The AlphaSphere – Original Or ‘Just Plain Weird’?

Here’s another look at the AlphaSphere– a unique programmable spherical controller, introduced at Musikimesse 2012.

The AlphaSphere offers 48 tactile pressure sensors, with polyphonic aftertouch, allowing for greater expressive control than typical keyboard controllers.

Is the AlphaSphere original, or – as SOS’s Paul White suggests – ‘just plain weird’?

Check it out and let us know what you think!

10 thoughts on “The AlphaSphere – Original Or ‘Just Plain Weird’?

  1. I guess they did it because they can…

    But seriously something similar but shaped like a Hang Drum instead of a sphere would be really nice.

  2. He actually brings up an interesting point about how keyboards are designed to play a piano, not electronic instruments. I think it certainly signals the beginning of a shift towards at least some producers/performers using alternative instruments.

    I still think the design/ergonomics/materials are super sketchy though. Excellent idea, “meh” execution.

  3. Honestly how anyone can judge this without having a go is beyond me. Tried playing it at the messe and it was fantastic.

  4. the idea is great! but, as someone with a degree in industrial design and having worked on projects that tried to takel a similar human interface (not for music though), i can say that it’s inside out! the arrangement of the pads should be concave. the pads look amazing but, look at a steel drum and how easily and quickly it can be navigated, also none of it is hidden… great attempt though, it hold tones of promise.

  5. I am VERY seriously interested in this if I can find out more details about the standalone version.

    I need the following

    preset scales and key …similar ot those found in kaossilators etc

    Midi , preferably in and out so I can use it as a controller to hardware rack synths and incoming ot accept clock for timing LFO’s etc if they are present.

    Preferably some form of internal memory to I can upload samples and have them reside in memory along with a means of navigating preset sound sets ( i would want to use it live standalone but it could be programmed on computer similar ot the Microkorg XL or similar.

  6. I love the idea of the pads, but the sphere is dumb. You couldn’t reach half of it, or at best you would do so clumsily. If he put about 5-8 of those pads into a slight arc that could sit table-top or be mounted on a stand, he would have a total winner. I’d also like to have some of the pads smaller, so I could sink three or four fingers each into a pad and go to town. Maybe he could miniaturize the sphere to hand-sized, with five pads on it arrayed for fingers. I’d be all over that! Could be cool to have a little one that I could set on a traditional keyboard or clamp to my guitar for dipping in and out of using it.

    And I agree with the post above… it’s clear this kid is super sharp and creative. I’ll call this product a swing and a miss. But with some market feedback his next couple will surely be pretty great. I wish him all the best.

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