Japanese Experimenting with Wearable Synthesis

Scientists at Keio University in Japan are pioneering new types of clothing, inspired by analog synthesis, that can change color to match various outfits. The hi-tech clothing is an example of current research into wearable computers. A color-shifting “chameleon shawl”, developed by Akira Wakita, incorporates red, blue and green light-emitting dioedes(LEDs). By varying the brightness… Read More Japanese Experimenting with Wearable Synthesis

K-Tar Intros First 100-Key USB Controller

April 1st, 2005: Korean manufacture K-Tar has introduced the first ever 100-key USB-based MIDI controller, the K-Tar 100. The keyboard offers computer musicians a full octave of additional range over traditional keyboards. Because of the extended range of today’s soft-synths, many notes are beyond the range of most USB keyboards. Instead of wasting all of… Read More K-Tar Intros First 100-Key USB Controller

Metasonix TX-2 Butt Probe Puts Tubes Where They Were Not Meant to Be

NAMM 2005: Metasonix introduced the latest tube-based sonic violation from Eric Barbour, the TX-2 Butt Probe. Possibly the most offensive product released at this year’s NAMM, the TX-2 promises to be “far more extreme than the famed Sherman Filterbank, and far more tube-freaky than your mother’s enema kit.” The Metasonix TX-2 is made with three… Read More Metasonix TX-2 Butt Probe Puts Tubes Where They Were Not Meant to Be