Fyrd Instruments MIDI Control Platform Hardware Device

"The MIDI Control Platform is a hardware device designed to handle MIDI data. Made with wood (poplar) and laser-cut aluminum, the enclosure of the MIDI Control Platform looks classy and his 150 x 200 mm makes it a solid yet portable solution for live performance and home studio.

The MIDI Control Platform is USB powered (no MIDI DIN i/o) and fully compliant with MIDI over USB standard: no driver installation is needed - the MIDI Control Platform is a true plug-and-play device.

To make it fully ergonomic and ready-to-use we simplified the interface of the MIDI Control Platform: four encoders with integrated switches, two push-buttons and a 128x64 pixels graphical LCD display. However, simplified does not mean powerless: thanks to his graphical capabilities, the MCP can control many parameters depending on the “context” displayed on the LCD screen. Rather than the direct manipulation of parameters, the manipulation of the graphical elements, supplied by the module software embedded inside the MIDI Control Platform, provides evolving capabilities to the MIDI Control Platform.

By combining the interface of the MIDI Control Platform with the power of software modules, the MIDI Control Platform is capable of almost everything: you will be able to turn your MIDI Control Platform into sequencers, controllers, MIDI effects and much more. Each new module is a new way of producing MIDI data with the MIDI Control Platform."

The two first modules available for the system are the Harmonic MIDI Generator module and MIDI LFO module.

"The Harmonic Music Generator is the first module available for the MIDI Control Platform. It is a new kind of sequencer based on harmonic rules of music. The idea behind the Harmonic Music Generator is simple: you can focus on patterns and musical phrases while the Harmonic Music Generator takes care of the overall harmony of your track.

The Harmonic Music Generator can harmonize up to 3 different voices through 3 independent 16-step sequencers:
- A bass-line sequencer with a choice of 3 different pitches
- A chord sequencer with 7 combinations of 1, 2 or 3 pitches
- A melody sequencer with a choice of 7 different pitches

For each of these sequencers, you can independently control:
- The sequence of notes (instant randomization)
- The velocity profile of the sequence (downbeat, syncopation, flat and random modes)
- The overall length of the sequencer (1 to 16 steps)
- The relative speed of the sequencer (2 times slower to 4 times faster)

The harmonization itself can be edited through its own 16-step sequencer:
- Choose among 120 different harmonic structures
- Easily create harmonic variation within the same harmonic structure
- Rapidly change the overall “feel” of your track without affecting the musical structure of the voices

Finally with the Harmonic Music Generator, we make the music creation as easy as possible:
- Each sequencer (bass, chord, melody) produces MIDI notes on its own MIDI channel
- The Harmonic Music Generator can send MIDI Clock to synchronize with your DAW
- Transport functions (Play / Stop) directly available on the MIDI Control Platform"

"The MIDI Low Frequency Oscillator brings new capabilities to the MIDI Control Platform. Here are some features:

- 4 oscillators
- choose between 5 forms for each oscillator: sine, square, triangle, saw and random
- adjustable speed for each oscillator
- Each oscillator controls up to 4 parameters (MIDI CC)
- Edit the profile of each parameter (min, max, sensitivity, direction)
- Manually control up to 4 parameters with just one encoder

The MIDI LFO module is still in beta testing but it was so fun that we wanted you to have it !"

Tweak them knobs!

See http://www.fyrd-instruments.com/ for more including videos.