Musification workshop introduces participants to everyday sounds as materials for musical expression. The workshop will focus on using transducers to transform everyday objects such as cups and plates into musical instruments. Participants will build a toolkit during the workshop to musically explore everyday objects. They will gain hands-on experience with the fundamentals of electronic music, digital audio, and music technology.
In the past, we have had participants from various backgrounds. Participants were as young as 7 and as old as ~70 whom all did great in completing the workshop agenda. The workshop does recommend to have parents participate together if the child is younger than 12. So far the project completion rate of participants is 100%!
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You!
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Preferably laptop or any computing device that runs Windows, Mac, or Linux. Otherwise, any other computer devices that can produce sound via a standard 1/8" phone connector.
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Optional things you can bring to the workshop
- Musical instruments
- Inspirational everyday objects (Cardboard boxes, cans, etc... Anything!)
- Loudspeakers and microphones
- Place: MITxMake @ Zesiger Center
- Date: April 21, 2018
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10am | Welcome and Supply Distribution |
| 10:10am | Introduction |
| 10:20am | Soldering and Testing Your Device |
| 11:00am | Creating Sounds with Computers |
| 11:30am | Connecting physical and digital world through sounds |
| 12:00pm | Performance |
This workshop focus on using PAM8403 breakout board as an amplifier. This breakout board is not the only choice to make the Musification process happen, but the board was chosen from the perspective of cost.
While any transducers can be used in this workshop, the main transducer used in this workshop is from Tectonic Elements. You can access the case design for this device at Thingiverse.
This workshop does not require you to use software provided in this repository, but you are strongly encouraged to try them out! The Software folder currently contains small patches that you can quickly experiment with sounds in Supercollider and Max.
You can always use your favorite Digital Audio Stations (DAW) such as Ableton Live and Reaper, sound editors such as Audacity, and music players such as Spotify and iTunes as sound source to drive your device.
| Item | Price | Quantity | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAM8403 Audio Amplifier Module | $0.73 | 1 | https://www.amazon.com/DAOKI-Digital-Amplifier-PAM8403-Module/dp/B00XAGSZSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501525550&sr=8-1&keywords=pam8403 |
| Tectonic Elements TEAX19C01-8 19mm Metal Cup Exciter | $6.80 | 1 | https://www.parts-express.com/tectonic-elements-teax19c01-8-19mm-metal-cup-exciter-8-ohm--297-208 |
| 6ft 3.5mm Stereo Plug/2 RCA Plug Cable, Black | $0.79 | 1 | https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=665 |
| 3.7V 720mAh 20C Lipo Battery | $3.50 | 1 | https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADED-Morpilot-Battery-Cheerson-Quadcopter/dp/B016BDALIU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501527129&sr=8-4&keywords=3.7v+lipo+batteries |
| Mogami W2330 Miniature Unbalanced Microphone Cable | $1.8 | 1 | http://www.markertek.com/product/2330/mogami-w2330-miniature-unbalanced-microphone-cable-black-per-foot |
| Total | $13.62 | # of Participants |
In addition to the toolkit, there will be extra cost for consumable tools needed to construct musical instruments for each participants. These consumable tools are:
| Item | Price | URL | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M VHB Tape RP32 0.5 in width x 5 yd length (1 Roll) | $6.03 | https://www.amazon.com/3M-Tape-RP32-width-length/dp/B007Y7E0CQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524101580&sr=8-1&keywords=vhb+tape | For attaching transducers to a surface |
| 3M 1400C ECONOMY TAPE WHITE Economy Vinyl Electrical Tape, White | $2.78 | https://www.amazon.com/3M-1400C-ECONOMY-TAPE-WHITE/dp/B00TK8THZ2/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1524179628&sr=1-4&keywords=electrical+tape&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011 | For covering exposed wires to reduce the chance of an electrical shock |
| Electronix Express- Hook up Wire Kit (Solid Wire Kit) 22 Gage (25 Feet) | $18.95 | https://www.amazon.com/Electronix-Express-Hook-Wire-Solid/dp/B00B4ZRPEY/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1524179736&sr=1-7-spons&keywords=hookup+wire+single+core&psc=1 | For connections to a battery |
| Total | $27.76 |
Akito van Troyer: akito@media.mit.edu
MIT