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Tirare - MIDI String Instrument

The Tirare is a custom performance interface. In Italian, Tirare means: (to) throw, (to) to pull. The name refers to the primary performative action employed in order to generate sound. Initially, I was trying to create a form of MIDI concertina. I wanted to pull and push the interface to generate sound, similar to a concertina. I also ma...

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Sky Magic Live at Mt.Fuji :MIDI Controlled LED Drones

Sky Magic Live at Mt.Fuji :MIDI Controlled LED Drones

Okay, I admit it.  I'm a sucker for this sort of thing.  First, I have been into MIDI my whole life. Second, I lived in Japan for 7 years and have climbed Mt Fuji (twice).  Third, I love the combination of MIDI and art especially visual art.    So when I saw this I was hooked even before I watched it.  The Be...

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MIDI and Robots

MIDI and Robots

We have a soft spot for robots....... People who tinker with robots, art installations and circuit bending are right in our wheelhouse .  They seem to share a passion  for pushing the limits of what MIDI can do.  Here's a quick selection of some of our favorite MIDI robots curated from the web.  Eric Singer and the Lea...

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Les Boîtes Mécaniques (Mechanical Boxes) from Kogumi

Les Boîtes Mécaniques (Mechanical Boxes) from Kogumi

In our history of MIDI, we covered the very earliest mechanical music machines.  MIDI History:Chapter 1- 850 AD to 1850 AD - To really understand the origins of MIDI, you need to go all the way back to before there were digitally controlled synthesizers and computers, In fact you need to go back before there was even electricity to the very fi...

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Heavy Metal MIDI by Author and Punisher

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Tristan Shone A.K.A. Author and Punisher is a musician and mechanical engineer who makes heavy metal MIDI controllers, really heavy metal ! He has created a range of unique MIDI controllers he calls "dub machines" using his electronic and mechanical engineering expertise.  Tristan studied for a Master of Fine ...

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MIDI and Robots Part 2- Super Booth 2017

MIDI and Robots Part 2- Super Booth 2017

There has recently been a surge in robotic MIDI devices as Arduinos and low cost CPUs make it easier and easier to develop MIDI-controlled robotic components.  At Super Booth 2017, there were a number of significant MIDI robot introductions.  Felix Thorn From a very early age Felix was inspired by both visual and sound arts. He studi...

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The People Who Created the DIY MIDI Revolution

The People Who Created the DIY MIDI Revolution

Do It Yourself MIDI ​With the boom in open-source electronics platform like Arduino and the growth of 3-D printers, it's become easier and easier to create your own MIDI controller. We wanted to introduce you to some of the people and companies who helped create the DIY MIDI revolution. Moldover- The Godfather of Controllerism M...

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Cabot- MIDI Cahon

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At SXSW, we got a chance to check out the Cabor MIDI cahon.  Cabot is a project of UTSUWA, Inc., a Kyoto, Japan based tech start-up.  The Cabot percussion robot was conceived by Hideaki Iio, Director of the Cabot development team and guitar player/singer. "I wanted to create a product that would rev up my solo performance." &nbs...

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GRIDI is a large scale physical Midi sequencer

GRIDI is a large scale physical Midi sequencer

GRIDI is a large scale physical midi sequencer    Gridi is a large scale physical midi sequencer (2.80 X 1.65 Meters) with embedded LEDs. Itwas created by music producer Yuval Gerstein with the simple aim, to allow visitors to createa musical composition in an accessible and intuitive way. GRIDI translates the methodologyof composing...

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The Story of SMOMID

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Nick Demopoulos started out as a jazz musician and played with legends like Chico Hamilton.  But then he began exploring the possibilities of using MIDI and that led him to a new path as a DIY maker and creator of some fascinating and unique MIDI devices.  HIs website (Smomid.com)  is named after the first instrument he ever built.&n...

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