Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Auto-composing keyboard creates tunes tailored to your taste]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/auto-composing-piano/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/auto-composing-piano/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/auto-composing-piano/#comments Auto-composing keyboard creates tunes tailored to your taste

We love listening to our favorite tunes, as they provide a soundtrack to our otherwise dull and silent blogging existence. But, sometimes the lyrical stylings of Jay-Z and glorious jams of Trey Anastasio simply don't meet our musical needs. We need something different, something never before heard by human ears, to get us through the news day. Enter Cornell students Charong Chen and Siyu Zhan, who have constructed an electric keyboard that one ups Yamaha's singing piano by creating and playing its own compositions. Users simply select between two mood modes -- happy or tender -- to determine the tune's tempo, then play a couple notes and the piano sets to sating sonic cravings. There's another mode that allows users to play a melody to "train" the keyboard, which then plays permutations of that melody in an automated jam session. In that training mode, users can play as long as they like to give the keyboard a better idea of what they're into, which allows the algorithm to better tailor its audial output. The hardware making the music happen is comprised of a microcontroller (MCU) with the composing algorithm on board, a numpad for choosing the operational mode, and a 23-key piano that communicates with the MCU through a trio of encoders. The results are impressive, if not quite concert-hall quality. Hear it for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Auto-composing keyboard creates tunes tailored to your taste

Auto-composing keyboard creates tunes tailored to your taste originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 00:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto composing keyboardauto composing pianoAutoComposingKeyboardAutoComposingPianocharong chenCharongChencomposercomposingcornellcornell universityCornellUniversityelectric pianoElectricPianokeyboardmusicpianosiyu zhanSiyuZhanvideoWed, 02 May 2012 00:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Yamaha's singing keyboard makes X Factor even more redundant (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/yamaha-vocaloid-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/yamaha-vocaloid-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/yamaha-vocaloid-keyboard/#comments Image
Tired of singers over pro-ho-ho-ho-nouncing every vowel? Perhaps the solution is to just remove their ilk from the equation altogether. That's the idea behind Yamaha's new Vocaloid Keyboard, which transforms the Vocaloid software into a ready-to-play device. 16 keys represent consonants, vowels and the types of voicing marks used in Japanese, while at the same time selecting a tone on the keyboard. An LED display prints out each letter as its plays, ensuring that you aren't making any playing errors (or should that be "typing errors?"). Experienced musicians who have used the device found that they were able to produce nursery rhymes after three hours of practice, but sadly the company isn't planning to press it into production. Instead, as the chip inside is "removable," it might contemplate licensing it to another interested party, Simon Cowell, perhaps.

Continue reading Yamaha's singing keyboard makes X Factor even more redundant (video)

Yamaha's singing keyboard makes X Factor even more redundant (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudioDAWDiginfoDigital AudioDigitalAudioInterfaceJapanJapaneseKeyboardPianoSinging KeyboardSingingKeyboardSynthesizervideoVocaloidYamahaWed, 21 Mar 2012 15:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/line-6-mobile-keys-idevice-midi-controllers-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/line-6-mobile-keys-idevice-midi-controllers-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/line-6-mobile-keys-idevice-midi-controllers-hands-on-video/#comments Musical device maker Line 6 has widened its range of music-making peripherals to include these two new MIDI controllers for your iDevice. It's the first (so it says) bus-powered gear that'll draw a tenth of your iPad's battery -- meaning you'll likely get nine hours of music-makin' on a full charge. We gave the devices a play and found them a joy to use, the keys were comfortable and had some weight, solidly built with chunky rubber volume controls and LED-backlit octave switch keys. The only downside is there's no natural slot (or groove) to place your iPad at the right angle for sustained use. After the break we've got a video with some pretty amateurish playing, but don't let the assault upon your ears dissuade you from how good this device feels. The 25-key version will cost you $150, the 49-key version $200 and both are expected to arrive before the end of the quarter.

Gallery: Line 6 Mobile Keys Hands-On At CES 2012


Dana Murph contributed to this report.

Continue reading Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video)

Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES 2012Ces2012hands-onLine 6Line 6 Mobile KeysLine6Line6MobileKeysMobile KeysMobileKeysMusicPianovideoWed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/line-6-throws-more-midi-love-at-idevices-intros-mobile-keys-key/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/line-6-throws-more-midi-love-at-idevices-intros-mobile-keys-key/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/line-6-throws-more-midi-love-at-idevices-intros-mobile-keys-key/#comments
Line 6 hasn't been a stranger to uniting musician's iDevices and MIDI controllers with its MIDI-Mobilizers, but now it's unleashing a duo of keyboard-style controllers of its own here at CES. Its Mobile Keys can connect straight to your iPhone's 30-pin port, and even over USB if you feel like recording some loops straight from your computer. The controller features velocity sensitive keys, two 1/4-inch jacks for sustain pedals and the like, and it'll interface with any apps that support CoreMIDI. Thankfully, the controllers are bus-powered, so you won't need batteries -- we'd imagine, however, that the convenience might be at the expense of your iDevice's normal run-time. If you're recording bug is piqued, you'll be able to pick it up with either 25 or 49 keys in the "early 2012, respectively priced at $150 and $200. Full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers

Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriescesces 2012Ces2012concertiPadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchkeyboardline 6Line6midimidi controllerMidiControllerMobile Keysmobile keys premiumMobileKeysMobileKeysPremiummusicmusical instrumentsMusicalInstrumentspianistpianosynthTue, 10 Jan 2012 03:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual MIDI piano glove even makes MJ's sparkly one look tame (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/virtual-midi-piano-glove-even-makes-mjs-sparkly-one-look-tame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/virtual-midi-piano-glove-even-makes-mjs-sparkly-one-look-tame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/virtual-midi-piano-glove-even-makes-mjs-sparkly-one-look-tame/#comments When a piano necktie or keytar just feel too showy, why not opt for the more subdued wireless MIDI piano glove? An excellent choice for daytime or night, the hand accessory allows you to tickle the virtual ivories without putting a finger to a real eighty-eight. It works as such: wired with resistive flex sensors, move a finger and the glove will send an electrical current through a voltage divider and microcontroller to create the corresponding MIDI note. The result? Single notes or chords of musical greatness truly worthy of a bad karaoke singalong. Check out the MIDI throwback video after the break.

Continue reading Virtual MIDI piano glove even makes MJ's sparkly one look tame (video)

Virtual MIDI piano glove even makes MJ's sparkly one look tame (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microcontrollermidimidismusicmusicalmusical instrumentsMusicalInstrumentspianopianosresistive sensorresistive sensorsResistiveSensorResistiveSensorsvideovoltage dividerVoltageDividerTue, 08 Nov 2011 20:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Ion Piano Apprentice plays nice with your iPad, lights up your life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ion-piano-apprentice-plays-nice-with-your-ipad-lights-up-your-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ion-piano-apprentice-plays-nice-with-your-ipad-lights-up-your-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ion-piano-apprentice-plays-nice-with-your-ipad-lights-up-your-l/#comments Ion Piano Apprentice plays nice with your iPad, lights up your life It's not enough anymore to simply cram a single-octave keyboard into the bottom of a Nintendo DS, effective piano instruction requires at least twice as many keys -- and an iPad. The Ion Piano Apprentice (when coupled with a compatible iDevice and companion app) offers aspiring Tchaikovskys octave-selectable free play, lessons on reading sheet music, and even a view of award-winning piano instructor Scott Houston's handsome hands. If those mitts are too distracting for you, just follow along with the light-up keys, you'll be fine. This mini keyboard / iPad dock will land this fall to the tune of $100 -- -- it's either that, a real instructor, or a pair of haptic robot gloves. Your choice, really. Hit the PR after the break for a peek at Mr. Houston's official nickname, if you're into that sort of thing.

Continue reading Ion Piano Apprentice plays nice with your iPad, lights up your life

Ion Piano Apprentice plays nice with your iPad, lights up your life originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>core midiCoreMididigital musicDigitalMusicdockIonIon AudioIon Piano ApprenticeIonAudioIonPianoApprenticeiosipadiphoneipodkeyboardkeyboardsmidimobilemusicpianoPiano ApprenticePianoApprenticeWed, 27 Jul 2011 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Akai SynthStation49 dock / giant keyboard combo is less portable than its predecessor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/akai-synthstation49-dock-giant-keyboard-combo-is-less-portable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/akai-synthstation49-dock-giant-keyboard-combo-is-less-portable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/akai-synthstation49-dock-giant-keyboard-combo-is-less-portable/#comments
You may or may not be familiar with Akai's previous iPad dock / keyboard combo, the SynthStation. The thing is, the original SynthStation's keyboard was miniature, and the dock was designed for the iPhone -- presumably so that it was simultaneously portable. Well, the new Akai SynthStation49 adds a full keyboard, though it obviously loses that portability. Regardless, the SynthStation49 packs nine MPC-style pads, dedicated pitch and mod wheels, and transport controls. The internal audio boasts 1/4-inch outputs, and the hardware is MIDI supporting, so you can use the keyboard as a MIDI input device. This one is currently awaiting certification from Apple, so we can't say when it'll be released, nor do we have pricing. Hit up the source link for more details.

