The human body is the surface of this ergonomic midi controller. The shape of the buttons is designed to be connected to our anatomy. The buttons, located on the forearm, arm, chest and abdomen of the garment, are made of tactile conductive textiles.
It is intuitional for the user to learn to play this interface due to muscle memory. As users are familiar with their own body, a mental map already exists - we can effortlessly detect where the different parts of our own body are located. With Interplay, musicians experience sensory and haptic feedback not only through their fingers. They can sense the pressure applied to their body through the textile surface.
By using the wearable interface, musicians and performers can break free from traditional instruments. This WiFi device can be used in live performances and electronic music production, allowing performers to interact with technology in new and expressive ways. Additionally, all functions can be re-programmed, and thus customized to the user's individual needs, later.
Traditional MIDI controllers limit movement and interaction. Interplay addresses this by integrating controls directly onto the body, offering a more intuitive and expressive way to create music.
In order to find a nice body-aligned fit, I gathered hand prints in various sizes and averaged them into a one-size-fits-all pattern for the buttons. Using the body as an instrument allows for a wide range of creative exploration with a lot of potential for the performative arts.
This video illustrates how the volume control was crafted. Plates of copper (here cut into organic wavy shapes) ironed on the sleeve create a scale that the program can identify as a low-to-high-system. The metal stripes are easily joined with electric connectors giving feedback to Trill Craft, a devise that connects wirelessly to a Raspberry Pi 32. For this a small antenna is necessary, here an ESP32. In the video at the bottom of the page you can see how these buttons can be played.
Interplay enables musicians to break free from traditional instruments, offering a new, body-centered way to perform and produce electronic music.