It's been around for a while now but it's the operating system and software behind the Alphasphere that make it really interesting. Midi is a system where an instrument is loaded as a plug-in (also called a VST, or Virtual Studio Technology) and the 'notes' are drawn into a timeline. Thousands of VSTs exist, for nearly every instrument or synth engine imanginable, and are analogous to the third-party Apps you can download for your Iphone or Ipad. They're great for studio use, since instead of buying the hardware, you can buy the software and replicate the real thing. For example, Korg's MS-20 Analogue synth will set you back at least a grand; or you can install the VST for £50.
However, they don't always translate well into a live situation. While Midi controllers are becoming increasingly flexible, there's not a lot you can do in terms of performance and note expression. That's the gap the Alphasphere bridges.
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