Of the many creative endeavors, music is probably one of the hardest to learn and practice. And of the well-known musical instruments, the violin is one of the hardest to play. But what if you can play the violin or some semblance of the instrument as easily as you could press down keys on a piano? And what if that produced the unique tonal quality of a violin while still hitting all the right notes perfectly? That’s the kind of musical experience that this DIY synthesizer offers, combining two classical instruments in a single form that might leave you confused with one hand playing the keyboard and the other playing the violin.

Designer: Washiyama Giken

Electronic keyboards can try to mimic the sounds of different musical instruments, but they don’t always work. They can’t, for example, reproduce the unique vibrating quality of the violin family, which at the very least would require some physical medium to produce that kind of sound. Conversely, violins are hard to master because you need to also move the bow at a very precise location to hit the right pitch, and that location isn’t marked like on a guitar.

Key-bowed, which is a very creative name, tries to combine the strengths of both the keyboard and the violin with very few of the flaws. It’s actually an idea decades in the making, but it’s finally possible to pull it off thanks to modern technologies and hardware. The synthesizer combines a Roland K-25m keyboard, an Arduino Uno R4 minima controller, and a self-made bowing sensor with a vertical acrylic plate. Of course, the assembly also requires some programming know-how, especially when dealing with sound waves.

Despite the complexity of the build, using the Key-bowed looks pretty simple, at least for the musically inclined. You simply hit the keys with one hand to produce music like on a regular keyboard or piano, and then you use the other hand to move the bow across the acrylic plate as you would with a violin. The vibrations on the plate are detected by the sensor and then transformed into waves that modify the note that’s produced, resulting in a very realistic recreation of a violin sound, with perfect pitch, and without the screeches. You can even pluck the plate and make it sound like you’re really plucking a string.

240702181648552

Key-bowed is definitely a work of genius that makes playing music both fun and enchanting. It still requires you to have some basic music knowledge, of course, but it makes the execution less daunting, especially if you’ve always dreamed of playing the violin. Of course, there are limits to the music you can play, since you’re technically producing notes with only one hand, and the design is made for those who hold the violin bow with their right hand. Nonetheless, it still creates a captivating experience, and hopefully, it can become a commercial product that will let everyone enjoy that experience as well.

The post Key-bowed hybrid violin and keyboard synthesizer produces pure musical joy first appeared on Yanko Design.

Medieval-themed Teenage Engineering Audio Gear was definitely not on my Bingo card this year.

Building on the success of its EP-133 K.O.II sampler from not too long ago, the quirky audio-tech company just debuted the EP-1230, a variant of the K.O.II with a medieval twist. Featuring old-timey instruments like the hurdy-gurdy and the bowed harp, sound effects like swords clashing or even a dragon roar, along with 9 original songs, and a bunch of effects (there’s even a Torture Chamber Reverb setting), this biblically accurate sampler is perfect for people looking to experiment with their sonic portfolio, making audio for medieval-themed games like your Dungeons & Dragons sessions, or perhaps trying to emulate the musical genres of a certain Woodkid.

Designer: Teenage Engineering

The EP-1230 is almost exactly like its predecessor in format, except for the ye-olde overhaul. It sports a rather beige color scheme, with medieval fonts on the keys as well as a medieval typeface on the seven-segment screen. Switch it on and you’ve got hundreds of sounds to choose from, featuring everything from old instruments to audio loops, original songs, and even SFX or foley sounds. You may find navigating the settings a bit of a learning curve because even the language on the keys is in Latin, but that’s all a part of the charm I guess.

Beyond its extensive sound library, the EP-1320 is a fully functional instrument. Its intuitive interface features pressure-sensitive pads for triggering samples, a built-in sequencer for arranging musical ideas, and a suite of effects processors to add depth and character to sounds. The device also invites you to build on its capabilities by recording your own sounds through its built-in microphone and line input. Whether it’s capturing the rhythmic hammering of a blacksmith’s forge or the haunting melody of a traditional instrument, the EP-1320 empowers musicians to infuse their creations with a personal touch. The sampler’s compact size and battery-powered operation make it a versatile tool for both studio and on-the-go music making.

The overall design of the EP-1230 is interesting, as it literally applies a medieval skin onto what’s ostensibly a very quirky contemporary-looking sampler. That fusion isn’t something most companies can pull off (it’s giving Medieval Winamp skin), but I guess if I had to trust a company with doing a good job, it would probably be Teenage Engineering. That being said, the market for a medieval-themed sampler could possibly be a lot slimmer than one for the company’s other products. The EP-1230 is up on Teenage Engineering’s website for $300 (the same as the EP-133 K.O.II), and enthusiasts can even grab themselves a medieval quilt bag, leather keychain, or tee shirt to complete the ‘look’.

The post Teenage Engineering debuts new $300 Sampler… but it’s only Medieval Sounds and Gregorian Chants first appeared on Yanko Design.