MIDI Controllers

Deviant Synth has a nice review of the C-Thru Music Axis 64 Control Keyboard, a new MIDI keyboard based on the Harmonic Table:
There are 192 keys on the keyboard in three identical 64-key sections laid next to one another, each section exactly one half key width lower than the one to its left. These […]

i3L (pronounced “i thrill”) is a freeware music controller app,  developed using Max/MSP from Cycling74 and is a support application for akaRemote by Masayuki Akamatsu.
And guess what? You can use it to control Ableton Live!
i3L receives pre-defined UDP messages from akaRemote.app running on the iPhone, scales the values to MIDI, and allows you to configure […]

The League Of Electronic Musical Urban Robots‘ Eric Singer demonstrates the Slime-o-Tron - a controller that works by moving conductive slime around copper nails.
What do you think? Is this the most disgusting way to create music ever invented?

Hamster Sammy enjoys improvising on an Opal Sonome:
She gives herself a little wash and clean while holding down a minor 9th chord! The plastic sphere is her means of transport while chasing humans across the kitchen floor, her equivalent to a skateboard or bike.
The Opal Sonome looks substantially similar to the C-Thru Axis that we […]

Sometimes it seems that there’s no end to the types of MIDI controllers that people come up with.
Want proof? Here’s are some of the strangest MIDI controllers we’ve seen:
Using Pennies As A Drum Controller

That’s just of start of it. Read on for MIDI Hamsters, MIDI Drivers’ Licenses and more!

Q. What’s the difference between a bagpipe and an onion?
A. No one cries when you chop up an bagpipe.
Glamorous MIDI controllers like the Tenori-On get all the press, but MIDI bagpipes are where the real action is.
There’s a significant amount of work being done in the area of bagpipe-style MIDI controllers. And it’s no surprise […]

Hercules has announced the availability of the new Hercules DJ Console Rmx.
The DJ Console Rmx features a solid metal casing with non-slip pads, a straightforward layout and a built-in audio interface with 4 inputs, 4 outputs.
The audio console, supplied with a carrying bag for total mobility, retails for $349.00.
“We consulted with over 1300 DJs throughout […]

A live performance with the Tonium Pacemaker - the pocket-sized DJ system, performed on Beatport’s stage at Hotel National, Miami, March 29th 2008.
I’m still not sold on the idea of a palm-sized DJ system. How can you work this with any level of control.
Anybody want to set me straight?

MIDI Navigator, below, is a Mac OS X MIDI driver for the 3dconnexion Space Navigator, right.
Usage is simple: download the application, launch it and select SpaceNavigator in your favorite MIDI application as input device.
MIDI Navigator can send relative and absolute CC commands. You can adjust the CC number, mode and sensitivity for each of the six […]

Komega has introduced a bizarre DIY MIDI controller - the Kromatron.
On first glance, it looks like a Keytar. Look closer, though, and there aren’t any keys!
The Kromatron is built specifically to interface with modern audio performance software such as Ableton Live. It has 4 knobs, 2 faders, a two-axis joystick, and 8 buttons.
The device […]

The international hype juggernaut for the Tenori-On continues.
Yamaha Corporation of America is set to introduced the Tenori-on in the United States with launch events for the public and press in New York on April 16 and San Francisco on April 18, 2008.
Tenori-on literally means “sound in the palm of your hand” and is a twenty-first […]

ThinkGeek has a cool customizable keyboard that looks like it would be great for rigging up a personalized music controller.
The Ergodex DX1 Input System was built with gamers in mind - it looks like it could be great music, too.
I’d be interested in trying this out, but there’s no mention of Mac support.
If you’ve got […]

I’ve seen tons of virtual keyboards before, but never a commercial virtual MIDI keyboard.
Tanager Audioworks’ Chirp is a new application that turns your computer keyboard into a MIDI keyboard controller…..so you can play notes on your computer keyboard.
Chirp combines a photo?realistic keyboard interface, ten programmable trigger pads and several controls for easily entering pitch bend, […]

Cool new DIY arcade-style DJ controller by Prevolt:
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, […]

genoQs Machines has announced NEMO, a new MIDI sequencer based on technology from their Octopus sequencer.
Features:

Unique, high-end design
Octopus technology at heart
Portable format
16 concurrent tracks
Intuitive, realtime everything

Pricing is set at 1399 Euros, with availability in July. The site promises more details to come.