Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by raincole 1035 days ago
Slightly off topic, but I really want an instrument that works like LinnStrument but with a synth built-in (so you can actually play it without connecting to something else).
3 comments

Haken Continuum, perhaps?

The same Eaganmatrix engine used in the Continuum has also shown up in the Expressive E Osmose, so apparently Haken is willing to work with other companies to integrate their synth in more products -- and the result is quite an amazing device. Haken also makes a standalone Eurorack module.

I'm not sure if there's a good open-source MPE synth that's easy to port to microcontrollers. Surge is really impressive but it's not made to run on simple embedded platforms.

You can bolt one in / under / on the side, and map controls for it. The MVP is duct tape but it's possible to get a small synth & battery into the case.

I know it's not quite the same thing as you're asking for, but when you dig into the linnstrument it turns out to be very hackable.

The problem is a "small synth", like a Arturia Minibrute still feels quite large. And what should I do with it's keyboard? I use LinnStrument exactly because I'm not good at playing pinao-layout keyboard...

But maybe I didn't google the correct word for it.

Do you know what kind of synth you are looking for?

The Disting Ex [0] Eurorack module contains nice ones and supports MPE. You'd also need a PSU [1] for it.

[0] https://expert-sleepers.co.uk/distingEX.html [1] e.g. https://frequencycentral.co.uk/product/microbus/

You might want to email Roger Linn about it, he'll probably have some good advice / ideas.
Ableton Push 3 (standalone version). It's only an 8x8 grid though.
Too bad. If it's 8x16 I'll be much more interested. (I don't want to DIY something like "2 Ableton Push 3 combined".)