The Stringless Stradivarius

Posted on 14/06/2017 by Sarang Sheth

The IMI (or Intuitive MIDI Interface) makes even the best air-guitarists actual musicians! This tiny device is designed to showcase MIDI technology’s capabilities outside the Keyboard setup and in the format of an electronic violin, something new and refreshing.

The IMI strips the violin of everything deemed unnecessary, including its iconic acoustic chamber and even the bow, and brings it down to just the fretboard, where most of the action happens. Ditching the strings too, for a touch-sensitive surface, the notes are triggered when contact is made, eliminating the need for the bow. You can even pull off vibratos naturally by slightly oscillating your fingertips against the touch-active fret surface, which is rather unique, because while most MIDI instruments (keyboards and pads particularly) capture 3 parameters i.e., note on, note off, and velocity or how hard you hit the note, the IMI works on a principle very similar to ROLI’s Seaboards, that allow for sliding between notes (not possible on keyboards) in a manner that makes violinists feel comfortable from the get-go.

The small instrument is designed to occupy almost a third of the space of a traditional violin. It doesn’t rest between your chin and your collar either, the way conventional violins do, but rather can be played almost like a ukulele, against your hip, being worked pretty much only with your left or right hand (depending on your orientation)… leaving the other hand free to probably work another instrument, or electronic music equipment. It comes armed with power and volume controls, as well as a 3.5mm jack that works as an audio output. Since the IMI is completely MIDI based, you can not just play, but even capture MIDI transcripts using a MicroUSB outlet on the back and edit them. You can even go as far as choosing which style/sound of violin you want the IMI to replicate by just selecting from your sound-bank. Plus, since this little dream of a device is completely electronic, no more having to tune! Amateurs and experts rejoice!

The IMI is currently a student project, but the designer plans on expanding the IMI range to cover instruments like the Guitar, Ukulele, and even the Flute. Stay tuned for more details!

Designer: Viraj Joshi

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This Millennium Falcon Violin Does the William Tell Overture in 12 Parsecs

Posted on 14/06/2017 by Conner Flynn

You gave a concert in that? You’re braver than I thought. This Millennium Falcon Violin sadly, has no strings, so you can’t play it, but you can hang it on your wall and admire it.

Artist Richard Symons created this cool sculpture around a real violin. The engines light up with blue LEDs, which makes up for it’s lack of strings. So this is basically what the Falcon would look like if something went horribly wrong and it got all stretched out in hyperspace.

If it did work, you would still need a Wookiee co-pilot holding down the strings to help you play it. It will cost you $700 to hang this on your wall.

[via Scifidesign]

Playable Version of the World’s Tiniest Violin

Posted on 17/06/2016 by Conner Flynn

Are you tired of other people complaining about their first world problems? Get out your fingers, and play them the world’s tiniest violin. This version actually works, thanks to the folks at Design I/O. It produces actual sad music.

It is based on Google’s Project Soli, a tiny radar-based chip that can detect tiny movements of your fingers. Now when you play them the world’s tiniest violin, it can reproduce the sounds of the actual instrument. This is a very handy device given how so many people moan about the temperature of their lattes, the battery life of their smartphones, and other insignificant stuff.

Even though this one is a bit large and to bring with you everywhere, the Project Soli chipset will eventually show up in smartphones and watches. So one day you will be able to play the violin anytime someone complains, and give them their own personal sad concert.

[via Gizmodo]

Maestro Made Easy

Posted on 04/05/2016 by Troy Turner

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Known for its high entry barriers, the violin is one of if not the most difficult instrument to master. To make things a little easier, the Maestro electric violin introduces an innovative LED learning system that assists new players in tackling the basics. Thoughtfully placed lights within its translucent body indicate to the user where to grab or place fingers to accurate produce specific notes and tones. A programmable smart app works in tandem to teach everything from basic lessons to full compositions at the players own pace without intimidation!

Designer: Junguk Shin

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Hovalin 3D Printed Acoustic Violin: Filament Section

Posted on 25/10/2015 by Lambert Varias

Back in April we checked out a 3D printed violin that looked more like a Predator’s weapon than a musical instrument. But 3D printing isn’t just about making new physical forms. The technology can be tuned for very practical purposes as well, as exhibited by violin maker Hovalin.

