IK Multimedia has announced that new iRing, a motion controller for music apps and more, is now available from music and electronics retailers. iRing is a wearable technology system that provides users with gestural control over music apps, in real-time, using hand positioning.
iRing consists of two double-sided “rings” to wear on the fingers, along with a series of apps that are able to detect the iRings’ accurate positions in space using the device’s camera. Through the recognition of the dot patterns printed on the rings, the device’s camera picks up the movement and translates it into MIDI information.
Users can then interact with music apps by simply moving their hands in front of their device through the precise reading of the ring position, which is converted into music commands or MIDI control messages to operate various app parameters without touching the device.
iRing includes two identical double-sided ring controllers, plus iRing Music Maker and iRing FX/Controller apps.
The Music Maker app utilizes music “loops” that always sound good together and can be remixed in limitless combinations by waving the hands with the iRing controllers in front of the device’s camera. Users can change beats, control rhythmic elements, play synth parts and control effects providing hours and hours of quality musical entertainment.
In addition, Music Maker also includes lead and bass synths with respective pattern players that can be independently operated for hours of error-free musical improvisation. Creating music has never been so much fun!
The FX/Controller app is both a real-time audio effects processor and a MIDI controller with fully assignable parameters. It can be used as a touch-less outboard audio effects processor, or can be fully configured to send multiple simultaneous MIDI parameters; such as control changes, notes or any other MIDI messages.
As an effects processor, FX/Controller uses the analog or digital input of the device for processing external audio sources. It can also be used with Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible apps to process the audio stream from music apps running on the device to add further audio effects.
The iRings can control up to six effects parameters at a time. FX/Controller operates two simultaneous effects, selectable from up to 16 effects, including Delay, Stutter, Phazer, Flanger, Compression, Fuzzy, Reverb, AutoWah, Crush, Twist Up & Down, Brake, Spin and Tail.
As a MIDI controller, FX/Controller can transmit MIDI messages to other Virtual MIDI compatible apps running on the device or to external devices using compatible MIDI interfaces (like IK’s iRig MIDI). It can send out the complete set of MIDI messages (control change, notes, program change, pitch wheel, aftertouch, MIDI system real-time, and MMC, MIDI Machine Control) with up to three assignable parameters corresponding to the X, Y and Z axis positions for each of the two detectable rings.
Additionally, MIDI messages can also be sent to a computer application via Wi-Fi (using MIDI network). Users can configure the app to control effects, filters, notes, patches and more for creative and dynamic performances.
iRing computer vision technology is also directly incorporated into the line of IK Multimedia DJ apps like Groovemaker and DJ Rig, and will soon be included into other IK apps such as AmpliTube, SampleTank, VocaLive and more.
For third-party developers who want to incorporate and implement iRing technology directly into their apps, IK is offering a free SDK (software development kit) and licensing program. Developers can take advantage of the technology and improve the functionality of their apps by contacting IK via the link provided on the iRing product page (here).
