Here’s a bit more info on the Seeed Studio Minichord, including github for hardware and software:
The minichord is an innovative musical device designed for all musicians. It features 21 chord selector buttons for easy chord selection, a unique harp touch zone for triggering different notes, and supports custom presets for endless music creation possibilities. It also functions as a MIDI instrument via USB connection. Most importantly, the minichord is a fully open-source project, allowing users to freely access, modify, and share its source code and design.This product is a co-create collaboration with Seeed Studio and Benjamin Poilve.
Very cool! I was wondering if Minichord could easily be ported to run on Zynthian without the custom hardware. We already have @riban ‘s Chordulator. I’m guessing Minichord has more capabilities.
Do you have the Exquis?
I got one and it is quite nice with the Zynthian, but the Windwoes Exquis App just sucks, and without that app, there are many things missing.
Are there device drivers / tools planned for this on Zynthian?
We generally can’t add drivers unless we have the kit. Anyone with a device is encouraged to write a ctrl device driver. I had considered buying one of there but am not yet convinced I would find it useful. I like the idea of a controller with more control but I may be better just using my guitar to MIDI device.
A small sample of minichord in my left hand (recorded as audio) together with keyboard and zynthian for the melody in right hand.
Not exactly a masterpiece, but it gives an impression.
Minichord’s own synth is playing the arpeggios/chords.
I’m pretty skeptical of the claims that they broke the Internet (what does that even mean?), hopefully some of the other claims about being released later this year, and being “basically finished” are more reality based although I’m not holding my breath for those either.
But the article gives more details on Nopia MK1, and it’s still an interesting concept to me.
The concept is interesting but what I personally don’t like is that they went all the way to make a synth and didn’t stop at making a controller (and maybe an expander box if you insist on buying their synth).
So if one only wants the convenient music theory controller side of things you still pay extra for a synth you probably don’t need. Since I had a deep dive into music theory from classical/Bach over bebop and bossa nova to modal changes I’d use it as a “hands free to do other things” kind of device and the synth is not interesting to me at all.
If you or anybody, (at least anybody with a Zynthian), wants to actually use or try some of this functionality, @riban did write equivalent plugins for Zynthian:
These were written (I think) in the early Oram era, I don’t know the status under Vangelis.
