What good is open source hardware? How about hacking in additional functionality by adjusting the code and electronics? The creators of Monome have a new video demonstrating some of the possibilities for user modifications to their hardware project. Included: Optical encoders allow additional multi-touch interactions, for a game of Life (the grid-based life simulation of […]

We were already very excited about the DS-Xtreme (“DS-X”) when we first saw it. In brief, why the DS-X makes us drool: DS storage Play media files Run homebrew software Connect directly to a computer via USB No weird hardware sticking out of the back of your DS that could get broken (Previously: DS-Xtreme, Plug-and-Play […]

Music tech videos have begun to infect YouTube (you know, between footage of bunny rabbits opening letters). As the opening moments of wackiness commence, you might think the following videos from cult-success French plug-in developers Ohmforce has plenty in common with the cracked-out Museum of Techno videos we’ve been watching. What these videos have in […]

Matt writes us to let us know he’s gotten his hands on Akai’s MPD24 MIDI pad controller, which just started shipping. (I know some of you have already purchased one and are still waiting to get it!) He’s got some first impressions up with a series of photos, to give you a better sense of […]

There are no limits to the new forms the once bargain-priced Casio SK-1 synthesizer can take, transformed by circuit bending. But whereas most circuit-bending involves hacks with wires, bending superstar Gijs Gieskes goes further, by building a large mechanical apperatus to trigger the bent sounds. Gijs sent this link last week and I didn’t get […]

A do-all webcam that can float between computers sometimes seems an elusive goal. It’d be just the thing for video installations and live video at VJ/live visualist gigs, but usually you run into annoying driver issues. It’s frustrating that any webcam would even require drivers in the first place. USB webcams are essentially the same, […]

Forget waiting until tomorrow to see photos of a party on lastnightsparty.com: now, see snapshots of partygoers projected around a space in real-time. That’s the idea behind Party People Photos, an interactive installation at the Walker Art Center in Minnesota. Co-creator Justin Heideman writes to point us to coverage of the installation: The idea for […]