Hands-on training in augmentation of the body for musical performance led by Marco Donnarumma (IT/UK)

12-14.09.2013, 14:00-18:00, Studio 54, National Academy of Art, 1 Shipka str, Sofia

Presentation of workshop results:  14.09. 2013, 19:30 – 20:00

Creating your own low cost, biosensing, wearable sensor for muscle sounds.

The Xth Sense is a biophysical musical instrument. With it you can produce music with the sound of your muscles.

It is free and open source, and it was named the “world’s most innovative new musical instrument” by the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology (US, 2012). Its name is spelled ecsth sense (not tenth sense!). But it’s way easier to call it XS.

Students will build their own XS sensor from scracth. Theoretical and practical training in gestural control of music and bodily audiovisual performance with the Xth Sense will be provided. Reclaim your body and let it sound!

The Xth Sense on the web:

Developed by the workshop teacher Marco Donnarumma within a research project at The University of Edinburgh, XS is a framework for the application of muscle sounds to the biophysical generation and control of music.

 

It consists of a low cost, DIY biosensing wearable device and an Open Source based software for capture, analysis and audio processing of biological sounds of the body (Pure Data-based).

Muscle sounds are captured in real time and used both as sonic source material and control values for sound effects, enabling the performer to control music simply with his body and kinetic energy.

Forget your mice, MIDI controllers, you will not even need to look at your laptop anymore.

The XS biosensor is designed to be easily implemented by anyone, no previous experience in electronics is required. The applications of the XS technology are manifold: from complex gestural control of samples and audio synthesis, through biophysical generation of music and sounds, to kinetic control of real time digital processing of traditional musical instruments, and more.

Perspective participants

The workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound and music. Musical background and education does not matter as long as you are ready to challenge your usual perspective on musical performance.

Composers, producers, sound designers, musicians, field recordists are all welcome to join our team for an innovative and highly creative experience.

No previous experience in electronics or programming is required, however participants should be familiar with digital music creation. Participation is limited to 10 candidates.

Requirements and further info

Participants need to provide their own headphones, external soundcards and laptops with Pd-extended 0.42.5 already installed. Free download is available at http://puredata.info/community/projects/software/pd-extended.

We will work either on Linux or Mac OSX (system have to be 10.6 or newer. If you don't have access to none of them, please download a live distribution of Apodio at: http://www.apodio.org/

Musicians interested in augmenting their favourite musical instrument by means of body gestures are encouraged to bring their instrument along.

 

For each participant will be provided a sensors kit prepared by the workshop leader, they will be able to retain after the training. The cost of a kit is 50 leva, and must be paid by each participant.

 

More information about the XS and a video of a live performance can be viewed on-line at: