Music

The Air Piano spatial keyboard from Omer Yosha

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Each of the eight Infrared proximity sensors across the surface of the Airpiano can register and play three notes depending on the user's vertical hand position
Musician Jo Hamilton is the first to use the Airpiano
The device is connected to a computer running custom software
Musician Jo Hamilton is currently using a prototype in her live performances and is helping with development by providing feedback, suggestions and details of her experiences
An early prototype of the Airpiano
Each of the eight Infrared proximity sensors across the surface of the Airpiano can register and play three notes depending on the user's vertical hand position
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Seeing the Airpiano being played, one can't help but be reminded of a graceful martial artist, musical conductor or mysterious magician. The innovative interface is activated and controlled by moving a hand in mid-air above the flat display surface and within range of a sensor array matrix. Driven by custom software, the device can put a huge library of tones and sounds at a player's disposal.

Each of the eight Infrared proximity sensors spread horizontally across the surface of the Airpiano can play three notes depending on the user's vertical hand position. The sensors can also be programmed to provide up to eight control faders for altering volume, pitch, filters and so on. Custom software facilitates MIDI mapping and Open Sound Control message assignment which puts a vast soundscape at the spatial command of the player. Confirmation of user action is provided by LED lights at the surface of the instrument.

An early prototype of the Airpiano

Of course, the interface has been likened to a Theremin but it has so much more to offer players. Creator Omer Yosha told Gizmag: "What makes it so different from a Theremin, besides the technology, is the concept of interaction. Playing a Theremin is hard to learn since every slight movement of the hand changes the pitch/volume of the generated sound. It also lacks visual feedback. The idea of the Airpiano is to keep things as simple as possible in order to achieve full control over the instrument."

The device is connected to a computer running custom software

Yosha has been working on the polyphonic Airpiano for a couple of years now and it is currently in its third prototype. It's connected to a computer or laptop via USB and also has an expression pedal connector and a programmable button that can, for example, be used to toggle between different setups. Award-winning musician Jo Hamilton is currently using a prototype in her live performances (as shown in the following video) and is helping with development by providing feedback, suggestions and details of her experiences.

A limited run of production devices will be available around September/October and interested readers are encouraged to register for updates on the Airpiano website. I don't know why but for some reason I imagine Jean-Michel Jarre being one of those signing up.

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3 comments
SeekMocha
She has a beautiful a capella voice, the song is interesting and the visual performance is fascinating as she plays the air piano. But I don\'t hear that the air piano was really contributing much melody.


Jesse Mazzola
this was such a cool instrument and it's totally out of production. What a bummer. It makes me wish I knew something about electronics so I could build one. I think maybe what the person above me isn't grasping is that you can put any sound into that thing that u want. It's pretty limitless. if any body hears about this thing going back into production or knows how to get one, seriously, let me know.
Mustafa Abbas
Jesse Mazzola
I'm currently working on a project based on this fantastic piano, it uses the same concept of sensors to produce music, but not as fancy and complicated as this one. So hopefully I will be able to develop it further to be as close as possible to this piano.