Designed by Thomas Mascall, the Touchtable features a large controller wheel that lets you mix records on the fly or scratch samples over what you're listening to. I especially love that you can link up two of these bad boys wirelessly for the full (well, miniature) DJ experience. Hooked up to a computer, it also functions as a MIDI device. It's just a concept for now, but if it ever gets built this little guy will put you just a smoke machine and glowsticks away from turning your cramped studio into a cramped SuperClub9000. [Yanko Design via Engadget]

For sale November 30th in a limited run of 200 units, the kits run around $125 (plus the cost of buttons, as I understand). As for the final built product, it features 16 programmable buttons and LEDs that allow you to cue your MIDI samples with all the finesse of button mashing Shredder to death.

The only possible point of improvement would be a coin slot mandating occasional quarter-purchased continues. Or, you know, the addition of even more buttons (which is technically feasible with some modification to the kit). [djtechtools via MAKE]

Here's how it works: people are subjected to a range of stimuli, ranging from a series of flashing lights to a driving simulator to, well, silence, while changes in brain activity are monitored by MRI. The results get passed through software that assigns specific tones to different regions of the brain, netting something like a song for each scan.

These impulses aren't inherently musical—they've been deliberative assigned tones that sound nice together, and even so sound rather chaotic—nor would you expect them to be, since this is just a novel way to present MRI. What's fascinating is how noticeably different the sounds of active and dormant brains, or troubled and untroubled brains actually are. And not to diminish the seriousness of schizophrenia in any way, but the scanned map and accompanying sounds for an affected brain, seen at about 40 seconds into the video, are nothing short of awesome. [New Scientist]

Music Radar says this £3300 guitar is the signature axe of Matthew Bellamy, frontman of the band Muse. It lets you run any plug-in you want for effects manipulation, and use it to make your shred sessions even more awesome. The video on Music Radar shows how the guitar fundamentally works—strumming out a chord, then hitting the MIDI pad with your fingers alters the sound of the guitar.

Pre-orders for the MB-1 will begin this summer, and the first units will ship in the fall. Also, it glows in a bunch of ADD-inducing colors. Oooooh. Shiny. [Manson Guitars via Music Radar via Engadget]

You be the judge. I say, resoundingly, yes.

[YouTube via MAKE]

The first video was good, but this one is even better, specially their reaction at the end. Clockwise, these four guys are Muryo Honma, Setsuya Kurotaki, Motoi Ishibashi and Seiichi Saito, and they all probably hate—in a good way—their friend Daito for making them look like hyperactive anime characters.

As you can see, the faces are perfectly choreographed thanks to the electrodes stimulating their faces, following the sound beats. [Pink Tentacle]

* Yeah, I know it's not impossible. Actually, just a few days ago here in Williamsburg, Christy—from the weird and wonderful Christy & Emily, get their album—left me speechless with her amazing live—and real—guitar performance, which included a drumstick in a song.

Drums:

Drum Kit Shirt: Sure, you could by a real drum kit—but that can be expensive. This drum kit shirt plays seven drum sounds when you tap different areas and it will only set you back $30. [Think Geek via Link]

Drum Table: Yup...it's a table with drums built-in. The way I see it, this would be a great way to score with the ladies when everyone is drinking at a party. I mean look at this dude, he seems well on his way to a foursome. Prices range from $800 to $2,900. [Musical Furnishings via Link]

DrumPants: By dismantling a MIDI keyboard and hooking it up to his pants with a couple of piezo transducers, Tyler Freeman was able to turn his legs into playable drums. If you throw the shirt on top of this, you would basically turn your entire body into a giant kit. [Link]

Guitars:

Angel Sword Guitar: Slay your fans with rock and slay your enemies with steel. Too bad this nerd axe is a one of a kind item. [Link]

Gibson's Robotic Guitar: If you are too lazy to manually tune your guitar, this Gibson will do it for you at the push of a button. Servos tune the guitar to one of seven presets with A440 as a default and the remaining six based on hit songs. Unfortunately, this limited edition instrument will set you back well over $2000 if you manage to find one. [Gibson via Link]

Moog Paul Vo Edition: Moog, a company known for their synthesizers, have branched out to the world of guitars with the Paul Vo Edition. What makes it worth $6500 you ask? Well, it sure as hell isn't looks. However, it does claim to have "infinite sustain." Sure, you can already achieve similar effects with pedals, but the Moog product site claims that it is "like no other sustainer; infinite sustain on every string, at every fret position and at any volume. You may have heard sustain before but not with this power (we call it "Vo Power") and clarity." [Moog via Link]

