Open Labs Unveils mFusion Software for MIDI Controllers
January 27, 2005
Open Lab has introduced mFusion, a
set of software technologies that allows users to control
different musical keyboard devices and software packages through a single
interface. The latest software component of the company's OpenSynth
platform, which is used in the Open Labs NeKo and OMX lines of keyboards
and digital audio production stations, mFusion will be licensed to
third-party musical instrument and recording equipment companies that want
to take advantage of the platform for music
production that allows users to access and create more digital music, in
less time and with better control than previously available.
Hart Dynamics, a manufacturer of electronic drumming
equipment, is the first licensee of mFusion. Open Labs plans to license
hardware and software technologies, including mFusion, to Hart Dynamics, as
part of the two companies' co-development efforts in building the world's
first electronic drumkit that plays software plug-ins and applications.
Open Labs will also announced the NeKo GS Keyboard Workstation at
Winter NAMM 2005, which will be powered by Tascam's GigaStudio3 Sampler and mFusion.
mFusion is a set of software technologies along with a control
panel that allows the user to navigate, access, and remap control
surfaces for all Open Labs control panels as well as all third-party Musical
Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) control devices.
"With mFusion, we have created the Borg equivalent of MIDI
controller software, enabling users to integrate a galaxy of controllers and
other hardware and software solutions to work as one through a single
intuitive interface," said Victor Wong, CEO of Open Labs. "In addition,
since mFusion is an intelligent application, it can integrate MIDI
controllers that have yet to be created instantly. mFusion allows you to
boldly go where no musical instrument has gone before."
With mFusion, users merely need to touch a knob or slider to begin
the process. A wide variety of options are available for each control type.
For example, a button can send a MIDI note-on, initiate a program change,
keystroke, or even launch an application. This versatility extends to
encoders, knobs, faders, drumpads, and many other common control types, with
the ability to address and remap up to thousands of controllers
simultaneously.
mFusion's unified approach further benefits existing music
computing applications. mFusion takes multiple MIDI devices and exposes the
system to only one device, creating a virtual gateway with multiple
extensions, thereby making it possible for music programs that can only
access one controller to gain full access to multiple controllers.
"The electronic drum market needs mFusion; it bridges so many
controllers and MIDI trigger systems, the creative possibilities are
virtually limitless, yet the solution for the problem of bridging different
interfaces is so amazingly elegant," said Peter Hart, CEO of Hart Dynamics.
"Drummers, producers, and engineers have a more efficient way to access and
control multiple drum samples and MIDI drum effects and triggers, without
buying additional hardware."
mFusion will be shipped preinstalled in all Open Labs products as
well as future products from Open Labs. For more information, visit their web site at www.openlabs.com. |
