Artiphon – creators of the Instrument 1 and Orba synthesizers and MIDI controllers – has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the Chorda, a new synthesizer, looper and MIDI controller that’s designed to be played in a variety of ways.
Chorda features 12 capacitive-sensing pads, an built-in synthesizer and sample engine, a looper, support for MIDI and is also an MPE controller.
What Artiphon say about it:
“Chorda is an incredibly versatile instrument. In fact, it’s like having many instruments in one! You can play Chorda flat like a keyboard or drum machine, or pick it up and strum like a guitar or ukulele.
Chorda lets you play music intuitively, whether you’ve never picked up an instrument or if you’ve played your whole life. With feather-sensitive “capacitive touch” sensors, it picks up even the slightest (or the wildest!) movements so you can express yourself instantly and explore your favorite music in new ways.”
Features:
12 capacitive-sensing pads respond to even the lightest velocities and enable per-note expression in multiple dimensions
Bridge with six triggers for individual note articulation using familiar gestures like strumming, tapping, and pressing
Onboard synthesizer and sample engine, and built-in speaker offer an immediate, standalone playing experience
Accelerometer and gyroscope capture a range of multi-dimensional movements
Use the built-in looper to easily layer Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead parts
Connect to the cross-platform Artiphon app for more sounds, songs, and settings
Connect via MIDI over Bluetooth or USB-C, and use MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) to play your synths and music software in dynamic new ways
Use the 1/8″ (3.5mm) output to listen on headphones, speakers, and amps
Multicolor LEDs respond to the way you play
Embedded haptic engine offers vibration feedback
USB rechargeable battery with 4+ hours of battery life
Chorda supports the following MIDI expressive controls:
Per-note:
Velocity
Vibrato (Pitch)
Radiate (CC74)
Press (Channel Pressure, Aftertouch)
Universal:
Tilt (CC1)
Move (CC113)
The Chorda is available to project backers starting at $199.
*Note: Crowdfunded projects involve risk. Find out details on the project website.
Developer Brian Clevinger, (the creator of both Native Instruments Absynth & Rhizomatic Plasmonic), shared this video, demonstrating how to create and control an expressive MPE pad in Plasmonic with the Expressive E Osmose.
Starting with a basic saw + LPF patch, Clevinger shows how to use MPE to control a number of parameters to build a sound with detailed and organic expression.
Brian Clevinger says that Plasmonic & the Osmose “are a perfect match”.
For those that are interested in exploring beyond the Osmose’s built-in sound engine, watch the video and share your thoughts on the Plasmonic + Osmose combination in the comments!
Jason Hotchkiss of Sixty Four Pixels shared this preview of Le Grand Strum, a new version of their strummable MIDI controller.
Le Grand Strum comes pre-assembled, in a larger format, with high quality 12mm tactile switches and gold plated strum pads.
To play MIDI notes, you hold down one of the chord buttons and touch the tip of the stylus to the strum plate. The contacts on the strum plate are mapped to notes of the chord across multiple octaves and you can create guitar-like strums, chord sweeps and arpeggios by moving the stylus across the strum plate.
Features:
36 chord buttons give you immediate access to 84 different chords (maj, min, dom7, maj7, min7, aug, dim for 12 root notes). You can also play sus4, add6 and add9 chord variations (with some limitations)
The 16 pad, gold plated strum plate has a tapering layout which allows fast chord strums at the top and individual note picking at the bottom.
Two new circular strum areas duplicate notes from the main pads and allow you to play continuous arpeggios by moving the stylus in a circular motion.
Multiple chord modes are offered, including stacked triads, guitar chord voicing, “drone” chords on second MIDI channel and scale mapping for playing melodies
5 pin MIDI socket for direct connection MIDI synthesizer hardware or to a computer (Using a suitable MIDI interface/USB-MIDI cable)
Long life from a 9V PP3 battery (7mA current draw typical). Battery not included
Integral enclosed acrylic base plate with leather stylus holder and acrylic side legs/hand-grips and non-slip rubber feet
Open-source hardware and firmware and hackable design – with PCB pads for attaching a second stylus and external pads or strings
