Enter: Eigenharp

[Fabian920]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8295813.stm

This is the awesomest instrument I have seen so far. It is a clarinet-whinynoise-drum thing. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's nothing new just 3-4 instruments combined. What da ya think?

(Though I am still impressed and want to hold one.)

[Drexxo]

Very interesting.
Again, would be very neat to hold.

[DarkReality]

That is nothing short of the most awesome thing ever.

If it were cheaper and didn't require a Mac to run (according to the website) I'd totally want one.

[Catalysm]

Oh my god, that is awesome.

The Bourne theme demonstration alone wanted me to get one.

[Helmic]

Looks cool, gotta give it that. I don't see anything that would make it "the most revolutionary new musical instrument of the last 60 years," though. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's soon forgotten as a gimmick.

[Freddy]

I'm trying to figure out what the mouth piece actually does that a key couldn't do. It seemed like every instance he was blowing in it he was also messing with keys, so with all the keys on the thing, why can't you just use the keys for the notes you want. I mean... it's electronic...

I guess if they had something to measure how fast the air moved in it, you can have direct control of pitch or how loud it is. That's the only useful function I can think for it though.

[criticism]

I don't play an instrument or have any real musical background, but that sounds amazing! There are so many different sounds coming from that one instrument! That's just awesome.

[IrascibleTroll]

How do you go about practicing an instrument like that?

[DarkReality]

Dedication and a small army of gnomes to press the buttons for you.