CMPSR MusicRadar Interview

In a recent article for MusicRadar magazine, Digit Music founders Owain Wilson and Simon Tew gave the inside scoop on their groundbreaking and inclusive instrument, the CMPSR MIDI controller. This piece of music technology isn't just another gadget; it's a leap towards making music creation accessible to everyone, including those with physical disabilities.

Making music accessible

The journey to CMPSR started with a realisation and a shared vision. Simon Tew, recalling the early days, said, “The initial idea was really in 2018. It was all about recognising the need. I was working with individuals who had reduced access... We thought we should bring a design to market that met those needs and allows people to get creating."

Owain Wilson, bringing a commercial perspective from his time at Native Instruments, noticed similar issues: “People were struggling to engage... We didn’t want to water down the experience for people."

Introducing CMPSR: the palm-sized powerhouse

Describing CMPSR, Simon Tew shared, “It’s gaming technology with musical capabilities... The way that we describe it is taking the power of a full keyboard... distilled into a device you can play with one finger." This succinctly captures the essence of CMPSR – a fusion of simplicity and power, making music creation more approachable than ever.

CMPSR is not just for home studios; it's built for the stage too. Owain Wilson, who uses two CMPSRs in his live shows, finds it a better way to interact with plugins than other tools. “It’s a better way to interact with the plugins that I use than other tools out there," he says. This versatility highlights CMPSR's potential to blend with various musical setups, from traditional bands to electronic music ensembles.

The core of Digit Music: Inclusivity and Accessibility

At the heart of Digit Music's philosophy is inclusivity. “We set the company up as disability confident," says Owain Wilson.

The future for CMPSR and Digit Music is bright and bustling with potential. “We’ve only incorporated between 5 to 10% of the total ability set of Cmpsr into the unit at the moment," Owain Wilson reveals. The roadmap includes more advanced DAW mappings and a digital version of the hardware. 

Another accessible area for growth is the use of Arrownotes, which simplify musical notation and allow CMPSR users to quickly understand how to create sounds. 

Digit Music, with their CMPSR controller, are rewriting the rules of music creation. By putting accessibility at the forefront of their thinking, CMPSR, Arrownotes, and their wide range of resources are opening doors for musicians who have been waiting on the sidelines.

As Owain Wilson and Simon Tew continue to push the boundaries, CMPSR is more than a MIDI controller. It's a symbol of change, a harbinger of an inclusive musical future. The full story in MusicRadar magazine is just the beginning. 

• You can read the full interview in MusicRadar to learn even more about Digit Music and CMPSR.
• Want to check out CMPSR? Head to the CMPSR product page.
• The Digit Music YouTube channel is packed with videos that show you creative ways to make music with CMPSR.