Continuum Fingerboard

The Continuum is a standard developed by Lippold hook and marketed by hooks Audio MIDI controller. With newer models, a tone generator has been implemented, yet the focus of the continuum is still on the control of external devices.

Operation

The Continuum has a touch-sensitive surface of neoprene, which is about 19 ​​cm wide and depending on the version either 137 cm or 72 cm long. Through sensors beneath the surface every touch is measured by the fingers of the musician with an accuracy of 1.33 ms (milliseconds). The point where the touch occurs is recorded in three dimensions.

The first dimension represents the position on the length of the continuum, so that the pitch is determined. Due to the non-segmented surface can be up to 1 cent accurate pitch bending are performed.

The second dimension refers to the position on the width of the continuum, so that the tone is affected depending on the setting, eg Continuum can be set to play a sound on top of a key has more reverberation than a later played on the key tone.

The third dimension represents the pressure which is exerted on the surface, so that the dynamic effects can be generated. Vibrato as occurs when the pressure rapidly amplified and normalized.

The Continuum can be connected via a MIDI or FireWire input on a sound module (such as a synthesizer ). Newer models also have their own sound production.

Musicians who work with the Continuum (selection)

Probably the most famous user is Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, who was also involved in the development. John Williams used the Continuum for the soundtrack of the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Lou Reed used the Continuum on the Reed / Metallica album Lulu