“Creating New Interfaces for Musical Expression: Introduction to NIME” by Fels and Lyons
Conference:
Type(s):
Title:
- Creating New Interfaces for Musical Expression: Introduction to NIME
Presenter(s)/Author(s):
Abstract:
Due to advances in digital audio technologies, computers now play a role in most music production and performance. Digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for creation and manipulation of sound, but the flexibilty of these new technologies implies an often confusing array of choices for musical composers and performers. Some artists are using computers directly to create music and generate an explosion of new musical forms. However, most would agree that the computer is not a musical instrument, in the same sense as traditional instruments, and it is natural to wonder “how to play the computer” using interface technology appropriate for human brains and bodies.
A decade ago, the presenters of this course organized the first workshop on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), to attempt to answer this question by exploring connections with the better-established field of human-computer interaction. The course summarizes what has been learned at the NIME conferences. It begins with an overview of the theory and practice of new musical interface design and asks: What makes a good musical interface? Are any useful design principles or guidelines available? Then it reviews topics such as mapping from human action to musical output and control intimacy, and presents practical information about the tools for creating musical interfaces, including an overview of sensors and microcontrollers, audio synthesis techniques, and communication protocols such as Open Sound Control (and MIDI). The remainder of the course consists of several specific case studies of the major broad themes of the NIME conference, including augmented and sensor-based instruments, mobile and networked music, and NIME pedagogy.
Additional Information:
Prerequisites
Familiarity with the basics of interactive media, but particular technical background is not required. No background in music or computer audio is assumed.
