Using MIDI to create a full arrangement for a song isn't anything new. In fact, it's been happening for years now. What is new, however, is having MIDI instruments that actually feel like you're playing the instruments they're trying to emulate.

That's the idea behind Pulse, a new MIDI controller that is a part of the Abbey Road Studios Red program. The new device has launched on Kickstarter, and promises to be the future of playing music.

According to the Kickstarter campaign, the controller is the first "virtual reality musical instrument," and to back this up the device has a range of sensors to detect the user's movement. You can hit Pulse like a drum, use your fingers to poke it like you would a piano, and even control sounds by floating your hand above the device. What really sets Pulse apart, however, is the fact that it can even recognize which kind of drumstick is being used, allowing users to hit using a traditional drumstick or using brushes.

Pulse seems to be one of the first MIDI controllers that is going after both people with musical talent and people who don't have musical talent but want to make music anyway. While there have been controllers that go after either one or the other in the past, this seems to really be the first that does both.

Pulse also comes with a library of software instruments, and is compatible with most well-known music-creation software like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton, and so on.

Of course, all these features won't come cheap. The device starts at $1,150 on Kickstarter for the early birds, but if you don't make it in time you'll need to shell out $1,465 for the Light Edition of the device, also available through the Kickstarter campaign. Estimated shipping for the device is December of this year. So far $3,083 of its $154,322 goal has been pledged. There are 29 days left on its campaign. 

Via: Engadget