I have noticed an increased interest in using wearable devices to create music. Already a few start-ups see in them the potential of the instrument or tool extending the creative possibilities. The Neova Ring from Enhancia is a project already on display at CES 2018 in January, and the prototype has now started its campaign at the crowdfunding Kickstarter service, presenting its advantages. It is another such fairy tale for MIDI effects, increasing the range of activities through the wearable format.
Neova is a smart ring with motion detectors that can be used to modify sound effects via hand (or finger) gestures. This scheme is already being noticed on the market, and the format has a lot to offer. It is enough to calibrate the sensors to extract the expected results from individual reflexes, e.g., tone changes, audio modifications, etc. The module on the finger will merely be the next component in the control of sounds or even their production. Of course, we are talking about digital music, where such effects can be introduced in real time. I think that Neovo can be described as a modern instrument without any problems. Everything finally resembles a play on a practical tool, where even the smallest movements are of great importance for the final effect.
The device is designed to make working with a more intuitive system easier. There are a lot of consoles for creating music in digital format, but you can also offer something else. Instead of knobs, sliders, and buttons (or next to them), we add hand gestures. In total, as many as nine sensors are responsible for them. The manufacturer offers five different reflexes, so, for now, I don’t seem to have full control over any gesture. There is still a long way to go, but it is already possible to get a lot of results from this offer. During the game, e.g., on a keyboard, you can quickly switch effects to achieve specific sound modulation at a given moment. Practically without pulling your hand off the keyboard. Parts of gestures can be delivered corresponding actions from real instruments (such as those customarily assigned to pedals).
Everything works by MIDI to control the computer synthesizer. Enhancia has prepared its software, where it is already ready to use a few effects. They can, of course, be modified to suit your needs. The manufacturer intends to extend the gesture system but in a certain amount of time. The aim is to get closer to the full possibilities we have when creating music with our hands. This is intended to give musicians more opportunities to express their emotions better when creating digital music. Just like analog instruments, where even the tiniest movements make a difference. The advantage is also to focus better on the playing itself, not on new jumps. We will use the ring for different instruments, but for each of them, the selected part of the gestures will work better.
Enhancia Neova will offer its ring for about 210 euros and wants to develop it continuously (main software). More than fifty musicians have been working on hardware to select the best gestures. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until March 2019 for the final result to be achieved, and I hope that several such modules will be used at the same time. I miss the support for mobile platforms. The software was prepared for Windows and MacOS.