Akai SynthStation49 dock / giant keyboard combo is less portable than its predecessor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesakaiappleartdigital musicDigitalMusicdockipadiphonekeyboardkeyboardsmidimusicpianosynthstationsynthstation49Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/#comments Our worst frienemies, the quadrocopters, have decided to act cute for the holidays and play us a merry little jingle. Yes, the guys and gals behind the Flying Machine Arena have put together an airborne robot sophisticated enough to lay down a few seasonal notes on a Yamaha electronic keyboard. And we're still sitting around debating inconsequential topics like net neutrality -- all of human civilization is at stake here, people! Be a good citizen and watch the video after the break to scout out any weak points to this most imminent threat to humanity's survival.

Continue reading Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)

Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aidroneethflying machineflying machine arenaFlyingMachineFlyingMachineArenapianoquadrocopterquadrotorrobotvideoWed, 22 Dec 2010 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect hack lets you reenact Big piano scene (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/kinect-hack-lets-you-reenact-big-piano-scene-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/kinect-hack-lets-you-reenact-big-piano-scene-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/kinect-hack-lets-you-reenact-big-piano-scene-video/#comments
The only limit to the applications Kinect can be put to is imagination. The more of it you have, the more things you can use the peerless Xbox 360 peripheral to achieve. To wit, some eager chaps have put together the Keyboard Anywhere hack, which employs a little Python and the libfreenect library to offer up a piano keyboard on any flat surface of almost any size. You can practice your Mozart concertos on a desk, or, as they so ably demonstrate, imagine yourself as a young Tom Hanks skipping along on the FAO Schwarz floor piano in the movie Big. It's all up to you.

Continue reading Kinect hack lets you reenact Big piano scene (video)

Kinect hack lets you reenact Big piano scene (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigdepthfloorfloor pianoFloorPianohackhackingkeyboardkeyboardanywherekinectlibfreenectmicrosoftmotionmotion sensingMotionSensingopenkinectpianopythonsensorvideoxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band 3 purportedly gaining keytar peripheral, infinite amounts of our love]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/rock-band-3-purportedly-gaining-keytar-peripheral-infinite-amou/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/rock-band-3-purportedly-gaining-keytar-peripheral-infinite-amou/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/rock-band-3-purportedly-gaining-keytar-peripheral-infinite-amou/#commentsLook, we've no qualms with keyboards -- Elton John is permanently embedded in our playlists, it'll be the first instrument we teach our robotic children, and it's easily the most underrated part of Justin Bieber's spectacularness. But there's no arguing that having a keytar peripheral is far, far more awesome in the grand scheme of things. According to the same mole on ArsTechnica that has correctly nailed a new PS3 bundle, the PSP go and Xbox 360 price cuts, Rock Band 3 will feature a new keytar peripheral, which will undoubtedly destroy our productivity for an indefinite amount of time. We're also told that Mad Catz will be taking over the production of RB hardware, leaving Harmonix only responsible for touching up the software. There's still no indication of when this mythical device will be hitting your local Game Stop, but it's certainly safe to slide your pre-order alert system to Orange.

Rock Band 3 purportedly gaining keytar peripheral, infinite amounts of our love originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllere3e3 2010E32010eagamingharmonixkeyboardkeytarmad catzMadCatzmtv gamesMtvGamesmusicpianoRock BandRock Band 3RockBandRockBand3rumorThu, 27 May 2010 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Easy Piano for Nintendo DS shipping now for little Tchaikovskys]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/easy-piano-for-nintendo-ds-shipping-now-for-little-tchaikovskys/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/easy-piano-for-nintendo-ds-shipping-now-for-little-tchaikovskys/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/easy-piano-for-nintendo-ds-shipping-now-for-little-tchaikovskys/#commentsEasy Piano for Nintendo DS shipping now for little Tchaikovskys Mention piano lessons to kids and watch them cringe. Mention playing really awesome games on the Nintendo DS and watch them get all excited. Now, mention piano lessons on the Nintendo DS and watch them squirm in confusion, a definite improved reaction that's all thanks to Easy Piano, which is now shipping to retail. It's a $40 game (of sorts) plus 13 key mini-piano that, if you're lucky, your children might confuse for the Guitar Hero: On Tour controller. Upon it gamers can learn to tickle the (plastic) ivories and even compose their own tunes of up to three minutes in length. That's not enough for a proper concerto, but plenty for your little wunderkind to get an early taste of chiptuning.

Easy Piano for Nintendo DS shipping now for little Tchaikovskys originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easy pianoEasyPianonintendonintendo dsNintendoDspianopiano lessonsPianoLessonsvalcon gamesvalcon games easy pianoValconGamesValconGamesEasyPianoTue, 06 Apr 2010 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad apps: defining experiences from the first wave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ipad-apps-defining-experiences-from-the-first-wave/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ipad-apps-defining-experiences-from-the-first-wave/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ipad-apps-defining-experiences-from-the-first-wave/#comments
There are now over 1,348 approved apps for the iPad. That's on top of the 150,000 iPad-compatible iPhone programs already available in the App Store. When Apple's tablet PC launches, just hours from now, it will have a software library greater than that of any handheld in history -- not counting the occasional UMPC. That said, the vast majority of even those 1,348 iPad apps are not original. They were designed for the iPhone, a device with a comparatively pokey processor and a tiny screen, and most have just been tweaked slightly, upped in price and given an "HD" suffix -- as if that somehow justified the increased cost.

