Published on Aug 22, 2015 Mune
A new wireless controller with included software featuring control apps and an FM synthesizer. The video description and official press release follow below. No word on whether this can be paired with an iOS or Android device or whether it supports OSC as well as MIDI. I reached out to them and will post a follow-up if I hear back.
Update: I heard back.
1. Sysex support is being tested but may end up as a stretch goal in their kickstarter campaign along with OSC support.
2. The Mune will pair wirelessly with iOS and Android.
3. And... specs on the FM synth are forthcoming, however, regarding the drum synth: "the drum machine is a pairing of a 16 step sequencer plus a fairly straightforward sample-based playback system"
4. This is a the evolution of the arc instruments controller posted earlier here.
Video description:
"www.munemusic.com
Demo videos coming shortly...
Music by Biathlon: https://wil-ru.bandcamp.com/album/bac...
The Mune is a new instrument that combines the power of digital with the soul of an acoustic instrument. It's wireless, incredibly expressive and flexible.
'Mune' comes from the word 'commune' - because a new instrument should live up to today's open and collaborative standards. If you're interested - please join us in designing and pushing this device out into the world!"
And the official press release:
"THE FLEXIBILTY OF A DIGITAL CONTROLLER + THE SOUL OF A TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENT
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING IN JULY 2016The Mune story began four years ago when Scott Stevenson met Andrew Staniland, a Canadian composer and music professor. Andrew had been composing “electroacoustic” music, combining the instrumentation of classical music with digital sounds and effects. Andrew had found that performing using current digital interfaces left him and his audiences unsatisfied.
'I FOUND THAT I WAS AT A DISADVANTAGE MAKING MUSIC ELECTRONICALLY, BECAUSE WHILE I WAS DOING A LOT OF THINGSON STAGE LIKE THE OTHER MUSICIANS, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE CAUSE-AND-EFFECT BETWEEN MY ACTIONS AND THE SOUND' - ANDREW STANILAND
With that, Andrew began a research project with the objective of creating a more satisfying electronic music performance instrument. Andrew and Scott initially focused on the problem of creating an interface that could face towards the audience and make interactions fully visible - but along the way they learned that there were other core elements that desktop interfaces were lacking. Attempting to match the expressiveness and sensitivity of an acoustic instrument became an integral part of our mission while developing a solution.The rst prototype of the Mune, (called the “Arc”) was so successful that it was decided to produce the instrument commercially. Four prototypes and many performances later, the Mune team is proud to emerge with a device which is truly a hybrid between a classical instrument and a digital controller.
WHAT IS THE MUNE?
The Mune is a new electronic music instrument. It combines the functionality of a MIDI controller (used by DJs and producers) with the expressiveness and simplicity of an acoustic instrument.
Unlike a traditional DJ controller, the Mune can be held by the performer to face the audience, allowing the audience to view the musician’s interactions with sound. The built-in wireless technology allows the musician to step far away from the glow of their laptop.
The Mune offers an expanding variety of “apps” that run on a laptop and connect to the Mune. The Mune also includes an expansion port to allow the connection of future onboard sound processing modules. Like any MIDI controller, it can be used to control virtually any audio software, like Ableton Live, Reason, Logic and Max.
BUILT FOR PERFORMANCE
Take your performance off the table and show the world that electronic musicians do more than 'push play'. The Mune makes your interactions with sound expressive and visible to your audience.
BEYOND MELODY AND RHYTHM
The Mune is designed to be equally proficient at traditional performance and digital production: play melodies, shape sound, program loops, control effects and mix tracks.
MUNE COMMUNE
The Mune instrument is just the beginning. Further development and design decisions of the Mune will be driven by our community, the Commune. The Commune will also offer a simple platform for software developers to share new apps they’ve created with Mune musicians.
Future: New Touch Panels
The Mune hardware is built to be as exible as its software. It’s hardware interface allows completely new control panels to be designed and connected.
