The Zoybar is an open platform modular instrument system designed to make rapid string instrument development possible.

As modular synthesizers are to the world of synths, the Zoybar is to guitars.

The Zoybar Hardware components are modular and are not a specific instrument.

The profile length (on which you mount the Zoybar components) is 100 cm long. You can change among others: the scale, the action, the amount of pickups and pickup types and also the amount of tuning keys and the tuning keys type – bass/regular guitar.

You could also design a new body or a neck and attach them to the profile with common bolts and nuts.

Here’s some of the reasoning behind the Zoybar system:

Today DIY hardware innovation is still a fragmented process. You need to start over every time. The collaborative level is more of a reaction rather than interaction. There is no thought in open hardware over recycling and reusing the parts and materials after the mod or hack was made. That is mainly because of the way hardware is designed by the manufacturers.

Open hardware needs similar platforms that would enable its users to shorten the creative process and the energy costs. Continuity of creativity needs to be at the core of this innovation model, with the ability to duplicate or extract hardware functions as part of the creative process. A low maintenance hardware platform that can accept different plug and play applications and upgrades.

The Kaoss Pad Zoybar guitar is embedded above. More examples of instruments built on the Zoybar platform below.

Tesla Coil Lightning Guitar

Click here to view the embedded video.

Contra Bass Zoybar with Mini Kaoss Pad

Find more videos like this on Zoybar

Leave a comment with your thoughts on the Zoybar modular string instrument!

UK looping beatboxer Beardyman improvises a bit of 303 gabba.

via beardyman:

Be careful what you suggest, I suggest.

Beardyman improvises from suggestions from a small audience invited to bring their own props. Props.

Edit by mr_hopkinson

http://www.beardyman.co.uk

Spectralis, Roland SP-404, Korg Electribe MX & KaossPad are featured in this techno synth jam.

via artneffa

Here’s a sneak preview of some Throbbing Gristle 2009 action, via Chris Carter in the Synthtopia Flickr Pool.

Carter explains:

Trying out different synth & effects combinations for TG 2009 shows.

Korg Kaossilator, Bugbrand Postcard Weevils, Korg Kaoss Pad 2, Korg Kaoss Pad 3, Zoom PFX9003, Chimera Synthesis bc8 & bc16.

Slightly weedy mono sound.

You can find out more about Throbbing Gristle, and their 2009 tour, at their site.

Ethnic digital drum machine w/ Sherman Filterbank & TENORI-ON (by Franck Smith)

Using traditional percussion samples on TENORI-ON w/ Sherman Filterbank 2, Moog Analog Delay + digital manipulations via Korg Kaoss Pad KP3.

Features: filtering, micro-pulses, timbric percussion patterns, ethnic digital drum machine.

Used in this video:
- TENORI-ON
- Sherman Filterbank 2
- Korg Kaoss Pad KP3
- Moog Analog Delay (MF-104SD)

http://www.odiolorgnette.com
http://www.myspace.com/sthintosmither…
http://www.myspace.com/znshn

via znshn

This is gear porn video features Monome with KP3 Korg Kaoss Pad.

If features droolworthy shots of the Monome!

via StarfireMX

via znshn:

Cutting oriental percussion samples on the TENORI-ON w/ analog filters.

Material in this video:
- TENORI-ON
- Korg Kaoss Pad 3
- Benfox Filthy Fuzz
- MI Audio Pollyanna Octave Synth
- Moog Low Pass Filter (MF-101)
- Moog Ring Modulator (MF-102)
- Space Echo (Boss RE-20)
- Denon DN S-1200
- Vestax PMC-05 Pro III
- Boss FV-500L (as expression pedal for LPF Resonance)
- Boss FV-500L (as expression pedal for RM Frequency)
- Boss EV-5 for Space Echo volume

Kipp Wieland demonstrates how they do it in Cedar Rapids, IA, demoing a custom digital DJ setup.

The system is capable of playing up to eight stereo elements at one time, be they whole songs, clips, or loops:

“I loop everything that goes into it – even 9-minute tracks!

I put this together when Mike (running camera) asked me to come up with a system that did not use turntables, CDJ decks, or headphones.

We can render a three-day-long seamless show with this stuff.

I e-mailed Ableton at one point and asked if there was a way to cherry-pick through the on-screen clips externally, and they told me there was not. I proved them wrong with that $30.00 Logitech joystick there. The system also incorporates a Quasimidi Raveolution 309, a Novation X Station, and a Korg KP3 Kaoss Pad. 

Brilliant setup, eh?

Korg has introduced two entirely droolworthy Kaoss DJ mixers. The two-channel KM-202 and four-channel KM-402 Dynamic DJ Mixers are hybrid products that combine the effects and interface from the renowned KAOSS Pad with a performance-oriented 24-bit digital DJ mixer complete with a variety of independent EQ types and adjustable crossfader curves.

Sweeeeet!

Description:

The KM-202 and KM-402 incorporate one hundred popular effects from the mini-KP KAOSS Pad. The user simply moves their finger along the built-in X/Y pad to easily control a multitude of effects parameters for advanced and powerful effects changes. Effects range from filters, phasers, delays and reverbs, to unique effects such as a real-time looper and synth section. A Tap Tempo button makes it easy to keep the many BPM effects in time with the current source material. A Program Memory key enables users to quickly save and recall effect programs. An FX Release function keeps delay and reverb tails intact when releasing the pad, and a KAOSS button allows users to assign the KAOSS Pad to each channel.

