After weeks of speculation, the Eigenharp is live! This crazy instrument is part woodwind, part drum, and part piano. You can blow it, tap it, and stroke it to make music and it includes a case and strap. It costs $5,800 dollars and is customizable at the new product page.
Interestingly, they also released the Eigenharp Pico for about $500. It’s more like a recorder (a simple flute) and has 18 keys and one slider.
Both devices require a Mac nearby for playback.
Confused as to how it works? Just watch this. Here’s a little Moby:
Here it is in the studio:
And here is a song by the Cantina Band:
Hardware Specification
Keys
133 keys in all.
120 keys on the main keyboard.
12 percussion keys on the lower part of the instrument.
Plus one mute key.
Key Properties:
Sampled at 2000 samples/second, per key.
11 bit (2048 values) resolution.
Sensitive to direct pressure and to lateral pressure in both directions.
Breath pipe:
Sampled at 2000 samples/second.
12 bit (4096 value) resolution.
Bidirectional, sensitive to blown and drawn breath.
Removable, interchangeable mouthpiece for hygiene.
2 Strip Controllers:
One on each side of the instrument, 480mm long.
Sampled at 2000 samples/second per strip.
11 bit (2048 values) resolution.
Headphone output:
48kHz sampling rate, 24-bit DAC Sigma-Delta.
Software programmable volume.
Mute, soft ramp and zero cross detection for volume adjustment.
SNR = 95dB.
THD < 0.01% at 1kHz, 30-Ohm load at -3dbFS.
Up to 750mW output on a 3.5mm mini jack.
Microphone input/preamp:
Balanced input on an industry standard 4 pin LEMO locking connector.
24 bit at 96khz A/D converter.
Low noise programmable gain from 10 to 55db in 1db steps.
Software switchable 48V phantom power.
8.2V Electret polarisation power available, requires specific cable.
Noise: EIN= (A-weighted) -120dBu with 150 Ohm source 20Hz to 20kHz, 50 dB gain. EIN Un-wtd= -125dBu with same conditions as A-weighted.
26dB software switchable input pad.
Recommended uni-directional (cardioid or supercardioid patterns) microphones:
Sony ECM66BC, Audio Technica AT898C and AT831C, Sure WL184, DPA 4080 and DPA 4022. Note: Custom wiring for each microphone is required
Base Station:
2 inputs for continuous control expression pedals:
Suitable for use with Boss FV50 and FV500 volume pedals.
Suitable for use with Yamaha FC3 continuous control sprung sustain pedals.
USB 2 interface to host computer.
2 inputs for foot switches.