What Livid Instruments does

Livid Instruments Inc. is a privately held, Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of customizable MIDI controllers, music production hardware, and supporting software, founded in 2004 by Jay Smith and Travis Redding. The company's product portfolio centers on physical control surfaces for electronic music production, DJ performance, live performance, VJ/lighting control, and DIY maker use. Active hardware lines include the Minim (pocket-sized Bluetooth LE MIDI controller), Guitar Wing (the world's first native Bluetooth LE MIDI controller for guitar and bass), Alias 8 (compact portable controller with 40+ controls), DS1 (MIDI mixer co-designed with Dubspot), OhmRGB (8x8 RGB LED grid controller with bi-directional talkback), CNTRL:R (co-designed with Richie Hawtin), Base II (32-pad performance controller), and the Builder DIY platform built around the Brain V2 (64 analog inputs, 128 buttons, 192 LEDs) and Brain Jr. microcontroller boards. Software includes the Cell and CellDNA VJ applications, the WingFX and Minim Music Lab companion apps, and an extensive library of Ableton Live remote scripts and Max for Live devices (including Drum Stepp:r, Synth Stepp:r, Accent, and LividStep).

Technology differentiators are class-compliant USB MIDI (driver-free), native Bluetooth LE MIDI on select products, bi-directional hardware/software talkback with RGB feedback, and full customizability of every control via the Livid Editor. The company maintains deep native integrations with the dominant DAW and DJ platforms — Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, Native Instruments Traktor, Propellerhead Reason, Apple Logic, FL Studio, Renoise — as well as VJ/lighting platforms including VDMX, Resolume, Arkaos GrandVJ, Madrix, and Luminair. In 2014 the Guitar Wing won the Popular Science Invention Award, and the company holds filed patents on Bluetooth LE MIDI guitar-controller technology.

Livid Instruments' revenue model is hardware-driven one-time unit sales, sold direct-to-consumer through its online shop and through a worldwide authorized dealer network; ancillary software is sold via one-time licenses or bundled free with hardware. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the products are positioned as premium, hand-assembled alternatives to mass-market controllers. The customer base is horizontal and fragmented across professional and semi-professional electronic musicians, DJs, guitarists, VJs, lighting designers, DIY makers, and music educators, with no disclosed enterprise contracts, subscriptions, or institutional investors.

Name

Livid Instruments

Legal name

Livid Instruments Inc.

Website

https://lividinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Livid Instruments is an Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of premium, fully customizable MIDI controllers and music production hardware for electronic music producers, DJs, VJs, guitarists, and DIY makers, sold direct and through a global dealer network with deep native DAW integrations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Production Hardware (MIDI Controllers)

NAICS

Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB), Mobile Music Creation Apps (Beatmaking, Songwriting, Practice) (MPAIAIAC)

Keywords

• MIDI controllers
• Music production hardware
• DJ performance equipment
• DIY MIDI platform
• Bluetooth MIDI controllers

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Controllers: Sale of MIDI controllers including Minim, Guitar Wing, Alias 8, DS1, Base II, CNTRL:R, OhmRGB, and legacy products. Revenue from direct online sales and dealer network.
2. DIY Components and Builder Kits: Sale of Brain V2, Brain Jr., Omni boards, Builder Box kits, and individual components for DIY MIDI controller construction.
3. Software Products: Sale of Cell and CellDNA VJ software, WingFX plugin, and other music production software applications.
4. Accessories and Add-ons: Sale of controller accessories, expansion modules, and related peripherals through the online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Livid Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells MIDI controllers and music production hardware for live performance, electronic music production, and DJ use. The product lineup includes hand-assembled controllers (Minim, Guitar Wing, Alias 8, DS1, OhmRGB, CNTRL:R, Base II) and a DIY platform based on the proprietary Brain V2 and Brain Jr. microcontroller boards with Omni Board component connections. Supporting software (WingFX plugin, Minim Music Lab iOS app, Cell/CellDNA VJ software, and Ableton Live remote scripts) extends the hardware ecosystem.

Product overview

Livid Instruments is a manufacturer of MIDI controllers and music production hardware and software. Their product portfolio centers on physical MIDI control surfaces for live performance, electronic music production, and DJing. The core hardware lineup includes pocket-sized wireless controllers (Minim), guitar-mounted controllers (Guitar Wing), compact mixers (Alias 8, DS1), grid-based performance controllers (OhmRGB with 8x8 RGB LED grid), and pad controllers (Base II with 32 pressure-sensitive pads). They also offer a DIY platform (Builder DIY) for creating custom MIDI controllers using Brain V2 or Brain Jr. microcontroller boards. Software offerings include VJ applications (Cell, Cell DNA), bundled effects plugins (WingFX for Guitar Wing, Minim Music Lab for Minim), and various Ableton Live remote scripts. The products are designed for interoperability with major DAWs (Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, Logic, FL Studio, Reason) and DJ software (Native Instruments Traktor), as well as VJ and lighting applications. Many products are co-designed with notable artists including Richie Hawtin (CNTRL:R) and developed in partnership with Dubspot (DS1).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WingFX: Cross-platform effects plugin bundled with Guitar Wing for controlling digital effects.
• Minim Music Lab
• Brain

