Developer Benjamin Olson has introduced Solar Modulator – a Mac app that translates changes in light intensity into MIDI messages (using your device’s camera).
Solar Modulator reacts to any light change. It can be something as simple as changing a sound by moving one’s hand towards the camera (blocking light), but it also supports more complex interactions, using a remote control’s infrared pulses and more.
Here’s the official intro video:
Solar Modulator should work with any Mac app that takes MIDI input, (including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, GarageBand, MainStage, and more) since it simply acts like a standalone external MIDI device.
Solar Modulator supports the following MIDI parameters over all channels in normal or high resolution:
- Modulation/Mod Wheel
- Pitch Bend
- Pressure/Mono Aftertouch
- Sustain/Soft Pedal
- General purpose MIDI CC controls for mapping to DAW controls.
Note: Solar Modulator requires a camera and MIDI input-compatible software to be useful, as it does not generate sound by itself, and does not directly send MIDI to external hardware.
Solar Modular is free to download and test; the full version is US $3.99 in the App Store.
If you’ve used Solar Modular, leave a comment and share your thoughts on it.
will it detect if you have an idea?
no iOS? b please..
Could be good for something.
I think it is rather excellent idea, especially for things like filter sweeps.
Will definitely try it out. At $3.99 i’m not really risking much… 😉
I am very amazed at how well it functions. The moment I tried it, I upgraded to the pro version. Sensitive, expressive MIDI for days!
The remote option was a good idea, but OSX 10.10 required…:-(
This is screaming for an iOS release. Please!!!!!
Just bought this – and it works very nicely with Reaktor 🙂
Now I can program a four to the floor kick by banging my head towards my screen like a lunatic, yay!
Fantastic!! Windows version please !!!
You have a free app for Windows since 2007 that can send up to 4 messages per axis. It’s called Peripheral MIDI Controller and it works perfect.
http://pmidic.sourceforge.net
If any one needs a program like this for free I can throw in MAX patch fast for your use.
I was wondering if there was a Max for Live plugin. Or maybe just for Max?