2013 was a difficult year and we know that difficulties stimulate ingenuity!
We like to remember the curious things we've seen around musically this year.
These are not always new products, but tools or equipment that were talked about in 2013 or that have reached the forefront in Europe this year.
ArtiPhon
The probable evolution of smartphones, peripherals that control applications. I am not convinced but it is the direction of the future.
Wireless PanaFlex (SH PFA-W)
The stereo guitar pickup / acoustic guitar tuner that requires no cables and quick installation. Great value for money for a wireless.
Beat Buddy
The drum machine is (almost) entirely pedal-controlled. Very interesting for those with busy hands!
Seaboard
It is an instrument that has had a good resonance in recent months, an evolution of the piano keys. I like it very much but it is too expensive! (88-key model costs $ 8888.88 in pre-order, $ 100 per key!)
Spider Head
It is not new but in Italy it has begun to spread just over a year ago. It is the most flexible nut for guitarists, mandolinists and the like that you can find. It is possible to act on the single string opening the way to new techniques and tunings. I bought it and if I had the time I would use it too!
Viola organist
It is the oldest of the novelties! It is a Leonardo da Vinci project. A Polish pianist managed to build it this year (there had been other attempts with smaller models). Seeing a 500-year-old project carried out by a fellow countryman like Leonardo was a great emotion!
glitter guitar
19-20-21… the frets of your guitar are not enough for you? Glittler guitar offers you 31! Still not enough for you? You can go further by playing on the pickup all the way to the base of the instrument for a good 4 octaves! Minimal design and stainless steel structure ... well ...
glitterinstruments.com
Wheel Harp
It is an evolution of the hurdy gurdy, the hurdy-gurdy medieval. Charming!
antiquitymusic. com
Bouillez guitar
After the failed attempt to get the idea from kickstarter, Dan Bouillez decided to self-finance the idea of a mobile soundbox guitar, suspended inside an external structure, with percussive possibilities. "It's not a guitar, it's a Bouillez" says the jingle (it's not a guitar it's a Bouillez), better this way because I have not yet understood the purpose!
Tronical tune
Self-tuning guitars are starting to show up on the market. Tronical tune can be mounted on several models. Seeing the mechanics move is phenomenal!
3D printed tools
Here we are, they are cloning us! 3D printers have evolved out of the world of industry, reducing costs and landing in the music market. The cad drawing of a violin is enough to reproduce it perfectly, on the net there are projects ready for printing. Stradivarius perfectly reproduced with a few dollars! The materials are disparate. There are companies that offer online services for the printing service. Apart from clones, 3D printing in a single pass can also be creative for the development of new ideas, innovative shapes and who knows, even sounds.
Tedxtalk has published this comparative video between a 3d violin and an authentic one… disturbing!
3dprintedinstruments.wikidot.com
Crystal ball
A touchless midi controller. Intriguing!
crystall-ball.com
Vo-96
It's an amazing acoustic guitar synthesizer. A genius step back in an ultra-electronic way, the guitar itself becomes a synth with no other additional hardware.
the next
Fabio Pesce
