Artiphon - 'INSTRUMENT 1' (Black) Digital Multi-Instrument & MIDI Controller

The First of Its KindThe Artiphon INSTRUMENT 1 is a versatile, expressive, and portable multi-instrument. With this single instrument, you can perform a range of intuitive musical gestures and play any sound. It was designed to be fun and useful for music lovers from beginners to professionals. The INSTRUMENT 1's diversity can be scaled from a simple connection to the Artiphon iOS app up to a powerful and customizable MIDI interface for professional software.

Amazing Features • Fretted or fretless: Easy choose between both playing modes
• One cable setup, no special drivers needed
• 1/8” jack for headphones & microphones
• Compatible with iOS, Mac, and Windows
• Multi-channel MIDI MPE compatible

Fretted/FretlessThe different modes change how the INSTRUMENT 1 can be played. Two modes set the fingerboard to respond like digital strings. Each string has a base tuning and the pitch ascends chromatically. The tuning can be chosen from one of the provided profiles in the app or editor and can also be customized. If two frets are pressed on one string, only the higher note will be played.

Notes can be triggered by performing hammer-ons and pull-offs. Fretless mode allows you to slide continuously between notes, while Fretted mode will play the notes of the chromatic scale. In Fretless mode, the notes of the chromatic scale can be played by pressing just to the left of a fret marker.

GridGrid mode has 72 notes on the fingerboard in a 12 x 6 arrangement with an additional 6 triggers on the bridge. Any note on the grid can be pressed and played, allowing you to play multiple notes on the same string. Unlike string modes where the tuning ascends chromatically from a base tuning, each Grid mode note location can be tuned individually. You’ll notice the notes in Grid mode are where the strings are in Fretted and Fretless modes, not the spaces in between strings.

PadPad mode has 12 locations with an additional 6 triggers on the bridge. In this mode, an entire fret becomes one large pad, so just a single note or chord will be triggered no matter what part of the region is pressed.

MethodThe method setting determines how you intend to interact with the INSTRUMENT 1. Some methods are only available for certain modes.

Strum (Available for Fretted, Fretless, and Pad modes)Strum method is similar to playing strings like a guitar, bass, banjo, harp, etc. A string will be engaged by strumming or plucking the bridge. Notes can also be activated by striking the fingerboard as a hammer-on or pulling-off to another fretted note. The bridge and fingerboard are sensitive to how hard they are played (velocity). If you are holding a string on the fingerboard, the note will stop when the fingerboard is released. Open strings will ring out for some time unless they are muted.

Strings can be muted in a few different ways: If you press straight into the bridge, this will mute the note. When you release this, a note will not be triggered. If you touch the bridge, but release slowly, this will not trigger a note. (As if you were playing bass and your finger lands on a lower string, not intending to pluck it.) If you lightly press an active open string on the fingerboard, this will mute the note.

Tap (Available for Fretted, Grid, and Pad modes)Tap method is similar to playing a keyboard or a drum pad. When you tap or press the fingerboard or bridge, a note will be triggered. When you release, the note will turn off. The bridge and fingerboard are sensitive to how hard they are played (velocity).

Slide (Available for Fretless mode)Slide method is the Fretless version of Tap, where you can tap a note and slide up or down a string. This method also allows for vibrato when rocking back and forth over a fret. This method uses the MIDI message pitch bend. The Pitch Bend Range output of the INSTRUMENT 1 can be set to 12, 24, or 48. The fingerboard is sensitive to how hard it is played (velocity).

Bow (Available for Fretted and Fretless modes)Bow method is similar to using a bowed string instrument like a violin or cello. Pressing the bridge will activate a string, and modulating pressure will control the MIDI message brightness (CC 74). Releasing the bridge will end the note. Multiple bridge triggers can be bowed and independently control brightness. In the Artiphon app, Bow method is mapped to control volume.

iBOW (Available for Fretless, Grid, and Pad modes when connected to the Artiphon app)iBow uses the accelerometer in iOS devices to control the volume of the sound. The iPhone is moved in a bowing motion while pressing down on a string on the INSTRUMENT 1. The angle of the iPhone and the motion combined determine how loud a sound is played.

TuningThe tuning of the INSTRUMENT 1 can be easily changed and customized. We provide a number of tuning profiles in the app and editor, and each note can be edited. The fretted and fretless modes have a base tuning for each string, and the notes ascend chromatically up the frets. In grid and pad mode, each note element can be edited independently.

These features can be turned on and off unlike the core settings which are part of every preset. Some features are global, meaning they apply to all presets. Other features are preset specific, meaning they can be on for some presets, but not for others.