Resources

Makey Makey

Makey Makey, created by Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum (M.I.T.) is a creative interaction kit, which allows you to transform almost any common object into “commands”, capable of sending information to the computer in the same way as a keyboard or mouse. This allows you to create the most diverse and fun projects. It is also ideal for allowing students to safely understand the concept of conductive and non-conductive materials.

At the A.P.C.C., Makey Makey helped develop a basis for musical work with a group of users presenting neuromotor alterations with the aim of forming an “orchestra” of musical samples.

The result of this process is called “Ligados às Máquinas” (Connected to Machines). The main objectives of this work are centered on enabling musical and social participation through music, promoting the acquisition of musical skills, respecting and integrating individual resources (sound and musical tastes), promoting the self-determination and improve quality of life through collaborative musical creation.

Orchestra of musical samples “Ligados às Máquinas” in concert (Porto and Coimbra, respectively).

MOGEES

Mogees LTD is a pioneer in advanced sensor technology using patented AI to convert any object of any material into a smart surface – thereby seamlessly merging the physical and data worlds without the need for keyboards, buttons or touch screens.

Mogees is the combination of an app and a vibration sensor that together translate physical gestures into notes played on a selection of sound engines. The sensor is circular, elegant and solid. It has an adhesive pad that allows you to attach it to any object you want to hit.

It’s up to you to choose between a simple but practical surface like a table and use a variety of implements, or opt for a more complex surface involving different materials or textures, like a bicycle, a frying pan, a saxophone or a pet iguana.

Whatever your choice, you need to familiarize the Mogees app with the hits in your repertoire, teaching it each gesture at different speeds. A series of colored circles represent the results of this analysis, and if they are discrete enough not to overlap, you can be sure that the software will translate them accurately. Each gesture can be assigned a score from one of the available synthesis engines; the four currently offered are Blue Steel, Foxtrot, Interpol808 and Muon. Surprisingly, there is no built-in sample player.

At the A.P.C.C., Mogees is used as a means of facilitating musical participation through the use of everyday objects and various materials (wheelchairs, technical aids, tables, etc.). Its portability and applicability constitute added value in musical intervention with people with disabilities.

SONORIUM (Casa da Música)

Created by Tiago Ângelo, at Digitópia Casa da Música, the Sonorium is a virtual instrument that interprets the slightest movement, captured by an infrared camera.

Imagine your arms and your legs, your whole body, these are the keys of the piano, the strings of the violin. Imagine that, walking and greeting, alone or with others, the empty room fills with voices, with noises.

It is based on digital media which store an inexhaustible source of sounds and music: songs, orchestral samples, abstract noises, whistles… finally, everything that is audible can be used and awakened with a single gesture, large or small. not ; it depends on what is pre-programmed.

Sonorium consists of original and open source software, a computer and Kinect.

Permanent installation / hot spot in the Orange room of Casa da Música.

Atelier SonorEando (pour enfants, adultes et personnes ayant des besoins spéciaux).

Sonorium was created to be programmed by everyone.