Free Touch Me gives you instant hands-on control of parameters in Ableton Live

Touch a parameter in Live, then take control with MIDI – one at a time. It’s on-the-fly MIDI mapping, without the MIDI maps, and it’s free in the latest ElisabethHomeland gem.

Dart, a line of open source MIDI and DMX controllers, in wonderfully wacky variations

The Dart line of controllers is an Arduino-powered array of devices, either for DIYers in shield form and with open software and specs, or mutated into a cornucopia of peculiar-looking devices. DMX and MIDI support and full customizability. This is old news, but now feels like the right time to rediscover them. It’s impossible not […]

Peter Kirn - April 6, 2022

Laurie Anderson, in video, on the stories behind her custom-built instruments

A violin can be totally transformed – and the performance with it – from ice skates to neon instruments to ventriloquists’ dummies. Laurie Anderson in this film talks about her many ingenious instrumental inventions.

Peter Kirn - September 27, 2021

Roger Linn’s LinnStrument is back in stock, for your expressive grid needs

Peter Kirn - August 3, 2021

Novation Launchpad now has a free set of tools in Pd to hack your own controllers

Peter Kirn - July 29, 2020

Yaeltex V2: any music and visual controller hardware you imagine, made real

Peter Kirn - May 27, 2020

Novation’s Launchpad Pro is grid and sequencer, for software or standalone for gear

Peter Kirn - January 14, 2020

Build your own scratch DJ controller

Peter Kirn - December 20, 2018

Check out these amazing DIY controllers people made with OpenDeck

Peter Kirn - December 12, 2018

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