HakenAudio’s Continuum: A Deep Dive into Expressive Digital Architecture

At the heart of the Continuum’s architecture are its precision Hall Effect sensors, which track finger movement with microscopic accuracy. Each finger benefits from up to 12 sensors, sampled at 14-bit resolution, resulting in a playing surface that captures nuances far beyond standard MIDI controllers. This level of sensitivity means that no two touches are ever exactly alike, echoing the organic unpredictability of acoustic instruments.

The video highlights how this sensor array, combined with piano-style springs beneath the surface, provides both data and physical feedback. This dual approach enables orchestral-level dynamics and expression, allowing players to shape pitch, volume, and timbre in real time. The EaganMatrix sound engine sits at the core of this system, acting as more than just a synth engine—it’s a programmable matrix that links human gestures to sound parameters, supporting everything from simple sine waves to complex, multi-dimensional patches.

The EaganMatrix’s flexibility is showcased through presets that respond to multiple axes of control. For example, one patch lets left-right motion control pitch, pressure modulate both volume and brightness, and vertical movement shape distortion. The result is a system where each finger’s actions are independent, and the instrument’s response is always evolving, making the Continuum a true extension of the performer’s intent.

The video moves into practical demonstrations, showing how the Continuum’s performance tools and presets facilitate dynamic, expressive control. Touch area presets allow different hands or fingers to control distinct parameters—pitch, vibrato, volume, or timbre—on the fly. This opens up workflows where a single performer can manipulate multiple aspects of a sound simultaneously, blurring the line between instrumentalist and sound designer.

Pedal integration is another standout feature. Unlike traditional sustain pedals that simply hold notes, the Continuum supports dynamic sostenuto and even dual-pedal setups, letting performers grab and morph chords independently with their feet while continuing to play on top. The EaganMatrix allows up to 18 parameters to be assigned to pedals, with custom ranges, making foot control a powerful extension of the instrument’s expressive palette.

Versatility is a recurring theme, and the Continuum’s ability to integrate with both traditional MIDI and analog synths is given significant attention. The EaganMatrix engine can be controlled via a standard MIDI keyboard, with modulation mapped to wheels or external controllers, demonstrating that the Continuum’s sound engine is not limited to its unique surface.

The Haken CVC (Control Voltage Converter) takes things further, translating the Continuum’s high-resolution MPE+ data into CV signals for modular and vintage analog synths. The CVC offers 16-bit resolution—higher than the Continuum’s own internal engine—enabling per-finger control over multiple analog voices. The video shows setups where a single Continuum drives up to eight monophonic analog synths, each with independent envelopes and filter control, effectively turning the Continuum into a master controller for complex hybrid rigs.