No instrument? No problem. New tech turns movement into music

Record ID: 1024868

  • Title: No instrument? No problem. New tech turns movement into music
  • Date: 31st January 2018
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF EXHIBITOR DEMONSTRATING HOW TWO RINGS CAN BE USED TO CREATE DRUM BEATS TROY SHEETS, CREATOR OF BLIPBLOX, DEMONSTRATING BLIPBLOX VARIOUS OF BLIPBLOX MAKING SOUNDS AS KNOBS AND LEVERS ARE MOVED
  • Embargoed: 14th February 2018 02:20
  • Keywords: music technology NAMM California digital synthesizer MIDI controller augmented reality
  • Location: ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/UNIDENTIFIED LOCATIONS
  • City: ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/UNIDENTIFIED LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA00980FWK0R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: New technology that lets musicians control sounds using motion was center stage at the National Association of Music Merchants' (NAMM) annual trade show in Anaheim, California.
    Japanese company Shikumi Design showcased the Kagura augmented reality system it says can turn anyone into a musician using only body movement and gesture.
    Kagura lets users trigger samples and loops by pointing at icons on a computer screen using gestures captured by the computer's webcam. The icons are programmable, so any sound can be linked to any icon.
    Kagura is currently on sale for $499.
    Two European companies -- France's Enhancia and Genki from Iceland -- narrowed the focus of motion control with MIDI controller rings that allow musicians to manipulate musical effects using hand gestures.
    Enhancia's ring is designed to be used by keyboard players who want to shape the sounds they are playing while they are playing, without having to remove one hand from the keyboard to turn a dial or push a lever. Rolling the hand from side to side while wearing the ring modulates the pitch of a note and moving it up and down modulates the volume.
    The version of the ring Enhancia showed at NAMM was tethered, but the company says they will be launching a campaign on crowdsourced fundraising site Kickstarter in March for a wireless version. They expect the pricing to be between $200 and $300.
    Looking beyond the keyboard, Genki's Wave ring can be used with any electronic instrument or can trigger and manipulate sounds using a digital audio workstation.
    "For live performances, it's, of course, a really visual way to kind of communicate something that may be happening in the computer or somewhere you can't see it. But while not performing live, it can also enhance what you're doing when you create music. So it gives you an extra layer of creativity on top of the instruments you already use," said Genki's Chief Operating Officer Haraldur Hugosson.
    Hugosson hopes the first Wave rings will be in the hands of backers of their Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign -- who will pay around $100 -- by early fall. The retail price is likely to be around $200.
    Manipulating sound in a more traditional way but for a less traditional audience is the Blipblox, a fully functional synthesizer for children.
    In a bright, primary colored casing with flashing lights, the Blipblox allows children as young as three to create new sounds using the toy's buttons, knobs and levers.
    "The emphasis is really on designing the soundwaves and working at the level of the oscillators and the LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators). So it takes care of playing the notes, so it's sort of playing the notes for you. The real fun is getting in there and really, you know, designing the soundwave itself," said creator Troy Sheets.
    Sheets said the Blipblox should be available in mid-2018 for $159.
    On the more traditional side, but utilizing cutting edge technology, 3DVarius showcased its 3D printed violin.
    Creator Laurent Bernadac said the violin's body is printed in one single piece and the design was optimized for weight distribution.
    "It gives a special sound, a warmer sound which people like to play classical or electrical violin," Bernadac said.
    The 3DVarius retails at $7000.
    The NAMM show ran from January 25-28 and was attended by over 100,000 people and 2,000 exhibiting companies.
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