In Memoriam: Keith McMillen
Audio and music technology innovator Keith McMillen has passed away at the age of 67. The news was shared on his website.
“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,” the obituary reads. “Born July 10, 1957, in Bermuda, Keith dedicated his life to revolutionizing how live interactive music is played and experienced.”
After getting degrees in acoustics, classical guitar, and composition, McMillen launched his career in the music industry by founding Zeta Music, a company that focused on the electric violin. He would eventually become Vice President of Gibson Guitars during which time he founded G-WIZ, an R&D lab that developed a musical instrument control language called ZIPI. This would eventually evolve into the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol that laid the foundation for MPE and MIDI 2.0.
He founded Keith McMillen Instruments in 2005 and created patented Smart Fabric sensors that were used in the K-Bow (including a bass version), QuNeo, QuNexus, and the K-Board Pro. He also created the 12 Step controller that became used by many bassists.
“Keith McMillen’s work exemplified a lifelong commitment to exploring how computer intelligence and user interface can enhance and expand musical performance,” his website concludes. “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.”
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Keith McMillen.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
