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Contents:

Hello

First up: Editor's Note from the laptop of Robert Curtis,
your songwriter in residence at Songwriting Software Plus.

Followed by Items:

1. The Great Oxy 8
2. This Month's Notable Quote
3. Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars

Editor's Note:

I've been testing out a new midi controller that is great for portability purposes - it's the Oxygen 8 from M-Audio (Oxy 8 from here on). It can fit in a standard briefcase so it's easy to take along and even play with while sitting in an airplane seat.

It also comes to bear in the realm of songwriting and software as it's generally the standard tool of choice to have a keyboard type midi controller to run the various parameters of all your software programs. Everything from playing musical parts, like a piano part, to literally tapping out drum parts on the keys as well.

If you need something small, lightweight and hence very portable then the Oxygen 8 might just be a great choice for you. Plus it's powered off your computer's usb port so it's one less thing to have to plug into an outlet. And if you're on the go with a laptop then you've got practically a full studio with the Oxy 8 along.

I do a lot of my songwriting at a local library, the main Cerritos library to be exact in Cerritos, California, and that's a place where I can take up very little real estate at a work station with my laptop and Oxy 8. If you're ever in there maybe you'll spot me, if so please say hello :-) It's a great library too!

Check out more about the Oxy 8 in today's feature article. They're are a lot more features to check out but you should be off to a good start :-)

Item 1

The Great Oxy 8

The Keyboard

The Oxy 8 has 25 keys that are not weighted but have the feel and play of your typical plastic based midi controller. The keys are regular sized (or normal piano keyboard sized keys) as well.

You can plug in a sustain pedal as well into the back of the keyboard and you can switch octaves of the keys as needed - important of course when you've only got 25 keys - just one of the accommodation made for the small size.

Total MIDI Control

You can map the eight knobs to any synth parameters you want to program or perform with—or to mixer controls like volume, panning and effects send. You may still need to utilize your mouse but this will give you a lot of manual control for most major functions.

And you can assign the buttons to trigger samples and anything else that is MIDI-programmable. Each controller can map to just about any applicable parameter in the MIDI spec, including independent channel addressing for each.

Easy Programming

Oxygen controllers feature dedicated front-panel function buttons to easily access common operations like preset, program or channel up/down, octave up/down, and transpose up/down.

Use the Controller Mute button to prevent parameters from jumping when you change them, then press Snapshot to transmit all current settings. The Advanced Function button allows the keyboard to serve as a data-entry device for controller assignment and similar setup functions.

The front-panel 3-segment LCD gives you the information you need for programming parameters at a glance.

Comes With Free Enigma Editor/Librarian Software

Enigma is a powerful software editor/librarian for Mac and PC that lets you easily program, store and load setups for M-Audio and Evolution USB MIDI controllers. Simply download it as part of your purchase package.

Enigma includes a huge library of files for your favorite VST plug-ins, instruments and host apps. Programming is as simple as dragging the software parameter you want to control onto the graphic representation of the controller on your screen.

With Enigma, your library of controller presets is virtually unlimited.

Take On The Road

The Oxy 8 is just one in the Oxygen series and there are larger sizes available if you want more keys for example. They're all usb powered too and portable as well.

Technical Description

PC Requirements

Available USB Port
DirectX 9.0b or higher
Windows XP (SP1) or higher
Windows 98, Me, NT, or 2000 not supported

Macintosh Requirements

Native USB Port
Mac OS X 10.2.8 w/ 256 MB RAM, OS X 10.3.4 or greater w/ 512 MB RAM

Overall Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.8 x 2.9 in.

Availability

You can find the Oxygen 8 at pretty much any online music retailer as well as most major music stores - usually well under $200 US.

End of Item

For Inspiration And Thought On Your Path To More Songwriting Success:

"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."
-- William B. Sprague

Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars:

Lyric Writing (Windows and Macs):

Lyricist - the premiere indispensable and affordable lyric and lead sheet music writing program.

Performing Songwriter Magazine said this about Lyricist - "...what it does, it does well." March/April 2004

Click here for all the benefits Lyricist gives your songwriting and enjoy the Songwriting Software Plus discount - save $5.00. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download.

MasterWriter - the most comprehensive program for writing lyrics with a recorder for melodies and preprogrammed grooves.

Used by hit songwriters Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Jeffrey Steele, and many more. Windows and Mac compatible.

Click here to read more about MasterWriter and save big with Songwriting Software Plus. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download.

Music Writing (for Windows):

Play Music - the easiest music notation program around.

Music Recording (for Windows)

Mixcraft - easy recording software.

Information & Credits

Songwriting Software Express is published monthly by Songwriting Software Plus: Robert Curtis, Editor.

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