Misa Kitara
| Category | Electronic (digital MIDI controller — touchscreen guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia / USA |
| Classification | MIDI controller |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q6875024 |
Overview
The Misa Kitara is a digital MIDI controller in the shape of an electric guitar, developed by Misa Digital Instruments and first announced in 2010. In place of strings the instrument uses a touchscreen on the body and a fretboard with capacitive sensors, and it sends MIDI data to external synthesizers or to internal sound generation rather than producing sound from vibrating strings. The design is intended for guitarists who want to perform synthesizer parts with familiar fretting-hand technique.
Origin & History
Misa Digital Instruments was founded by Michael Zarimis and based originally in Australia. The Kitara was the company’s flagship release, followed by the more affordable Misa Tri-Bass and Misa Digital Guitar. The instrument attracted attention as one of the more imaginative attempts to rethink the guitar interface for the synthesizer era; its limited production run reflects the difficulty of building a stable user base around a non-traditional instrument design.
How It’s Played
The performer frets pitches in the usual way on the capacitive fretboard, but in place of plucking strings the right hand triggers and shapes notes on the touchscreen — by tapping, sliding, or using gesture combinations. The instrument outputs MIDI to an external synthesizer or computer, where the actual sound is produced.
Cultural Significance
The Kitara is one of several twenty-first-century attempts — alongside the SynthAxe, the ROLI Seaboard, and various MPE controllers — to offer guitarists access to expressive synthesizer control without learning keyboard technique. None of these products has displaced the conventional MIDI guitar, but together they document the continuing search for a satisfying gestural interface for synthesizer performance by string players.
Related Instruments
- SynthAxe – earlier ambitious string-style synth controller
- Ibanez Universe – conventional virtuoso electric guitar contrast
- Audiocubes – contemporary tangible MIDI controller
- Arduinome – DIY MIDI controller relative
- Yamaha SHS-10 – contrasting strap-style synth
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kitara an instrument or a controller?
A MIDI controller — it sends performance data to external sound generators and does not produce sound from strings.
Why does it have a touchscreen?
The screen replaces the strings and gives the player a flexible surface for triggering and shaping notes.
Is it still in production?
The Kitara had a limited production run; the company subsequently focused on smaller and more affordable instruments.