I have started to log key areas of my research in, what will eventually become, sprawling posts on the subject. These will feature the latest findings at the top and act a some sort of replacement for my now defunct Twitter feed, where I would often post rambling threads on a topic that featured multiple video demos. Where relevant, they will also feature design files, links to parts etc…for those wishing to build on my experiments.

Starter for 10…

Using flexible materials is a given in acoustic musical instrument design but the first time I remember formally thinking that this could be a significant area of research for me was when I discovered this capability, using a highly flexible beater and a tilting drum.

The machine (in this case ams) isn’t altering its rhythmical pattern at all. That is all down to the way in which the beater is constrained according to the tilting of the drum head.

This has become a key area of focus for me. I am working on a number of experiments into how mechanical design on the output side can lead to greater variation than that which is input. When human intervention is added it can lead to unusually adaptable machine music systems.