This is the OCTAPAD Midi Percussion Controller.

It has 8 rubber pads. Use some drumsticks to play the pads. It sends MIDI data down MIDI Channel #10 (usually) into the MIDI/Synth rack. Any synth "listening" on MIDI channel 10 will respond to it. You can see a VIDEO in the library (search under the reserved list in the LUCY catalog to see the many instructional videos made for MU255 nd MU353 students at Skidmore). The OCTAPAD is very easily programmed to transmit any MIDI pitch or volume data you care to have it transmit (it can play notes if you wish with a minimum of programming effort).