monome: news

friday jan 28 1pm EST

we will post order links here at this time. click link above to check your local time.

50 of each: two fifty six ($1400), one twenty eight ($800), sixty four ($500)

all usb bus powered. orange lighting. newly designed walnut enclosure, matching the 512 and coming-soon arc. slip mat (scratch pad) felted with domestic wool.

this edition also features fully redesigned electronics and an optimized protocol for use with our nearly-ready much-anticipated OSC router, serialosc. tilt modules are not included, but will be offered in the future as an inexpensive, easy to install upgrade.

compatible with the ever-growing collection of community-contributed applications.

we’re not taking pre-orders. please read through the ordering information to avoid surprises—particularly regarding international shipping and import taxes.

arc details

posted Jan 21, 2011

shown above, the arc two next to a series sixty four.

why

arc embodies the same basic design principles as our other devices. this time instead of having numerous controls with low detail (grids of on/off), arc has few but highly-detailed controls. by decoupling the encoder (knob) input from the light (ring) output we establish the opportunity for adaptable interaction.

encoders are typically low resolution, normally detecting large-ish jumps and few ticks per revolution. analog pots have resolution, but send absolute position, and can suffer from noise and latency. the high-resolution optical encoders we’re using provide a level of flexible control that is uncommon. add a programmable led ring and the single encoder becomes an intuitive control system.

what?

this video is a bit opaque at first, but it’s quite a simple system. it’s a live micro-looper. we’ve posted a more detailed explanation on the vimeo page.

how does it work?

the device connects to a computer and is powered by USB. when the knob is moved or depressed, data is sent to the computer. the application running determines what happens with this data, and may correspondingly send data back to the device, changing the light pattern.

as with our other devices, programming isn’t required, though you may find yourself wanting to learn. we’ve already begun writing applications and expect the library to grow quickly through community involvement.

technical specification

256 steps per revolution, with integrated push button
64 leds per ring, each led independently has 16 levels of brightness
programming via simple OSC protocol

arc two: 6” x 3.5” x 1.5”
arc four: 10.5×3.5” x 1.5”

materials

solid milled black walnut, sustainably harvested in central pennsylvania
anodized milled aluminum, sheet aluminum
cut glass
lead-free printed circuit boards and circuitry
felt slip mat (wool from small farms in the US)

we work exclusively with domestic suppliers and manufacturers, most in the eastern united states. we make a concerted effort to support our local economy when possible.

hand assembled, programmed, finished, and tested on our farm in upstate new york.

pricing and ordering

march 4

shipping will begin mid-march.

arc two: $500
arc four: $800

we’re initially producing only 50 of each variation. if the first edition goes quickly we’ll immediately produce an additional 50.

we expect a lot of skepticism regarding our pricing, and we understand, given we live in an age where global economics can facilitate amazingly low prices. please understand that we’re making small runs of highly specialized objects for a relatively small market— we value design, we value materials, and we’re concerned with where things come from and where they’ll end up. we’re not interested in compromising these values to simply reduce costs.

we deeply appreciate the support we’ve received over the last five years and see the release of this new device as a celebration of the community—that many of you have supported our path and share our values. we look forward to further artistic exploration and collaboration. thank you!

arc

posted Jan 14, 2011

something new. ultra-high resolution optical rotary encoders, with push buttons. high-density variable-brightness led rings. two and four knob versions fit perfectly alongside other monome devices.

decoupled control, providing the same massive adaptability that monome pioneered five years ago.

orders and shipping in february. pricing, details, and media forthcoming.

walnut for 2011

posted Jan 14, 2011

we’ve posted official order dates: january 28, 1pm EST (check your local time here)

to be released: new editions of the two fifty six, one twenty eight, and sixty four. 50 units each.

all are bus powered. all feature newly designed solid-milled enclosures, like the special edition five twelve. orange lighting. many invisible improvements. photos and more details soon.

shipping will begin mid-february. we’re not taking pre-orders. ordering information here.

december sixty four orders

posted Dec 03, 2010

we’re sold out for now. new editions coming soon. check here.

december sixty four

posted Dec 01, 2010

we’ll have a new edition of the grayscale sixty four ready very soon. we’ll be taking orders this friday, december 3, at 1pm EST. check your time zone here.

order links will be posted here on the site. for more information see the order page.

we expect to begin shipping on the 8th. updates will be posted to the forum.

daedelus in pdx

posted Nov 20, 2010

mk for december

posted Nov 10, 2010

we’re expecting a short run of new parts to arrive in early december. since we’ve had so many requests we’re allowing pre-orders now.

mk will ship in early decemeber.

update: mk are sold out!

mlrv 2.0

feb 1

new walnut edition this week