[sdiy] Control Interfaces (was Wakeman)

[Glen]

At 03:59 PM 7/7/03 , jbv wrote:

>Well, I might be considered as rude again, but I'm really
>amazed (and somehow disapointed as well) to see you
>guys still fascinated by knobs, either real or "virtual" ones...

Heck, even the MIT device had "knobs" of a sort (small objects meant to be
grasped and moved by hand.)    :)

I find knobs very useful, but certainly not the only interesting form of
tactile interface. Of course, we could remove "tactile" from the equation
entirely and try to invent other forms of control for synths--ones which do
not rely on human "touch" at all. 

Perhaps a brainwave controller? Could one of these possibly be made into
something wearable in public, that wouldn't make you look like Frankenstein?

Facial (or whole-body) tracking and recognition software, used as a
controller? I know it's been done, but there should be plenty of ground to
explore here.

A thumbprint scanner that is used to generate a seed for random number
generation--imagine synth patches, or whole compositions, that would sound
uniquely different, depending on who played them.

How about an IR temp sensor that monitored the body heat of the audience,
and adjusted various synth parameters accordingly? Sensors that monitor
audience footsteps? Video cameras that monitor crowd movements in general?
Subliminal audience participation, anyone? How long would it take the
audience to realize they were (at least partially) controlling the music?

For those of you playing in clubs, what about a "breathalyzer" as
controller? As you become more intoxicated, more "buzz" could be added to
the sound of your synth. (Also, don't forget the companion smoke-detector
controller, for the full effect.)

I could go on, but it's time for someone else to suggest something. 

In the short list above, I've concentrated on input devices. Let's not
forget about output devices which give the operator feedback concerning the
current state of his/her synth. Maybe later, I will come up with some
various output devices that can act as alternatives to knob pointers and
legends, traditional CRT/LCD GUI's etc.


>Yes, I know we aren't Studer nor the MIT, but so many
>sophisticated tools are available to DIYers these days that
>it would be a pity if we couldn't come up with at least
>one exciting idea...

Well, I *did* come up with practically the same concept that Studer is
exploring today. I just wasn't in a position to do anything with it myself.

I'm definitely interested in hearing the ideas of other Synth-DIY members.


later,
Glen Berry