming, management and development
The Pulse Surface Controller System is a hardware / software solution I developed to liberate computer-based musicians from conventional input devices. The system includes a piezo sensor that can be attached to any surface to turn it into an playable expressive MIDI instrument. More than just a percussion input device, the Pulse Controller also offers a refreshing take on melodic composition and performance with note randomization in a variety of selectable scales. For more information on the Pulse Controller system, please visit www.pulsecontroller.com.
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
product specification, design and project management
Numark is a global multi-brand company specializing in design and production of DJ equipment and studio electronics. While employed at Numark, I was involved in project management, product design, quality assurance and end-user documentation. In my role as project manager, I was primarily involved with Numark's Ion brand which specializes in consumer electronics and entry-level music equipment. In this position I worked with industrial designers and product managers to design and propose new products, and managed all day-to-day operational aspects of bringing products to market. Below are a few of the products I helped design.
product design, software programming, management and development
The Pulse Surface Controller System is a hardware / software solution I developed to liberate computer-based musicians from conventional input devices. The system includes a piezo sensor that can be attached to any surface to turn it into an playable expressive MIDI instrument. More than just a percussion input device, the Pulse Controller also offers a refreshing take on melodic composition and performance with note randomization in a variety of selectable scales. For more information on the Pulse Controller system, please visit www.pulsecontroller.com.
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Review from Peter Kirn at Create Digital Music:
"You know the type. The drummer who, even robbed of drum sticks, is tapping on the walls, the car door, the desk.. and maybe you are that person. When rhythms and musical gestures are bouncing around your head, the whole world just feels like something you want to play. It seems as natural as breathing. So, given your computer can make anything an input, why shouldn't it let you play like that? A new controller and software combo seeks to make that possible. The work of one enterprising musician and creator, Stephan Vankov, it includes an affordable accessory with a piezo microphone and companion software to map it your taps to MIDI messages, for use with your favorite software musical instruments. Plug in the mic sensor, and you can tap your desk or slap your laptop or play any other surface. |
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
product specification, design and project management
Numark is a global multi-brand company specializing in design and production of DJ equipment and studio electronics. While employed at Numark, I was involved in project management, product design, quality assurance and end-user documentation. In my role as project manager, I was primarily involved with Numark's Ion brand which specializes in consumer electronics and entry-level music equipment. In this position I worked with industrial designers and product managers to design and propose new products, and managed all day-to-day operational aspects of bringing products to market. Below are a few of the products I helped design.
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Ion Discover DJ
With the motivation to come up with an easy-to-use, straightforward controller that would appeal to budding DJs with the right visual message and at a reasonable price, I developed a product concept and 2D layout with the following features: + wide landscape form factor with comfortable control layout + big touch-sensitive platters + most essential dj controls, such as EQs, crossfader, pitch bend, song browsing and playback controls + clear visual messaging - "this is a DJ product" |
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APC40 Ableton Performance Controller
While at Numark, I was an important proponent for the development of a performance controller for Ableton Live. At the time, Ableton Live was quickly becoming a standard for live music performance but there was no dedicated hardware that provided an effective solution for controlling Live. Working with Adam Looker, lead industrial designer at Numark, I developed a concept and 2D layout for a controller to be used with Ableton Live. This work subsequently became the foundation for the APC40 Ableton Live Controller marketed under Numark's Akai brand. The APC40 has been a top-selling performance controller product since its release and has become a standard for Ableton Live performers. Shortly before its public release, I created a hands-on video performance demonstration of the APC40. The video has generated a lot of positive feedback and interest from the community, increasing sales and demand. Click here to see the video on YouTube. |