Specialwaves Smart & Sexy Modular MIDI Controller Now On Kickstarter

It's finally here! The Specialwaves Mine and Mine S modular MIDI controllers which took the internet by storm when we announced last year is finally available via Kickstarter. Prices & details below.

Today could be the day you order the last and only (USB) MIDI controller you'll ever need. Today could be the start of something very special for your music studio and live performance workflow.

We discovered Specialwaves Mine and Mine S in November 2016 and it fast became one of our most read and shared articles of the entire year. That's how interested the music making world are in the concept of a modular MIDI controller. One that is highly customizable, expandable and reconfigurable. A MIDI controller for DJs, producers and musicians that fits your needs and workflow rather than the other way round.

And today, Specialwaves have launched their Mine and Mine S modular MIDI controllers on Kickstarter. So, now, we can all know the prices, options, and choose to support them and buy the MIDI controller many of us have been eagerly awaiting to add to our studios. The funding goal is €150,000 EUR and a Mine S can be grabbed for as little as €215 EUR!

We love how smart this beautiful modular MIDI controller is too. I've had the pleasure of holding and using one of the prototypes myself... and was surprised how well built the prototype was. I was particularly impressed by the "intelligent" functionality of each module. i.e. once programmed, it remembers its mapping when you remove it and re-insert it. Very useful indeed.

This Kickstarter ends on 24th February 2017. 

Jump striaght to the Kickstarter for Specialwaves Mine and Mine S here.

Here's some official info from our Specialwaves friends' press release on the Mine and Mine S Kickstarter:

There are two versions of Mine controller available: Mine and MineS. Mine consists of a matrix of 8 rows × 8 columns, that allows the insertion of a maximum of 64 modules; while MineS is a matrix of 8 rows × 4 columns and it can accommodate up to 32 modules.

Mine and Mine S have an editor for Mac & Windows.

A standard USB port allows to connect the controller to a PC/Mac or to power it. When you connect more LEDs modules together, the intensity of the LEDs lights might be less due to limited power coming from the USB hub. This is a normal behavior. For this reason, we add a power supply connector which can be used to increase the light intensity of the LEDs when you need.

Mine - up to 64 modules

  • 1 USB for power/connection to Mac or PC
  • 1 power supply connector 12V DC for extra power
  • 2 connectors for expansion
  • 2 connectors for MIDI in & out
  • Dimensions (mm): 330 x 270 x 30

Mine S - up to 32 modules

  • 1 USB for power/connection to Mac or PC
  • 1 power supply connector 12V DC for extra power
  • 1 connector for expansion
  • 2 connectors for MIDI in & out
  • Dimensions (mm): 330 x 138 x 30

No driver will be needed. Mine and Mine S are full-MIDI class compliant; this will allow to play on all type of platforms and operating systems. The dedicated controller editor software is the easiest way to configure Mine and Mine S. It will automatically recognize the type of module, its position and orientation. Thus, the Mine configuration is very simple. It’s also possible to modify the parameters of each individual module and save the settings directly on the module. 

The user can connect one device to the other and build it up as one bigger control surface. In this configuration, the controller editor software will recognize Mine and MineS as a unique control surface.

We are also proud to announce the collaboration with Isotonik Studios (https://Isotonikstudios.com) that will allow the free use of a basic-function script to Ableton Live users.

 

Why Choose This MIDI Controller?

The main characteristics and advantages that diversify Mine from all the other controllers and DIY controllers already on the market are: 

CUSTOMIZATION: users can choose their own configuration and place the modules (built by single electronic interface) inside the case to best suit their needs. In fact, Mine is the controller that adapts itself to the user, not the other way round!  This is the meaning of MINE: being able to create its own personal controller.  

Expandability & Continuous Evolution

The six available modules are only the starting point. The distinctive trait of this product is the possibility to design and create new modules in the future. New modules will be designed according to suggestions coming from the “Mine community”. 

These are the currently available modules: pad, 2buttons, encoder, pot, slider, blank.

These are the modules planned for the future: LED display, joypad, touchstrip, motorized fader, pad xy jog well, and much more.

These are just few examples of modules we would create in the future because there are no limits to interfaces we can add.  

The user can both add new modules and link one or more units together.

Reconfigurability & Les Obsolescence

The different kinds of Music software  are evolving and are adding new features year by year. This is why djs, vjs, producers and musicians have to evolve their style along their carrier as well as their approach to the instruments. With commercial controllers djs, vjs, producers and musicians have to buy new instruments according to their needs. With Mine the user can adjust the controller without changing it because it can reconfigure its layout over and over again by extracting and reinserting the various modules in the desired position and orientation.

The Mine looks a little lonely without any modules in it...

DIY Controller Without Any Electronics Knowledge

Mine is also suitable for users that want to build a customized controller but they have no electronics knowledge. 

Smart Modules

Every module has a “brain” which is able to communicate with the mainboard of Mine. The brain inside the module allows the mainboard to recognize position, orientation and IDs (i.e. what type of control they are). In addition the user can set up some parameters and save them directly in the modules (e.g. speed of the encoder). 

Firmware Upgradability

Even the technology that controls Mine has the flexibility to change in order to follow innovative ideas. For this reason it can be easily updated. 

Design

The case of Mine is made of high quality aluminum. The resilience and lightness of this material is perfect for stability and transportation of the product. Even the carter is made up of aluminum covered by a walnut pattern. 

Web: http://special-waves.com/

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/345524876/mine-modular-controller

Prices for Mine S / Mine range from €215 - €845 EUR or you can get both together from as little as €920 EUR.

 

 

Synthesis 101
The Filter
by Bob Moog Foundation

"Rounik is the Executive Editor for Ask.Audio & macProVideo. He's built a crack team of professional musicians and writers to create one of the most visited online resources for news, review, tutorials and interviews for modern musician and producer. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro Rounik has taught teachers, professional..." Read More

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