A recent invention from the Music Technology Group from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, the reacTable operates similar to the new Microsoft Surface, only it transmits frequencies for playing electronic music. How it works: little blocks, each with its own frequency or function (say, playing notes in a musical scale), are placed on the surface and transmit distinct sounds, which can be adjusted according to their placement on the surface relative to each other and how they are moved around. For example, spin the block to the right, and the frequency increases; spin back to the left, and the frequency decreases. What you get is an intutive instrument that is easy for one to create their own distinct sound, in the form of a well-designed, backlit display. The potential for interactivity -- think of how many people can play this instrument at once! - seems limitless. A Fall 2006 demo shows off the invention - so you can hear what you're reading about.
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