RhythmTable: A Tangible Interface for Cyclic Rhythm Sequencing

Allwin Williams, Tanya Chhabhadiya, Abhishek Kapahi, Pravin Kumar Vasveliya, Abhishek Kashyap, and Leha Chilumuri

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

Drum sequencer interfaces commonly rely on linear grids that enforce a quantized timeline logic. This linear representation can make it less intuitive to understand and interact with rhythmic structures such as the cyclic Taala systems of Indian classical music and other polyrhythmic frameworks. We introduce RhythmTable, a tangible tabletop token-based interface that represents rhythm through a circular spatial paradigm. By mapping time to a continuous rotating playhead around a circle, RhythmTable translates temporal sequences into spatial geometries where rhythmic events are embodied through the placement of physical tokens. Users create rhythmic patterns by placing tokens on a circular grid that provides real-time audio and visual feedback. The system integrates vision-based token tracking using a custom-trained object detection model with tactile hardware controls, including a tempo knob, jog wheel, sample trigger buttons, and an LED-based playhead. Conceived as an interactive exhibit for a public science experience center, RhythmTable supports shared, hands-on exploration of rhythm, where users can create, learn, experiment, and perform rhythmic structures.

Citation

Allwin Williams, Tanya Chhabhadiya, Abhishek Kapahi, Pravin Kumar Vasveliya, Abhishek Kashyap, and Leha Chilumuri. 2026. RhythmTable: A Tangible Interface for Cyclic Rhythm Sequencing. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20784316 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{nime2026_103,
 abstract = {Drum sequencer interfaces commonly rely on linear grids that enforce a quantized timeline logic. This linear representation can make it less intuitive to understand and interact with rhythmic structures such as the cyclic Taala systems of Indian classical music and other polyrhythmic frameworks. We introduce RhythmTable, a tangible tabletop token-based interface that represents rhythm through a circular spatial paradigm. By mapping time to a continuous rotating playhead around a circle, RhythmTable translates temporal sequences into spatial geometries where rhythmic events are embodied through the placement of physical tokens. Users create rhythmic patterns by placing tokens on a circular grid that provides real-time audio and visual feedback. The system integrates vision-based token tracking using a custom-trained object detection model with tactile hardware controls, including a tempo knob, jog wheel, sample trigger buttons, and an LED-based playhead. Conceived as an interactive exhibit for a public science experience center, RhythmTable supports shared, hands-on exploration of rhythm, where users can create, learn, experiment, and perform rhythmic structures.},
 address = {London, United Kingdom},
 articleno = {103},
 author = {Allwin Williams and Tanya Chhabhadiya and Abhishek Kapahi and Pravin Kumar Vasveliya and Abhishek Kashyap and Leha Chilumuri},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.20784316},
 editor = {Benedict Gaster and João Tragtenberg and Anna Xambó and Tom Mitchell},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 note = {},
 numpages = {6},
 pages = {868--873},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/-ywLgCYLGTg},
 title = {RhythmTable: A Tangible Interface for Cyclic Rhythm Sequencing},
 track = {paper},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2026/nime2026_103.pdf},
 year = {2026}
}