Scientists at Keio University in Japan are pioneering new types of clothing, inspired by analog synthesis, that can change color to match various outfits. The hi-tech clothing is an example of current research into wearable computers. A color-shifting “chameleon shawl”, developed by Akira Wakita, incorporates red, blue and green light-emitting dioedes(LEDs). By varying the brightness… Read More Japanese Experimenting with Wearable Synthesis
Toto Japan has introduced the ultimate toilet seat/MP3 player, the Apricot series toilet seat. Not content to settle for the usual high-tech toilet gadgets, such as a seat-heater, automatic washer and robotic action, Toto has added a full-fledged MP3 player with SD card slot. We’re not making this up. The control panel can be attached… Read More MP3 Players go to the Toilet
Toshiba has developed the first gas-powered MP3 player. Before you plan on gassing up your player, though, keep in mind that the device is a proof-of-concept developed to highlight the capabilities of new portable fuel-cell technology. Toshiba Corporation has developed two prototype direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) units and begun tests to validate their operation… Read More First Gas-Powered MP3 Player
ElectroKraft has introduced the Lunar Module, an alternative controller that uses photocells to enable theremin-like control of MIDI signals. The Lunar Module can be plugged into any synthesizer, keyboard or drum machine with MIDI input to create sounds not before possible. “I have created an exciting alternative MIDI controller that will produce sounds and rhythms… Read More ElectroKraft Intros Light Theremin MIDI Controller
Get ready for Sex everywhere. Jessica Vale has announced the upcoming release of The Sex Album. The provocative CD features sounds (with the exception of Vale’s vocals) taken entirely from the recordings of live sex that were manipulated into dark electronic and ambient music. Synthtopia recently interviewed Vale about making The Sex Album. This is… Read More Sex Album Released
April 1st, 2005: Korean manufacture K-Tar has introduced the first ever 100-key USB-based MIDI controller, the K-Tar 100. The keyboard offers computer musicians a full octave of additional range over traditional keyboards. Because of the extended range of today’s soft-synths, many notes are beyond the range of most USB keyboards. Instead of wasting all of… Read More K-Tar Intros First 100-Key USB Controller
Elektron has announced that it’s restarting production of the SidStation, a unique sound module based on the Commodore 64’s sound chip. The production run is limited to 100. The new batch of SidStations is built exactly like the previous ones. All original parts have been hunted down to assure the original sound. The SidStation is… Read More Elektron Announces Limited Run of New SidStations
NAMM 2005: Metasonix introduced the latest tube-based sonic violation from Eric Barbour, the TX-2 Butt Probe. Possibly the most offensive product released at this year’s NAMM, the TX-2 promises to be “far more extreme than the famed Sherman Filterbank, and far more tube-freaky than your mother’s enema kit.” The Metasonix TX-2 is made with three… Read More Metasonix TX-2 Butt Probe Puts Tubes Where They Were Not Meant to Be
ElectroKraft.com has announced the resurrection of the 1980’s video game Space Invaders in a cool modular synth box called the Space*Synth. Using the original synth chip from the 1980’s video arcade game Space Invaders, ElectroKraft has captured the familiar, yet otherworldly sounds of classic video games. Tony Amendolare from ElectroKraft.com is creating experimental electronic instruments… Read More ElectroKraft.com Resurrects Sounds of 80’s with Space*Synth.
The Lemur is a sleek portable controller for live performance computer music applications featuring a 12″ LCD display and a proprietary touch screen interface that can simultaneously track multiple fingers.… Read More Cycling Announces Lemur Touchscreen Control Surface
