WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

German music tech company Instruments of Things has launched their latest Kickstarter project to fund production of SOMI-1, a wireless gestural sensor system for translating movement into sound.

The Bluetooth sensors are designed to be be worn on the wrists and ankles, “turning the user into an instrument.”

Each SOMI-1 sensor provides eight different motion parameters that can be used independently to control or trigger sound. The SOMI-1 system consists of three parts: The sound can either be generated via the SOMI-1 smartphone app, which offers several different sound presets, or by any instrument or music software that is compatible with MIDI.

The motion data of the SOMI-1 sensors is received wirelessly via Bluetooth 5 by the SOMI-1 hub, that connects to your sound source via USB or TRS-MIDI. Up to six sensors can be used simultaneously with a single SOMI-1 hub.

Features:

• 8 different movement parameters per sensor
• Easy usage, no need of musical or technical pre-knowledge
• Smartphone app as sound source
• Connectivity to music software & hardware as sound source
• Hub with MIDI interface (USB & TRS)
• Wireless via Bluetooth 5
• Up to 6 sensors simultaneously

*Note: Crowdfunded projects involve risk. See the project website for details.

A SOMI-1 system, with SOMI-1 Receiver & 2× SOMI-1 Motion Sensors is available to project backers for about $444.

Metasonix shared this first look demo of their upcoming T1 vacuum tube synthesizer.

The Metasonix T1 is a three oscillator vacuum tube synth, housed in custom wood case:

Specifications are to be announced, but the prototype appears to be a patchable monophonic vacuum tube synth. The panel shows sections for three oscillators, bandpass and lowpass filters and a VCA.

In addition, other features include a ribbon control, sequencer and push-button keyboard.

Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.

The original Buchla Music Easel was introduced in 1972 as a portable ‘suitcase modular’. It was made up of two main units: the 218 Touch Keyboard Controller; and the 208 Stored Program Sound Source. The system has a unique card slot that lets you slide in hardware preset cards.

At Superbooth 2021, Buchla U.S.A. debuted their updated version of the classic Music Easel.

In this video, via Sonic State, Buchla’s Marc Doty discusses the new Music Easel and how it has changed from the original. He also explains the capabilities of the new Electric Music Box I/O module, which adds CV/Gate inputs, USB support, additional mixing options and more.

The new Buchla Music Easel is expected to be available in Q1 2022, with a target price of $3,999.