Kickstarter Campaign For 32-Knob MIDI Controller

A Kickstarter campaign has started to fund Knobbee 32, by Knobtronix, described as a high resolution, ergonomic USB-MIDI controller aimed at artists who use technology in creating and/or presenting their art.

Developers Constantin Popp and Rosalía Soria-Luz say, "We are composers, performers and engineers and we rely on computers and technology to create music. One of the most important devices we've been using for years, either for composing or for performing, is a MIDI controller. But we weren't happy with the available controllers. So we started wondering if it was possible to have a controller which features an ergonomic design, is portable and offers higher than standard resolution."

Knobbee 32 Features:

• 32 soft-touch knobs
• 8 illuminated switches
• 1 expression pedal input
• ergonomic spacing of the controls
• sloped enclosure for comfortable access of the controls
• class-compliant USB-MIDI and additional MIDI-out via 3.5 mm socket
• bus-powered
• 7 bit (MIDI standard, 128 unique values) or up to 10 bit resolution mode (~1022 unique values)
• compatible with Mac OS X, Windows 7-10
• Arduino based (ATmega 32u4), including Open Source firmware and utilities
• configurable via MIDI System Exclusive messages
• editor configuring the controller (currently Mac OS X only)
• utility for receiving MIDI and sending OSC (currently Mac OS X only)
• dimensions including enclosure (W/D/H): 260 mm / 165 mm / ~45mm - 52mm
• backpack compatible

The developers say that Knobbee 32 is built with having tinkers and hackers in mind. You can modify the Open Source firmware written for the controller (Atmel ATmega 32u4 / Arduino) or even put your own. You can configure the Knobbee 32 via MIDI system exclusive messages. This includes aspects such as the resolution, MIDI mapping, behaviour of the switches / LEDs and calibration settings. An editor in Max/MSP provides easy access to those settings.

Pricing and Availability:
See Kickstarter page.

More information:

• www.kickstarter.com