Reactable Systems has introduced Reactable Live! S6, the latest version of their tangible music control system.
Here’s the official video intro:
The way a Reactable works is inspired by classic modular analogue synthesizers, but adds tangible control, sampling and digital effects processing.
On the Reactable the modules are tangible objects placed on a multi-touch surface and identified by the computer through fiducials. They are managed automatically based on their types and affinities and on their proximity. This allows an intuitive approach to sound creation and control and makes it easy to work with.
The Reactable Live S6 system includes:
- Reactable Live! Table Structure
- Reactable Live! Core
- Reactable Live! Puck Set
- Quick Start Guide
- Power Cable
- HDMI Cable
- Thunderbolt to HDMI Adaptor
- USB Cable
The Reactable Live! S6 is available now for 6.700 Euro. See the Reactable site for details.
So… like, this really works?
At 6,700 Euros for a projector under a table then it best work, or someone may send the boys ’round. But looking at the video, in pressing notes and turning dials, latency appears to be the big issue. They should look at doing midi only version on a budget, if latency isn’t an issue – but I guess they don’t, because it is.
I have always been impressed with the Reactable concept, and have the app on my iPad. I’d love the full hardware version but its damned expensive. 6,700 Euros is $10,000 AUD!!! For that I could buy a high end hardware modular, or some of the higher end keyboard synths (Prophet 6, Moog Voyager XL), or buy classic vintage analog. I don’t have a spare $10K lying around anyhow, but even if I did, I think I’d find it hard to justify spending on Reactable. If they could drop the price by two thirds, then I’d get one and it would be a very interesting instrument to have in my studio, but I doubt that would ever happen. So this is one of those instruments you only ever will see on You Tube vids.
I think you’re missing what’s really appealing about this concept. This isn’t anything like a modular or keyboard synth. Not even close, this isn’t a synth at all.
Think about this in a class room style setting, at a museum, or in some other public space. It could be a great tool for teaching people about sound production, music theory, and effects processing. I can see this being a very fun thing for someone who isn’t comfortable playing an instrument in the traditional sense and can’t wrap their head around something as complex as a modular synth. Also the novelty of having a big touch screen and blocks could draw some people to it who might not have taken an interest in music otherwise. I always think stuff like that is cool.
You are right, in the sense that most musicians given a budget of 6,700 Euros would prefer to spend that money on high quality instruments similar to the ones they already play. I know if I was given $7381 I would spend it very differently, but I feel like I’m not the ideal target audience for Reactable.
I still have no idea who the traget audience may be for a 7000€ show and tell thing …
for education?
for museums?
as an instrument?
no, no and no
and its just the apparatus, computer not included