Synthesizers:

Beamz: The Beamz system uses a series of six lasers that play sounds from instruments like the guitar, violin and even the cowbell when the beam is broken with your hand. If it feels like a Sharper Image gadget to you, good call. Beamz was on sale there before the company went belly up. Don't let that deter you though. You can still get your hands on one from the Beamz website for $400. Oh, and this video is the most hysterically uncomfortable thing I have watched in a long time. [Beamz via Link]

Korg DS-10: Unlike Guitar Hero, you can actually use this game to make music. Basically, Korg took their famous MS-10 synthesizer and squeezed it onto a DS. It features a four-part drum machine, six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer, delay, chorus and flanger sound effects and the ability to exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units wirelessly. Currently available in Japan for 4,800 yen ($48). [Korg DS-10 via Link]

Piano:

Mini Grand Piano: Have you priced grand pianos lately? Yeah, we are talking tens of thousands of dollars. The good news is that this version from Segatoys will only set you back $570. The bad news is that each one of the playable keys is only 4mm wide. It may be mini, but you can still play like mozart with a stylus. [Audiocubes]

"Alternative" Instruments:

Light Up Tambourine: Okay, maybe cool instruments aren't your thing. However, that doesn't mean you can't rock out. Hey, Davy Jones got lots of chicks playing one of these back in the day. Available for $15. [LB Toys]

Air Guitar (Bonus): So you are good at Guitar Hero but you lack actual musical ability. No worries—you always have air guitar. And if you are wondering how you can get groupies doing something so lame, check out the video of air guitar champion Ochi Dainoji Yosuke doing his thing. So the lesson here is that it's not what you play but where you play it. I'll bet groupies are into anyone performing on a stage. Available for around $4. [stuff4me]

[Image via CNET.au]

DaScratch not only uses the USB port for MIDI control, but also for power via USB bus. It's meant to scratch and scrub like most real and cd-based turntables, plus it has the capability cue, loop and adjust pitch on samples. Its roughly 8" by 5" by 1.5" in size and weighs under 3 pounds and is available for $300. To get a better idea of how this thing works, be sure to check out the video. [Stanton]

Stanton Introduces DaScratch® Controller

New DaScratch a.k.a. SCS.3d features advanced touch-sensitive control for digital DJs

HOLLYWOOD, FL September 19, 2008 Stanton DJ, an industry leader in the design and manufacture of professional audio products for DJs, introduces the DaScratch, the company’s newest addition to the SC System controller line. DaScratch is a USB-MIDI controller that combines fast response, easy customization, and a compact form factor to create an ideal instrument for any digital DJ looking for total control over their software. Small and portable, DaScratch makes a space-friendly addition to any existing DJ gear set-up or can stand on its own as a complete controller solution.

DaScratch marks the introduction of Stanton’s StanTouch® technology, which allows DJs to use traditional performance motions and gestures on a touch-pad style surface. "With SCS.3d, we stepped back from the playing field and created something unique using emerging touch technology,” states Jim Mazur, Stanton’s Director of Product Development. “DJs are constantly looking for new ways to interact with their music. By studying their actions and creating a control surface analogy, we are able to bring some fresh ideas to fruition without being held back by traditional ways of interfacing with equipment."

The StanTouch® interface is highly responsive to popular functions such as scratching, scrubbing, and navigating through digital audio files. In addition, tactile buttons, triggers, and virtual faders are able to control samples, pitch, effects, cue and loop points, and other mappable functions. Multiple finger touches can also prompt quick kills on EQ's or transform effects on volume.

Another notable feature of the SCS.3d is the implementation of DaRouter® software. DaRouter allows customized support and control over most DJ, DAW, and audio applications. DaRouter also enables DaScratch to provide two-way user feedback by illuminating LEDs to indicate the status of buttons, triggers, virtual faders, and transport controls. A preset library is also available on the Stanton website that supports popular applications such as Traktor™, Traktor Scratch™, Ableton Live™, and Serato Scratch Live™. A complete list of supported current applications is available at www.StantonDJ.com.

According to Timothy Dorwart, CEO of the Stanton Group, "DaScratch reflects our commitment to deliver products based on technology, innovation and differentiation. The flexibility and affordability of DaScratch will attract new users to digital DJing while at the same time providing professional DJ's with a useful tool to augment their current rigs."

