9

In concert video footage of Muse, I've seen both the guitarist and bassist use touch-pad devices integrated with their instruments.

What are these devices, and what are they designed to do?

1
  • He also has at least one guitar with ZVex Fuzz Factory built-in, as heard in "Plug-in Baby". Commented Apr 11, 2016 at 20:22

1 Answer 1

13

Those are x-y MIDI controllers more commonly referred to as Kaoss Pads.

If you are familiar with a modulation wheel on a MIDI keyboard, you know you can assign that wheel to control any number of aspects of the instrument, from pitch bend, to volume, to vibrato, an LFO, or perhaps a filter. The x-y pad gives you two of those on a plane, with which you can control anything that's MIDI controllable (even lights if you've got the right setup).

2
  • 2
    Matt's guitars are made by Hugh Manson- mansonguitars.co.uk and quite a few have two- or one-dimensional midi controllers.
    – Doktor Mayhem
    Commented Nov 6, 2012 at 8:42
  • A Kaoss Pad is a type of x-y midi controller (that's used by Muse). Other x-y midi controllers aren't called Kaoss Pads. Kaoss pad also has onboard effects and isn't just a midi controller.
    – yossarian
    Commented Jul 22, 2015 at 21:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.