My current project

[Niode]

Well I thought I'd talk more about my current project. It's something I've been working on for a while now and It's almost at completion. Since I've commandeered my fiancée's Fuji Finepix F40D I thought I'd take some pics.

Aims of the project:

1. An easy to use Open Sound Control interface
2. Based on the open source Arduino platform
3. Intuitive to use with an attractive tactile input
4. USB bus powered for maximum portability
5. A useful control interface for all major DAW (digital audio workstation)
6. Be easy to use, even for people without a musical background
7. Help people create music in a less conventional idiom

Future aims of the project:

• Incorporate a giro for 3D analogue interaction
• Add a Bluetooth module and lithium battery so that the device can be wireless if required
• Use existing USB port for charging.
• Create my own software for the device for an intuitive aid to composition

Utilising 6 of these sparkfun 4x4 button pad PCBs and 96 LEDs and Diodes. To create a 96 button matrix interface with red LEDs.

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This is what it looks like when it works (well 2 panels at least, the other 4 panels have a few glitches and I'm in the process of re-wiring them), I can program it to do anything I want, work as a matrix controller for a step sequencer, or just have it scroll letters across like an LED matrix sign. Hell, I can have it interact with iTunes and have it act as a 12 band spectral analyser.

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When it's all working it's going to fit in this custom plexiglass case I had laser cut to specification.

IMG_0051.jpg (51.17 KiB) Viewed 1103 times

It's all USB powered, and is going to act as an interface to my composition software that I'm building in Max/MSP. Although I am looking to expand it to have a giro and a bluetooth module and power it by a lithium battery so I don't have any wires coming from it.

[CRTGAMER]

That is wild! Shades of Close Encounters! Okay, now that Simon tone is stuck in my head.

Ever seen this one? Hands free instrument used in 50's Sci Fi movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

Video of it on Day the Earth Stood Still, the original black and white movie on DVD.

[fastbilly1]

I love your idea, ever since you first made mention of it. A musical instrument for us nonsaavy is awesome. If you ever start producing them, I want in. Heck Ill take it as a panel instead of a cube if itll cut down the cost.

[Niode]

That is wild! Shades of Close Encounters! Okay, now that Simon tone is stuck in my head.

Ever seen this one? Hands free instrument used in 50's Sci Fi movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

Video of it on Day the Earth Stood Still, the original black and white movie on DVD.

Yeah, I've played em a few times, it's very hard to play. It's quite counter intuitive and you need a good ear to play a tune with it. I actually made a fake theremin using Max/MSP and 2 wii remotes. Moving the left hand Wii remote up and down changes the velocity of the sound and moving the right hand Wii remote away from you controls pitch. It's not perfect, but it's definitely fun to play with.

@fastbilly, I've got the barebones parts to make another, but instead of a cube I'm going to make a flat tablet style one very similar to the monome or Tenori-on interface. Once I've finished both, I'll make you a quote if you're still interested in having one made, I have a few people who are interested. It might be around £200-300 for parts, labour and shipping though. For all the parts to make two of these it's cost me around £200-250. Considering a Monome will cost around £400 second hand it's not too bad, The tenori-ons are even more expensive. However, I have a trick up my sleeve for the next ones that I'm gonna build, http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mu ... ents/c4e1/, I'm going to take that existing case and button setup, rip the speakers/noisemaking parts out of it and put one of my control boards in it running the Monome firmware. That will cut costs down tremendously, plus they're really small!

[CRTGAMER]

That is wild! Shades of Close Encounters! Okay, now that Simon tone is stuck in my head.

Ever seen this one? Hands free instrument used in 50's Sci Fi movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

Video of it on Day the Earth Stood Still, the original black and white movie on DVD.

Yeah, I've played em a few times, it's very hard to play. It's quite counter intuitive and you need a good ear to play a tune with it. I actually made a fake theremin using Max/MSP and 2 wii remotes. Moving the left hand Wii remote up and down changes the velocity of the sound and moving the right hand Wii remote away from you controls pitch. It's not perfect, but it's definitely fun to play with.

Whoa! That is very slick! Great ideal about using Wii controllers to pick up the distances, please share some boasting pics!

[Majors]

Sounds like jubeat/Ubeat.

Ubeat_irvine_location_test_machine3.jpg (53.52 KiB) Viewed 935 times

http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/m ... _7979.html

[Niode]

Omg, if only. I love ubeat. Played it in the Trocadero in London the December before last.

I want to get my hands on those OLED buttons that are used in the the Optimus Maximus keyboard. Having a cube made out of those would be amazing.

[CRTGAMER]

Niode, now see what you did! I have no musical talent so now I am gonna have to get another Simon! (Wife tossed out my last one) That stupid tone is still stuck in my head. Collector's OCD.

[MrPopo]

That'll play a hell of a game of Simon.

[Niode]

That'll play a hell of a game of Simon.

It plays a surprisingly good game of tetris, breakout and lights-out. Gonna have it run lights-out when it's put into the cube. Lights-out 3D!