Besides, we've seen the amazing potential programs have on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and webOS when given access to a touchscreen, always-on data connection, GPS, cloud storage and WiFi -- but where are the apps that truly define iPad? What will take advantage of its extra headroom, new UI paradigms and multitouch real estate? Caught between netbook and smartphone, what does the iPad do that the iPhone cannot? After spending hours digging through the web and new iPad section of the App Store, we believe we have a number of reasonably compelling answers.

Update: Now includes Wormhole Remote, TweetDeck, SkyGrid, Touchgrind HD, GoToMeeting, SplitBrowser, iDisplay, Geometry Wars and Drawing Pad.

Continue reading iPad apps: defining experiences from the first wave

iPad apps: defining experiences from the first wave originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dABCABC PlayerAbcPlayerAir CoasterAir Coaster XLAirCoasterAirCoasterXlAmazonAmazon KindleAmazonKindleanaglyphAnteceaAPAppleApple iPadAppleIpadappsappstoreAssociated PressAssociatedPressAutodeskBentoBoard Boxboard gamesBoardBoxBoardGamesBonnierBrushescard gamesCardGamescardscoloringdatabaseDesktop ConnectDesktopConnectdigital magazineDigitalMagazineDJdrawingdrawing padDrawingPadFilemakerfingerboardFiremintgeometry warsgeometry wars touchGeometryWarsGeometryWarsTouchgesturegesture controlgesture controlledGestureControlGestureControlledgesturesgotomeetingHomeSeerHomeSeer HSTouchPadHomeseerHstouchpadHSTouchPadidisplayiMockupsiPadiPad AppiPad App storeiPad applicationsiPad appsIpadAppIpadApplicationsIpadAppsIpadAppStoreiPhoneIsocardsKindleMag+magazinemagazinesmini appsMiniAppsmixerMixrMovilemultitaskingmultitouchN.O.V.A.need for speedneed for speed shiftNeedForSpeedNeedForSpeedShiftnegroponteNetflixnetflix watch instantlyNetflixWatchInstantlyNicholas NegroponteNicholasNegropontenotaNOVAOmnigrafflePeriodic TablePeriodicTablepianopinballpopular sciencePopular Science+PopularSciencePopularScience+RDPReal Racingreal Racing HDRealRacingRealRacingHdremote desktopRemoteDesktopsecondary displaysecondary monitorSecondaryDisplaySecondaryMonitorskateboardskateboardingSketchbookSketchbook ProSketchbookProsoftwaresplitbrowserstereoscopicstereoscopic 3dStereoscopic3dThe ElementsThe PinballTheElementsThePinballTouchgrindTouchgrind HDTouchgrindHdturntableTweetDeckTwitepadtwittervideoVNCWifiWired MagazineWiredMagazinewireless displayWirelessDisplayWolframAlphaYahooYahoo EntertainmentYahooEntertainmentFri, 02 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Noteput music table plays the notes as you lay them down (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/noteput-music-table-plays-the-notes-as-you-lay-them-down-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/noteput-music-table-plays-the-notes-as-you-lay-them-down-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/noteput-music-table-plays-the-notes-as-you-lay-them-down-video/#comments Finally we get the chance to literally lay a track down. The Noteput interactive music table was concocted by a pair of German design students back in October of last year, but watching it in action is still a mesmerizing experience. Employing a simple camera beneath the surface, the table can tell what notes you're placing upon it and play them back -- individually when you position them or as a group once you hit the big play button. The coolest feature for us is the ability to loop playback and replace notes on the fly. It's like being a really old school kind of a DJ. Click past the break to see what we mean.

