2017 Winner - Playable Category
Duncan Menzies - for the P-bROCK Digital Bagpipe Chanter
The P-bROCK Digital Bagpipe Chanter is an electronic instrument, developed at Queen Mary University of London, to assist in the teaching and learning process of the Great Highland Bagpipe. This instrument presents a custom fingering algorithm to allow the instrument to be played by musicians with the use of only one hand.
The chanter features infra-red reflectance sensors, mounted inside the tone holes to detect the player’s finger movements, and an air pressure sensor in place of the chanter reed to measure air flow. Since all of the electronics are built into a standard acoustic chanter, and the tone hole sensors measure coverage of the actual holes by the player’s fingers, the physical playing experience is virtually indistinguishable from a traditional GHB chanter.
The P-bROCK Digital Bagpipe Chanter is an electronic instrument, developed at Queen Mary University of London, to assist in the teaching and learning process of the Great Highland Bagpipe. This instrument presents a custom fingering algorithm to allow the instrument to be played by musicians with the use of only one hand.
The chanter features infra-red reflectance sensors, mounted inside the tone holes to detect the player’s finger movements, and an air pressure sensor in place of the chanter reed to measure air flow. Since all of the electronics are built into a standard acoustic chanter, and the tone hole sensors measure coverage of the actual holes by the player’s fingers, the physical playing experience is virtually indistinguishable from a traditional GHB chanter.
2015 Winner - Playable Category
The LinnStrument by Roger Linn
The LinnStrument is an expressive alternative to the MIDI keyboard controller. It does not generate any sounds but rather sends standard MIDI messages over its MIDI or USB jacks to any MIDI sound generator or software. But that's where the similarity ends. Unlike a MIDI keyboard's simple on/off switches, LinnStrument's patent-pending multi-touch technology captures three dimensions of each finger's movement, polyphonically, for a far greater degree of musical expression than can be achieved on a MIDI keyboard. In addition to providing standard strike velocity, typically finger pressure (Z axis) is used to vary note loudness, finger left-right (X axis) movement is used to vary pitch, and finger forward-backward (Y axis) movement is used to vary timbre. Also unlike a MIDI keyboard, LinnStrument's notes are arranged not as on a piano, but rather like any stringed instrument, with multiple rows (strings) consisting of 2 octaves of semitones each. The rows can be tuned as a guitar, in fifths as a violin or cello, in fourths, or any interval you like. All this adds up to an electronic instrument with expressive control approaching that of fine acoustic instruments, allowing you to develop subtle musical gestures and a personal playing style, just as great musicians have done in past on acoustic instruments.
***SPECIAL OFFER*** Roger Linn has generously offered the LinnStrument for sale at a reduced price for people with physical disabilities. Please email rachel(at)ohmi.org.uk for more information!
The LinnStrument is an expressive alternative to the MIDI keyboard controller. It does not generate any sounds but rather sends standard MIDI messages over its MIDI or USB jacks to any MIDI sound generator or software. But that's where the similarity ends. Unlike a MIDI keyboard's simple on/off switches, LinnStrument's patent-pending multi-touch technology captures three dimensions of each finger's movement, polyphonically, for a far greater degree of musical expression than can be achieved on a MIDI keyboard. In addition to providing standard strike velocity, typically finger pressure (Z axis) is used to vary note loudness, finger left-right (X axis) movement is used to vary pitch, and finger forward-backward (Y axis) movement is used to vary timbre. Also unlike a MIDI keyboard, LinnStrument's notes are arranged not as on a piano, but rather like any stringed instrument, with multiple rows (strings) consisting of 2 octaves of semitones each. The rows can be tuned as a guitar, in fifths as a violin or cello, in fourths, or any interval you like. All this adds up to an electronic instrument with expressive control approaching that of fine acoustic instruments, allowing you to develop subtle musical gestures and a personal playing style, just as great musicians have done in past on acoustic instruments.
***SPECIAL OFFER*** Roger Linn has generously offered the LinnStrument for sale at a reduced price for people with physical disabilities. Please email rachel(at)ohmi.org.uk for more information!
2015 Winner - Concept Category
Clarion by Barry Farrimond
The Clarion is a musical instrument interface, based upon a conventional keyboard layout, that can be navigated through mouse movement. A red circle follows the mouse across the screen, showing the musician her/his position. Using mouse movement as a means of navigation opens up access to musicians who are able to control a mouse with computer peripherals like Eyegaze, SmartNav or indeed one hand placed upon a track pad or mouse. Dynamics and expression can be controlled through various elements. On screen, when a note is triggered, a square pops up and remains visible until the note is released. Movement within this square is used to affect a range of musical parameters including vibrato intensity, vibrato rate, flutter tongue and growl. The Clarion has also been designed to work with MIDI breath controllers, providing real-time musical dynamics and expression.
