BHOREAL

Finished 22 / 06 / 2013
Funded!
Received
£ 12,578
Minimum
£ 4,452
Optimum
£ 8,922
92 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 4

    Acknowledgement

    Your name will appear on a public acknowledgment list of BHOREAL

    > 06 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 8

    Sticker

    Bhoreal sticker for your computer + Acknowledgment and web recognition

    > 05 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 25

    T-shirt

    Full color BHOREAL T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition

    > 09 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 42

    BHOREAL workshop

    Workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) where you can know how it works. Check news for places and dates + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition

    > 05 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 62

    BHOREAL Minikit

    BHOREAL Minikit including: a PCB + All the electronic components needed to build your little controller + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 16 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 117

    Basic BHOREAL kit

    Basic BHOREAL Kit including: two PCBs + All the electronic components needed to build your own controller (no case included) + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition
    (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 05 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 158

    Complete BHOREAL kit

    Complete BHOREAL Kit including a PCB, electronic components set and mounting case + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 12 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 200

    Complete BHOREAL kit and workshop

    Complete BHOREAL Kit including a PCB, electronic components set and mounting case + Workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 01 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 208

    BHOREAL Slim

    Preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 08 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 250

    BHOREAL Slim and workshop

    Preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim + Workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 00 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 250

    BHOREAL Slim PRO

    Preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim PRO + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 15 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 291

    BHOREAL Slim PRO and workshop

    Preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim PRO + Workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + T-shirt + Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 08 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 833

    Pack 5 complete BHOREAL kits and workshop

    5 complete BHOREAL Kit including a PCB, electronic components set and mounting case + 5 workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + 5 T-shirt + 5 Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 00 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 1,124

    Pack 5 BHOREAL Slim and workshop

    5 preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim + 5 workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + 5 T-shirt + 5 Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 00 Co-financiers
  • Contributing £ 1,249

    Pack 5 BHOREAL Slim PRO PACK and workshop

    5 preassembled and ready-to-use BHOREAL Slim PRO + 5 workshop booking fee (assembly, programming and software usage) + 5 T-shirt + 5 Sticker + Acknowledgment and web recognition. (Shipping cost not included for international orders)

    > 00 Co-financiers

About this project

Open Source control interface for multimedia applications intended for DJs, VJs, musicians, hackers and DIY creators.

Needs Task Minimum Optimum
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF MINIKIT / KIT VERSIONS
Electronics, industrial design and final prototype for Minikit / Kit versions.
£ 500
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SLIM / SLIM PRO VERSIONS
Electronics, industrial design and final prototype for Slim / Slim PRO versions.
£ 833
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
How to use demos.
£ 250
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Required software for connectivity. Multiple routing protocols (Serial, OSC, MIDI).
£ 416
DOCUMENTATION DEVELOPMENT
User manuals, tutorials and step-by-step guides for all BHOREAL models.
£ 416
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND KIT PCB MANUFACTURING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL Kit
£ 62
Needs Material Minimum Optimum
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND MINIKIT PCB MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Minikit
£ 333
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND KIT PCB MANUFACTURING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Kit
£ 250
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND SLIM PCB MANUFACTURING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Slim.
£ 125
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND SLIM PRO PCB MANUFACTURING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Slim PRO.
£ 192
KIT CASES MANUFACTURING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Kit.
£ 167
SLIM / SLIM PRO CASES MANUFACTURING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL Slim / Slim PRO.
£ 233
RUBBER BUTTON PADS (MINIMUM)
Purchase of standard silicon rubber button pads.
£ 350
PACKAGING (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL.
£ 150
REWARD EXPENSES (MINIMUM)
Manufacturing of minimum units for BHOREAL.
£ 225
PRODUCTION EXPENSES
Miscellaneous production costs and incidentals.
£ 167
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND SLIM PCB MANUFACTURING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL Slim.
£ 125
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND SLIM PRO PCB MANUFACTURING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL Slim PRO.
£ 192
KIT CASES MANUFACTURING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL Kit.
£ 42
SLIM / SLIM PRO CASES MANUFACTURING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL Slim / Slim PRO.
£ 233
rubber button pads (OPTIMUM)
Mould manufacturing and production of better designed silicon rubber button pads.
£ 650
PACKAGING (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL.
£ 42
REWARD EXPENSES (OPTIMUM)
Manufacturing of optimum units for BHOREAL.
£ 62
Needs Infrastructure Minimum Optimum
WEB PLATFORM (MINIMUM)
Domain and logs.
£ 17
AV PRODUCTION (MINIMUM)
Presentation video .
£ 583
CAMPAIGN COSTS ON GOTEO (MINIMUM)
8% of the total budget is destined to maintenance and team work of GOTEO's Platform. More information: http://www.goteo.org/faq/investors#q108
£ 330
WEB PLATFORM (OPTIMUM)
Design, programming and documentation of the web platform.
£ 608
AV PRODUCTION (OPTIMUM)
Advanced demos and fabrication process videos.
£ 666
PUBLISHING AND COMMUNICATION
Reports, documentation and graphics for project documentation.
£ 375
CAMPAIGN COSTS ON GOTEO (OPTIMUM)
8% of the total budget is destined to maintenance and team work of GOTEO's Platform. More information: http://www.goteo.org/faq/investors#q108
£ 331
Total £ 4,452 £ 8,922
Necessary
Supplemental

