MATRIXSYNTH: Zeta



Showing posts with label Zeta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zeta. Show all posts

Friday, August 30, 2024

Keith McMillen Has Passed Away



Some sad news in via Keith McMillen Instruments

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Keith McMillen.

Keith McMillen, a pioneering force in audio and music technology, passed away this week leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a profound impact on the music industry. Born July 10, 1957 in Bermuda, Keith dedicated his life to revolutionizing how live interactive music is played and experienced.

A passionate advocate for the intersection of technology and music, Keith’s academic foundation was laid at the University of Illinois, where he earned a BS in Acoustics under the mentorship of James Beauchamp. He further honed his skills in classical guitar and composition under the guidance of Herbert Brun, Scott Wyatt, and Sal Martirano. Over the years, Keith developed MAPPS, an integrated computer composition, notation, and performance system that became the bedrock of his group TrioMetrik.

Keith’s professional journey began in 1979 when he founded Zeta Music, a company that would become synonymous with the modern violin. His revolutionary electronic instrument designs set new standards in the music industry, creating a market that continues to influence musicians today.

In 1992, as Vice President at Gibson Guitars, Keith founded G-WIZ, an R&D lab where he developed ZIPI, a groundbreaking musical instrument control language that evolved into the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol and lay the foundation for MPE and MIDI 2.0.

In 2005, Keith founded Keith McMillen Instruments, a company that quickly became known for its cutting-edge approach to musical technology using patented Smart Fabric sensors. Keith established the company to bring his innovative vision to life, and under his leadership KMI introduced groundbreaking products that combined Smart Fabric with musical artistry, including the K-Bow, QuNeo, QuNexus and K-Board Pro. These instruments, recognized for their versatility and advanced capabilities, reflected Keith’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music technology. His work through the company solidified his reputation as a pioneer in the field and left a lasting impact on the music industry.

In 2014, Keith founded BeBop Sensors with a mission to expand Smart Fabric applications into the fields of wearable sensors and haptics. This led to the development of several products and patents, including virtual reality gloves and insole sensors. This work inspired Keith to form Sensible Robotics, a new company where Keith focused his full attention on Making Robots Feel Better™ by using Smart Fabric to develop robotic skin.

Keith McMillen’s work exemplified a lifelong commitment to exploring how computer intelligence and user interface can enhance and expand musical performance. His passing is a great loss to the world of music and technology, but his innovations and achievements will continue to inspire and shape the future of both fields."

His instruments have been featured throughout numerous posts here on MATRIXSYNTH (271 posts to date including this one). You can find a handful of posts featuring Zeta here.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

ZETA SYSTEMS POLYFUZZ Vintage Hexaphonic Fuzz Guitar Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This unit is essentially the precursor to the Roland GR analog guitar synths. It has a separate channel for each string with use with a hexaphonic pickup system. The effects are Sub Pulse, Sub Triangle, Unison Saw, Standard Fuzz, and Sky Saw. It is in good shape, aside from it missing 2 fader caps, and the fuse holder."

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Zeta Synthony II Midi synth


via this auction

"this is a zeta synthony II midi controller / synthesizer that can work for zeta electric violins or cellos... zeta is out of business so this is no longer available to buy anywhere except here on ebay. I believe this model is made by axon contracted with zeta.so parts and repair may still be available thru them."

Friday, March 25, 2011

Zeta Synthony II Violin MIDI controller w Synth


via this auction

"The Synthony II is Zeta’s proprietary MIDI controller with a built-in sound synthesizer. The unit includes a pitch-to-MIDI converter that recognizes the analog notes generated by Zeta’s E-Series, Strados Series or Jazz Series pickups and converts the analog signal into digital MIDI information. This MIDI information allows the Synthony to create sounds, and/or send digital information to other MIDI devices, including the ability to access computer software programs such as music notation and publishing programs.

The Synthony II allows the string player to access the world of MIDI and digital information using their Zeta instrument as a MIDI controller. It is no longer necessary for the string player to use a piano keyboard or computer keyboard in order to access MIDI or create MIDI files. The string player can use the Zeta instruments to create MIDI music files with full bowing nuances and expression, opening the door to use of MIDI in education, studio recording, live performances, and in the exploding world of digital internet uses.

Open a whole new world of musical creativity and add this Synthony to your electric violin today!"

No pics of the Violin controller, but you can them online.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

ZETA SYNTHONY II SYNTHESIZER MIDI CONTROLLER


"The Synthony II is Zeta’s proprietary MIDI controller with a built-in sound synthesizer. The unit includes a pitch-to-MIDI converter that recognizes the analog notes generated by Zeta’s E-Series, Strados Series or Jazz Series pickups and converts the analog signal into digital MIDI information. This MIDI information allows the Synthony to create sounds, and/or send digital information to other MIDI devices, including the ability to access computer software programs such as music notation and publishing programs. 



The Synthony II provides access to multitudes of instrument sounds including drums, horns, woodwinds, pianos, guitars, basses, and special effects. Volume control between the synthesizer and instrument is controlled entirely from the Zeta instrument- a mixing board or volume pedal is not needed. 

Other control features include pitch bend, transpose, sensitivity, and dynamics mode. Careful setting of these various commands allows the Synthony II to adapt to any playing technique. Virtually instant frequency analysis provides fast and accurate pitch and amplitude information to the synthesizer, with continuous and smooth response to bowing subtleties.

The Synthony II is a standard single-space rack-mountable unit with front panel controls, display panel and instrument input jack. 

The Strados and Jazz pickup systems support one MIDI channel input per individual string, allowing separate sound settings and parameter preferences to be set for each string independent of the others. As an example, one string could be set to play flute, while another is set for piano and the third is set for trumpet, and so on. 

In contrast, the E-Series pickup has a single, mono output and as such will support settings for only one MIDI channel. A front panel switch selects the input for “E-Series” when that pickup system is being used. The “E-Series” setting is also employed in use with the Educator Cello or Educator Uprite bass.



The Synthony II allows the string player to access the world of MIDI and digital information using their Zeta instrument as a MIDI controller. It is no longer necessary for the string player to use a piano keyboard or computer keyboard in order to access MIDI or create MIDI files. The string player can use the Zeta instruments to create MIDI music files with full bowing nuances and expression, opening the door to use of MIDI in education, studio recording, live performances, and in the exploding world of digital internet uses."
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