The new mixers employ full-digital processing to provide six unique EQ types to suit any sound. Created with input from leading artists, the EQ presets include curves that cut only the low-frequency region while boosting the mid-range, as well as extreme EQ types that use the knobs as isolators for each frequency band. Each channel has a dedicated three-band EQ that responds according to the EQ curve selected via a top panel six-position knob.

Each mixer offers line and phono inputs. Also included is a Mic input, which can be routed through the KAOSS Pad for effects treatment or vocoding, or be used as a stand-alone talkback source. Both units also provide Master and Booth outputs, a Headphone/Booth monitoring switch (for cueing material) and six-step LEDs for output signal monitoring. A jack guard provides protection to the I/O section for enhanced durability.

Additionally, the adjustable crossfader curves and calibration function allows users to tailor the mixer to suit their ideal feel and control, from traditional signal mixing to the most athletic scratch-based performance.

The new Korg KM-402 and KM-202 Dynamic DJ Mixers will be available in June 2007 with pricing TBA.

2007 Winter NAMM Show: Korg has expanded its line of Kaoss Pad touch pad effects processors with the affordable mini-KP Dynamic Effect Processor.

The mini-KP offers the same interface and real-time fingertip effects as other Kaoss models, plus many features taken from the new KP3, packaged in a compact body with battery operation for shirt pocket portability. Korg’s mini-KP is designed for DJ club performances, use with a variety of musical instruments, home studio applications, and use with portable audio players.

The heart of the mini-KP is the KAOSS pad, an X/Y touchpad that allows the user to control multiple effect parameters in real time using simple tapping and rubbing gestures, creating performance effects that would be impossible on traditional processors.

The mini-KP contains 100 effects Programs covering a wide range of musical styles. These include essentials — filters, reverbs and delays — as well as more unique effects such as a low-high-band pass filter that can cut specific frequency ranges; a decimator that intentionally degrades the audio quality for unique sound possibilities; a looper & pitch shifter that captures and repeats incoming audio, retuning it in real time as the pad is manipulated; many BPM-synced effects; plus synth sounds derived from the KP3’s RADIAS-inspired engine.

While touching the pad to apply an effect, the Hold function can be used to “freeze” the current effect setting so the user can remove their finger from the unit. Two Memory Keys store the selected effect program, the Hold function on/off status, and the effect depth for instant recall.

A TAP/BPM button detects the BPM (tempo) to synchronize the mini-KP to an audio input source, or can be manually tapped to adjust the tempo. An FX RELEASE function adds a slight delay “tail” when the user’s finger is removed from the pad, providing smooth transitions and decays when changing effects. The mini-KP can also operate in a direct-connection mode or via a send from a mixer, for integration into any system.

The Korg mini-KP Dynamic Effect Processor is expected to be available March 2007 at a U.S. MSRP of $250.

Korg

Like all KAOSS Pads, the KP3 responds to the touch of a finger on its X/Y pad, for intuitive control over multiple parameters in real time. The Hold button locks the finger’s current position on the pad and Pad Motion memorizes and repeats any gesture played on the pad. The new pad lighting system — 64 individual LEDs in an eight by eight grid — can display the Pad Motion pattern as it plays, as well as many other visual cues.

The KP3 features 128 effects programs containing new effects such as grain shifter, decimator, a vintage analog-style filter and expanded EQ. There are also drum grooves and unique vocoder and synth sounds derived from the Korg RADIAS. To prevent abrupt changes when transitioning from one effect to another, the new FX Release function adds an adjustable delay tail when the user’s finger is removed from the X/Y pad. The delay is automatically set to the current tempo and the depth of the FX release can be set and saved with each program.

The KP3 can sample from a wide variety of sources via mic and line inputs. Four Sample Bank buttons (100 total banks) allow the user to create, play and save looped and one-shot samples on the fly. All samples are recorded using high resolution 24-bit converters and stored in 16-bit/48 kHz format. Samples can be saved on a Secure Digital (SD) card or transferred to computer via USB.

The KP3 thinks in musical terms, allowing the sample length to be defined in terms of beats, not seconds. When sampling is finished, the sample will immediately start playing in sync with the sample source. As the sample plays, its start time can be fine-tuned further.

Time-Slicing divides a sample into separate parts. The eight Program Memory buttons can turn individual slices on/off in real time, resulting in new rhythmic patterns. The KP3 can also sample its effects and even resample the entire output for powerful, multi-element sounds.

All tempo-related functions (sampling, effects) are accurate to .1 (one-tenth) of a BPM for more precise matching to external devices. KP3 features an improved auto-BPM detection from the audio input, Tap-Tempo entry, as well as a manual tempo setting. The KP3 can also send and receive tempo information via MIDI clock.

The KP3 is also a MIDI controller, transmitting three controller signals from its touchpad, along with data from the slider. The Sample Bank buttons send and receive MIDI note messages as well as program change commands and clock information.

USB computer connectivity allows for convenient data transfer to a computer. The included editor/librarian software also allows AIFF and WAV audio files to be loaded into the KP3 and includes sample-rate pitch correction.

The Korg KP3 is available November 2006 at a U.S. MSRP of $460.