(The Presence of) Pressure

Robert Pritchard

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

This work, for flute and Max/MSP, uses a simple hyper-flute fitted with a WooSIE (Woodwind Sensors for Interactive Environments) system, an outcome of the Tracking and Smart Textiles Environments project [4, 5] and influenced by the work of [1, 2, 3]. One aim of WooSIE is to inexpensively provide for the generation of digital data without having a performer give up refined technique and performance skills developed on their preferred instrument, and without serious modifications to that instrument. With this WooSIE five FSR sensors are mounted on 3D-printed removable plugs in the open-hole flute keys, and a clip-on wireless system sends the keyed pressure data to the software. The performer is able to use combinations of keys and key pressure thresholds to trigger samples, increment through sections of a piece, control audio processing, and start and stop loop recording/playback. [1] C. Palacio-Quintin, Eight Years of Practice on the Hyper-Flute : Technological and Musical Perspectives. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression 2008, pp. 294 – 298, June 5 – 7, 2008; [2] E. R. Miranda and M. M. Wanderley, New Digital Musical Instruments: Control And Interaction Beyond the Keyboard. Madison, WI, USA: A-R Editions, Inc., 2006; [3] J. Malloch and M. M. Wanderley. The T-Stick : From Musical Interface to Musical Instrument. In Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, pages 66 – 69, NewYork City, NY, United States, 2007; [4] Pritchard, R. Synapses for oboe, dance, interactive light spine, and Max/MSP processing. Commissioned by Turning Point Ensemble 1+1+1… Project. D. Owen, oboe; E. Fredriksson, dance/choreography; R. Pritchard music/software; D Tsui, wireless messaging/hardware. Premiere: Vancouver, BC, The Annex, January 28/29, 2022; [5] R. Pritchard, Doshite? for piano, Sleeve Hand Responsive User Garment (SHRUG), audio/video clips, and Max/MSP/Jitter processing. M. Masaki, piano and SHRUG; Pritchard, R., music/SHRUG sensors/software/video. Premiere: Calgary, AB, Mar. 3, 2022.

Citation

Robert Pritchard. 2026. (The Presence of) Pressure. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20782099 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{nime2026_music_25,
 abstract = {This work, for flute and Max/MSP, uses a simple hyper-flute fitted with a WooSIE (Woodwind Sensors for Interactive Environments) system, an outcome of the Tracking and Smart Textiles Environments project [4, 5] and influenced by the work of [1, 2, 3]. One aim of WooSIE is to inexpensively provide for the generation of digital data without having a performer give up refined technique and performance skills developed on their preferred instrument, and without serious modifications to that instrument. With this WooSIE five FSR sensors are mounted on 3D-printed removable plugs in the open-hole flute keys, and a clip-on wireless system sends the keyed pressure data to the software. The performer is able to use combinations of keys and key pressure thresholds to trigger samples, increment through sections of a piece, control audio processing, and start and stop loop recording/playback. [1] C. Palacio-Quintin, Eight Years of Practice on the Hyper-Flute : Technological and Musical Perspectives. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression 2008, pp. 294 – 298, June 5 – 7, 2008; [2] E. R. Miranda and M. M. Wanderley, New Digital Musical Instruments: Control And Interaction Beyond the Keyboard. Madison, WI, USA: A-R Editions, Inc., 2006; [3] J. Malloch and M. M. Wanderley. The T-Stick : From Musical Interface to Musical Instrument. In Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, pages 66 – 69, NewYork City, NY, United States, 2007; [4] Pritchard, R. Synapses for oboe, dance, interactive light spine, and Max/MSP processing. Commissioned by Turning Point Ensemble 1+1+1… Project. D. Owen, oboe; E. Fredriksson, dance/choreography; R. Pritchard music/software; D Tsui, wireless messaging/hardware. Premiere: Vancouver, BC, The Annex, January 28/29, 2022; [5] R. Pritchard, Doshite? for piano, Sleeve Hand Responsive User Garment (SHRUG), audio/video clips, and Max/MSP/Jitter processing. M. Masaki, piano and SHRUG; Pritchard, R., music/SHRUG sensors/software/video. Premiere: Calgary, AB, Mar. 3, 2022.},
 address = {London, United Kingdom},
 articleno = {25},
 author = {Robert Pritchard},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.20782099},
 editor = {Lia Mice and Nicole Robson and Tara Pattenden},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 note = {Remote Performance},
 numpages = {2},
 pages = {107--108},
 presentation-video = {https://vimeo.com/1187766090},
 title = {(The Presence of) Pressure},
 track = {Music},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2026/nime2026_music_25.pdf},
 year = {2026}
}