Host Ziv Eliraz – in his latest loopop video – takes a look at 6 options for gestural music making.
Gestural music making has been around for more than 100 years, since the introduction of the theremin in 1920. In that time, dozens of gestural music making options have been introduced.
While none of them have achieved the recognition of the theremin, there are a wide range of options, offering both new capabilities for expression, and compatibility with a wide range of electronic music hardware and software.
Topics covered include:
The video captures the discussion at the Moog Artistry & Innovation Panel at the 2025 NAMM Show.
The discussion, moderated by Michelle Moog-Koussa, features composers, synthesists and synth designers, sharing their thoughts on both the legacy of Moog instruments and the future.
Video Summary:
“We brought together a panel of incredibly inspiring figures in the Moog synthesizer community for a one of a kind Artistry & Innovation Panel.
Join Michelle Moog-Koussa, Lisa Bella Donna, Suzanne Ciani, Brian Kehew, Steve Dunnington, King Britt, and Rory Kaplan for a discussion on Bob Moog’s legacy and the past, present, and future of the instruments he imagined into this world.”
Grayscale has introduced Helix, their latest Eurorack module, and a sort of spiritual successor to the Mutable Instruments Plaits.
The Grayscale Helix is described as an ‘advanced macro oscillator’. It’s essentially a redesign of Plaits, with more hardware and software features.
New features include: pitch quantization, parameter randomization, and an internal modulation bus.
All 24 algorithms from the final Plaits v1.2 firmware are included, and a new algorithm, the Lo-Fi Oscillator, combines a Buchla-inspired waveshaper with bit rate and sample rate reduction, adding intentional aliasing effects and harmonic distortion. The LED matrix displays all 25 algorithms simultaneously, avoiding the need to switch banks.
The pitch quantizer provides 35 scales, covering both familiar musical territory and obscure microtonal experimentation. Parameter randomization allows all DSP parameters to be randomized whenever a trigger is received. The degree of randomization can be limited and biased for each individual parameter, providing results that range from subtle organic variations to glitchy digital chaos.
Dedicated knobs for the LPG/VCA level and envelope decay time open up new creative possibilities by providing direct access to these previously hidden parameters. The envelope time can be externally modulated and the envelope is now accessible as a modulation source through the new ENV (envelope) and EOD (end of decay) outputs.
The modulation bus, accessed through the CTRL input, allows the internal envelope to be replaced by an arbitrary external control signal. The external modulator is routed to all seven CV inputs simultaneously and may be independently shaped for each parameter using the dedicated attenuators. Because the ENV output remains accessible on the front panel, the internal envelope can still be cross-patched to one or more parameters.
