The Sound of One Hand Waving by Erica Naone: Musicians can now control sound effects for electric instruments by waving a hand [from Technology Review].

A new device allows musicians to control sound effects with a wave of the hand. While electric guitarists typically control distortion effects with an array of foot pedals, the HotHand device, made by Source Audio, translates their gestures into the wah, phaser, and flanger effects that are popular for electric sound. A musician can wear the device as a ring, affix it to his or her head or torso, or allow someone else–such as the band’s vocalist–to use it to control effects. A wireless option leaves the wearer free to roam the stage.” As one reader has already remarked: Donald Swearingen and Pamela Z have been doing this since the 90s; and Laetitia Sonami has been waving her glove with amazing results for longer than that. But this device is new.

“HotHand uses a MEMS accelerometer to detect motion. Information from the accelerometer is sent to a chip that converts it into a digital signal, processes the signal according to the settings selected on the effects box, and then converts it back into an analog signal that is sent to the musician’s amp. The way different gestures affect the sound was decided subjectively, says Roger Smith, cofounder of Source Audio. ‘It’s like tasting wine.'” Read more here.