P-Comp Project 2: Banza Box

My idea for this project was to create a playable instrument that triggers and effects parameters in a system of generative graphics in Touch Designer. The idea coming from my interest in VJing, and further exploring TouchDesigner. I saw this video on YouTube of an ultrasonic sensor being used to control a particle system, which is what gave me the idea to look into using it in a hand held device.

The initial design was inspired by a guitar which I think is a design I want to return to, but this model/prototype took a more simple form for proof of concept. I used a pasta box while looking for housing that would be sturdy and be easy to hook onto a chest strap. I placed cardboard pieces inside the box and used rubber bands outside the box to keep the Arduino in place, and easily able to slide it out to make adjustments.

Just to setup the connection between Arduino and TouchDesigner I used a potentiometer and one button.

When I first attached ultrasonic sensors I had tried it with two sensors but it was difficult to play both sensors in a rhythmic way.

I used the code from the ITP Ultrasonic Sensor lab and changed the maximum distance of the sensor from 400 to 50.

In TouchDesigner I have a serial DAT input connected to the Arduino, and then using a transpose and convert I can parse the different sensor readings. From there I use a DattoChop to turn my sensors into usable references in TD.

My final setup has Two buttons - one that is linked to color, and another one that triggers a switch in my TouchDesigner networks. When the networks switch what part of the animation the ultrasonic sensor affects changes. I did this to make the instrument more dynamic when being played.

Notes from class - other people commented on the hand held nature, also definitely would like to place the buttons closer to the outside of the box, for easier playability.

Something I'd like to revisit that I had been playing around with during brainstorming was to link the instrument to MIDI through Ableton, in order to send the midi to Touch Designer to create a linked Audio component. I do see myself revisiting this, and using Bluetooth to make the device more portable.