Calum Scott’s GuitarGlitch features 3 classical guitars, mechanically actuated by a series of solenoids and dc motors.
Here’s what Scott has to say about the project:
Logic > Max/Msp > Arduino/Miditron > Breadboard/Actuators
The GuitarGlitch project is part of a masters portfolio I’m doing for Glasgow University music department. I’m looking at musical applications of physical computing and HCI – in particular the role of physical objects in digital music.
The learning curve was quite high on this project as I had close to no electronics experience before starting. The solenoids are all 12v (from rs-online.com) and are connected to an Arduino Duemilanove board (arduino.cc) and the power supplies with a TIP120 transistor circuit similar to this. The leds are on the same pins as the solenoids. The code running on the Arduino is SimpleMessageSystem which is then controlled from Max/Msp. There are also 2 6v dc motors on the headsocks which are from a mechano set and are controlled by a Miditron board (eroktronix.com).
For more examples of robotics in music, see our posts tagged music robots.
File this under WHY?
” Robo-money for nothin’ and robo-chicks for free “
Why? Because it’s awesome.
The first part reminded me a bit of Robert Fripp; nice twisty pattern, and I love the percussive use of the guitar body. A little bit of flamenco flavor in there too. Some of the later stuff wasn’t as interesting to me (the motor strumming at the headstock — meh…). But overall, I dig it. I think I know what I’m going to be doing next weekend.
mechanically actuated does not a robot make.
I have finger-banged enough Backstage Betty’s in the roadie van to know that a classical guitar will never usurp my three-digit system
The Kraftwek Robots would storm the stage and smash these inferior guitar robots over each other!!! 😉
Can it play the neck like regular pick+pressing at a band?
It looks like it there’s only press at specific spots, one place per string (plus open string).
(close-up at 6:16)
I can listen to 12-tone music, but it shouldn’t just be 12 tones over the entire range…
Good start though. Next, do a full Conlon Nancarrow and please let Yngwie retire!
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