Liam Lacey

Liam Lacey

Liam is the Head Of Development specialising in software development at Modal Electronics, the company behind the 002, 008, CRAFT and SKULPT synthesisers, and was previously the lead software developer at nu desine, the developers of the AlphaSphere MIDI controllers. He was also an Associate Lecturer at UWE, Bristol, UK where he graduated in 2010 with a First Class Honours BSc degree in Audio and Music Technology. Liam takes part in many music tech hackathons around the world, has been involved in the creation of two Impact Soundworks Kontakt Instruments, and has presented a couple of papers at the annual New Interfaces for Musical Expression conference. As a developer he mainly specializes in C/C++, JUCE, Raspberry Pi, and Teensy/Arduino, though on top of all of that Liam is also a guitarist, musician, composer and producer, primarily using Logic Pro and Ableton Live.

Articles by Liam Lacey

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4 Things to Consider when Designing your own Hardware Music Controller for Audio Software

Designing your own MIDI controller can give you unparalleled levels of control over your software. Liam Lacey explains how you could go about making it a reality.

6 Easy Ways to Get into Music Tech DIY & Hacking

There's never been a better time to get into music tech DIY & hacking. Nowadays there is an abundance of platforms and resources designed specifically for any level in these once-specialist activities

How To Hack ROLI Lightpad Block Into An 8-Step MIDI Sequencer

ROLI's Lightpad Block is fully customisable, and you don't need to be a coding expert to do it. Liam Lacey shows you how to hack this powerful hardware.

Make Your Own DIY 3D Gesture and Tracking USB MIDI Controller

With DIY gear so readily available, building your own controllers can be fun, rewarding and really creative. Here, Liam Lacey shows you how to make your own 3D gesture-sensing USB MIDI controller.

Review: Shantea Controls OpenDeck '" Custom MIDI Controller Platform

Fancy building your own MIDI controller without getting into soldering and writing code? OpenDeck might be just the thing you've been looking for...

Review: Blokas PiSound, Audio & MIDI Interface For Raspberry Pi

DIY synth building and hacking is increasingly popular. The PISound interface from Blokas aims to provide you with pro ins and outs for your Raspberry Pi system.

How to Build a Simple DIY USB MIDI Controller Using Teensy

Teensy is similar to Arduino, but perhaps better suited to making a USB MIDI controller. Liam Lacey shows how to make your own DIY MIDI controller using Teensy with 8 retro arcade push buttons.

5 Things to Consider When Building Your Own Digital Hardware Synthesiser

Liam Lacey, winner of the Element14 Open Source Music Tech Design Challenge, for his hardware polyphonic digital synthesizer shares 5 pieces of advice for every aspiring DIY hardware synth maker.

6 DIY Alternative Instrument Makers You Need to Know About

Looking to be inspired? Then you're in the right place. Here are makers of alternative instruments who you need to know about. Whether you use their instruments or not, they are worth checking out.

11 Unusual & Inspiring DIY Hardware Music Tech Projects

With more excellent DIY music tech hardware available comes a greater number of choices. Liam Lacey, music author, programmer and maker shines a light on 11 of his favorite.

Create Your Own MIDI-Generated Realtime Visuals with openFrameworks

Do you want to create a simple desktop app that generates realtime animations using MIDI data? Then you're in the right place and Liam Lacey is here to show how using openFrameworks.

How the Internet of Things Could Impact Music Composition, Production & Performance

How can one of "The Internet of Things" be applied to more than home automation appliances? Liam Lacey imagines a world where IOT is relevant to music recording, production & live performance.

How to Build a Wireless Visual Metronome that Synchronizes with your DAW

Learn how to build your own wireless, visual metronome that flashes along (multi-coloured) to your music in a DAW with MIDI out. Liam Lacey uses Processing, Spark Core and a bit of DIY magic.

Turning a Vintage Toy Piano into a MIDI Controller Using Arduino

Could you turn a wooden toy piano into a MIDI controller? Could you do it in 24 hours? Liam Lacey did it at MIDI Hack 2015 in Berlin and won a prize too. Now you can make your own as Liam shares all.

5 of the Best Platforms to Make Music Software

If you're reading this you're probably making music. But, have you ever wanted to make your own music software? It might be easier than you think. Liam Lacey outlines 5 platforms you should consider.