Expressive Playing with Zvuk9

In this video, I play a harp and to add more color to it, I set up a violin in the upper parts of all pads and a guitar to the right by controlling their volumes with X and Y. To add even more expressiveness, I map a tremolo effect to the aftertouch.

Live Act with Zvuk9

In this video, I give you some ideas on how you could use Zvuk9 during a live performance by controlling audio clip levels, adjusting FX controls, and playing notes.

Zvuk9 as a Synth Interface

In this video, I use Zvuk9 to both play and control Sub Phatty's parameters. Zvuk9 becomes an alternative synth interface, which you can use explicitly or together with the knobs and keys on the synth itself.

Zvuk9 Feature List

• 9 pressure and position sensitive pads
• Velocity sensitive (3 levels of sensitivity and 3 velocity response curves)
• X and Y MIDI assignable to CC. CCs can be the same for all pads or unique per pad
• X or Y can be set to send pitch bend instead of CC
• Aftertouch (channel or polyphonic)
• 15 programs for storing settings (scale, tonic, split status, X & Y controls, on/off status for notes, aftertouch, and X and Y)
• 7 predefined scales available: natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, major, harmonic major, pentatonic minor, and pentatonic major
• 10 user scales available so you can set which pad will play which note or notes
• Chords can be assigned through user scales, a maximum of 7 notes can be assigned to a pad
• Tonic can be set with Notes buttons
• Notes buttons are illuminated, showing which notes are currently available and which note is currently playing
• By default, tonic goes on Pad1; by using Notes up/down function, all notes can be moved
• Encoder controls for X & Y: CC, min, max, curve
• Total of 13 response curves available for X and Y
• 4 on/off buttons: notes, X, Y, and aftertouch
• In Split mode, all controls for X and Y, state of 4 on/off buttons, and MIDI channel are unique per pad
• Transport controls: play, stop, and record can be set to MCC, CC, or MCC+CC
• Note off type choice (off channel, on channel/0 velocity)
• All settings saved during reboot
• MIDI over USB and MIDI through 3.5mm mini jack out (cable mini jack to MIDI DIN included)

It is simple to use Zvuk9

To show you what we mean by simple, we recorded a few short how-to videos so you can see for yourself.

HOW TO: Expressive Playing

HOW TO: X & Y Controls - CC, Min, Max, Curve

HOW TO: Scale, Tonic, Chords

HOW TO: Split Mode

The Idea

A few years ago, I was planning to buy a MIDI controller. I was tired of using a mouse and a piano roll when playing VST synths. While walking down the street thinking about what MIDI keyboard to choose, I saw a guy playing a Hang instrument. Watching his hands move, I thought "isn't this more enjoyable then pressing keys on a keyboard?"

The unexpected thrill of this eureka moment made me immediately phone my friend Ratko with an idea to make a MIDI controller shaped like a Hang instrument. We quickly realized a huge potential in adding X and Y controls to each pad and, since our first conversation about it, we were hooked. After thinking about it a good while, it seemed much more logical and natural to change the playing surface to square pads and create a square shape for the controller overall, so we went with it.

Now, more than 3 years later, we have fully functional prototypes of an expressive MIDI controller and control surface that is much more than just another pad-based MIDI controller.

What Is the Status of the Project?

Prototypes seen in the videos above are fifth generation. We put a lot of work and many upgrades into the Zvuk9 over the past 3 years to get to where we are today. We chose to wait until we had a prototype ready for use – and now we’re there and ready to offer it to you.

All functionalities mentioned above on this page are fully developed and tested.

Although the latest prototypes look great, we will change some minor details to improve aesthetics. We have quotes in hand for the housing, sensors, electronics, and other minor parts. Taking all that into account, we believe Zvuk9 will be in your hands soon.

Challenges

We will continue to improve Zvuk9, making it better than it already is. In fact, we will upgrade the current AVR architecture to ARM. This allows us to add new features, both those suggested by you and from our own wish list. The most immediate improvement this provides is the ability to play Zvuk9 with drum sticks. The upgrade will require us to port about 10% of our code. We have taken this into account when creating our timeline and added another 4 weeks to deal with any unexpected delays. We will do everything possible to promptly deal with any such delays.

In-house Assembly & Personal Quality Control

• To ensure every unit ships out in perfect condition we will assemble them in-house so that we have every aspect under our control.
• Additionally, we, Ratko and Dragan, will calibrate sensors and test every controller before we send it to you.

Perks, Shipping, VAT, Duties

You now have the opportunity to pre-order your Zvuk9 unit at the discounted price $848.00. The estimated price after the campaign ends is $1065.00.

If you are in the EU and buying as an individual, we need to add 25% VAT. The best way to do this at IndieGoGo is to charge VAT at checkout as a shipping charge.

If you are ordering as an EU based company, after the campaign ends, send us your VAT ID via email and we will refund you 25%.

If you live outside the EU region, VAT is not an issue, and you don’t have to worry about it. There might be some charges charged to you by customs office or post office for taxes and duties according to your country's regulations.

Shipping outside the EU region is 38.00 USD.

It's Not Just Zvuk9

We will deliver your Zvuk9 to you, and we’re sure you will enjoy playing it.

But, there's more.

Your support will motivate us to develop new, exciting products.

We already have some fresh ideas waiting...