Reactable: tabletop music interface

DJ PIMP

Well-known member
The reactable, is a state-of-the-art multi-user electro-acoustic music instrument with a tabletop tangible user interface. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving physical artefacts on the table surface and constructing different audio topologies in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language.


http://mtg.upf.edu/reactable/

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Such elegant UI design. Lovely...
 

DJ PIMP

Well-known member
I don't know about it being pointless - it does look like fun. Would make a great educational toy/tool if nothing else.

But get two-three people working together and you could make some decent improv dance music. Maybe one person focused on percussion, another on bass/lead, the third on melody or ambience. Its a bit like using a modular app like Buzz in real-time. Theres definately a lot of potential, and I figure changes in user-interface will equate to change in music.
 

DJ PIMP

Well-known member
If nothing else I like the proximity effects, and that aside from the fact that they're playing with little blocks, everything is so circular. The field of play, the sequencer, the volume controls etc.

Thats a huge change from everything being linear or rectilinear, particularly in regard to the perception of time as being a sequence or period from A to B, or start to finish.

Conceptually its very organic.
 

Martin Dust

Techno Zen Master
Totally understand where you are coming from Bleep and I do like the concept but I will bet you my bottom dollar that it's actually rubbish <evil northern grin>
 

DJ PIMP

Well-known member
I'm entirely content with the gear thats been around for the past three decades; but I do love to see people trying new stuff. Years ago I had an idea for a series of modular sound-toys that worked together by proximity (wireless), but were objects you could hold in your hands/lap and had uncomputerised interfaces. The note sequencer was a stripped-back circular Roland-style step sequencer with more colour. The Simon Says influence.

Favourite thing I've checked out lately is the SCAMP filter:
http://www.admiralquality.com/products/SCAMP/

If theres a better analog filter emulation I'd love to hear about it. They do a cut-down freebie as well:

http://www.admiralquality.com/products/NaiveLPF/
 

gek-opel

entered apprentice
Could be interesting but perhaps a little fiddly? A fairly intuitive interface, but still only 2D... and still too much like a series of Virtual instruments/DSPs... Cool video tho, none the less... but to make beats I presume you'd have to create them elsewhere them import them in the sampler cube?
 

swears

preppy-kei
Theres definately a lot of potential, and I figure changes in user-interface will equate to change in music.

You'd think so, but there are a lot of producers making some very bland beats with state of the art gear.
 

Don Rosco

Well-known member
That's pretty awesome. Granted, it's not terribly likely to be used to create a musical masterpiece, but it looks like massive fun. I'd love to have a go.
 

noel emits

a wonderful wooden reason
Bjork and her bloody fads. She'll be on to something else next week you mark my words. Shadow lamps or some such nosense.
 
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