Products and services

• Minim Pocket-sized wireless MIDI instrument with expressive pads, 3D motion control, and touch-sensitive technology for mobile music making; works with iOS 9+, Android 6+, OS X 10.10+, and Windows 10+.
• Guitar Wing 3D wireless MIDI controller for guitar and bass players that attaches to instruments and communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth LE MIDI; pairs with bundled WingFX effects plugin or software like Logic, Ableton Live, Guitar Rig, and Reason.
• Alias 8 Compact and portable MIDI controller with 40+ high quality controls, 8 channel strips of knobs/faders/buttons, and 16 RGB backlit buttons; works with Livid Editor software for fully assignable controls.
• DS1 Portable MIDI mixer for computer-based mixing, production, and performance, constructed with high quality parts in collaboration with Dubspot; designed with classic audio mixer layout.
• OhmRGB Interactive MIDI instrument with 8x8 RGB LED grid, high-quality faders, knobs, and buttons; hand assembled with aluminum and artisan wood; features bi-directional talkback with up to seven RGB LED colors for visual feedback.
• CNTRL:R Contemporary MIDI performance instrument co-designed with Richie Hawtin; features rotary knobs, push button encoders, faders, and a 4x4 RGB keypad grid with advanced Ableton Live and Native Instruments Traktor integration including Max for Live step sequencers.
• Base II Pad controller with 32 pressure-sensitive pads and 9 touch sliders; built for performance and composition with onboard presets for on-the-fly re-programming and instant re-mapping.
• Builder DIY DIY platform for building custom MIDI control surfaces using Brain V2 or Brain Jr. microcontroller boards with Omni Board for component connections; includes parts, components, Builder Box kits, wiki, and tutorials.
• WingFX Cross-platform effects plug-in bundled with Guitar Wing providing instant access to digital effects, filters, and samples; available as standalone or VST/AU plugin.
• Minim Music Lab Free companion iOS app for Minim wireless controller offering built-in sounds from synths to drum kits, 8-track looping, and step sequencing.
• Cell VJ software for easy playback and performance of real-time video, images, and sounds with comprehensive MIDI integration.
• Cell DNA Video compositing and effects software building on Cell interface with dozens of built-in effects and FreeFrame compatibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Brain V2 supports up to 64 analog inputs, 128 buttons, and 192 LEDs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DubspotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative collaboration between Livid Instruments and Dubspot, one of the world's leading schools for electronic music production. The partnership resulted in the DS1 MIDI mixer, bringing classic audio mixer design to the digital world. Dubspot CEO Dan Giove explained they searched for a universal controller tough enough to meet workstation demands and partnered with Livid to create DS1.
• Richie Hawtin / Minus RecordscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designed the CNTRL:R controller with electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin, founder of m_nus records. After a year of development including secret testing by Minus artists Gaiser and Marc Houle, the CNTRL:R was born. Hawtin also worked closely on creating Max for Live step sequencer integration.
• Electrix / MixwareminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCollaboration to bring Livid's controller expertise to the Electrix Tweaker DJ controller. Livid's experience and designs of innovative MIDI controllers were leveraged to create the Tweaker, with 'Powered by Livid Instruments' insignia on the back.
• Native InstrumentscoreTechnology or IntegrationNative Instruments Traktor integration with multiple Livid controllers. Templates and scripts available for OhmRGB, CNTRL:R, Base, DS1, and Alias8 for comprehensive Traktor DJ control.
• AbletoncoreTechnology or IntegrationDeep integration partnership with Ableton Live. Livid provides remote scripts, Max for Live devices, and templates for all major controllers including OhmRGB, CNTRL:R, Base, Alias8, and DS1.
• Bitwig StudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationNative integration with Bitwig Studio. Control surface scripts available for OhmRGB, CNTRL:R, Base, and Alias8 providing integrated controller mapping.
• Cycling '74coreTechnology or IntegrationMax and Max for Live integration. Livid provides patches, tutorials, and Max for Live devices including step sequencers (Drum Stepp:r, Synth Stepp:r, Accent) for CNTRL:R and OhmRGB.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Akai Professional: Long-established manufacturer of MIDI controllers, pad controllers (MPK, MPD lines), and DJ/performance gear. Direct overlap with Livid's pad and grid controllers targeting electronic producers and beatmakers.
• Novation: MIDI controller specialist behind Launchpad, Launchkey, and Circuit. Closely comparable product line for Ableton-focused producers and the same grid-controller heritage as Livid's OhmRGB.
• Keith McMillen Instruments: Boutique MIDI controller maker (QuNexus, SoftStep, MIDI Expander) focused on expressive, compact, touch-sensitive control surfaces. Closest peer in size, philosophy, and niche specialization.
• Arturia: MIDI controller and hardware instrument maker (BeatStep, MiniLab, KeyLab) with strong DAW integration. Comparable in offering hybrid hardware/software controllers for producers.
• Behringer: Aggressive-priced MIDI controllers and DJ gear manufacturer (X-Touch, BCR/BCF2000, CMD series). Competes on price across the same electronic-producer and DJ segments.
• Hercules (DJ Controllers): DJ and music controller maker (P32 DJ, DJControl series). Comparable in DJ-focused controller hardware and software integration.

Broad incumbents

• Native Instruments: Major music technology company behind Maschine, Traktor, and Komplete. Traktor is a core integration partner for Livid; Maschine competes directly with Livid's grid and pad controllers as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Korg: Established musical instrument and electronics maker with MIDI controllers (nanoPAD, nanoKONTROL, padKONTROL). Broader portfolio but overlaps in compact MIDI controller hardware.
• Ableton: Leading DAW maker and core integration partner for Livid controllers. Push is Ableton's own controller hardware, partially overlapping with Livid's grid and pad products while also being a major software ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Roli: Expressive MIDI controller maker (Seaboard, BLOCKS, LUMI) with software ecosystem. Comparable focus on novel, expressive control surfaces though at higher price points and with deeper software bundling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lividindustry
• Facebookfacebook.com/lividinstrumentsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/livid-instruments

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Livid Instruments