The Omnipresent World of Wizkids (OWOW) has unveiled a new line of simple, easy-to-use musical instruments for producers and performers who want to make music in a fun and intuitive way.
There are five instruments in the line, each of which is able to create music in a different way when paired with electronic instruments on a user's computer. What's more, users can also create their own 3D-printed cases for the instruments.
"Whether you just started making music, have been producing for years in professional studios, or play live music on stage for sold-out football stadiums, our instruments let you decide how creative to work with them," OWOW said in its Kickstarter campaign.
One of the great things about these instruments is how intuitive they are. The first one, called "wob," allows users to control sounds simply by waving their hands closer or farther away from a sensor. It has three modes of use, controlling effects parameters, different notes, or triggering a sound to play or stop.
The second instrument is called "wiggle," and essentially allows users to assign effects to different axes, which are controlled simply by moving the sensor.
Next up is "drum," which, as the name suggests, simply triggers drum sounds through air drumming. Users can adjust the sensor to match the intensity of their playing.
The fourth instrument is called "pads," and is basically an electronic controller made up of four drum pads as well as a knob, allowing users to scroll through different drum kits.
Last but not least is "scan," which is perhaps the most interesting instrument. Scan allows users to draw a pattern on a sheet of paper, then move the scanner over the top of the line. The scanner will translate that line into MIDI data.
All of these instruments are MIDI-based, which allows them to work with any well-known digital audio workstation, or DAW, including Ableton, Logic, Reason, and of course Pro Tools. And, for those who aren't as invested in music production but still want to have some fun, the instruments work with GarageBand for OS X and iOS, and Reaper, a digital audio workstation software, too.
"We believe everybody should be able to enjoy music making, regardless their musical background or music genre preference," the company said. "Our instruments are smartly built, but are stupidly simple to use and let you decide how to use it. We focus on the creative side of music making, rather then the technical side of it."
The ultraportable aspect of the instruments is a strong point, allowing touring musicians to keep making music on the road without having to tediously enter MIDI data using a mouse or carry around a MIDI controller like a keyboard. The Musical Instrument Digital Interface is a technical standard that lets electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices connect with one another.
Those interested have until July 8 to head to Kickstarter to back the project and preorder one or all of the instruments. Just $67 will reserve one of the instruments in its bare-circuit version, which will also give backers the 3D file for the case to print their own casing. Investing $110 will get the backer an instrument with its case, and prices range up from there.
