The Prevolt has put up some photos of his Ableton Live controller, dubbed Ambassador. I love that it shares a moniker with the AMC Rambler automobile, though I suspect that wasn’t intentional (pictured at right, photo: Ty Sonneil).
Prevolt describes the gear, which features analog-y, arcade-style hardware controls and a custom case:
This is what I’m using to control Ableton now. All arcade hardware, aluminum top panel by FPE, and a nice wood case courtesy of my man Michael Yates. It uses all key commands through a custom driver to handle playback, effects, editing, warping, UI, mouse clicks, scroll messages, and more, with a lot of tweaks (some strobe, some send double messages, etc):
Finished Ambassador Pics (blog for the Aux Armes VJ/DJ collective)
I got to look over Prevolt’s shoulder while he used the Ambassador in an epic music set in Austin at our SxSW party. It’s really remarkable: those controls may look like overkill, but he’s managed to map just about everything th Live software does to hardware control. To anyone who complains Ableton hasn’t yet done their hardware, this illustrates why that might not even be a good idea — Live users seem to come up with endless control schemes, all different.
Not to mention, with this controller you could get a little Street Fighter in between sets on nice, arcade buttons.
And yes, you even get a little trackball.
After the jump, the whole AV collective in action at SxSW’s closing:
Aux Armes at SXSW 2008 from Aux Armes on Vimeo.
damn that's cool.
looks like it's built like a tank…
Now that looks good. Be interesting if he could make those at a decent price. I would certainly be interested in one as Live is my main DAW.
Steve
cool video.. great sound (Para One rules!!)
Looks like a good controller. Arcade Games and Music Software are becoming more and more similar these days!. Live is great fun to play. When do you get an extra man though?
I hope its relevant to shamelessly plug my AV Arcade Table
Its not a performance tool but a 2 player game and features AV cutups by some well known acts (as well as myself)
While making this I also discovered http://www.abletonator.com which is on a similar tip!
Gavin
My shameless plug has no become shameful!
It should've been http://www.digitalfunfair.co.uk/arcade.htm
If it doesn't work this time I give up.
Gav
looks ace.
those buttons look really sturdy
[…] All-Arcade Ableton Live Controller, DIY Hardware by The Prevolt – All arcade hardware, aluminum top panel by FPE, and a nice wood case courtesy of my man Michael Yates. It uses all key commands through a custom driver to handle playback, effects, editing, warping, UI, mouse clicks, scroll messages, and more. […]
Great sound, awesome video. Amazing creativity on the machine, sound and video! Looks like it could revolutionize…
[…] cabinet form-factor. Why? Because. (Thanks to comments by Gavin for the tip!) So, if you liked the Ambassador Live controller with arcade buttons, but wanted a full cabinet so it’s impossible to lift, you’ll love […]
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[…] All-Arcade Ableton Live Controller, DIY Hardware by The Prevolt […]
[…] and casing, transformed into an arcade game cabinet form-factor. Why? Because. So, if you liked the Ambassador Live controller with arcade buttons, but wanted a full cabinet so it’s impossible to lift, you’ll […]