Zefiro is a compact physical device (dongle) that plugs into a USB-C port on your smartphone (or other compatible device). It acts as a breath controller — meaning it senses airflow (how strongly (or softly) you blow), lip/air pressure, and in the “Pro” version, motion (via accelerometer) — to generate MIDI input that’s interpreted by a software app to produce musical sound.
It’s designed to let anyone, from casual users to professionals, turn everyday breathing and blowing gestures into expressive musical performance. Rather than relying on fingered woodwinds or complicated hardware, it uses a combination of the physical sensors + on-screen interface to simulate traditional, ethnic, fantasy, or entirely new instruments.
Zefiro USB gadget from Artinoise turns your smartphone into a musical instrument.
Imagine being able to carry a musical instrument that fits in your pocket. With something you already have — your smartphone — and a small USB-C music gadget, you can breathe life into virtual instruments, express yourself musically, and explore sound in a whole new way. That’s the promise of Zefiro, a smart reed-style USB breath controller made by Artinoise.
How It Works — Key Components
Here’s a breakdown of how Zefiro is used:
- Physical Breath & Lip/Air Sensors
You blow into Zefiro; the device measures air pressure (and lip pressure) to detect how hard/soft you’re blowing. This affects dynamics (volume) and possibly other expressive parameters (e.g. vibrato if soft or strong blowing). - On-Screen Interface for Note Control
On your phone or tablet, you use a custom app by Artinoise. The screen shows virtual buttons or “holes” you cover (in software) to control which notes sound — similar to covering holes on a recorder or pressing finger holes/buttons. - MIDI Output / Compatibility
Zefiro is class-compliant as a MIDI controller. That means it can work not only with its own app but also with external music software, VST plugins, hardware or software synths, DAWs, etc. - Motion / Gesture Sensing (Pro Version)
The Pro version includes a 3D accelerometer (MEMS) so that your movement of the device (tilt, motion) can be used as expressive controls — for modulation, vibrato, or other parameters in the sound. - Sound & Instruments Library / App Features
The app provides a library of virtual instruments (flute, clarinet, bagpipe, etc., also more fanciful or ethnic or fantasy styles), effects, background tracks, recording/sharing capabilities. You can customize button layouts (how you press virtual holes or finger-positions), sensitivity, etc.