Starr Labs make a range of wild looking MIDI Guitars and Custom MIDI Controllers

Roger Linn has put together an interesting page of new instruments. His selection covers things from the Reactable to the Continuum fingerboard - well worth a look

The samchillian - a musical instrument based on relativity.

The video outline an electronic musical instrument which takes Leon Gruenbaum's samchillian concept and defines a possible product design for it. The challenge was to make an aesthetic, ergonomic, musical product which could be used on stage by a musician.

the samchillian is a new type of musical instrument which uses the concept of relative notes, rather then fix pitches (as in a piano).

Leon wrote a paper on the samchillian for NIME which can be found here

This is an Interview with Julian Day for the ABC New Music Australia program in 2001 where we discuss the idea of the electronic musician and composer as instrument builder.

 

 Electroacoustic Instrument Building [8:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I would be interested in your thoughts - the computer as instrument? The algorithm as instrument? How do you approach instrumentation, composition etc

Look forward to some discussion

Enjoy, Garth

I think the UBC Max/MSP/Jitter Toolbox is a great tool to assist in the teaching of UBC Max/MSP/Jitter. The abstractions make up a set of useful modules to get students thinking about approaches to the patcher environment approach. There is an online Tutorial - Intro which is also helpful.

I am selling my DrumKat DK10 - it is great, but more than I need for my performances and I have not been using it.

I am asking $550, or you can bid for it on
ebay

New price is US$639. This unit is as new having be reurbished completely by the manufacturer in the USA, and I have not used it since purchasing it 6 months ago. I found the new PadControl from Korg more portable and sufficient for my performance requirements, and I am not a drummer. The feel of this usit is really great and the variation in velocity sensativity is amazing - it's just more than I need.

Drumkat DK10 info at Alternatemode 
The DK10 manual is available here

The 10 pad playing surface delivers the same superior feel and response as all of the KAT controllers. Separate kick and hi-hat footpedal inputs offer two additional trigger controls. The DK-10 will work instantly with almost any sound module using the factory supplied kits. User locations allow custom kits to be created and saved with individual note number and channel per pad. The DK-10 is the perfect way for beginners or professionals to tap into the world of MIDI without taxing their budget. Features true FSR technology. Affordable, expressive compliment to your acoustic drums.

=Design=
Great feeling gum rubber pads Playable / ergonomic layout Heavy duty metal contruction Compact size fits into any acoustic or electronic setup

=Power=
Adjustable velocity curves and trigger settings Adjustable pad response for fingertip control Multiple Hi-Hats per kit

=Value=
Less than $50 per pad for unparalleled true FSR trigger performance ...Damn!!!

=Ease of Use=
Quick setup Less cables Less to carry Small "footprint" Quick and simple editing More Features Roll Mode (gets rid of that "machine gun" effect on assorted sound sources) Gate Times Velocity Curves Gain settings Latch Mode (Start/Stop loops with one pad) 16 Program Changes per Kit

Unicon System's MKitâ„¢ development kit is the first and only unique mobile Linux development kit on the market. It gives professional developers and manufacturers the ability to create new handheld devices for industrial, security, educational and medical applications, as well as various consumer electronics products.

The wireless, and mobile chip-on-film Linux computer is based on an ARM9 embedded CPU running full blown Linux 2.6 and attached to the back of a 3.5" touch screen. It is equipped with multiple connectivity options, including two 2.0 high-speed USB host ports and WiFi.

I just love these 2 images

Libelium Comunicaciones Distribuidas - Products have developed an excellent looking wireless sensor network system, based on the Arduino board with an XBee wireless shield:

SquidBee is an Open Hardware and Source wireless sensor device. The goal of SquidBee is getting an "open mote" to create Sensor Networks.
The main concepts behind SquidBee are:

* Self-powered
* Wireless Comunications

The MegaDrum MIDI Trigger is a simple to construct yet very powerful Atmega8 or Atmega32 based, USB powered MIDI drum trigger. This is a DIY project and uses widely available and very inexpensive components. MegaDrum gives you flexibility in what modules you want to build and what components to use.