The Smomid is a unique interface/musical instrument created by Nick Demopoulos. It's name is an acronym for "String Modeling Midi Device." The Smomid hardware looks much like a touch sensitive guitar or bass. The Smomid software allows a performer to control many aspects of a performance, including playing melodies, harmonies, controlling beats, basslines, triggering percussion samples, manipulating audio files and so much more. All aspects of a performance can be controlled from a grid on a fretboard and buttons on an instrument body. The first Smomid was completed in 2010 and had four strings. The second Smomid was completed in June of 2012 and has six strings, two joysticks and eleven high powered LEDs (among other things).
The Smomid was created out of necessity because a guitar-like midi controller that would enable a performer to interface with a computer was desired. It is quite odd that the guitar is the most popular instrument in the world, yet when you walk into a music store there are no guitar midi interfaces, only keyboards. The Smomid makes uses of several membrane potentiometers knobs, joysticks, Force Sensing Resistors, buttons and two Arduino Mega micro controllers that allows these sensors to interface with a computer or other midi device.
The Smomid made it's debut performance in 2010, and since that time has been featured in performances at the In/Out 2011 Festival, Dixon Place Theatre in New York, WNYC's Greenspace in New York, the Interactive Music New York Festival, Handmade Music New York and the 2010 World Maker Faire among others.The Smomid has also been featured on Warper Party Radio,Create Digital Music and in BOMB Magazine.
Music recorded on the Smomid can be heard in the Mp3s on the left side of this page. This music was recorded live with no overdubs to provide an accurate representation of what a Smomid performance sounds like. Links to videos of what it looks like to play the Smomid can be found below. To find out more about Nick Demopoulos read my bio here.
Please visit the Events page to find out about upcoming events or performances. If you have any questions about the Smomid or would like to receive emails about upcoming events please send an email to nicnut@exegesisonline.com and put "Smomid" in the subject heading.
Nick Demopoulos from BOMB Magazine on Vimeo.
