 
|
Create your own interactive installation art, responsive environment or alternate musical controller !
The I-CubeX environment enables you to do just that. It is designed to enable you to use sensors for
controlling multimedia content. With the I-CubeX, translate sensor signals with high resolution into
MIDI messages. Then, send these MIDI messages to a variety of MIDI devices (eg. MIDI-aware software programs, sound modules) that control sound synthesis, graphical animation, video
effects, etc.. Voilà ! See this video to get started with the I-CubeX StarterPack.
Application examples
- With the ReachClose
sensor, create a Theremin-alike MIDI controller that
turns your mere handwaving into soundeffects. See this Theremin emulator video !
- Also with the ReachClose,
make your interactive art installation aware of visitors when they approach.
Add a Touch sensor to
allow visitors to change ambient sounds and visuals or as a lighting controller.
- With the Touch sensor, extend your guitar to tweak your
strumming with a subtle caress. See this Hyper Guitar video !
- With the Turn,
Touch and ReachClose, prototype a physical control
surface for your favourite MIDI software.
- Get hands-on and interface your own sensor using a HackCable.
What you get
The I-CubeX StarterPack includes a microDig
analog to MIDI converter, a microGlobalAdapter for use
world-wide, a ReachClose sensor,
a Touch sensor,
a Turn sensor,
a HackCable-1. To make sure you will use the latest software please download the configuration editors
for MacOS
and Windows,
Max plugins
for host mode operation, as well as manuals and tutorials. Firmware upgrades will be made available at a cost.
Please note that to configure the microDig with the editor, you will need a MIDI interface such as
the MIDISport 1x1 or MidAir, which allows you to transmit MIDI wirelessly..
For more inputs and resolution, as well as the ability to control actuators, check out the
System.
For a thumb-sized wireless version, check out the
Wi-microSystem.
To capture more of the real world check these sensors !
About the microDig
The microDig can operate in both stand alone mode (no need for a computer after configuring it)
as well as host mode (use a computer with a MIDI interface to process the MIDI messages).
The beauty of stand alone mode is that it gives you more freedom to go where you want to go with
your I-CubeX setup because you have one less hardware device to worry about !
Configure the microDig with the stand alone mode editor and it will remember the settings after power down.
For more sensor mapping complexity, use the microDig in host mode in combination with a computer.
For hardware hackers, the microDig features a hardware hacking area to add your own sensor circuit. Also, note the microDig's I2C
capability which is one of the more common bi-directional communications protocols used in
robotics for sensors and actuators - connect up to 4 I2C devices directly to it. But you can connect many more I2C devices, since they can be daisy-chained !
Software support
Stand alone mode is supported with a Windows editor
and a MacOS editor.
Plug-ins for host mode are available for Max (Windows
and MacOS)
and jMax (Linux, Unix).
Check the download page for the latest releases of
I-CubeX software.
In either mode of operation, the I-CubeX can be used with any operating system as long as you
run software that can handle the I-CubeX system exclusive messages.
Further reading
For further reading on Sunday evening, enjoy
the iCube/oCube v2.0x
tutorials. The editor manuals are included with the software as PDF files. You can also
simply download and
install the Windows and/or MacOS editor software to try it out ! For the deepest understanding
of the ultimate controller or in case you just want to hack your own I-CubeX editor, check the microDig firmware v5.0
documentation.
|
