The Manta

The 3rd Edition of Mantas is now available.

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Features:

* 48 touch sensors in a 6 X 8 hexagonal array - each sensor can independently send both continuous control data and note-on/off events with velocity sensitivity simultaneously

* 2 assignable touch sliders

* 4 assignable touch-sensing function buttons with LED feedback - can be either momentary or latching

* USB device, showing up as a HID (Human Interface Device) to the operating system

* USB bus-powered - no additional power supply is needed. Peak current requirement is around 370mA, so if it's powered by a hub, the hub may need to be plugged in

* outputs centroid data to turn the Manta into a large X-Y multitouch surface, for applications that don't require discrimination between discrete sensors.

* 52 amber and 52 red user-controllable LEDs functioning as backlighting on each sensor, all controllable from the host computer. Additionally, the two sliders each have 8 controllable amber LEDS.

* sturdy handmade wooden casing

* slim profile, 9.75" X 11.6" X 11/32" with no protruding knobs, buttons or sliders - fits in most laptop cases even with a laptop

* low latency operation - around 6 ms

* assembled in the USA (as of the 3rd edition, the PCB is now fabricated in China).

* electronics made to ROHS specifications (lead-free and without hazardous substances)

* The Manta is easy to use as an input for software like Max/MSP or Supercollider, and free programs exist that allow any sensor to be routed to any MIDInote or continuous controller for interfacing with standard software like Abelton Live, Kontakt, ProTools, Reaper, Reason, Logic, or Digital Performer

* With additional hardware (the MantaMate) the Manta can be used to control an analog modular synthesizer

Here's what people have to say about the Manta:

"The sound creation moves from the machines onto my fingertips." - CDM Nov22

"The beauty here is that you get velocity sensitivity on the plates" - CDM Nov23

"Well, besides looking great, Manta features velocity sensitive plates and polyphonic aftertouch, which means a higher level of control than many of your boutique controllers. " - Engadget

"[I]t is one of the most interesting units I've used in the last five years." - Darwin Grosse

"Jeff and his cohort use it as a music interface. Me, I’d run my magical mansion of the future off of it." - NYC-Resistor

"The Snyderphonics Manta is a new illuminated touch-sensitive interface for controlling music or video that combines alien sexiness with open-ended flexibility." - Synthtopia

"This opens up myriad possibilities" - Music Radar

"Well, for one it looks pretty bad ass. But most importantly, it is a controller that allows you more actual, uh, control!" - MusFormation