oneString open-source USB synth controller

YouTube Uploaded by waitforVBLANK on Mar 23, 2012

"Here's another demo of the oneString open-source USB controller for virtual synths. This is the final prototype and will be very similar to the final device. It's somewhat different than a traditional ribbon controller, as I've taken design cues from the early Blues instrument known as a "Diddley-Bow".
This demo shows a few of the different control modes, as they can be used to create different play styles. It's turning out to be a VERY expressive beast!

More info at the March-april 2012 Kickstarter : http://kck.st/zvTD9Q
Or on the home site: http://www.straytechnologies.com where kits should be available soon."

via Kickstarter:


"The Seed:

About six years ago, while working with some new music interface ideas, I stumbled across some images and audio of an early Blues instrument called a “Diddley Bow.” The Diddley Bow is a homemade one-string instrument used by Blues player and buskers when nothing else is available. A piece of broom wire is strung across a long board, and played using a glass bottle as a slide and a stick or finger plucking for an expressive percussive sound. I realized that this instrument was a true “folk instrument,” being cheap, homemade, and incredibly expressive in its simplicity.

Why in the age of DIY electronics and cheap or free music software is their no electronic folk-instrument?

After years of struggling with this idea, and prototyping numerous interfaces, the oneString controller has come to life.

The Project

Here's the link to the 1st youtube demo: http://youtu.be/KaMZBtpqijM

And a 2nd demo with more playing styles (same as above video): http://youtu.be/1mFMLxMdEss

The oneString controller is a super affordable, easy to construct open-source USB MIDI ribbon controller for musicians looking for a new means of expression.

USB Powered, allowing for only one cable. This means easy setup and portability in our wire-filled lives.

Uses a standard MIDI signal over USB allowing compatibility with almost all music software packages. (ANYTHING that takes keyboard input: Reason, reNoise, Energy XT, Ableton, FL Studio, Max-MSP, PureData... the list is endless!)

Uses free and open-source drivers to allow the most economical cross-platform (WIN, OSX, LINUX) solution.

Uses a minimum of parts, making it cheap and allowing for simple build instruction that even a beginner builder can finish in a day.

Body construction based on simple parts, allowing for everyone to easily make cool unique instruments without a wood-shop or plastics prototyping shop at their disposal.

Uses Arduino firmware allowing for augmentation and support from a HUGE open-source community.

How it Works – What's a “ribbon controller”??

A “ribbon controller” is a long position-sensing strip that can control the tone or modulation of a synthesizer, much like a slide-able guitar string. The sensor is read by a condensed USB powered “Arduino” circuit, which sends the MIDI synth signal to your laptop. Once there, the signal is translated by open-source software and transported to the music software of your choice.

The device will have a dip-switch to allow for 16 preset interface modes (ex: pitch-bend continuous tone, individual note sending, multi-octive ranges, control of other MIDI “CC's, etc... ). A potentiometer (knob) allows the user to chang the tuning of the instrument on the fly. Unlike currently available ribbon controllers in the >$200 range, the oneString can be triggered by a second “rhythm tap” sensor, allowing for a unique 2-handed play-style.

Who am I?

My name is Wil Lindsay. I am a career hacker-artist, performer, college professor and entrepreneur.

I've been creating and distributing various levels of open-source and DIY kits through www.straytechnologies.com for nearly 4 years. I am most well known in cyber-land for a similar open-source kit called the “Bliptronome” which married the idea of the MONOME 64 button synth controller with a cheap toy from Thinkgeek.com called the “Bliptronic 5000.”

Another well known project I've created is the YM_MINI synth kit which allows cheap control of the soundchip from an Atari ST to respond to midi output from your laptop or computer.

Years of teaching have taught me that at the heart of any successful open-source project is simplicity and affordability. That means low parts-count and VERY detailed instructions and photographs for new and seasoned builders. Check out the documentation to my other kits and projects at: www.straytechnologies.com/resources"

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