Hovalin violins have PLA bodies that are split into four parts: the neck, the top, the middle and the bottom. The rest of the parts are off the shelf, perhaps with the exception of the carbon fiber rods. What it boils down to is an affordable violin that’s much easier to repair or maybe even modify compared to its traditional counterparts. Plus you can get it in a variety of colors, from brown to glow-in-the-dark. Here’s what it sounds like:

If that sounded pretty good to you, check out Hovalin’s website and online store for more. It sells fully assembled violins for $600 (USD), DIY kits for $450 and 3D printed parts only for $300. Hovalin also made its 3D files and build log available for free.

[via Digital Trends]

This 3D Printed Violin Looks Alien

Posted on 03/04/2015 by Conner Flynn

The image you see here is not a woman giving a violin concert on an alien world using an alien violin. It’s actually a 3D printed instrument called a two-string piezoelectric violin. Despite its otherworldly looks, it was really created right here on Earth.

This crazy and futuristic instrument was created by MONAD industries of Miami, Florida. It will be on display at the 3D Print Design Show in New York City on April 16th and 17th along with four other 3D instruments. You can see all of the instruments being played by musicians during the event, so you can see if they sound as alien as they look.

3D printing is allowing us to create some truly amazing things.

[via Laughing Squid via Nerd Approved]

Violin-playing Robot: RO-BOW

Posted on 24/02/2015 by Lambert Varias

Since retiring in 2002, mechanical engineer and bioengineer Seth Goldstein has spent a lot of his free time making kinetic sculptures. You may have heard of him before as the creator of the Why Knot?, a machine that continuously ties and unties a necktie. His latest creation is RO-BOW, a robot that plays a full-size violin.

RO-BOW relies on a custom computer program that turns MIDI files into instructions for its actuators, which move four disc-shaped fingers over the neck as well as the cradle carrying the violin’s body. While its design allows it to play any note, it might not be fast or subtle enough for some songs. Still, I’m sure RO-BOW would rake it in if it were a busker.

It sounds like a beginner practicing the instrument, but I’m still in awe at this robot. At least until someone replicates it with LEGO.

[via Engadget]

Viotone M One Speaker Pipes Sound Through a Violin: String Theory

Posted on 06/01/2015 by Lambert Varias

With their chicken-wire like appearance, I thought that electrostatic speakers like those produced by MartinLogan were the weirdest of its kind. Until now. Behold, the Viotone M One, a speaker that pipes its sound through a violin.

The Viotone M One’s 8″ woofer and 1.5″ tweeter face upwards towards the violin up top, routing the sound through the instrument’s body and strings. Three Pascal UMAC Class D amplifiers totaling 1500W power the speaker. According to Viotone’s master craftsman Zuliang Wu, “Even to a trained musician, it will be very difficult to distinguish string music coming from the Viotone versus an actual violin being played. The sound is simply that real.”

As if that wasn’t spectacular enough, with a push of a button you can make the pedestal’s outer case open up to reveal its speaker assembly.

Viotone crafts each violin for the M One by hand using 300-year old wood. That alone takes a month to complete. Couple that with its bespoke options and you get one expensive treat for the eyes and ears. If you have $25,000 (USD) to spare and room for a huge ass block of wood with a violin on top, contact Viotone at sales@junoaudio.com to order the M One.

Fool-proof Violin

Posted on 30/08/2012 by Troy Turner

Half the work in learning to play the violin is maintaining the correct posture while keeping a stable grip on the right finger positions. The WAVE electric violin uses a combination of tactile, braille-like indicators to train accurate finger positioning and a built-in accelerometer to ensure the musician is in proper form. If the violin senses the player is in the wrong position it will automatically shut off, forcing the musician to readjust. Be a virtuoso in half the time!

Designer: Jaewon Hwang

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(Fool-proof Violin was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Skull Electric Violin is Classically Evil

Posted on 25/06/2012 by Conner Flynn

I don’t know much about violins, but this one looks like it belongs in a heavy metal band. It is the Stratton Skull 5-String Electric Violin by Stratton Violin, and it is completely bad-ass.

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The price tag for such a violin? Well, it will cost you $3,000.(USD) That’s a lot of money, but on the other hand, if you have a violin like this, you will probably end up having some adventures. Like getting into a violin duel with the devil. In Georgia. Where you have to defeat him and send him back to hell. Sorry. This thing reminded me of that song.

The in-your-face appearance of this five-string Stratton electric violin is more than just bravado; a Barbera Twin Hybrid bridge provides a rich, full tone, focused and strong. The Barbera works great with acoustic styles, but is uniquely well-suited for use with effects, performing exceptionally well in high-volume situations.

Are there any violinists out there who would rock this thing on stage?

[via Likecool]

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