This Epic Dance Track synth jam is performed on the Axis 49 controller, which may be a little mind-blowing for anyone that’s not familiar with alternate key layouts.

via guitarDouchebaggery:

The European in me wrote this song last weekend, you’ll see what I mean LOLwell, at least I’ve used an uncommon scale, it’s in D# Ionian sharp 5yes, this is an AXiS 49, a harmonic table MIDI controller by c-thru musicwww.c-thru-music.com

In this series of videos, Elaine Walker explores microtonal music with the C-Thru Music AXIS controller. There are 12 videos in the series embedded above.

via miselaineeous:

C-Thru Music has lent me this keyboard, called the AXIS, for a few months, and I am rearranging the keys for the Bohlen-Pierce Scale, a macrotuning based on a 3/1 frequency ratio, divided by 13 equal steps.

See http://www.ziaspace.com/elaine/BP for research on the BP Scale.

This particular AXIS toured with the Lionel Richie Band on loan, went to me, and in two weeks I will be flying to Boston to give this AXIS to the Berklee College of Music, Synthesis Department – namely to Dr. Boulanger who will use it for his classes and for the new microtonal club.

I teach Electronic Music at Scottsdale Community College. Come join the fun!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

C-Thru Music has posted this teaser image of its AXiS-49 USB Music Interface. 

Here’s what they have to say about the alternative keyboard controller:

The AXiS-49 is a USB MIDI keyboard designed for home studio or tour bus use. We are at the prototyping stage. We hope to have the ‘49 available late in 2008 or early 2009.

The key mechanism is the same as the ‘64.

• AXiS-49 specification

Expected price is $500. If you’d like to be informed when it’s available please let us know.

At $500, this puts the keyboard within reach of a lot of musicians. I’d like to see them incorporate some ideas from other popular MIDI controllers, though, like a mod wheel and some function keys. 

What do you think of the AXiS-49 USB Music Interface? Will it be a game changer?

Jordan Rudess (Dreamtheater) demos the C-Thru Music AXiS-64 Pro MIDI Controller.

Designer Peter Davies threw out preconceptions of what a music keyboard should be and designed a layout based on the Harmonic Table. According to C-Thru Music, the arrangement of notes helps you understand note relationships and create as you never have before.

Remember the bizarre C-Thru Music AXiS-64 MIDI controller, introduced at the Winter NAMM Show?

At the Summer NAMM Show, they were showing the second Axis product, the Axis 49, a smaller and more budget-friendly version of their debut release. The Axis 49 has the same velocity-sensitive buttons as its bigger brother, but doesn’t have pitch-bend or modulation wheels.

It’s expected to be available in October for under $500. 

Designer Peter Davies threw out preconceptions of what a music keyboard should be and designed a layout based on the Harmonic Table. According to C-Thru Musiic, the arrangement of notes helps you understand note relationships and create as you never have before.

Words don’t really do the controller justice. Fortunately, C-Thru Music provided us with a video that shows how the new controller works.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Unique to the AXiS is its key area, invented by Peter Davies, which is based on the Harmonic Table. According to C-Thru Music, the arrangement of notes helps you understand note relationships and create as you never have before.

You can stretch more than four octaves with one hand, find harmony notes and play rich chords easily, and play low and high notes with either or both hands and without crossing hands.

AXiS is a made to order professional quality MIDI controller, with a sturdy metal case. Onboard are pitchbend and mod wheels, as well as two rotary controls. There are sockets for two-foot controls or foot switches and the AXiS can calibrate almost any external control with ease.

Here’s a top view of the keyboard’s layout.

“With the right guidance, it’s the easiest and quickest way to learn musical theory I’ve seen, and I’ve tested it on myself and many others, including children.” says Davies

“The Harmonic Table is a map of musical structure where visual pattern translates into sound pattern and vice versa.” “It’s an overview of musical structure that’s more accessible; a great compositional tool that will allow musicians to find a wealth of melodies and note combinations that they’d be unlikely to find on other instruments.”

C-Thru Music intends to develop the AXiS-64 as well as designing new products using the Harmonic Table.

“This has amazing potential and I’m looking forward to hearing what people make of it,” comments C-Thru’s Andrew Llewellyn. “It’s a lot easier to play than it looks.

The key surface makes it easy to slide from note to note, or to play two or three notes per finger. It’s fun to learn and you soon get to know your way around. It’s almost intuitive, and after a while seems quite natural.”