The Electrumpet , a Hybrid Electro-Acoustic Instrument

Hans Leeuw

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

The Electrumpet is an enhancement of a normal trumpet with a variety of electronic sensors and buttons. It is a new hybrid instrument that facilitates simultaneous acoustic and electronic playing. The normal playing skills of a trumpet player apply to the new instrument. The placing of the buttons and sensors is not a hindrance to acoustic use of the instrument and they are conveniently located. The device can be easily attached to and detached from a normal Bb-trumpet. The device has a wireless connection with the computer through Bluetooth-serial (Arduino). Audio and data processing in the computer is effected by three separate instances of MAX/MSP connected through OSC (controller data) and Soundflower (sound data). The current prototype consists of 7 analogue sensors (4 valve-like potentiometers, 2 pressure sensors, 1 "Ribbon" controller) and 9 digital switches. An LCD screen that is controlled by a separate Arduino (mini) is attached to the trumpet and displays the current controller settings that are sent through a serial connection.

Citation

Hans Leeuw. 2009. The Electrumpet , a Hybrid Electro-Acoustic Instrument. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1177613 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry


@inproceedings{nime2009_Leeuw,
abstract = {The Electrumpet is an enhancement of a normal trumpet with a variety of electronic sensors and buttons. It is a new hybrid instrument that facilitates simultaneous acoustic and electronic playing. The normal playing skills of a trumpet player apply to the new instrument. The placing of the buttons and sensors is not a hindrance to acoustic use of the instrument and they are conveniently located. The device can be easily attached to and detached from a normal Bb-trumpet. The device has a wireless connection with the computer through Bluetooth-serial (Arduino). Audio and data processing in the computer is effected by three separate instances of MAX/MSP connected through OSC (controller data) and Soundflower (sound data). The current prototype consists of 7 analogue sensors (4 valve-like potentiometers, 2 pressure sensors, 1 "Ribbon" controller) and 9 digital switches. An LCD screen that is controlled by a separate Arduino (mini) is attached to the trumpet and displays the current controller settings that are sent through a serial connection. },
address = {Pittsburgh, PA, United States},
author = {Leeuw, Hans},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.1177613},
issn = {2220-4806},
keywords = {Trumpet, multiple Arduinos, Bluetooth, LCD, low latency, OSC, MAX/MSP. },
pages = {193--198},
title = {The Electrumpet , a Hybrid Electro-Acoustic Instrument},
url = {http://www.nime.org/proceedings/2009/nime2009_193.pdf},
year = {2009}
}