React-able ReacTable

I have to admit that I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to cool-looking technology - especially when it has something to do with music. Here's what's gotten my attention lately : the ReacTable. I would love to have the opportunity to try this live!

Simply put, here's how it works: the apparatus is basically a table with an interactive surface interface. The surface reacts with cubes and other modules placed on the table. Some manipulate frequency, some rhythm, some work as metronomes, and so forth. You can twist and turn the modules to manipulate the sounds in different ways: make it faster, slower, higher, lower... Take a look at the videos at their website for a better idea.


The project originated on 2003 at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona and it was presented for the first time two years after at the International Computer Music Conference in Barcelona. Since the launch, probably the widest popularity was gained during Björk's Volta-tour where the apparatus was played live throughout the string of concerts. The ReacTable has also won several prestigious awards.


What's also great about the ReacTable, is that it works not only as a mixing table of sorts, but also as a great tool for education for kids and why not adults too. It visualizes for example structures, wavelengths, rhythms in comprehensive ways and makes it all easy to handle. The table can also be played by several people at the same time! So far it has been produced mainly for museums, science centers and galleries, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a lighter, commercial version.

The instrument seems to excite a great variety of people from hard core musicians to kids and random experimenters. And no wonder.
It looks like a blast.

(Photos courtesy of ReacTable.)

Autumn in Helsinki

Helsinki beat'n hum!

Every year the Helsinki Festival challenges itself to be bigger and more beautiful and more varied than last year. Here are my highlights from the week:

The opening concert of Flow Festival and there the Acid Symphony Orchestra. 10 of the top electronic musicians and DJ:s of Finland led by the composer/dj/producer Jori Hulkkonen. The orchestra is armed with synthesizers , drummachines and black suits. A perfect example of how simple things combined with the perfect attitude can carry and hypnotize the crowd. Can't stay still watching this act! It was a great opening act for Krafwerk that came up next.
The festival setting gave it's own flavor: an old gas-factory turned culture-center.


The concert of Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed.
The main stage of the Helsinki Festival is a huge tent that is annually built next to one of the many bays within the center of the city. An idyllic setting for mesmerizing acts. I didn't exactly go inside the tent, but we sat outside and on the other side of the fence. Still, though you couldn't see a thing, the mere sound took your breath away. As far as I could tell, the same happened to the tens or a hundred people with the same idea. No-one spoke a word as they stood with their bicycles or sat on their blankets or just stopped while walking by to listen to this couple.
Applauds within the tent got a backing from the choir of ringing bicycle bells outside.

ToneMatrix

With the kind permission of André Michelle, the creator of this (seemingly) simple enjoyment, let me introduce you:
the ToneMatrix.

Go and play with this, people!

Addictive, inspiring, fun - and it seems I'm not the only one to think so. Let me try to explain in short and simply, and I do welcome corrections, for the terminology might escape me:
The ToneMatrix is a simple synthesizer+sequencer with which you can create short loops of melodies online.

But here's what caught me: it looks cool. Combined with an effect of a light-wave, it creates a hypnotical, fun interface to play on, which reminds me a bit of Yamaha's Tenori-On. And the ToneMatrix is super easy to play with. Just click on the tiles to light them up and create sounds. Experiment with rhythms and you'll soon be immersed. To save your creation, just right click on the grid and copy.

Once you've had enough play on the Tone Matrix, check out André Michelle's other projects. Whether you want to just play around or are deeper into the algorithms and science behind it all, you'll be sure to find them interesting!