General information

Do you want to make your own control interface?

And do you want to control all the software and hardware you use for your multimedia projects with it?

In addition.... Do you want it to have an attractive, flexible and open source design?

Stop beating around the bush! The thing you want is BHOREAL.

BHOREAL is an Open Source interface based on the Arduino platform that allows to control all types of software and hardware using a surface with RGB LED-backlit pushbuttons.

You can use it as OSC/MIDI device to trigger samples live, as sequencer, synthesizer, rhythmbox, pitch map generator or remote control. It can also work in standalone mode as algorithmic and generative driver, mathematical simulator, game interface, low resolution LED display or any other kind of application you can imagine.

Thanks to its versatility, BHOREAL is a fundamental tool for DJs, VJs, musicians, artists, hackers and all kinds of creative DIY people willing to explore a piece of hardware which is infinitely reconfigurable and reprogrammable.

The BHOREAL controller allows to overcome the constraints imposed by conventional device manufacturers. Its Open Source essence makes it possible to modify and adapt the tool freely.

For the last few years, MID´s team has been working on this interface in order to maximize its flexibility and provide adaptable configurations for each user needs. On the basis of these premises BHOREAL is available in four different models: two DIY self-assembly kits and two “ready-to-use” preassembled units .

Both hardware and firmware are completely Open Source and are released under Creative Commons licenses. BHOREAL is Windows/Mac OS/Linux compatible.

Main features and goals of the crowdfunding campaign

DESCRIPTION

All BHOREAL control interfaces have a minimalist design. Its external appearance is extremely simple, with a square shape and backlit buttons, without icons or marks.

OPERATION

A BHOREAL controller does not generate sounds by itself. It is a blank slate, without any autonomous function. It has to be connected to a computer and associated to a software in order to work. When you connect BHOREAL controller to a computer, begins a startup test program and the buttons blink. Each button has its own LED and... Surprise! They are RGB!

OPEN SOURCE

Open Source philosophy is present in both hardware and software design. The firmware is Open Source and all its documentation is released under Creative Commons licenses.

BHOREAL MODELS

There are four BHOREAL models: Minikit, Kit, Slim and Slim Pro.

BHOREAL Minikit is a 16 pads controller in DIY kit version. The kit contains all the components you need for assembling your own BHOREAL control interface within minutes, even without prior experience. The kit includes a printed circuit board and a bag containing all the assembling components. It does not include an external enclosure. It has fewer buttons than the other BHOREAL models, but it still has all the features of its bigger brothers within a reduced format. This version has been designed as a low-cost option.