Continue reading Noteput music table plays the notes as you lay them down (video)

Noteput music table plays the notes as you lay them down (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>instrumentinteractiveinteractive musicinteractive music tableInteractiveMusicInteractiveMusicTablejonas heuerJonasHeuerjurgen graefJurgenGraefmusicmusic simulationmusic tablemusical notationMusicalNotationMusicSimulationMusicTablenotationnotenoteputnotespianosheet musicSheetMusicsimulationtablevideoThu, 18 Feb 2010 04:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Easy Piano bringing keys to the DS Lite in 'early 2010']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/easy-piano-bringing-keys-to-the-ds-lite-in-early-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/easy-piano-bringing-keys-to-the-ds-lite-in-early-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/easy-piano-bringing-keys-to-the-ds-lite-in-early-2010/#commentsWe've got a sneaking suspicion that the DS Lite will be old ancient news by the time Easy Piano hit the market, but those who've learned to be content in life (and have somehow managed to resist the urge to snap up a DSi in place of their older handheld), have probably been hunting for this date. Valcon Games has just announced that its piano-teaching title (and the highly comical / interesting 13-key accessory) will be landing in North America in "early 2010," but it didn't go so far as to fess up to an MSRP. Not like it matters -- you know you're totally lining up to snag this during a midnight launch, regardless of how many heirlooms are forced onto Craigslist.

Filed under: ,

Easy Piano bringing keys to the DS Lite in 'early 2010' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorydsds litedsiDsLiteeasy pianoEasyPianogamegamingnintendonintendo dsNintendoDspianoshippingVALCON GAMESValconGamesSat, 07 Nov 2009 23:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Finger Piano Share plays your Disklavier via WiFi (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/12/finger-piano-share-plays-your-disklavier-via-wifi-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/12/finger-piano-share-plays-your-disklavier-via-wifi-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/12/finger-piano-share-plays-your-disklavier-via-wifi-video/#comments
Developers at Yamaha seem to be having plenty of fun with their iPhones -- at least, that's the impression they've made this year at CEATEC. Not only have we seen an app that lets you boss around a robotic chanteuse, but they've also put together a little something called Finger Piano Share. Don't let the video fool you, folks -- this is more than just a MIDI controller. Supporting up to ten users at once, this guy not only lets you remotely play your MIDI-enabled Disklavier via Wi-Fi, but you can record your little jam sessions (using the location-aware augmented reality app Sekai Camera) for playback whenever someone goes to the site of the original performance. Sounds like a recipe for a disastrous conceptual art piece if we ever heard one! Video after the break.

Continue reading Finger Piano Share plays your Disklavier via WiFi (video)

Filed under:

Finger Piano Share plays your Disklavier via WiFi (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009DisklavierFinger Piano ShareFingerPianoShareiphoneipod touchIpodTouchmidimusic makingMusicMakingpianoSekai CameraSekaiCamerawifiyamahaMon, 12 Oct 2009 13:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Mechanical piano hacked to talk, says nothing you'd be interested in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/mechanical-piano-hacked-to-talk-says-nothing-youd-be-intereste/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/mechanical-piano-hacked-to-talk-says-nothing-youd-be-intereste/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/mechanical-piano-hacked-to-talk-says-nothing-youd-be-intereste/#comments
It's not exactly the Baroque Vocoder we were hoping for, but an Austrian composer has hacked a mechanical piano to recite text -- and recite text it does (even if you need subtitles and some prompting from the voice-over to understand what it's saying). The video itself is a little skint on technical details -- even if the "wow!" factor remains pretty consistent -- but apparently composer Peter Ablinger took a recording of a child reading the Proclamation of the European Environmental Criminal Court and converted the frequency spectrum to MIDI, which he was then able to play back using the chordophone pictured above. The gang at Hack A Day seems to think that the actual conversion was done in the Pure Data software package, and who are we to argue? We're just wondering how Black Moth Super Rainbow will ever fit this thing onto their tour van. See for yourself after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

Continue reading Mechanical piano hacked to talk, says nothing you'd be interested in

Filed under:

Mechanical piano hacked to talk, says nothing you'd be interested in originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artaustriaBlack Moth Super RainbowBlackMothSuperRainbowEuropean Environmental Criminal CourtEuropeanEnvironmentalCriminalCourthackmidimodPeter AblingerPeterAblingerpianopure dataPureDataspeechvocodervoiceFri, 09 Oct 2009 10:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/video-concert-hands-teaches-you-to-play-piano-whether-you-want/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/video-concert-hands-teaches-you-to-play-piano-whether-you-want/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/video-concert-hands-teaches-you-to-play-piano-whether-you-want/#comments Look, we're all for accelerated learning, but somehow the idea of strapping our limbs into the Concert Hands setup is a wee bit disconcerting. Locked at the wrists onto a sliding mechanical bar, the apparatus guides our paws to the proper keys, while pulses are sent to your fingers to tell you what keys to press. Intimidating? Sure, but honestly, we're more worried about what our idle hands might learn if this thing was hooked up to the wrong AI... okay, probably just a Chopin piece, but you never know. See for yourself and imagine the horrors after the break.

