C-Thru Music, creator of a line of innovative MIDI controllers based on a hexagonal grid and harmonic principals, has announced that it is shutting down its store at the end of January 2015.
The velocity-sensitive MIDI controllers use a unique key arrangement that means that chords and scales have the same fingering in all keys. For some musicians, this makes it easier to explore new chord progressions and performance, because every chord has a corresponding consistent geometric shape.
Here’s an example of their Axis 49 controller in action:
According to the company, the maintaining a corporation with all the associated costs isn’t economically viable.
Because of this, they are selling their remaining inventory at up to 50% off. See the C-Thru Music site for details.
Still a bit of a wedge for a velocity only controller with no user support to follow up on from a company that won’t be there. I guess when you compare to a more adaptable, affordable and expressive controller like a LinnStrument you can see why it is time to call it a day. I’d still like one for a play, but I could never get my head around the cost of these things, 64 velocity only keys at £1500 always seemed £1000 over budget to me.
They do note, “Support: We shall exit gracefully, by which I mean that we will be holding back sufficient spare units and parts to be able to provide the same absolute guarantees for customers. This means full 30-day money back no quibble guarantee, and a year’s guarantee against faulty product (unlikely but it can happen). Guarantees of all kinds will cease 31st January 2016.”
That is good to know, cheers.
> 64 velocity only keys at £1500
The Axis-64 has 192 keys, not 64. It’s fairly clear on the photos that it has far more than 64 keys. It was also hand built to order in a small shop in England.
The Axis-49 has 98 keys was made in the USA, and has had several sales and deals making its most common purchase price around $300.
Looks like a great deal. If I wasn’t already over-extended in terms of both money and learning curves, I’d consider it, for sure.
The amount of, off the wall equipment people fetch to the market will mean others will go the same way.
Good to see they offer support.
Shame. The world needs new things all the time, even if it can’t see that.
i guess ipad apps for $1 that have this key arrangement killed the hardware sales.
I completely agree with this !!! fuck software long life to hardware !!! I hate software, I never use soft in music, I find that soft doesn’t have souls!!! it’s just my opinion but it’s true that ipad apps or other musical apps killed hardware….