BHOREAL Kit is a 64 pad controller in DIY kit version. The kit contains all the components you need for assembling your own BHOREAL within a limited amount of time, even without prior experience. The kit comes with two printed circuit boards, a bag containing all the components required for assembling and a base+cover for its enclosure. All the BHOREAL potential in a DIY version.

BHOREAL Slim is a “ready-to-use” preassembled 64 pad controller. Lightweight and with an extremely thin design, this model has been designed to be immediately incorporated to any project and enjoy a unique interaction experience. It shares the functional features with the DIY kit, but its electronics have been implemented on a single PCB, with its components highly integrated for a more compact look. It is the ideal choice for creative users willing to get down to work.

BHOREAL Slim PRO is a “ready-to-use” preassembled 64 pad controller. It comes with the same structural features and functionalities than the Slim version but taking a step forward its communication capabilities and energetic autonomy. The Slim PRO version enables communication via OSC (Open Sound Control) through a built-in WiFi module and incorporates a high-capacity lithium battery. Therefore you can use your controller wirelessly in concerts, presentations and performances. The most advanced BHOREAL device for restless minds.

APPLICATIONS

BHOREAL can work through three different communication protocols: Serial, MIDI and OSC (Open Sound Control) and therefore it can be used with many applications.

By using the serial protocol we can connect BHOREAL to any device/software which is serial port compatible.

In case we choose MIDI, we can use BHOREAL with any standard software for music creation/image processing in real time and we can create a wide range of MIDI mapping and paging systems, with different color settings.

Finally, by using OSC (Open Sound Control) we can control software applications which are already available and develop our own programs and apps, sequencers, sampling tools, synthetizers, grooveboxes, drum machines, algorithmic and generative controllers (such as "Game of Life"), maths simulators, game interfaces, low-res LED devices, lighting remotes, home automation and robotics among others, in addition to any other compatible device.

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Why this is important

BHOREAL is inspired by Arduinome, the Arduino version of Monome controller, and it is an evolution of Octinct, a review of Arduinome replacing the monochrome LED with RGB LEDs.

Octinct introduced numerous changes in the electronic design and the original Arduinome software, using an Arduino shield and four 16 pads wire-connected controllers. The original design of Octinct and most of these changes were developed by Jonathan Guberman.

Octinct continued to evolve in Hangar Arts Production Centre Interaction Lab, in Barcelona. Shortly after, BHOREAL project was born, being promoted and developed by MID, an interaction design studio especializing in the development of installations and hardware projects.

Over the last years MID has developed several BHOREAL revisions that have allowed to optimize the device with new features and better implementation.

BHOREAL project aims to extend the free Open Source users’ community, connecting BHOREAL users with other communities that share the same vision about the Open Source hardware.

In keeping with our committment to open knowledge, over the past three years we have run several workshops for DIY creative minds about both Octinct and previous versions of Bhoreal in various cities across Spain

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Goals of the crowdfunding campaign

The main objective is to raise the necessary funds to cover the design, production and documentation costs of a new line of Open Source products drawing upon technology and creation fields.

In the short term, we want to develop a reference web platform for you to access contents and useful information related to the project, including schematics, manuals, video tutorials, examples, links, forums, FAQs, etc.

We also want to build a large community around this project and to establish connections with other communities of users who have a similar approach to the understanding and development of open hardware, therefore encouraging the use of open source tools in different areas.

In the medium/long term, we want to set the basis for developing software apps, with the aim of integrating BHOREAL with the largest possible number of existing and emerging platforms and audiovisual environments.

We are open to proposals and collaborations for the development of Apps for tablets and smartphones, both Android and iOS. We would love a SDK for compatible Apps in order to take full advantage of BHOREAL hardware.

Team and experience

Alex Posada: engineer at Hangar Interaction Lab, Faculty at IAAC and founder of MID.

Miguel Angel de Heras: engineer at MID and Hangar Interaction Lab.

Enrique Leonardo Perotti: industrial designer and co-founder of Manifiesto Studio.

Aitor Aloa: designer and AV integrator, founder of Reflexiona.

Susanna Garcia: creative producer, co-founder of Mind the film.

Social commitment