[Via Engadget German]

Continue reading Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not

Filed under: ,

Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concert handsConcertHandscyborgeducationlearnlearningmusicpianorobotroboticsteachteachingThu, 20 Aug 2009 20:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Easy Piano title lets DS Lite users tickle the ivory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/easy-piano-title-lets-nintendo-ds-lite-users-tickle-the-ivory/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/easy-piano-title-lets-nintendo-ds-lite-users-tickle-the-ivory/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/easy-piano-title-lets-nintendo-ds-lite-users-tickle-the-ivory/#comments
We know that DSi of yours is all the rage, but you did hang on to that DS / DS Lite, didn't you? Phew. Starting this November in Europe and other PAL regions, you'll have a remarkably good excuse to bust that unit back out, as this new peripheral looks to require that all-but-forgotten GBA slot. At any rate, the title (which goes by Easy Piano in case you glossed over the headline) will allow players to bang out masterpieces such as Bittersweet Symphony, Every Breath You Take and Pachelbel's Canon on the 8-note, full-octave keyboard accessory. All told, 40 songs will be made available, and there's even a "creation mode" that enables owners to record up to four 3-minute-long jams. Now, if only we had a North American price and release date to pencil in, we'd be all set.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: ,

Easy Piano title lets DS Lite users tickle the ivory originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryBANDAIdsieasy pianoEasyPianoGame LifeGameLifegaminggaming handheldGamingHandheldkeyboardmusicnamconamco BANDAINamcoBandainintendonintendo dsNintendoDsperipheralpianoFri, 31 Jul 2009 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Yamaha's "hybrid" Avant Grand piano replicates the real thing, still ain't cheap]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/yamahas-hybrid-avant-grand-replicates-the-real-thing-still-a/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/yamahas-hybrid-avant-grand-replicates-the-real-thing-still-a/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/yamahas-hybrid-avant-grand-replicates-the-real-thing-still-a/#comments
Yamaha's forthcoming "hybrid" Avant Grand may not set you back quite as far as, say, a Hamburg Steinway Model D-274, but it still ain't priced for amateur budgets. The piece was engineered to be around half the size and a third of the weight of a real-deal nine foot acoustic grand piano, all while maintaining the same heralded feel and sound. Dubbed a "hybrid" grand, this thing not only has four speakers that envelope the player in audio, but even the keys trigger a hammer that strikes a bar in order to replicate the feel of slamming a chord on one of the world's most prized instruments. The good news is that you can get 99 percent of a grand in your home for just $20,000. The bad news, coincidentally enough, is that you can get 99 percent of a grand in your home for a staggering $20,000. A video demonstration is in the read link.

[Via CNET]

Filed under:

Yamaha's "hybrid" Avant Grand piano replicates the real thing, still ain't cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioAvant GrandAvantGrandgrand pianoGrandPianoinstrumentmusicmusic thingMusicThingpianoyamahaWed, 25 Feb 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Wearable toy piano makes music, looks good doing it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/wearable-toy-piano-makes-music-looks-good-doing-it/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/wearable-toy-piano-makes-music-looks-good-doing-it/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/wearable-toy-piano-makes-music-looks-good-doing-it/#comments
Now here's a concept. A musical shirt with enough transistors to make even the hardest of hardcore nerd blush, and a long-sleeve garment fashionable enough to make even the world-class design student stop and admire. Mashed into one. The Musical toy piano shirt is that very piece, which was constructed to wow onlookers at the Electronic Textile workshop held this month in Switzerland. Packing removable batteries, speakers and circuitry, the shirt enables the wearer to emit eight different notes from Do to Do, and we hear there's nothing quite as cute as playing a song on yourself. See what we mean in the vid hosted just after the break.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Continue reading Wearable toy piano makes music, looks good doing it

Filed under:

Wearable toy piano makes music, looks good doing it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothesgarbmusicmusic thingMusicThingpianoshirtsoundvideoThu, 11 Dec 2008 09:34:00 EST<![CDATA[New technology provides greater control to paraplegic pianists]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/new-technology-provides-greater-control-to-paraplegic-pianists/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/new-technology-provides-greater-control-to-paraplegic-pianists/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/new-technology-provides-greater-control-to-paraplegic-pianists/#comments
Technology allowing paraplegics to operate the right pedal of a piano has been developed by a team of scientists in Heidelberg Germany, trumping earlier systems which didn't allow for half pedal or flutter variations. The device consists of a tiny remote module that's placed inside the pianist's right cheek, and a wireless transmitter and motor attached to the pedals of the piano. A small battery in the left cheek of the user provides up to twelve hours of power. The player grits their teeth when they want to control the pedal -- the module is sensitive to different amounts of pressure, which allow the pianist greater control over footing than previous tools. From the sounds of it, this thing would work just as well on a wah pedal, right?

