OTTO: the circular hardware beat-slicer
The success of Yamaha's Tenori-on has demonstrated that high-tech musicians have an appetite for new types of interface, and OTTO, a circular beat-slicing device, is another piece of hardware that does things a little differently.
Currently a working prototype, this was designed by Luca De Rosso as a thesis project for his master's degree in Venice, and was created using the Arduino open-source hardware platform and Cycling '74's Max/MSP software.
Once you've connected OTTO to your computer via USB, you can load up the software app, drag a loop into the appropriate window and then watch as it's displayed visually on the hardware. You can then start manipulating the beat using OTTO's controls.
There are no plans for a commercial release at present, but this is definitely a concept that has potential. Let's hope a manufacturer will be willing to step in and help Luca fulfil it.
You can watch getting started and demo OTTO videos below:
(Via Create Digital Music)
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I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.
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