Build your own force-sensitive resistor

There is a pretty short tutorial on Instructables which takes you through in small steps how to build your own force sensitive resistor (FSR).

An FSR could then be used to control almost any aspect of a project - volume, filter, FX, etc...

Worth a look if you're into creating your own interfaces.

AirPiano

via createdigitalmusic

The AirPiano is gesture sensing MIDI controller. It consists of an Arduino board and IR sensors, the prototype instrument provides the user 3 layers each of which contains 8 individual "virtual switch". When a switch is triggered a MIDI note message is passed and a LED under the switch is activated to provide the user with visual feedback to aid in the learning of the instrument.

The developer has posted 2 youtube videos of the AirPiano in use:
The first demonstrates its use a controller for Ableton Live.


The second demonstrates its use a more traditional melodic MIDI controller.


Whilst it looks like a fun thing to play around with I'm not convinced by it really. I don't really see the advantage over a 'normal' MIDI controller which gives you tactile feedback. The developer suggests that it could be used to make a more interesting performance which is true, but a 'normal' MIDI controller can still be played as an instrument. I think that there could be potential to do some interesting things with this controller given more time spent experimenting with it.

More info can be found at airpiano.de