So the Reactable is a visual audio interactive sound controller that uses coded 3d shapes placed on a track-able opaque table top, it’s been around for a while now and Bjork has even got her grubby hands on it which means it must be innovative!, but it is pretty awesome just the same, it is basically a 4D version of a computer software audio engine like native instruments Reaktor, but is fully flexible in that you can make the shapes that can be tracked and the symbols on the objects are language based and how the objects interrelate can be specified, it is closer to Max/MSP but prettier.
I think for a live application it is almost too obvious and too perfect, but they apparently designed the Reactable around specific ideas about creating an interactive sound device, entertaining and aesthetic I wonder if the concept becomes ‘tired’ after a few hours, it does seem very immediate, but is that a good thing? the immediacy also means it reaches it’s potential faster?.

Mat Jinks