Resources

Livid Instruments

Livid Instruments was founded by Jay Smith, Peter Nyboer and Travis Redding in 2003. The next year, they released their first in a series of boutique MIDI controllers, the Tactic. Several years later, they not only offer controller kits, but also exciting off the shelf models such as the new OhmRGB out of their Austin, Texas facility.
» Livid Instruments

monome

monome is a small concern operating out of the Catskills that was founded by Brian Crabtree and Kelli Cain. The two have a distinctive, minimal approach to their controllers and abide by the mission statement: "we aim to refine the way people consider interface." This dynamic duo offer both DIY kits and full-on products that never fail to impress, as well as a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
» monome

Novation

Novation, owned by Focusrite, is one of the few major manufacturers that has kept a careful eye on the Controllerism scene and offers two affordable devices aimed squarely at musicians who are looking for a more hands on approach to composing and performing. The Launchpad has been a tremendous success since it debuted a couple of years ago and the new Twitch DJ controller has several "controllerism" attributes that separate it from the "me too" controllers that seem to premier on a daily basis.
» Novation

Highly Liquid

Highly Liquid sells MIDI controller components, Decoders and Retrofits. The outfit out of Ohio provides worldwide delivery and an active forum.
» Highly Liquid

PAiA

PAiA is a leader in the development of kit products for the musician and electronic experimenter. The love of technique drives the company to create for others, and to share what they have learned. Entertainment, encouragement and education are their goals. The company both creates its own products, and works with innovative developers in the community to bring a broad spectrum of new devices to the market.
» PAiA

Doepfer

Germany's Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH has been an industry presence since the beginning of time, well, a while at least. The concern offers several products for the controllerist including the provocative R2M, a ribbon controller that generates control signals by moving a finger along the ribbon.
» Doepfer

MidiTron

MidiTron offers a couple of MIDI products including an interface designed to simplify the process of creating sensor and robotics based electronic art projects. It is easily user configurable and provides 20 terminals of digital and analog inputs and outputs in any combination.
» MidiTron

MIDIsense

MIDIsense is a simple, yet extensible sensor interface system for artists, musicians and others interested in experimenting with sensors. The MIDIsense boards provide a simple way to integrate various common sensors with existing software such as Max/MSP, Ableton Live, etc. or directly to a synthesizer/sequencer with a MIDI in jack. Interface boards are available currently as kits. Graphical configuration / calibration software is written in wx / Python and wx / C++ and is available for MacOS X or Windows as executable.
» MIDIsense

DJ Tech Tools / MIDIFighter

After the success of adding arcade buttons to Vestax's VCI-100 controller as a sideline, Ean Golden developed his own controller under the MIDIFighter moniker. These well-made, arcade button controllers can be customized with your own colors and design specifications to create a truly one-of-a-kind device.
DJ Tech Tools also offers a firmware mode for the aforementioned VCI-100, and also sells Native Instruments S4 and S2 MIDI DJ Controllers for their Traktor Pro mixing software, as well as gear from Novation, Vestax, AIAIAI and other brands. Golden reportedly had a hand in the design of the S4 and is a big proponent of Traktor.
» DJ Tech Tools / MIDIFighter

Native Instruments

Native Instruments creators of the popular Traktor Pro mixing software got into the controller hardware game a couple of years ago with the X1. Since that time they've added the S4 four-deck controller and recently debuted the smaller, more economical S2.
NI has recently become more supportive of the controllerism community and has enlisted Ean Golden to showcase his controller skills in a new live-remix video featuring the S2.
» Native Instruments

Ableton

Some would argue, without Ableton Live, there wouldn't be a controllerism movement. This incredibly versatile music production and performance software has completely changed electronic music, DJing and live performance in ways never thought imaginable.
DJ Tech Tools also offers a firmware mode for the aforementioned VCI-100, and also sells Native Instruments S4 and S2 MIDI DJ Controllers for their Traktor Pro mixing software, as well as gear from Novation, Vestax, AIAIAI and other brands. Golden reportedly had a hand in the design of the S4 and is a big proponent of Traktor.
» DJ Tech Tools / MIDIFighter

Cycling '74

Cycling '74 has a number of wonderful products, but Max is the one offering that enables controllerists to unleash their creativity unlike any other. Max gives you the parts to create unique sounds, stunning visuals, and engaging interactive media. Using Max's object-oriented environment, you create interactive and unique software without ever having to write any code.
Max for Live is a collaboration between Cycling '74 and Ableton. With Max for Live you can create unique synthesizers, custom sequencers, clever MIDI tricks, or audio effects that work just like other Live devices. Max users can take advantage of the robust sequencing and performance tools available in Live while still using their favorite Max patches..
» Cycling '74

I-CubeX

The I-CubeX line of products aim to facilitate the design and implementation of environments and objects that respond to human actions such as walking, reaching, touching etc. as well as environmental parameters such as illumination, temperature, humidity etc.
» I-CubeX

Eowave

France's Eowave is a dynamic company that offers a number of exciting products including the Eobody and the Ribbon.
» Eowave

LanBox

Home of the LanBox-LCX lighting controller and the 788-LD+ dimmer pack and a useful vendor for MIDI-to-DMX products suitable for installations as well as theatrical applications.
» LanBox

Akai

Akai provides many out of the box MIDI controller solutions, from MIDI keyboards, to MPC-style pads to the wildly-popular APC series.
» Akai