Lemur (input device)
The Lemur Input Device is a highly-customizable multi-touch device from French company JazzMutant, which serves as a controller for musical devices such as synthesizers and mixing consoles, as well as for other media applications such as video performances. As an audio tool, the Lemur's role is equivalent to that of a MIDI controller in a MIDI studio setup, except that the Lemur uses the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol, a high-speed networking replacement for MIDI. The controller is especially well-suited for use with Reaktor and Max/MSP, tools for building custom software synthesizers. It is currently discontinued in light of competition from current multitouch input computers.
Creating an interface
The Lemur comes with its own proprietary software called the JazzEditor to create interfaces. Users can build interfaces using a selection of 15 different objects (including fader, knobs, pads, sliders...), group them as modules and arrange them using as many pages as needed. Each object can then receive any MIDI or OSC attribute. A particularity of the Lemur is the ability to modify the physical behavior of each object (for instance adding or removing friction on faders). The internal memory of the Lemur enables the storage of many interfaces, each one controlling a specific software for instance.
Rebirth
The Lemur has been made into an app for iOS.[1]
Famous users
The Lemur has been used by several famous artists.[2]
- Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor and touring members Alessandro Cortini and drummer Josh Freese)
- Joe Hahn Of Linkin Park
- Björk (during her 2007-08 Volta tour)
- Daft Punk (used 2 during their 2007 tour, and seen using 4 Lemurs on stage during their 2008 Grammy Awards performance)
- Justice (used during their 2008 tour, using 3 Lemurs on stage to control Ableton Live and lights)
- Alexander Hacke
- Para One
- Pogo
- The Glitch Mob
- Richie Hawtin
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Jonathan Harvey
- Deadmau5
- Matthew Herbert
- Modeselektor
- Beau Damion
- Pfadfinderei
- M.I.A
- Hot Chip (Felix Martin)
- Mike Relm
- Ugress
- Emilie Simon
- Stephan Bodzin
- Martin Gretschmann (of The Notwist during their 2008 tour)
- Richard Devine
- Anton Sonin
- JWreck