Keith McMillen has passed away at the age of 67. There’s a complete obituary posted this evening by Keith McMillen Instruments.
McMillen had a long and influential career, beyond just his namesake company and its products K-Bow, QuNeo, QuNexus, and K-Board Pro. There was violin maker Zeta Music, research at Gibson Guitars, and work on expressive control that led to OSC, MPE, and now MIDI 2.0.
Keith McMillen, a pioneering force in audio and music technology, passed away this week leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a profound impact on the music industry. Born July 10, 1957 in Bermuda, Keith dedicated his life to revolutionizing how live interactive music is played and experienced.
A passionate advocate for the intersection of technology and music, Keith’s academic foundation was laid at the University of Illinois, where he earned a BS in Acoustics under the mentorship of James Beauchamp. He further honed his skills in classical guitar and composition under the guidance of Herbert Brun, Scott Wyatt, and Sal Martirano. Over the years, Keith developed MAPPS, an integrated computer composition, notation, and performance system that became the bedrock of his group TrioMetrik.
Keith’s professional journey began in 1979 when he founded Zeta Music, a company that would become synonymous with the modern violin. His revolutionary electronic instrument designs set new standards in the music industry, creating a market that continues to influence musicians today.
In 1992, as Vice President at Gibson Guitars, Keith founded G-WIZ, an R&D lab where he developed ZIPI, a groundbreaking musical instrument control language that evolved into the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol and lay the foundation for MPE and MIDI 2.0.
In 2005, Keith founded Keith McMillen Instruments, a company that quickly became known for its cutting-edge approach to musical technology using patented Smart Fabric sensors. Keith established the company to bring his innovative vision to life, and under his leadership KMI introduced groundbreaking products that combined Smart Fabric with musical artistry, including the K-Bow, QuNeo, QuNexus and K-Board Pro. These instruments, recognized for their versatility and advanced capabilities, reflected Keith’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music technology. His work through the company solidified his reputation as a pioneer in the field and left a lasting impact on the music industry.
In 2014, Keith founded BeBop Sensors with a mission to expand Smart Fabric applications into the fields of wearable sensors and haptics. This led to the development of several products and patents, including virtual reality gloves and insole sensors. This work inspired Keith to form Sensible Robotics, a new company where Keith focused his full attention on Making Robots Feel Better™ by using Smart Fabric to develop robotic skin.
Keith McMillen’s work exemplified a lifelong commitment to exploring how computer intelligence and user interface can enhance and expand musical performance. His passing is a great loss to the world of music and technology, but his innovations and achievements will continue to inspire and shape the future of both fields.
