Wireless control has major appeal for VJs and live visualists: control visuals in different locations wirelessly, move about while performing, and, erm, grab a cocktail during your set. (Well, at least I occasionally want to do that last one. All without performing my dynamic performance, mind you.) There are commercial options like M-Audio’s wireless adapter, but here’s one better: use your Nintendo DS. Tob, developer of NitroTracker, has collaborated with TheRain, developer of DSMidi, on a new MIDI-over-WiFi solution.
A homebrew Nintendo DS + the free software is all you’ll need to turn your DS into a wireless controller for any visual software. Here, they use Quartz Composer, the free Apple developer tool, but any MIDI-receiving software will work — and I honestly kind of like the idea of using the stylus-controlled keyboard. Naturally, this is only the first of what might eventually be possible. We’ll have information on downloading and setting up this software soon on Create Digital Music, as well as the musical applications, but visual control will also be high on my list.
Updated:
The software has been released as a free, open source download; check out the full story at Create Digital Music or go straight for the project page.
Wow, the DS is such an interesting tool! I can't wait for more information…
if that midi control of the ds synth gives you sound design, that would be megahotness
Ugh, why Midi? Im sure the DS stylus has greater accuracy that 0-127. Why not OpenSoundControl, or 14 bit midi for greater accuracy? Ive got a DS, and id be all over this in a second, but 0-127 is pretty weak, especially in this day and age.
Sorry to be a hater, its fucking awesome, but… I want more bits!
It's certainly cool, but it's not "formally impossible".
I hope this is/becomes open source, at least the libraries. This way you could implement OSC, and make your own DS software using rhe libs. And OSC would of course eliminate the need for a MIDI processing server, but MIDI on the other hand is a de facto standard today, so I'd rather have both.
[…] The MIDI implementation is pretty clever: tap keys with the stylus to play them, and get vibrato/modulation by rubbing a key. You can send MIDI data from the DS, which makes it a powerful wireless controller; it’s seen in the video controlling Quartz Composer, the free Mac developer tool / 3D graphics synthesizer. […]
[…] Server software on your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer translates the WiFi data into MIDI messages for use with whatever music or visual software you like. (As I observed on Create Digital Motion, this could make the DS a very drool-worthy wireless controller for VJs.) Three applications are included, two for control and one for synthesis: […]
[…] Yes, if you happened to catch the wireless MIDI controller here on CDMo before it hit the rest of the blogosphere, I have good news: the download for DSMIDIWiFi is available today. You can now transmit MIDI from your DS to control your computer with no hardware other than a flash cart for running homebrew apps. […]
hi my name is Jhamar douglas-coleman and Im from minesota I have a Garage Band and i need a little help installing it on to my DS could you guys help
hi my name is Jhamar douglas-coleman and Im from minesota I have a Garage Band and i need a little help installing it on to my DS could you guys help?