siftables music sequencer

A music sequencer that uses Siftables as the interface.

There are three "voices" - lead, bass and drums. Each voice has four variations, accessible via the four sides of the siftable.

The way to make a piece is to first construct a sequence, using the blank "sequence" siftables, then insert voices into the sequence by bumping the voice siftables up against the sequence siftables. A voice can be removed by bumping the siftable against the sequence siftable a second time.

A voice can have an effect applied to it - like reverb or a sweepable filter (like wah), by bumping an effect siftable up against it. While the effect is applied, the voice siftable will have a small circle shown on it, with the color of the effect siftable, and the effect can be tweaked by tilting the effect siftable left and right.

There are also effects that apply to the entire sequence, like tempo and volume. These effects are always engaged, and they can be changed by tilting. As soon as they are set flat, the effect stops changing.

Sequences can be made shorter or longer, or re-arranged at any time by moving the sequence siftables around.

Music engine by Josh Kopin

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  People & Blogs

[chasetheguitarplayer]

What software is used to create the sounds?

[David Merrill]

For this demo we used Ableton Live to create the music. It was being driven by the actions that happened to the cubes. Like lots of concept demos, we used a variety of software components and patched them to each other, and in this case it was: Python library to talk to the cubes -> OpenSoundControl network messages -> Pure Data -> MIDI -> Live. Very DIY, but this original prototype system has evolved into a real product, check it out at sifteo.com (doesn't have this music application yet)

[chasetheguitarplayer]

Ok thanks. I'm planning on getting Ableton Live anyway. When a music application comes out, I'll get the cubes. Thanks very much! :)

[David Merrill]

Cool. There is one already, called Bliss Bomb, though it's different than this sequencer -- more abstract and exploratory. You can find it in by scrolling through the games at the sifteo website.

[MattOnTehPS3]

Very very cool. If you can recommend a site or a store in which to buy these it would be really great and appreciated :D

[David Merrill]

You can't buy the specific hardware or app shown in the video -- this was a working prototype. The product that came out of this research is available for purchase though, at sifteo.com. Enjoy!

[agvulpine]

Imagine having to recharge 50 of them.

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

You're a dumbass. It's not just about the music. Maybe you should watch the introduction of these things at a conference I think you are too stupid, and thus undeserving, to know the name of..

[Deokwoo Lee]

흥미롭지 않은데... 뭐하는거지?

[TogetherTo TheTop]

THumbs Up if you want that awesome blocks

[shokumasterify]

Convenience and a good interface, basically. It's easier to pick up the Siftable that says "filter" and move it around in your hand than dig out the dial in Ableton Live for the track you want and move a dial that says cutoff. Mainly I can see it being used for live performances to control effects on the fly, akin to Tom Exile's The Finger, or possibly introduce melodies and harmonies seamlessly like a Novation Launchpad.

But for just production? Yeah, computers are the way to go.

[misterhop666]

totally pointless. why should i use these instead of my computer/smartphone/video game console?