Icelandic music tech company Genki Instruments let us know that their new Wave wearable MIDI controller is now available worldwide.
The Wave is a wireless ring that lets you control sound with motion. It’s designed to let you add a new layer of expression to any instrument that you use.
With three accessible buttons, you can turn the ring on or off, as well as change sounds, parameters and effects, without having to go back to a computer. The ring lets you control sound, shape effects and send commands using gestures.
We got a preview of it earlier this year at the 2019 NAMM Show:
Wave has six different functions, four gesture based, a tap input and button clicks. Every function is configurable by users. Several presets can also be stored as preset banks.
The Wave is already being used by performers, including Bergur Þórisson, who used it as part of Björk’s Utopia Tour in 2018.
“It took me a while to realize that the best thing about Wave is not only that it can replace some of the tools you already have to control stuff when you are making music,” notes Þórisson, “but that it can make you control stuff in a completely different way, therefore making decisions that you would have never made without it.”
In addition to the Wave controller, Genki is shipping Wavefront, a Eurorack module that lets you use gestures to interact with your modular synthesizer.
Pricing and Availability
Wave is available now for US $299, and the Wavefront Eurorack module is available for $199. See the Genki site for details.
I backed the Kickstarter for the Eurorack version, and I have to say it’s already really cool without even having explored every aspect of it yet…
Is it possible to use it with millions of standalone synthesizers outside of eurorack standard? Does it need midihost to communicate with them?
I’m not sure, but shouldn’t a Yamaha MD-BT 01 be enough? I have no idea how to actually map it though. It’d probably act as a substitute for the synth’s joystick/d beam.
If it was two rings, one for each hand, I’d buy them immediately. One ring for $300 is a tad steep. And there’s no indication that two rings could even work atm. Are there any similar products on the market?
you may have a look at this one: https://instrumentsofthings.com/24sink/
you may a look at the 2.4SINK module by instruments of things: https://instrumentsofthings.com/24sink/
Yeah, it’s a bit expensive for wearable Bluetooth + motion sensor in the shape of a fat ring.
I’m planning to buy two, sized for each of my middle fingers.
There was a similar device produced a few years ago, cannot remember the name.
A lot cheaper.
It featured here in Synthtopia.
Was it Roland’s d-beam? It featured in people’s jokes here.
I’m all for advances in controller tech, but this doesn’t do it for me. It seems – and sorry if I’m not motivated enough to find out – to be mapping proximity to modulation. I would prefer something that is 6DOF instead, like the old Ascension’s “flock of birds” – which could be done much cheaper these days.
I’ll wait for Laurie Anderson’s review 🙂
Wasn’t it IK Multimedia with one take on it? And there was an indie go-go type of thing as well, forgot the name of that one.
That’s correct and both of them flopped sadly