Filed under:

New technology provides greater control to paraplegic pianists originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assistive technologyAssistiveTechnologymusicmusicalmusical instrumentsMusicalInstrumentsparaplegiaparaplegicpianowirelessWed, 29 Oct 2008 17:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Put your air guitar away -- Piano Hands has the stage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/put-your-air-guitar-away-piano-hands-has-the-stage/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/put-your-air-guitar-away-piano-hands-has-the-stage/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/put-your-air-guitar-away-piano-hands-has-the-stage/#comments
For all you OCD desk tappers out there, I Want One Of Those is offering up -- ta da -- Piano Hands. These electronic gloves with built-in sensors at the fingertips emulate musical notes upon tapping any flat surface. With eight different instruments to choose from, we can't think of a better way to be endlessly annoying on elevators, airplanes, trains and other cramped enclosed spaces -- assuming you can find a place to plug in your Marshall Stack. Pick up your ticket to stardom for just £49.99 ($92) from IWOOT. No word yet on a release date.

[Via Popgadget]

Filed under:

Put your air guitar away -- Piano Hands has the stage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>finger pianoFingerPianoglovesi want one of thoseIWantOneOfThoseiwootpianoPiano HandsPianoHandsThu, 25 Sep 2008 07:04:00 EST<![CDATA[AirPiano single-handedly redeems air instruments from irrelevancy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/28/airpiano-single-handedly-redeems-air-instruments-from-irrelevanc/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/28/airpiano-single-handedly-redeems-air-instruments-from-irrelevanc/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/28/airpiano-single-handedly-redeems-air-instruments-from-irrelevanc/#comments
With the introduction of the Air Guitar Rocker, we pretty much bid the art of air rockin' adieu. No longer could we slam our belt buckles in an attempt to whammy a downright nasty Bb chord without feeling ashamed. Thanks to the AirPiano, however, imaginary musicians the world over may have one more chance to garner the respect of innocent bystanders. This instrument, which is truthfully more akin to a theremin than a bona fide piano, enables users to emit beautiful tones without ever touching the "keys." It's even smart enough to sustain a note if you hold your hand over a particular area for an extended time. We don't hand out unwarranted props, but we can't help but tip our hats to this one. Head past the break for a video of what we're gushing over.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

Continue reading AirPiano single-handedly redeems air instruments from irrelevancy

Filed under:

AirPiano single-handedly redeems air instruments from irrelevancy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airpianoaudiodiyhackinstrumentmusicmusic thingMusicThingpianosoundthereminvideoSat, 28 Jun 2008 14:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan's Shougaku Ichinensei mag bundles "finger piano" for kids]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/japans-shougaku-ichinensei-mag-bundles-finger-piano-for-kids/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/japans-shougaku-ichinensei-mag-bundles-finger-piano-for-kids/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/japans-shougaku-ichinensei-mag-bundles-finger-piano-for-kids/#comments
Face it, Japan is just cooler than you are. You have a job and a car, Japan? Japan has finger pianos bundled as freebies with manga-centric magazines for 1st graders. You lose. And by "finger piano" we really mean finger piano. Check out the video after the break for a better idea, but basically you mount a sensor onto each finger and plunk away -- the circuit bending potential is immense.

Continue reading Japan's Shougaku Ichinensei mag bundles "finger piano" for kids

Filed under:

Japan's Shougaku Ichinensei mag bundles "finger piano" for kids originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>finger pianoFingerPianojapanpianoShougaku IchinenseiShougakuIchinenseiFri, 14 Mar 2008 22:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Media center meets piano, results are questionable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/26/media-center-meets-piano-results-are-questionable/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/26/media-center-meets-piano-results-are-questionable/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/26/media-center-meets-piano-results-are-questionable/#comments
We've all ideas the creator of the Compiano thinks that it's pretty hot stuff, but we're not sure the end result is what we'd deem elegant. Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with the utility here -- after all, it's not everyday that you can sit at one bench and play a few measures of Chopin while watching the Hiphopapotamous vs. Rhymenoceros clip that you recorded months back. The 1904 Chickering Upright Grand Piano may not seem all that unique at first glance, but hidden behind its mahogany frame is a 26-inch Philips LCD HDTV and a full-blown Media Center PC complete with a half terabyte of storage space and 1GB of RAM. The bidding will start on this interesting mishmash at just under seven grand, but if you're not keen on waiting it out, you can make this your own for just $19,998. Click on through for a video of the display being hidden from view.

[Via GearDiary]

Continue reading Media center meets piano, results are questionable

Filed under: , ,

Media center meets piano, results are questionable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>case modCaseModCompianohackinstrumentmedia pcmedia pcsmediapcmediapcsmodpianoMon, 26 Nov 2007 03:24:00 EST<![CDATA[The cellphone piano fulfills the full range of our childhood fantasies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/#comments
Each key on the piano is wired to a key on a phone, and while we haven't heard it in action, this contraption is sure to produce the most beautiful noise known to man -- or at least since your older brother figured out "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the touchtone in middle school. If only Chopin had technology like this at his disposal back in the day.