The Clarion is a musical instrument interface, based upon a conventional keyboard layout, that can be navigated through mouse movement. A red circle follows the mouse across the screen, showing the musician her/his position. Using mouse movement as a means of navigation opens up access to musicians who are able to control a mouse with computer peripherals like Eyegaze, SmartNav or indeed one hand placed upon a track pad or mouse. Dynamics and expression can be controlled through various elements. On screen, when a note is triggered, a square pops up and remains visible until the note is released. Movement within this square is used to affect a range of musical parameters including vibrato intensity, vibrato rate, flutter tongue and growl. The Clarion has also been designed to work with MIDI breath controllers, providing real-time musical dynamics and expression.
2014 Winner - Concept Category
Jamboxx
The instrument simulates several different types of instruments. While the nature of the Jamboxx is a hybrid device utilizing a software interface with the computer, the device has some characteristics of a harmonica. However, for persons that are quadriplegic or one-handed it can be used in a handheld or hands-free mode. The software interface allows for transforming the number of notes played as well as the scale provided. In addition, instrument sounds can be manipulated with breath control and not the various parameters using digital software interfaces which accompany the controller. The ultimate design is to utilize one button click during performance or recording or production to enable the user to transform the instrument to their needs.
Hear Kylee rock the anthem in the school band in Florida. With the Jamboxx Kylee is a full member of the french horn section in her school band. Using just her breath and head movement she plays the full range of notes for any horn piece. A more complex song from Tobias where he plays different instruments, all on the Jamboxx, and then mixes them together. A performance by Dr. Alper Kaya, who has ALS and no use of his hands.
The instrument simulates several different types of instruments. While the nature of the Jamboxx is a hybrid device utilizing a software interface with the computer, the device has some characteristics of a harmonica. However, for persons that are quadriplegic or one-handed it can be used in a handheld or hands-free mode. The software interface allows for transforming the number of notes played as well as the scale provided. In addition, instrument sounds can be manipulated with breath control and not the various parameters using digital software interfaces which accompany the controller. The ultimate design is to utilize one button click during performance or recording or production to enable the user to transform the instrument to their needs.
Hear Kylee rock the anthem in the school band in Florida. With the Jamboxx Kylee is a full member of the french horn section in her school band. Using just her breath and head movement she plays the full range of notes for any horn piece. A more complex song from Tobias where he plays different instruments, all on the Jamboxx, and then mixes them together. A performance by Dr. Alper Kaya, who has ALS and no use of his hands.
2014 Winner - Concept Category
Mi.Mu Tuba
Submitted by Kelly Snook
The Mi.Mu musical data glove system has been developed and built over the past four years by Imogen Heap and a small team of musicians, engineers, and artists. The glove system combines state-of-the-art sensor technology with custom machine learning algorithms and mapping software to allow gestures to be easily mapped to musical parameters on a computer. The glove has been adapted for use with one hand, along with other (optional) parts of the body, and programmed with pre-existing music software to emulate the Tuba.
Read about the Mi Mu Project.
Submitted by Kelly Snook
The Mi.Mu musical data glove system has been developed and built over the past four years by Imogen Heap and a small team of musicians, engineers, and artists. The glove system combines state-of-the-art sensor technology with custom machine learning algorithms and mapping software to allow gestures to be easily mapped to musical parameters on a computer. The glove has been adapted for use with one hand, along with other (optional) parts of the body, and programmed with pre-existing music software to emulate the Tuba.
Read about the Mi Mu Project.
You Rock Guitar
The You Rock Guitar aka YRG Gen2 is a fast tracking no latency MIDI controller that was created as a means to input music through various software applications, external synth modules and virtual instruments.The YRG’s unique patented fingerboard technology has allowed users with disabilities to be able to access music they have been unable to do before. The You Rock Guitar is in a working environment with the organisation TERI, Inc who work with children and adults with Down Syndrome, Autism and other disabilities, as well as with Warrior Cry, an organisation that works with wounded veterans who have lost limbs and other debilitating issues.
Video demonstration
The You Rock Guitar aka YRG Gen2 is a fast tracking no latency MIDI controller that was created as a means to input music through various software applications, external synth modules and virtual instruments.The YRG’s unique patented fingerboard technology has allowed users with disabilities to be able to access music they have been unable to do before. The You Rock Guitar is in a working environment with the organisation TERI, Inc who work with children and adults with Down Syndrome, Autism and other disabilities, as well as with Warrior Cry, an organisation that works with wounded veterans who have lost limbs and other debilitating issues.
Video demonstration