Moving forward from the synthMonster, an earlier exploration in music controllers and synthesis, my MFA thesis exploration will attempt to create a musical interface that explores the relationship between musical exploration and synthesis in an engagin way.

Journal | Motivations | Prior Art | Protoypes | Presentations | Papers | Use Scenarios

Current Thesis Concept:

The Gesture-Synth is an innovative musical instrument / controller that explores the relationship between sound and the physical world.

Standard musical controllers / instruments rely heavily on existing thought about music and space. The M-Audio Oxygen series, Novation, and Roland controllers all take advantage of the users prior understanding of keyboard layout and performance. Akai's MPC, Monome's 40h, and the Korg Pad Kontrol focus on a grid of button pads. While many manufacturers have added somewhat innovative expression tools (Roland's D-beam and Korg's Kaos pad) the core instrument functionality continues to focus mainly on these pre-existing understanding of how a musical instrument is supposed to act and rehashing instruments that already exist.

The limitation of the tools can limit creativity as well. With the addition of new tools, performers can express themselves in new ways. Gesture-Synth 1 is the first step in my exploration of alternative instruments. By dipping, swinging, swaying, tilting, and turning the GS-1, users will be able to create and manipulate sound in new and interesting ways. No longer shackled to a standard keyboard, but free to really perform, the musician will hopefully bring new life and heart to the music.

Future Directions

• Install more sensors. (Photosensors, flex sensors, heat sensors, proximity sensors, motion sensors, and touch sensors could all be used quite effectively in enriching the experience)
• Create more complex and pleasing music. Randomly generated noise is fun for some, but I a more mature and subtle orchestration will truly engage most users.The PIC chip on its own might be a little limited for this
• Allow for user modification, such as uploading their own folder of sounds to the SynthMonster. This could be pre-recorded mp3s perhaps or maybe the midi data used to outline more sophisticated instrumentation.
• Introduce a more compelling characterization? Cross between UglyDolls and Theremin?