Light sensitive MIDI controller – IO-Lights is a MIDI controller that controls MIDI CC or MIDI Note messages via environmental light. A high-resolution light sensor in the center of the product makes it possible. In addition, MIDI notes can also be sent to IO-Lights, which are then represented as light by the 12 LEDs on the device.
IO-Lights is used as a common MIDI controller. Just connect it via USB to the music software of your choice and start controlling sounds with light. You want to connect IO-Lights to your hardware synthesizer? Then simply use an additional USB MIDI host (e.g.this). Configuration and firmware updates can be done directly in a web app.
Light to MIDI:
In the center of IO-Lights is a high-resolution light sensor that measures brightness. Use your surrounding light or a light source of your choice and point it at IO-Lights to control your sound.
MIDI to Light:
IO-Lights can not only control MIDI signals, but also visualize MIDI notes by the 12 LEDs on the product UI. Therefore simply send MIDI notes to IO-Lights. This is where the magic happens: the resulting light also influences the MIDI signals that IO-Lights emit. This creates a generative sound-light interaction.
Controller Output:
Notes: IO-Lights generates musical notes based on light. Control Change: IO-Lights controls sound parameter based on light.
Random Light Mode:
Let IO-Lights generate light randomly. This looks nice. And? – And also influences your sound by the resulting change of luminosity. If you want more control, you can change the internal note scale and enable external clock synchronization.
Feedback Loop Mode:
We all know feedback loops are wild, and interesting! IO-Lights has a dedicated feedback loop mode based on a simple formula: The higher the brightness measured with the light sensor, the less LEDs are on, and vice versa. This results in an oscillating light source, which can be influenced by reflecting material (for example your hand) or an external light source. Based on this random source, MIDI data is generated to play notes or automate your instruments.
Note Scale:
If you want more harmony, a custom note scale quantizing incoming light can be set in the web app. Combined with tempo synchronization, IO-Lights evolves into an organic, visual instrument with many surprises, and still does what you want.
Clock Sync:
IO-Lights allows time synchronization to external software or hardware via MIDI clock. If tempo sync is enabled, the current measured light values are sent synchronously to the MIDI host clock. Additionally a custom clock divider can be set.
Web App:
To customize IO-Lights to your needs, we provide a web app hosted on our website. Internal parameters, such as note scale or incoming brightness range can be changed in real-time and persisted via WebMIDI. New firmware updates are automatically discovered and can be directly installed in (Google Chrome/Chromium) browser via WebUSB.
Connectivity/Compatibility:
IO-Lights is a USB-MIDI class compliant device and comes with an additional USB-C to Micro USB adapter cable. It can be directly connected to your MIDI host device without additional drivers (Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, ...). For configuration and firmware updates a web browser with WebMIDI and WebUSB support is required.
Key Features:
– High-precision light sensor as data input – 12 white LEDs as data output – USB Output: MIDI Notes / Control Change – USB Input: MIDI Notes / Control Change / Clock – Random light mode – Feedback loop mode – USB-MIDI class compliant (no additional drivers are needed) – Internal note quantizer and automation slew limiter – MIDI clock synchronization with custom divider – Web App to configure settings and update firmware – Micro USB port (comes with USB-C to Micro USB adapter cable) – Under 3 milliseconds latency (depending on light sensor settings and host device)
Interested? Much more demos available on our Instagram and other social media channels.
