An intelligent musical instrument for today’s computers. Generate rich counterpoint and unexpected melodies with simple computer mouse and trackpad movements.

Eventide releases Music Mouse cursor-controlled instrument-eventide.jpg

A Different Kind of Instrument
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Eventide’s Music Mouse is the return of Laurie Spiegel’s groundbreaking, cursor-controlled instrument that transformed simple mouse gestures into real musical expression.

With its built-in music theory, the original Music Mouse made complex harmony and counterpoint feel effortless, inviting players to discover music through movement rather than theory, and to play on the level of phrases instead of notes. Music Mouse preserves the original magic while updating the software for today’s modern computers.

What Is Music Mouse?
Music Mouse is a movement-based musical instrument that turns mouse gestures into expressive, real-time music. Instead of programming notes or arranging clips, you play by moving the cursor, shaping melody and harmony as the sound unfolds.

Built-in musical intelligence keeps everything in any of several systems of harmony, allowing anyone to explore rich musical structures without technical setup, music theory, notation or traditional instrument skills. The result is a hands-on way to make music that feel immediate, playful, and deeply expressive.

As Laurie Spiegel describes it: “This is not automation, it’s augmentation.” Music Mouse is a musical instrument that can function as an idea generator for composing or improvisation.

Why Music Mouse Matters
Forty years ago, when personal computers were still new, Music Mouse changed what computer could be.

In the mid-1980s, Laurie Spiegel turned personal computers into expressive musical instruments. That idea resonated far beyond experimental circles.

“Music Mouse is a positive step away from mechanized music. It’s not automation at all.”
Wendy Carlos

“She would like to get music out of the concert hall and back into the living room.
Pete Seeger

“You’re power-crazed at first, then you learn to slow down and coax your own personalized composition.”
Kyle Gann

What’s New in Music Mouse
Music Mouse is a careful continuation, not a redesign.

New in version 2.0:
● Perform live or record music into your DAW or music notation software
● Syncs to an external MIDI clock and can lock to a DAW, hardware or notation program
● Expanded sound presets drawn from Laurie Spiegel’s original DX7 and TX7 patches are built in
● Clearer visual feedback around the Polyphonic Cursor
● Optional UI guides, hint bar, and scalable interface
● Left- or right-handed layout options

The Return of Music Mouse!
On February 17, Music Mouse officially returns.

Eventide is re-releasing Music Mouse with care, updated for modern systems, without changing what made it special. Just a singular musical idea, returned to play.

Eventide releases Music Mouse cursor-controlled instrument

Move the Mouse. Follow the sound. Let curiosity lead.

For more information please visit: https://www.eventideaudio.com/software/music-mouse/