You may remember the lust-worthy Arc Encoder that I recently posted on. Well apparently there’s an Arc4 (four encoders) and Stretta has created a beautiful video of an Arc4 performance. I was already loving the Arc after seeing the stills, but seeing it in motion takes it to another level. I love the movement of the LEDs, very reminiscent of reel-to-reel tape. Makes you feel all warm and analog-ey inside.
If you make music or follow artists like Daedelus you’re probably familiar with the Monome, the grid based OSC controller that gave birth to new ways of composing and performing music. The same people that make the Monome are back with a new controller, this time in the form of the Arc, a high-resolution OSC controller with two knobs which double as push buttons. Like the Monome before it, the Arc is beautifully designed, outfitted in the signature walnut/aluminum casing. At $500 I can tell you right now I’m not getting one, but the Arc sure is pretty to look at; that led ring is absolutely stunning.
Whenever I see an elegant interface like this I’m always left to wonder why we don’t have more control surfaces for Photoshop (I know people have found ways to control Photoshop with midi but I’m talking purpose-built controllers). Really, if Adobe were to open up to native osc or even midi support, we’d be off to a running start with all the pre-existing musical devices out there.
Here’s a video of the Arc and Monome in action:
