TY - JOUR
T1 - Sensor Choice for Parameter Modulations in Digital Musical Instruments
T2 - Empirical Evidence from Pitch Modulation
AU - Marshall, Mark T.
AU - Hartshorn, Max
AU - Wanderley, Marcelo M.
AU - Levitin, Daniel J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2009, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This paper describes ongoing research into the design of new digital musical instruments (DMIs). While many new DMIs have been created using a variety of sensors, there has been relatively little empirical research into determining the optimal choice of sensor for control of specific musical functions. In this paper we attempt to identify an optimal choice of sensor for the control of parameter modulations in a DMI. Two experiments were conducted. In the first, pianists and violinists were tested on three strategies for producing pitch modulations. Both subjective user ratings and objective performance scores were analysed. The results suggest that modulated applied pressure is the optimal control for pitch modulation. Preference and performance did not appear to be directly mediated by previous musical experience. In the second experiment, the accuracy, stability and depth of modulation were measured for a number of musicians performing modulations with each of three control strategies. Results indicate that some options offer improved stability or accuracy over others and that performance with all strategies is significantly dependent on the speed of modulation. Overall results show that the optimal choice of sensor should be based on a combination of subjective user preference ratings and objective performance measurements.
AB - This paper describes ongoing research into the design of new digital musical instruments (DMIs). While many new DMIs have been created using a variety of sensors, there has been relatively little empirical research into determining the optimal choice of sensor for control of specific musical functions. In this paper we attempt to identify an optimal choice of sensor for the control of parameter modulations in a DMI. Two experiments were conducted. In the first, pianists and violinists were tested on three strategies for producing pitch modulations. Both subjective user ratings and objective performance scores were analysed. The results suggest that modulated applied pressure is the optimal control for pitch modulation. Preference and performance did not appear to be directly mediated by previous musical experience. In the second experiment, the accuracy, stability and depth of modulation were measured for a number of musicians performing modulations with each of three control strategies. Results indicate that some options offer improved stability or accuracy over others and that performance with all strategies is significantly dependent on the speed of modulation. Overall results show that the optimal choice of sensor should be based on a combination of subjective user preference ratings and objective performance measurements.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79952356935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09298210903085865
DO - 10.1080/09298210903085865
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79952356935
SN - 0929-8215
VL - 38
SP - 241
EP - 253
JO - Journal of New Music Research
JF - Journal of New Music Research
IS - 3
ER -