Why?

Blah blah. I used to have a tirade here about music interface stuff. Basic reason: mice suck. Try to make an interface to a software synth that gives as much data to your software as possible (and not another knob box). Some nice recent updates..

Here are some input devices, software, dev kits, and random stuff I have or hope to get plugged into Supercollider. Granted, some of them use MIDI which is to be thoroughly hated, but they are still worth mentioning, and worth investigating.

hackware (non production)

• mt-6 (200k jpeg)
  

  This is a hacked set of three axis pads. Apparently, I sized it exactly to my hand, as most people have a problem using it. It gives me 12 axes of continuous control. This combined with JoyGen provides a lot of controller input for supercollider.

• Stealth and Son of Stealth
  

  Home made analog and midi wind controllers.

• Audiopad:

  funny how these table/projector interfaces all popped up at once. now they are a bit bland. what else do you do with them?

• the CUI:

  The most affordable analog to USB convertor I have found, and specifically does HID, which is easy in SC.

• MIDIBOX project

  Although most people are making custom knob boxes (and quite impressive ones) there are many more possibilities with these pre-tested PIC controller boxes.

prototypes/vapourware

• Terpstra Microtonal Keyboard
• Wilson Generalized Keyboard Why does this seem like vaporware? Besides the $9k pricetag...

hardware

• The Jazzmutant Lemur
  

  A multitouch lcd with configurable display, and physical modeling controllers. And they use OSC. The only reason I don't have two is the price.

• I-Cube
  

  Basically able to create an entire musical environment based on light, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, etc. Only drawback is that it is MIDI. and the price.

• DIEM Digital Dance System
  

  MIDI, again, but very interesting, who needs a singer when you can have DANCERS!

• P5
  

  WORKING W/ SUPERCOLLIDER. Grab ahold of p5osc, your saviour if you have a p5 and want to use it on Mac OS X. I have working SC code for this, somewhere... p5osc was recently updadted for intel, I'll have to try and grab a copy to test with.

• 3d connexions
  

  Per their tech support: the SpaceMouse, CadMan, and PuckMan USB all work out of the box with InputSprockets. Haven't tested this myself. Better than that, is the new Space Navigator is directly supported on the mac, affordable ($59), and an HID device. Not long before I get a couple of these.

• Gypsy Motion capture suit
  

  After reading specs, not sure what this can do that a P5 cannot, besides the obvious part of use your left hand.

• Musictech master keyboard
  

  Accordian like console keyboard. Looks like it could certainly be used for microtonal work.

• TacTex

  Tablet interface with multiple tracking points. Theroetically you could get 10 continuous variable inputs (x and y on each finger of one hand). Has hooks into MAX.

  Update: They seem to no longer be selling the multitouch product. Also, the Surface One from M-audio was cancelled. Is this dead? Most answers seem to be on the tactex resource site.

• WACOM Tablets
  

  Works directly with SuperCollider. I have one now, works great. SC3 on OS X uses these differently, and full tablet control without affecting the mouse is now unavailable. The usablility is definitely lowered.

• The Continuum Fingerboard( or here now.)

  Works via MIDI, also has a firewire interface for kyma. Recently added a CV interface for analog nuts.

• PAIA

  A number of DIY kits for midi controllers and devices.

• Buchla Thunder

  Replaced with conducting sticks? The chances of getting one of these is close to nil, and if yes, surely the cost would be above retail. But the reviews are amazing. LAter reading seems to indicate that these are dying. They were sensitive, and they need repair pretty frequently. I think that these can go to the museum now. Especially considering the addition below...

• Buchla 222e How many kidneys must I give for this?

The Thunder, er, Lightning, er, their love child, in a modular format. I could direly want one of these. Being CV only presents a lot of barriers though.

• Monome

Button array and lots o' blinken lights. Still reading about this one.

software

• OSC
  

  MIDI is dead! long live OSC!

• JunXion

  Joystick to midi conversion for non SC use. Still keeping ahold of this for whatever I can't get working in sc. So far, that has been nothing. Now on v.2.

links to more links

• Bill Buxton's directory of Sources for Input Technologies.

  An up to date and very good list. Updated March 22 2006.

• Native instruments Links List
  

  Lots of MIDI controllers.

• Synth Zone Controllers list

odballs

• wireless midi bells

video input

• Eyes for Max
• BigEye (this is unofficially dead, does not work well with late os 9 macs.)
• SoftVNS for Max
• Cyclops for max...
• but are you seeing a trend?
• Thanks to open source, we can now say fuck that jazz.