Phonotonic /Device #3

ces16phonotonic

Phonotonic is a smart object and an app that changes motion into music, blending the physical and musical world together. By shaking the Phonotonic, corresponding musical beats, melody or sound effect will be blasted through external speakers. Different musical instruments can also be changed, by using an accompanying Phonotonic application

.phonotonic image

The Phonotonic sensor can also be removed, and placed onto other surfaces eg. parts of the body. Dance moves, or other motion, could thus activate more unique music playing. One can also opt to combine two or more Phonotonics, for a richer orchestra.

Personal thoughts:
It could be really useful for teaching music to children, or for therapy sessions. It’s compact size, along with its simple design, makes it easy for anyone to use it. However, the free movement required to play music with it has its con – the music played is hard to standardise should the same tune be required to be replayed.

See it in action:
(Duo Mode)

 

(Dancers with Phonotonics attached to their body parts) – Skip past 1 min

“Radio” [the Singing Jacket] / Assignment 1

Finalised Patch(the singing jacket)

Use of controls to ‘play a radio’ from a playlist. Overall, there will be background music (Soincidence soundtrack) playing throughout the entire duration, while toggling various aspects of the sensors (jacket) will trigger an additional sound to be played, as seen from the playlist above.

Sensors/Feedbacks:

  1. Pressure Sensor (large) placed in pocket:
    Switch it on and off, pause, resume

    whatsapp 3

  2. Bending Sensor placed at wrist:
    Bend Wrist to change tracks

    whatsapp 2

  3. Gyroscope placed at nape of neck:
    Function 1 – [Front/back] Bend back and forth to change volume (The more you bend, the louder it is)
    Function 2 – [Right/left] Bend to your right to change pitch (high pitch with more obvious bend)

    whatsapp 1

Combine all actions and create your own unique song.

 

Comments, and reflections:

  • Prof Demers commented that having the actions not ‘fixed’ by physical boundaries will allow for greater freedom, and subsequently, more ‘fun’ in playing with the jacket. However, it is risky as the feedback is harder to control
  • Creating 2 different feedbacks for the gyroscope is not ideal: while activating one function, the other function is also inadvertently activated (unwanted feedback)
  • Difficult to control 2 feedbacks which requires somewhat similar actions to activate (for gyroscope to change pitch and volume)
  • Swinging hands to activate bending scope was unnatural
  • In reflection, perhaps limiting the scope, or narrowing the threshold for activation would help control the feedback, and simplify ways to activate the feedback
  • I could incorporate the zip/hood of the jacket, etc. zipping the zipper, or wearing the hood
  • Perhaps some sensors could be placed on the body of the user, instead of solely on the jacket as at current

See it in action: