Sonari: MIDI Controller

Sonari is a musical instrument and MIDI controller that uses your Mac’s camera to read your movements. Raising a hand changes pitch, while spreading your fingers changes the character of the sound. It requires an Apple silicon Mac and can play its built-in sounds without an external controller or a separate music app.

Playing styles translate movement into different actions, such as strumming virtual strings, bowing a note or striking drum pads. You can keep notes within a chosen key or scale, including tunings beyond standard piano pitches. Key Deck puts chords on the number keys and melodies on the letter keys. Other modes support one-handed playing or control through facial expressions and head movements.

The built-in synthesizer lets you edit sounds and turn recorded voices or sounds from the room into playable instruments. Accompaniment patterns add parts such as basslines and grooves beneath your playing. A looper and retrospective recording let you layer parts and save a performance after it happens. Music-reactive visuals can run full screen, go to a projector or be saved with the sound as a video.

Sonari can also send MIDI to compatible music apps, including Logic Pro and Ableton Live. An optional iPhone running Sonari Remote adds touch, tilt, breath and camera input. The phone must share a network with the Mac and does not produce sound on its own. Camera processing stays on the Mac.