# Disembodied Hands Are Disembodied... - Site: Analog Industries - Author: Chris Randall - Date: 2010-12-19 - URL: https://analogindustries.com/2010/12/disembodied-hands-are-disembodied/ In the interests of adding to the already ludicrous number of disembodied hand performance videos on YouTube, I uploaded a quick render of my hands working on a bit of the set for my upcoming micronaut show. My hands also spelled the name of the track wrong (it is "metatrak," not "metatrack") when they were typing out the titles. They have a mind of their own. I am not too proud to admit it, but the Manta is my New Favorite Thing. Such a handy little controller. This video would also have the MeeBlip in it if someone (James!) would send me one already. ## Comments (10) **synthetic** (2010-12-19): Have you considered hot, young dancing girls in your videos? **Chris Randall** (2010-12-19): No. Have you? -CR **synthetic** (2010-12-19): Um, yes. I'm not proud, but my superiors were pleased. **Trackdriver** (2010-12-19): I'm jealous of those who can perform live like this. The Manta would unfournately be a waste on me though I would very much like to own one. Why aren't you proud to admit you like it lol? Talking about the MeeBlip - I recently built a Shruthi-1 because of your blog. It hasn't as much knobs and buttons as Meeblip for live purposes but I do like its sonic quality. **Chris Randall** (2010-12-19): The reason for the Manta is that I have pretty much continually bagged on "alternative" controllers. Not so much here, but in my Twitter feed and my Computer Music column. Liking and using the Manta makes me something of a hypocrite. -CR **wgparham** (2010-12-19): I am really interested in the Manta. It seems to have a nice flow to it. I am not too keen on the fact that most of the "alternative" controllers need to be stared at to be used. I have always thought that some of the sustaining power of the keyboard was it's tactile "eyes free" nature. I used to play woodwinds (about a lifetime ago) and when I started to get heavily into synthesis, I dreamed of a more saxophone like controller. Not breath controlled like an EWI, but just the keys. The speed and dexterity that can be achieved with the key layout of a sax is kind of amazing. And the ability to do it without having (or even being able) to look at your hands while you do it is extremely powerful. Unfortunately when I finally get my dream, it a G-d damn Eigenharp. But, the Manta looks like it might be the business. If for nothing else, the ability to setup note groupings for individual tracks. I have plenty of songs that require notes in several octaves in quick jumps. Sure, I can remap a keyboard, but the limbic memory is so ingrained with a keyboard layout that I tend to sound like an even worse keyboardist than I am. No muscle memory with a new layout. I am just open to play in new/different ways. Plus the Manta can be setup for polyphonic aftertouch. Nice. My only question: Is it really worth $700? I could save up for it, but on my income that is a significant chunk of the annual gear budget. I have to have some money for Audio Damage plugins and scotch. -William **Chris Randall** (2010-12-19): Well, shoot. That's a tough question to answer. It is absolutely worth it to me, but I don't mind (in fact, I prefer) dealing with the software guts in order to get the result I want. If you don't use Max, and you don't have the capability to roll your own HID->MIDI->HID software, it might not be the best solution. Also, you absolutely have to look at it to play it. This is the main area in which the monome beats the Manta (that, and the shear number and density of controls available.) In all other respects, the Manta is far more capable and ergonomic than the monome. There is a certain amount of tactile information available, but I don't believe it's enough to play without looking, frankly. Especially when your adrenalin is going during a show. That said, the ability to lay out the notes is a dream, and the various CC information eminently playable and usable. For me, it is a no-brainer, and I'm going to certainly be buying a unit when I have the coin. Luckily I get to keep this one for a while. Think about it: if you program scales instead of chromatically, you can have six octaves of velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, four buttons, and two CC controls, in a footprint the size of a magazine. Win, win, win. -CR **inteliko** (2010-12-20): Its sounding great, eargasm @1:50ish. You will be able to use the Manta eventually w/o staring...Practice..like a Jedi... **Dubone** (2010-12-25): Not a hypocrite, just fickle and ostensibly honest, just how you and probably we like it. Modular synth anyone? ;) **tikki** (2011-01-02): @Chris Randall, What sort of audio card are you using and how did you route your audio through the pedals. Are you using an external mixing board with the pedals on aux sends or ? Reason I ask is because I am trying to figure out the best way to integrate my delay pedals / hard ware samplers into my setup -sans- mixing board. Sorry, I pick the brains of the well seasoned. when I get a chance. :) thanks!