THE HALO

August 15, 2018

I was cruising through my social media when I come across a couple of photos with this sleek black Apple looking piece of tech in it. One even paired with the infamous OP-1 portable work station by Teenage Engineering but I was still left wondering what this black square is. That is what Elvin Chu has designed and named as “Halo” and it’s purpose is to be the new wave of MIDI controllers. No buttons, switches or even keys and I think that is what Chu believes a MIDI controller should be like.

This could potentially the norm in the future, I mean half of the knobs have turned digital anyway with VSTs. At least this might save them all becoming 2D knobs on your screen that you have click drag up or down carefully to get it just where you want it but let's talk about if it really is practical or if it can replace the flimsy plastic knob.

Image by Behance

Chu says it is a MIDI controller but I find that harder to believe compared to it becoming a control surface similar to the reliable Presonus Fader Port. I’d imagine them to have the same purpose but with a one USB-C port… Well there is always wireless and if we’re being honest to ourselves wireless is where we’re heading (just ask Apple). The design is smooth, sleek and has curves that could kill so design is top notch; then again nearly everything that is designed in California is incredible.

That moves us onto the most important part, pay attention because it gets interesting. Chu explains that the knobs that we use to often have a high break point, which explains the reason for the low profile design. To turn your new age knob you rotate the dial in the middle to adjust the parameters, very cool but if you are going that far to change the “knob industry” you might as well just make it touch sensitive no? This is what really sold me because to switch up what it is that you’re adjusting you just swipe in the negative space, meaning you are dragging a finger on whatever is beneath the Halo. Other than that, it is this thing that just sits on your desk and looks hella good.

Not to bag on it but it does have limited usability and just by looking at it you can tell it would not be a cheap controller. As far as I know this is only a design and doesn’t even exist! However I wouldn't be talking about it if I didn’t see it having a real purpose and problem to solve. The Halo is inventive and could well start a new wave of MIDI controllers, so if I owned a tech company I would be hitting up Elvin Chu A$AP!