[microsound-announce] Xth Sense – biophysical generation and control of music workshop - London

[Ryan Jordan]

Xth
Sense – biophysical generation and control of music
Hands-on
training in augmentation of the body for musical performance.
Creating
your own low cost biosensing wearable device for muscle sounds.






See
an Xth Sense performance at http://vimeo.com/20889787



Xth
Sense: http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/
http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/music-for-flesh-ii/



What
The
workshop offers an hands-on experience and both theoretical and
practical training in gestural control of music and bodily musical
performance, deploying the brand-new biosensing technology Xth
Sense.

Developed by the workshop teacher Marco Donnarumma
within a research project at The University of Edinburgh, Xth Sense
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
Xth Sense biosensor was designed to be easily implemented by anyone,
no previous experience in electronics is required.
The
applications of the Xth Sense 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.




How
Firstly,
participants will be introduced to the Xth Sense Technology by its
author and led through the assembling of their own biosensing
wearable hardware using the materials provided.
Next,
they will become proficient with the Xth Sense software framework:
all the features of the framework will be unleashed through practical
exercises. 

Theoretical
background on the state of art of gestural control of music and new
musical instruments will be developed by means of an audiovisual
review and participatory critical analysis of relevant projects
selected by the instructor. 

Eventually,
participants will combine hardware and software to implement a solo
or group performance to be presented during the closing event. 




At
the end of the workshop, participants will be free to keep the Xth
Sense biosensors they built and the related software for their own
use.








Perspective
participants
The
workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound and music. No
previous experience in electronics or programming is required,
however participants
should be familiar with digital music creation.
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.
Participation
is limited to 8 candidates.




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



We
will work either on Linux or Mac OSX => 10.6 operating systems.
If
you don't have access to none of them, please download a live
distribution of Pure:Dyne at:
http://puredyne.org/index.html



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







Dates
17-18-19-20
August, 11.00-19.00 daily (6 hours sessions + 1 hour break)
nnnnn, Unit 73a, Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London, E2 4QN




Fee
£
80 including materials.To reserve a place please contact ryan at ryanjordan.org and m at marcodonnarumma.com and you can pay online here:
http://nnnnn.org.uk/doku.p​hp?id=xth_sense&#fee_and_b​ooking 		 	   		   		 	   		  
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