SenSynth: a Mobile Application for Dynamic Sensor to Sound Mapping

Ryan McGee, Daniel Ashbrook, and Sean White

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

SenSynth is an open-source mobile application that allows for arbitrary, dynamic mapping between several sensors and sound synthesis parameters. In addition to synthesis techniques commonly found on mobile devices, SenSynth includes a scanned synthesis source for the audification of sensor data. Using SenSynth, we present a novel instrument based on the audification of accelerometer data and introduce a new means of mobile synthesis control via a wearable magnetic ring. SenSynth also employs a global pitch quantizer so one may adjust the level of virtuosity required to play any instruments created via mapping.

Citation

Ryan McGee, Daniel Ashbrook, and Sean White. 2012. SenSynth: a Mobile Application for Dynamic Sensor to Sound Mapping. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1178347

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{McGee2012,
 abstract = {SenSynth is an open-source mobile application that allows for arbitrary, dynamic mapping between several sensors and sound synthesis parameters. In addition to synthesis techniques commonly found on mobile devices, SenSynth includes a scanned synthesis source for the audification of sensor data. Using SenSynth, we present a novel instrument based on the audification of accelerometer data and introduce a new means of mobile synthesis control via a wearable magnetic ring. SenSynth also employs a global pitch quantizer so one may adjust the level of virtuosity required to play any instruments created via mapping.},
 address = {Ann Arbor, Michigan},
 author = {Ryan McGee and Daniel Ashbrook and Sean White},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.1178347},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 keywords = {mobile music, sonification, audification, mobile sensors},
 publisher = {University of Michigan},
 title = {SenSynth: a Mobile Application for Dynamic Sensor to Sound Mapping},
 url = {http://www.nime.org/proceedings/2012/nime2012_149.pdf},
 year = {2012}
}