SteamSHIFT

Custom USB Keyboard for Controlling Ableton Live

I just finished reworking an old USB QWERTY keyboard to serve as a custom keyboard for controlling Ableton Live, and thought you might like a look. The whole thing is well-documented with photos and comments at my Flickr site:

flickr set: Custom keyboard for Ableton Live

The basic idea: instead of buying an expensive controller to expand my tactile control of Ableton Live (or building something custom with MIDI controllers), I decided to use an old USB QWERTY keyboard and custom-paint it to enhance its use as a live performance device.

The big idea behind the keyboard is that the humble QWERTY keyboard offers a ton of control possibilities, thanks to the flexible keymapping capabilities of Ableton Live. I’ve been using the built-in keyboard on my Powerbook for a while now to trigger clips in performance, but it’s tough for a couple reasons. First, it looks like you’re writing e-mail during a show, and that’s kinda boring. Second, all the keys look the same (minus the markings, of course) - there’s not much that lets you navigate easily in low-light conditions and in the heat of the moment on stage.

You can see a full write-up here:

custom USB QWERTY keyboard for Ableton Live [Ableton forum]

Simple and yet effective!!

(Via createdigitalmusic.com.)

Cheap acoustic sensors make surfaces interactive

New Scientist has an article on turning any surface into a touch screen using small piezoelectric sensors to sense surface vibrations -

“A series of acoustic sensors that turn any surface into a touch-sensitive computer interface have been developed by European researchers.

Two or more sensors are attached around the edges of the surface. These pinpoint the position of a finger, or another touching object, by tracking minute vibrations. This allows them to create a virtual touchpad, or keyboard, on any table or wall.” [via] - Link.

(Via MAKE Magazine.)

Tiilt!

… I don’t own a Wii. But as of today I do own a Wii Remote (and a nunchuk). And I’ve had a lot of fun using the Wiimote.framework to hack up this app:

Tiilt.mp4

This screencast shows a simple Quartz Composer composition being manipulated by the Wii remote. If there is interest I’ll put the source online. …
toxicsoftware.com

I decided to create a new blog for my MA work - you can find it at http://mdatblog.steamshift.com. Alternatively, just grab the feed.

As part of the Invisible Architecture module for m.i-dat, one of the practising artists we are looking at is Shaun Murray; but is this the same person as Shaun Murray? Actually no, but Google is no discriminator of what you are looking for (only you can try to enable that by your search); but the latter is more connected in readership than the former and is therefore at the top. It inevitably raises some questions as to the nature of (projected?) identity in the web sphere.

So, some time after I first decided I would do an MA, I am finally enrolled on a course. I am doing the Masters in Digital Art and Technology at Plymouth University (m.i-dat.org). Very excited. Much to post over the next few days.

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digital art, technology