Synth Gauntlet
The Synth Gauntlet is a MIDI device controlled by gestures that connects to your DAW, such as Ableton Live. Assign up to three parameters to the device and use intuitive hand gestures to control filters, effects and other elements in real time during your performance. About

Instructions

Start Detection

Activating the gesture recognition requires you to press your last three fingers on your palm.

Perform One of Three Gestures

Gesture 1 Gesture 2 Gesture 3

Change Values

Rotate your hand while holding the gesture to adjust the parameter value.

Lock Values

Releasing the gesture locks the value at its current level.
Gesture 4

Fabrication

The fabric of the Synth Gauntlet is entirely 3D printed and can be easily assembled at home. Once the electronics are soldered firmly, they can be mounted to the matching fabric patches and lastly connected to the glove.

Printing Specifications

  • TPU Flex Filament
  • Shore 82A
  • Printing Temperature: 240°C
  • Infill Zig-Zag 40%
  • Printed on Satin Mat

Glove Parts

Glove Parts

Parametric Sizing

The provided Rhino file contains a parametric sizing system that allows you to adjust the size of the glove to fit your hand easily.

Electronics

The Synth Gauntlet requires a few components to be soldered together. The following is a list of the components required and their functions.

Components

  • Teensy Bit 4.0 (microcontroller)
  • MPU-6050 (gyroscope)
  • Flex Sensor (gesture input)
  • Adafruit Momentary Capacitive Touch Sensor (button)
  • NeoPixel 12 LED Ring (visual feedback)

  • Custom PCB board OR perfboard
  • Jumper wires (20-30 AWG)
  • Power supply (3.3V)
  • USB cable (for programming)

Circuit Diagram

Circuit Diagram

Setup

Once the components are soldered together, the provided Arduino sketch can be uploaded to the Teensy Bit 4.0. The device will then be ready to use with your DAW.

Audio

Altough the Synth Gauntlet can be used with any kind of audio effect, its initial idea was to design a device that supports live performances of electronic music artists in the genre of "Dungeon Synth". The following genre specific Ableton Live stock plugins are pre-mapped to the Synth Gauntlet in the free to download Ableton Live project file.

Plugin 1 Plugin 2 Plugin 3

Downloads


Arduino Sketch

0.4 MB

Rhino File

10.3 MB

Ableton Live Project File

1.7 MB
Audio Interface Design 2025