For simple connectivity into any set-up or environment, DaScratch features USB connection, allowing easy plug and play connection to your software. The unit is class compliant with Windows XP, Vista and Mac OSX to ensure that drivers are never needed, and is bus powered by design to ensure that no external power or batteries need to be used.

Additionally, the DaScratch employs the Magnect® connection system, allowing multiple SCS.3d units to securely snap together magnetically, creating a larger control surface with increased performance options. MSRP: $299

Technical Details:
5 Touch sensitive sliders (3 switchable via presets)
1 Touch sensitive continuous rotary control (switchable via preset)
4 Backlit (red, blue) buttons
10 Back lit (red, blue, purple) touch sensitive buttons
9 Backlit touch sensitive buttons (switchable via preset)
USB 1.1 and 2.0 class compliant MIDI controller
USB bus-powered*
System Requirements:
Mac: Power PC G5 or multicore Intel® processor Mac OSX (v10.4 or later)
Windows: PC running Windows XP or Vista
Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.52 in x 4.72 in x 1.38 in 216.5 mm x 120 mm x 35.25 mm
Shipping Weight: 2.64 lbs (1.2 Kg)
*USB hub / port must meet USB power specification
Package includes: DaScratch® Unit, USB cable, and Quickstart guide

Seeing the full-sized Fender/Squire branded Rock Band guitar/bass is kind of a trip, too. At first I thought the display case was just showing off their touted new guitar alongside a full sized guitar. Nope. Those full-sized, true wood instruments had subtly incorporated buttons. And Harmonix's new guitar looked like the same thing made for a kid (even if a closer inspection reveals the wood is, of course, veneer).

Playing on the new guitar wasn't quite as different as I'd expected it. The fret buttons feel identical to the current Rock Band guitar. But a difference can be felt in the strum bar, a magnet-based system redesigned to be tougher and more accurate. It just felt right, with double strum timing that was right on.

The biggest improvement, however, was one I could have never seen with my own eyes. An integrated light sensor and mic allow automatic timing calibration with any television. So you always know that it's you, not the game, that is screwing up. (I'm a bit obsessive about my calibration, manually tweaking it to death).

As for the drums...

The new $299 Ion drum kit looks fantastic, but I didn't get a chance to play it or the new stock drum kit. What I like about the Ion is that it's not another fake instrument. It's a midi drum kit that has been retrofitted with an adapter to work on the 360. (Which is, if you think about it, similar to what Rock Band did with their original drum kit but in a more discreet manner.)

But even with all the promised improvements to all the instruments, I'm not sure that even I can justify the repurchase. Those starting anew, however, will be scoring some nice gear.

The technical specs:

The synth is built into an original Commodore 64 computer case. And features 8 SID chips (4 stereo pairs - one SID per ear x 4 voices). Each SID chip has 3 oscillators and a variety of other features like filters, ADSR, ringmod, sync. The synth has a very flexible (and simple to use) modulation matrix, LFO, bassline sequencers, and stores patches in presets.

[Flickr via Technabob]

[Curious Inventor via MAKE]

With the current version you can:

•Play 2 octaves of an 8 note scale at a time,
•Change the starting note anywhere in the range of a regular keyboard
•Change octaves
•Change keys
•Change tonal modes (Ionian, Mixolydian, Lydian, Dorian, Aeolian, Phrygian, Locrian)
•Change the timbre of a sound
•Change the resonance of a sound
•Use the whammy bar to pitchbend
•Play chords in the mode you have the guitar set to (major/minor/etc.)
•Rock out with a video game toy

Yu said it took three years to develop the Tenori-on, and another three to get Yamaha on board with the production process. When throwing around design ideas, shapes like triangles were considered, but appeared too difficult to make usable, so they stuck with the square shape. Other interesting design aspects include making the Tenori wide enough so that the thumbs of the average adult hand meet in the middle of the Tenori when grasped, and that it was never intended to be a user-friendly music machine; it kind of just happened. Read the full interview over at [PingMag].

Probably because of the PS3's more open platform, the USB drum kit is automatically recognized in Windows. And with a little midi mapping, you can be rocking out in minutes.

Xbox 360 Hack

PS3...Sorta Hack

Verdict: if you want the Rock Band drums on your PC, buy the PS3 version.

[dxprog and youtube] [kotaku]

Zelle Jewelry [Elsewares via Popgadget]