The MusicBox - Drake Music

Meckin, David

Abstract

The MusicBox is a prototype Accessible Digital Musical Instrument (ADMI) developed during a series of co-creative musical workshops with leaders and musicians of the Electric Storm Ensemble, facilitated by Drake Music.

It comprises of two physical elements that connect to a laptop via WiFi network. The first being a proximity sensor similar in nature to a Soundbeam (a commercially available ADMI), the second being a series of switches with tactile feedback.

The MusicBox (as named by the musicians in the Electric Storm Ensemble) works wirelessly and can be mapped in various different ways in Ableton Live. Each part of the instrument can be attached to a Manfrotto Magic Arm and positioned such as to facilitate sonic responses to movements and actions by the musicians in the Electric Storm Ensemble.

The proximity sensor can be tuned to change the range, sensitivity and timing of the response. There can be up to six switches attached to the switch element of the instrument. Four of those switch inputs are specifically designed for the laser cut switches created for the project, and two inputs can be used with any accessible switch.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Drake Music Conference 2020
• Start Date: Feb 21, 2020
• Deposit Date: Apr 8, 2021
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7249569