With such innovative technology, there is no shortage of music making capability with smart devices. Now, more than ever, novices are able to create music of all varieties through self-training. Artiphon has added to the long list with the groundbreaking Instrument 1.
Instrument 1 allows you to choose any position, style, sound, and instrument with a single device. You can strum a guitar and, with a touch of the button, begin tapping keys on a piano. It’s ergonomic and ambidextrous to adapt to how any instrument would be played. It’s a one-stop shop for all of your music creativity.
Instrument 1 works by plugging into your phone, tablet, or computer and connecting with virtually any music app. In addition, Artiphon are in the process of creating their own app to increase customisation. With the app, you can set up your instrument; how it’s tuned, and even enable presets to hit your groove as quickly as possible. It connects with your phone to use it as a violin bow to increase the experience.
Incredibly, Instrument 1 is pressure sensing which means that the harder you press, say, the piano keys, the louder the sound – just like the real thing. The best part is that you don’t need any music knowledge to begin making music. It’s tactile and lifelike which brings users beyond the touchscreen and into the music scene.
The creators have made Instrument 1 as diverse as could be. At less than 24 inches in length and 3.5 inches wide, it is perfect length for any instrument you’d like it to be. It’s long enough for a guitar, compact enough for a ukulele, yet wide enough for a piano. Its rechargeable built-in battery lasts for over three hours and is easily charged with the provided DC power adapter. It has the ability to connect via lightning and USB and even work with amps and headphones if the built-in speakers don’t do it for you.
What seems to be the coolest thing about Aritphon’s Instrument 1 is how customisable it is. The app will allow users to play the instruments how they’d like such as strumming a piano or plucking a drum – there are endless possibilities. You can turn the frets on and off and even assign one instrument per string. And, to keep up with the latest, Artiphon will be creating an integration with Apple Watch so you can bow a violin without holding anything.
Instrument 1 is available via Kickstarter for $349 (~£230), which is $50 off list price. The public has had a huge positive reaction; with a fundraising goal of $75,000, Artiphon have currently raised over $270,000 and still have until April 13th. It is available in black and white with a special Nashville Edition for US orders. Instrument 1 will begin to ship in early 2016.