The Hot Hand USB from Source Audio is designed to bring the functionality of Hot Hand control to your DAW or MIDI-compatible host sequencer, allowing you to control parameters within Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, and more with a wave of your hand—as a conductor would influence an orchestra from the podium. The implementations for this are vast, from quickly achieving effect modulations in the studio, to influencing tracks live, visibly and in the moment, during a DJ set. One can imagine that the implications of this live technique are aesthetic as well as functionally creative: Gestures and dance moves can now impact—and moreover, be seen to impact—a live performance.
The ring-worn accelerometer works just like traditional Hot Hand devices, changing assignable effect parameters along a 3-axis plane. Thus, moving your hand in one direction can modulate a specific effect, while moving it in another can affect an entirely different parameter. The USB device plugs into your computer or compatible host sequencer and translates the motion-sensing control into MIDI messages.
The whole setup can be configured and worked to your liking with an included software editor, which allows you to select specific ring axes, adjust the range and depth of modulation, assign control signals for MIDI, choose MIDI-message types, and more. Indeed, with this software, you can change MIDI modes as well, accessing Continuous, Trigger Single, or Trigger Double, explained in the feature section. An included AC power supply charges the Li-ion battery nestled within the Hot Hand’s ring, giving you 6 hours of run time off a 1.5 hour charging period. No drivers are necessary to run the Hot Hand USB with Mac or Windows computers.
Modes Explained
Continuous Mode
Single and Double Trigger Modes
Single Trigger mode will only start an output ramp when the input crosses the threshold value in one direction. This will, in effect, “toggle” the output. Double Trigger will start a ramp when the threshold is crossed going up or down. The Double Trigger controls are identical to Single Trigger mode.
