| Original author(s) | Edward Williams |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | The Soundbeam Project / EMS |
| Initial release | 1989 |
| Stable release | Desktop Soundbeam |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Special needs education, art installations |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | http://www.soundbeam.co.uk/ |
Soundbeam is an interactive MIDI hardware and software system developed by The Soundbeam Project / EMS in which movement within a series of ultrasonic beams and is used to control multimedia Hardware / software.
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Soundbeam uses a combination of ultrasound (SONAR) and tangible (foot controller) inputs to generate MIDI messages. The SONAR uses 50 KHz signals.[1]
The latest version SOUNDBEAM 5 incorporates many of the features of both soundbeam 2 and desktop soundbeam - it has in built sampling, inbuilt synth, inbuilt amplifier, inbuilt mini keyboard - it comes with a wide and varied sample library and with 30 preset soundsets for immediate musical composition and performance.
| Release | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Soundbeam 1 | 1989-1998 | Discontinued |
| Soundbeam 2 | 1998-2010 | Discontinued |
| Desktop Soundbeam | 2003-present | In production |
| Soundbeam 5 | 2010-present | In production |
Originally designed for the production of avant-garde dance music, Soundbeam has been used primarily in the field of special needs education due to the minimal physical movement required for its operation. David Jackson's Tonewall project has utilized Soundbeam since 1992.[2]
Due to the system's ability for expansion with four sensors and eight switches, installations have included DAW synchronization (such as with Reason or Ableton), as well as live video manipulation such as Arkaos, (Resolume and Vvvv). There are many thousands of users of Soundbeam throughout the world, and there are many film examples available on YouTube and on the Soundbeam projects website.