April 6, 7, 8 2011 11:00-19:00 Xth Sense – biophysical generation and control of music

@NK Elsenstr. 52/ 2.Hinterhaus Etage 2 12059 Berlin Neukölln

DAY 1 – 7 hours Introduction to the Xth Sense technology – 2h

• Capabilities and scope of the framework • Technical overview • Understanding different musical and performance outcomes

Building your own Xth Sense biosensor – 5h

• Cutting, soldering your own muscle sensor circuit • Building a wearable hardware • Refining the final device

DAY 2 – 7 hours Using the Xth Sense Digital Signal Processing system (Pure Data-based) – 3h

• The Pd language • Pd tips & tricks for live performances • Xth Sense software: learning how to use the graphical interface • Xth Sense software: playing around with audio modules and DSP chains • Xth Sense software: storing and recalling global preset scenes

Plug yourself in! Wearing the biosensors and communicating with the DSP application – 4h

• Exploring muscle sounds design capabilities • Mapping kinetic energy to control values • Experimenting with real time muscle sounds audio processing • Controlling real time processing of traditional instruments with gestures and kinetic energy • Brainstorming ideas for the final projects

DAY 3 – 7 hours Creating a performance – 4h

• Theoretical insights on bodily musical performance • Reviewing audiovisual documentation of relevant performance projects • Designing your sonic vocabulary • Establishing data mapping definitions • Planning the format of the performance

Performance testing – 3h

• Testing your system • Fixing the application and refining the interaction

What The workshop offers an hands-on experience and both theoretical and practical training in gestural control of music and bodily musical performance, deploying the brand-new biosensing technology Xth Sense. Developed by the workshop teacher Marco Donnarumma within a research project at The University of Edinburgh, Xth Sense is a framework for the application of muscle sounds to the biophysical generation and control of music. It consists of a low cost, DIY biosensing wearable device and an Open Source based software for capture, analysis and audio processing of biological sounds of the body (Pure Data-based). Muscle sounds are captured in real time and used both as sonic source material and control values for sound effects, enabling the performer to control music simply with his body and kinetic energy. Forget your mice, MIDI controllers, you will not even need to look at your laptop anymore. The Xth Sense biosensor was designed to be easily implemented by anyone, no previous experience in electronics is required. The applications of the Xth Sense technology are manifold: from complex gestural control of samples and audio synthesis, through biophysical generation of music and sounds, to kinetic control of real time digital processing of traditional musical instruments, and more.

How Firstly, participants will be introduced to the Xth Sense Technology by its author and led through the assembling of their own biosensing wearable hardware using the materials provided. Next, they will become proficient with the Xth Sense software framework: all the features of the framework will be unleashed through practical exercises. Theoretical background on the state of art of gestural control of music and new musical instruments will be developed by means of an audiovisual review and participatory critical analysis of relevant projects selected by the instructor. Eventually, participants will combine hardware and software to implement a solo or group performance to be presented during the closing event. At the end of the workshop, participants will be free to keep the Xth Sense biosensors they built and the related software for their own use.

Perspective participants The workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound and music. Musical background and education does not matter as long as you are ready to challenge your usual perspective on musical performance. Composers, producers, sound designers, musicians, field recordists are all welcome to join our team for an innovative and highly creative experience. No previous experience in electronics or programming is required, however participants should be familiar with digital music creation.

Participation is limited to 10 candidates. Preregistration is required and can be done by sending an email to info@nkprojekt.de

Requirements and further info Participants need to provide their own headphones, soundcards and laptops with Pd-extended already installed. Free download is available at

http://puredata.info/community/projects/software/pd-extended

Musicians interested in augmenting their favourite musical instrument by means of body gestures are encouraged to bring their instrument along. More information about the Xth Sense and a video of a live performance can be viewed on-line at

http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/ http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/music-for-flesh-ii/ http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/music-for-flesh-ii/ http://marcodonnarumma.com/teaching/

Dates 6-7-8 April, 11.00-19.00 daily (6 hours sessions + 1 hour break)

Fee EUR 90 including materials (EUR 15).

Contact Marco Donnarumma m@marcodonnarumma.com http://marcodonnarumma.com -- NK PROJEKT http://www.nkprojekt.de/ Elsenstr. 52/ 2.Hinterhaus Etage 2 12059 Berlin Neukölln 0049(0)17620626385