It’s highly likely that by the time I’ve finished putting this story together, the Kickstarter for the lovely bite-sized Livid Minim wireless controller will be fully funded. Well we can only hope because this stunning controller needs to happen.
THEIR SAY
Austin, TX, July 29, 2015, 11:11; AM CT – Livid Instruments announced today that they have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.com to partner with the Kickstarter community on their next innovation, Minim.
Minim is the world’s first pocket-sized wireless instrument designed for mobile music creation. Minim’s sleek and ergonomic design allows for intuitive control over iOS apps, DAWs, software plug-ins, MIDI effects units, and much more. Minim includes a stand-alone app that bridges 3rd party apps with Minim’s controls, allowing players to use Minim as an instrument, sampler, sequencer, and song creation device right out of the box.
Minim features touch and pressure sensitive controls, 3D motion sensors, and wireless connectivity. As an expressive control surface, Minim can act as a controller, multi-effects unit, sampler, or studio assistant all on one device. It easily integrates with many apps and software to activate and tweak effects, control recording sessions, trigger samples, create new sounds, and even control lighting and video. The wireless functionality creates enormous benefits over traditionally connected approaches to interacting with music creation apps and other digital tools.
Livid’s 30 day campaign will begin on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 11:11 AM Central Time. Livid seeks to raise $40,000 to take Minim from prototype to production. Campaign backers are able to offer their support by pre-ordering a Minim at a special rate or choose from a mix of other potential rewards.
For more information visit the Minim Kickstarter.
OUR SAY — WHAT IS THE LIVID MINIM?
Imagine the form factor of a large smart phone, but instead of an app on-screen, a real controller with physical controller is in its place. To me, the Minim is that go anywhere fit anywhere controller that can be mapped to those functions that you use often, and not have something bigger taking up space.
For me this is Reloop Neon meets Numark Orbit, taking the best bits of both (pressure sensitive pads, 3D motion, RGB pads, wireless MIDI) and putting them into a smaller battery-powered box. I don’t know about you, but hitting an expensive iPad screen doesn’t give the warm fuzzies, whereas beating the crap out of a lump of plastic is far more palatable, especially with pressure sensitivity.
About wireless — iOS and OS X users will be happy to hear that bluetooth MIDI control is supported, but Windows and Android users will just have to wait.
Getting back to Kickstarter funding, when I started writing this, the fund was at around $11K. It now stands at a little over $16K, and that’s on the first day. So I reckon he $40K target is going to be easily smashed, meaning that the Livid Minim will become a reality.
Go check out the Kickstarter page — it’s chokka full with all manner of related videos and info.
YOUR SAY
Do you feel like grabbing yourself a bit of Minim action? Can you see it filling a tiny space in your setup?