The Arduino-powered ‘Key-bowed’ is built around an adapted Roland MIDI keyboard
In recent years we’ve seen a variety of new technologies that aim to offer a more expressive synth playing experience than you’d get with a traditional keyboard. From poly-aftertouch and MPE, to devices like Expressive-E’s Osmose and the multi-touch Morphé controllers found on Artura’s PolyBrutes – it’s fair to say expressivity is hot right now.
One avenue few designers have explored is the idea of ‘bowing’ a synth engine, in the manner you would stringed instruments like a violin or cello. DIY-minded Japanese musician Washiyama Giken has taken it upon themselves to address this with their homemade ‘Key-bowed’ instrument.
As a design it’s actually not as out-there as it might first appear. Physical modelling synths such as AAS Chromaphone or Baby Audio’s recent Atoms are effectively built on the same principles as a traditional stringed instrument, whereby an input – such as a pick or bow – is used to ‘excite’ the resonant elements of the instrument’s acoustic body. If anything, it’s surprising we haven’t seen more of this idea – using a traditional ‘exciter’ to trigger a virtual resonance – from synth designers before.
Naturally, given its DIY nature, don’t expect the Key-bowed to appear in your local music store any time soon. Here’s hoping synth designers are taking note though.