[Via textually.org]

Filed under:

The cellphone piano fulfills the full range of our childhood fantasies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphone pianoCellphonePianopianoTue, 21 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The cellphone piano fulfills the full range of our childhood fantasies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/the-cellphone-piano-fulfills-the-full-range-of-our-childhood-fan/#comments
Each key on the piano is wired to a key on a phone, and while we haven't heard it in action, this contraption is sure to produce the most beautiful noise known to man -- or at least since your older brother figured out "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the touchtone in middle school. If only Chopin had technology like this at his disposal back in the day.

[Via textually.org]

The cellphone piano fulfills the full range of our childhood fantasies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphone pianoCellphonePianoCulturemobilepianoTue, 21 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Yamaha's PSR-S900 piano offers up USB, Ethernet ports]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/26/yamahas-psr-s900-piano-offers-up-usb-ethernet-ports/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/26/yamahas-psr-s900-piano-offers-up-usb-ethernet-ports/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/26/yamahas-psr-s900-piano-offers-up-usb-ethernet-ports/#comments
Electric keyboards have long sported hardware components more commonly associated with a desktop PC, but rather than cramming a 3.5-inch floppy drive in its newest device, Yamaha opted for a USB port and Ethernet jack. The PSR-S900 packs 392 "realistic instrument voices" and 305 accompaniment styles powered by MegaVoices, and aside from also playing nice with MIDI-related information, this 61-key piano sports a 5.7-inch 320 x 240 display and 1.4MB of internal flash storage. Of course, you can load up your excess data via a USB HDD or thumb drive, and tech-savvy keyboardist should enjoy the video out port, USB audio recording ability, and Internet Direct Connection access that "enables users to browse and download thousands of songs" as well as learn of product updates. Expect the flagship S900 to hit the market on June 1st for ¥220,500 ($1,815), while the two lesser-spec'd siblings (S700 and S500) hit at ¥131,250 ($1,080) and ¥78,750 ($648), respectively.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Filed under:

Yamaha's PSR-S900 piano offers up USB, Ethernet ports originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2007 06:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lanmegavoicesmusicmusical instrumentMusicalInstrumentpianopsr-s900usbyamahaSat, 26 May 2007 06:47:00 EST<![CDATA[$3000 piano mod reminds George Clinton of the mothership]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/05/3000-piano-mod-reminds-george-clinton-of-the-mothership/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/05/3000-piano-mod-reminds-george-clinton-of-the-mothership/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/05/3000-piano-mod-reminds-george-clinton-of-the-mothership/#comments

Resourceful tinkerer "Proximasolaris" has put together a piano mod that would make even some Samic owners a bit envious. Retrofitting a Korg Triton Extreme, hiding two monitors behind a motorized cabinet, and placing a slew of blue LEDs and other mechanics, he managed to put $3,000 worth of gadgetry into an old fashion vertical piano. While it is not the first modification we have seen like this, you should still click on through to see the vid of his tricked-out instrument -- go ahead, bask in the glory of what's possible with a little extra loot and 250 solid man hours.

Continue reading $3000 piano mod reminds George Clinton of the mothership

Filed under:

$3000 piano mod reminds George Clinton of the mothership originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KorgmodmodificationpianoFri, 05 Jan 2007 02:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Mac mini-based recording studio in a piano hits eBay]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/28/mac-mini-based-recording-studio-in-a-piano-hits-ebay/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/28/mac-mini-based-recording-studio-in-a-piano-hits-ebay/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/28/mac-mini-based-recording-studio-in-a-piano-hits-ebay/#comments Ok, so it's not exactly a Mac Mini mod -- it's just sitting there -- but this so-called "Music Machine" is in a class of DIY projects all its own, taking an antique most wouldn't think of altering and ripping its guts out, stuffing it instead with recording and computer gear. At the core is the aforementioned Mac mini (a 1.42GHz model) complimented by a 17-inch LCD, a Lexicon Omega audio interface, built-in Klipsch Promedia Ultra 2.0 speakers, and an MXL 2006 Cardioid Microphone, plus a number of other peripherals. Alas, it seems the original piano keys didn't quite cut it -- they've been replaced with a Studiologic TMK-88 MIDI keyboard, but maybe that'll be remedied in the next version; the person behind this bit of retro goodness is selling the whole shebang on eBay to help fund a new-and-improved rig. Things don't look to have gotten off to the best of starts, however, with the starting bid still untouched at a hefty $4,000.

Filed under:

Mac mini-based recording studio in a piano hits eBay originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmac miniMacMinipianorecording studioRecordingStudioTue, 28 Nov 2006 17:55:00 EST