Short Circuits
A Hands-On Approach to Electronic Music Performance (New Music Interfaces)
Through a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) fellowship, Bob Lester and I began work on complex human interfaces to facilitate new music. Our designs were aimed at allowing electronic music to be more performable, more human, and more real.
Our ongoing research aims at giving a physical presence to the electronic technology that exists already in the music all around us. By exploring unique approaches to performer interface design, we aspire to better meet the expressive needs of performers and audience members in an increasingly electronic art form.
Our general design model:
Some of our early prototypes tested a number of design theories, but also helped us better plan the construction of future instruments:
Our first prototype’s insides partially dissembled:
A newer prototype sketch (Thighroid 2000):
Partially assembled:
More assembled:
The Thighroid instrument has allowed us to explore a number of new ideas and design issues. We were able to print our own circuit board, making assembly more efficient and reliable. The company that printed our PCB was very student friendly and provided free PCB design software. PCB shown partially assembled:
PCB design picture:
After making hundreds of calls to sensor manufacturers, we were eventually able to find better, more cost-effective force sensors for the Thighroid from CUI Inc:
The Thighroid uses these (among other) technologies
Comments are off for this post• 3D Accelerometer/Tilt Sensor• Thumb Operated (PS2 Style) 2-Axis Joysticks• Slide and Detented Potentiometers• 7 Segment and Other LED Feedback Displays• CUI Force Sensors with AKAI Rubber Pads• USB Serial CommunicationWe are currently working on implementing faster, more efficient USB communication methods in the Thighroid.