The Smomid is a unique interface/musical instrument created by Nick Demopoulos. It's name is an acronym for "String Modeling Midi Device." Many people have marveled over it's responsiveness and ease of use. The Smomid has also received attention as a it is a novel new way to create and perform music, with one performer controlling melodies, percussion samples, bass lines, manipulating audio samples and musical arrangements from a grid on a fretboard and buttons on a body.
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 and buttons and a Miditron micro controller 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 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.
