X/y/z Controllers

General Discussion
#1

Hey,

Just after a little bit of advice.

Been looking for a thermin type device that spews out midi data or even just straight USB data for controlling things I choose assigned :D. I found alesis has a few products that do this (photon, airfx, airsynth) anyone know anything else?

Thanks in advance

#2

not exactly related but interesting:
Theremin to MIDI converter using PD

the MIDI-Theremin (discontinued)

#3

have you considered a glove controller? if its not actually a thermin you want (but simply something that controls multiple axis by moving the hand) then a glove might be just the ticket - perhaps will give you even more control too. i can’t say i’ve looked into it particularly, but i saw an article which showed you how to cheaply make your own somewhere, and also i guess you can buy them (no idea how much though).

or alternatively people are doing things with the wii-mote which might provide another solution?

#4

I’ve run a cheap theremin through my soundcard and into Bidule ( www.plogue.com ).
I used Bidule to convert the theremin sounds to MIDI notes, and Rewired the MIDI into Renoise.
Works!
I can post the Bidule patch for you if you’re interested.

#5

You can probably do something with a nintendo wii.

#6

dformd: please do, I’m interested into this since I was going to do exactly this by myself for a live event I’m going to perform

#7

well, I have just started exploring Bidule, which looks great. I have created a Theremin2MIDI converter which is available here.

of course it does not work with Theremin only, but works great with it because of the monophonic/monotimbric nature of the instrument.
the patch uses MIDI Yoke to transmit the MIDI data into Renoise: the note pitch is sent as a MIDI note message (of course), while the amplitude is sent as MIDI CC message (I’ve chosen #01 but it’s easily modifiable) and/or channel pressure messages, because the note velocity only acts as an initial “peak” value, while CC and CP can vary during note playing.

I have inverted the theremin amplitude signal, because I like to use it inverted: the closer the hand is to the volume antenna, the higher the amplitude of the wave is; this is the inverse of how a Theremin works, bit I find it much more intuitive.

#8

yeah bidule is great,its amazing what you can do with it once you get used to the interface