Hey all,

A friend of mine just sent this. I am having difficulty figuring out how this works, but I thought you might find this 'stick like' instrument interesting..
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcVqJh0qEMc[/youtube]

i really love that thing... i know what i am asking for xmas

darren

I THINK it's just a unique synth controller. I don't think it's actually a synth. I could be wrong.

Looks like they are also launching a cheaper, smaller version of it too:

http://distorted-loop.com/2009/10/07/ei ... nstrument/

The instrument comes with its own native software, synths, loop libraries etc. , but it will also play back sounds from MIDI, Soundfont files etc.

The most interesting aspect of this (may be) early claims that it can be played in a totally intuitive way thanks to the software and extremely pressure sensitive parts. That is, it can be played without having to actually learn an instrument!

However, the videos I've seen seem to indicate that a lot of the parts are simply played back loops as opposed to "live" playing.

Cheers,
Andy

I get the impression that a fair chunk of motivation was to take all the stuff that the techno guys were doing anyway and wrap it into one neat transportable package ... necessity once again being the mother of invention.

I like it. I'm not heading out to get one ... but I like it and I like seeing the inventive spirit still alive and well.

i would be intersted in the smaller version first

Is that a breath controller or does the thing double as a hookah?

Perhaps this is just a semantic issue, but it has been making my gears turn ever since I first saw this.

Is a new "controller" really a new "instrument?" The Eigenharp seems like a pretty cool way to do what is already possible on the computer through programs like Ableton. Ultimately, it is the computer that is being played.

I have the same question with regard to D.J.s as performance and recording artists. I feel they are playing and mixing already recorded and already performed sounds that can be mixed and played at home, without a necessity to perform live in order to produce a more 'natural' or 'live' sound.

That said, I am still not fully knowledgeable about DJ-ing and can be persuaded.