week 0: MIDI hand controller

ideation.

model pass [0]

I've been getting familiar with live coding music performance. Only issue is that I generate code slower than I come up with music ideas.

Final project idea?

As shown in the picture, possible control features for this device could include [1] chord changing, [2] volume (VCA), [3] filter (VCF), and [4] drum track controls. A user would stick the top part of their hand through the opening of the device and curl their fingers over the sliding press control on the bottom. There is also a button on the side where the thumb rests. This side button will toggle between the settings [1-4] and the LEDs at the top of the device display which setting the device is currently on. The press control on the bottom has outer buttons that can be used to toggle discrete values depending on current device settings while the press control itself can be pushed in, its compression distance corresponding to a continuous control range for settings such as volume or filter amount.

This device is meant to be used as an aid during live electronic/coding performance, so the user should still be able to interact with their computer keyboard without major hindrance.

inkscape.

model pass [1].

The challenge for this week was to represent a design in multiple formats. I moved to Inkscape to complete the next rendering of the hand controller:

In this representation, I removed the raised buttons. Given that a user may be using the same hand to type, it would probably be more manageable for the controls to be flush with the device.

fusion 360.

model pass [2] + basic simulation.

The last model representation was done in Fusion 360. Using circle and fillet commands, I tried to veer away from sharp edges. Also, like the vector representation, this model does not feature protruding buttons. The press control mesh was used to subtract insertion channels into the base of the device and the Fusion animation feature was used to represent the in-out movement of the push controls. The 3D model and push control and different states of compression are illustrated in the above images.