Eigenharp

Eigenharp is a brand of electronic instrument made by Eigenlabs, a company based in Devon, UK,^[1] invented by John Lambert and released in 2009 after developing it for eight years.^[2]^[3] The "instrument" is in essence a highly flexible and portable controller, with the sound being actually generated in the software it drives.

Characteristics of all of the instruments are:

A matrix of velocity sensitive multi-expressive keys, each of which act like a 6-way analog joystick. This allows the simultaneous pitch bend and modulation (or other parameters) of each played note individually.
A stick-like vertical form factor akin to a sitar for the larger models or a flute in the smaller ones.
A built-in wind controller, giving the larger versions of the instrument an appearance similar to a bassoon.
One or two ribbon controller strips.
The software is available as open-source under the GPLv3 and runs both on Macintosh and Windows.

Additionally, the larger models have:

A series of percussion keys
A built-in step sequencer with indicator LEDs for each key.
A headphone amplifier with an output on the instrument

Models

The instrument comes in three models: Alpha, Tau, and Pico, in decreasing order of size. Each has a breath-pipe, a key matrix (120, 72, and 18) and a ribbon controller. The Alpha and Tau also have 12 percussion keys each, a second ribbon controller, and headphone output. The Alpha also has microphone preamplifier with an input on the instrument.^[4]

References

^ "About Eigenlabs". Eigenlabs. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
^ Murph, Darren (8 October 2009). "Eigenharp Pico and Alpha slowly remove shroud of mystery, gets stratospheric price tags". Engadget. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
^ Masters, Tim (8 October 2009). "Do you drum it, strum it or stroke it?". BBC News. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
^ "Eigenharp Alpha". Eigenlabs. Archived from the original on 14 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Articles

Do you drum it, strum it or stroke it? - BBC News, 8 October 2009
G4 TV Coverage of the Eigenharp
Eigenharp Article on CrunchGear
Eigenharp News, Tips and Tricks
In-depth Eigenharp Alpha review after three months - EigenZone, 21 June 2010

Example Videos

[1] "About Eigenlabs". Eigenlabs. Retrieved 11 September 2010.

[2] Murph, Darren (8 October 2009). "Eigenharp Pico and Alpha slowly remove shroud of mystery, gets stratospheric price tags". Engadget. Retrieved 11 September 2010.

[3] Masters, Tim (8 October 2009). "Do you drum it, strum it or stroke it?". BBC News. Retrieved 11 September 2010.

[4] "Eigenharp Alpha". Eigenlabs. Archived from the original on 14 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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