Le Bâton: A Digital Musical Instrument Based on the Chaotic Triple Pendulum

Matthew Skarha, Vincent Cusson, Christian Frisson, and Marcelo M. Wanderley

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

• Year: 2021
• Location: Shanghai, China
• Article Number: 57
• DOI: 10.21428/92fbeb44.09ecc54d (Link to paper)
• PDF link
• Presentation Video

Abstract:

This paper describes Le Bâton, a new digital musical instrument based on the nonlinear dynamics of the triple pendulum. The triple pendulum is a simple physical system constructed by attaching three pendulums vertically such that each joint can swing freely. When subjected to large oscillations, its motion is chaotic and is often described as unexpectedly mesmerizing. Le Bâton uses wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) embedded in each pendulum arm to send real-time motion data to Max/MSP. Additionally, we implemented a control mechanism, allowing a user to remotely interact with it by setting the initial release angle. Here, we explain the motivation and design of Le Bâton and describe mapping strategies. To conclude, we discuss how its nature of user interaction complicates its status as a digital musical instrument.

Citation:

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{NIME21_57,
 abstract = {This paper describes Le Bâton, a new digital musical instrument based on the nonlinear dynamics of the triple pendulum. The triple pendulum is a simple physical system constructed by attaching three pendulums vertically such that each joint can swing freely. When subjected to large oscillations, its motion is chaotic and is often described as unexpectedly mesmerizing. Le Bâton uses wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) embedded in each pendulum arm to send real-time motion data to Max/MSP. Additionally, we implemented a control mechanism, allowing a user to remotely interact with it by setting the initial release angle. Here, we explain the motivation and design of Le Bâton and describe mapping strategies. To conclude, we discuss how its nature of user interaction complicates its status as a digital musical instrument.},
 address = {Shanghai, China},
 articleno = {57},
 author = {Skarha, Matthew and Cusson, Vincent and Frisson, Christian and Wanderley, Marcelo M.},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.21428/92fbeb44.09ecc54d},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/bLx5b9aqwgI},
 title = {Le Bâton: A Digital Musical Instrument Based on the Chaotic Triple Pendulum},
 url = {https://nime.pubpub.org/pub/uh1zfz1f},
 year = {2021}
}