Aodyo Loom is a new MPE controller designed to give you a new level of expression while controlling your hardware and software synths. With several different play modes, Aodyo Loom lets you touch your music in a whole new way. Just don’t call it a ribbon!
Aodyo Loom
MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) opens up new possibilities for controlling hardware and software synths expressively. Aodyo Instruments – the folks who brought us the Anyma Phi synthesizer – just launched the new Loom controller on Kickstarter. With a variety of modes for controlling your MPE synths, Loom is designed to give you a new level of expression and tactile control.
Loom is technically a by-product of the development of the Aodyo Omega synthesizer. While the big brother of the Anyma Phi is still in the works, the developer has spun off the Loom controller as a separate product that can be used with any hardware or software synth.
You can use the touch-sensitive surface in various ways. In addition to the X and Y axes, the controller detects pressure (Z axis). Moreover, Aodyo has come up with a patented system to detect the impact force with which your fingers hit the surface.
To the left of the main surface is a pressure-sensitive “action zone” that you can use to control dynamics or effects, for example. In addition to this, Loom offers two thumb controllers: a slider for various modulation tasks and a bar that lends itself to tasks like sustain or cymbal chokes.
Play Modes
In addition to a keyboard mode that turns Loom into a multi-dimensional MPE keyboard, the controller offers several other play modes. There’s a universal ribbon mode, a strum mode that lets you play chords like on a guitar, and a drum kit mode for finger drumming. Aodyo also says that more modes are already in development.
In addition to the compact 2-octave version, Loom is available in an extended 3-octave version (appropriately named Looom). Besides a USB-C connector, the controller has a TRS MIDI output that allows you to connect it directly to hardware synths. Speaking of: Aodyo says that Loom also works with synths that aren’t MPE-compatible – albeit without the MPE functionality.
Price and availability
You can now pre-order Aodyo Loom and Looom on Kickstarter. At the time of this writing, some of the especially affordable Super-Early-Bird offers were still available, so hurry up to claim yours! Here’s an overview of the prices:
- Aodyo Loom: €239 (Super Early Adopter) / €259 (Early Adopter) / €400 (expected retail price)
- Aodyo Looom: €339 / €369 / €500
The manufacturer expects to begin shipping in July 2024.
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Image Sources:
- Keyboard mode: Kickstarter
- Drumkit mode: Kickstarter
- Strum mode: Kickstarter
- Ribbon mode: Kickstarter
- Aodyo Loom and Looom: Kickstarter
