Feeltune's Rhizome

Feeltune says the Rhizome (above) runs Windows XP Embedded on a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E7600 processor, equipped with 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard disk drive. However, the device looks nothing like a personal computer, since it has been styled to look like a traditional, originally analog, mixing desk.

It's said the Rhizome has a total of four displays: three measure 1440 x 128 pixels and one measures 1440 x 250 pixels. These are backed by 32 rotating control knobs and 30 function buttons, according to the company.

The Rhizome includes multiple displays
and rotating knobs

The Rhizome has a mixer with 64 tracks and eight buses, with full bus routing features and EQ, compressor, and stereo wide functionality for each track, says Feeltune. Meanwhile, the device's sequencer and synthesizer track up to 64 steps, offer up to 9999 measures by song, and feature live loop, tweak, and groove functionality, the company adds.

According to Feeltune, the device comes with 40 preinstalled VST plugins, allowing any of hundreds of others to be installed. VST parameters may be shown on a directly connected display screen or via another computer connected to the Rhizome via a LAN, the company adds.

Computer-style I/O on the Rhizome is said to include Ethernet, a DVI output, four USB 2.0 ports, and two PS/2 ports for a keyboard and mouse. Audio I/O includes two analog inputs, a headphone output, and MIDI, Feeltune says.

According to Feeltune, the Rhizome is still in prototype stage, but will reach the market during the first quarter of this year. The device's price is rumored to be approximately 3000 Euros (about $4000).

More information may be found on the Feeltune website, here, and on the IHaveSynth.com website, here.

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