I hate the black and whites. No, I am not racist. I hate playing the keyboard sometimes. With all this modern technology at our hands, it surprises me that most synths still are usually controlled buy a keyboard, with maybe and aftertouch wheel. I'd like to change that.
What I would really want to use to control the pitch of my synth is something like the Ondes Martenot. If you aren't familiar with it, it uses a brass ring with a string on it. You place the ring on your playing finger (index for most people-I would use middle) and you move your finger left to right on a standard keyboard scale. The Ondes had traditional black and white keys painted on it for pitch reference. I was thinking I could use a real keyboard instead of a painted one so I'd be able to use the keys or the ring. So what do you think. Is it possible to make myself? Does it already exist? Probably not. I would love to see it in both CV and MIDI. How many of you would buy one?
anonymous
14 March 2001
You might check out Big Briar's MIDI Theramin. Its pretty groovy
You might check out Big Briar's MIDI Theramin. Its pretty groovy.
As far as the Ondes Martenot market goes, I think its in a bit of a decline these days. MIDI probably should have been called "KIDI" (Keyboard Instruments Digital Interface) because it doesn't lend itself to non-keyboard or drum instruments very well. Aside from drum pads, the alternate controller market has always been very small.
However, it sounds like a great DIY project. Perhaps check out this site for inspiration:
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.musicsyn…"]Grant Richters Page[/]="http://www.musicsyn…"]Grant Richters Page[/]