An interactive intermedia installation
Michael Pounds
John Fillwalk
Jesse Allison
“Trans|form” is an interactive sound sculpture consisting of five metal plates with
attached mechanical transducers that vibrate the metal according to audio signals sent
from the computer. Signals sent from the computer are resonated according to the
physical properties of the metal plates. Additionally contact microphones attached to the
plates can provide feedback to the computer, allowing the computer to gather information
about the specific resonances of each metal plate. This information can be used to further
exploit those resonances by adjusting the audio signals sent to the plates.
Interaction is provided through a capacitive sensing mechanism. When viewers move
their hands near the plates or touch the plates, signals are sent to the computer, allowing
the viewers to trigger sounds or modify the properties of sounds through their hand
movements.
Five different metal sheets/plates are used with varying physical dimensions and
thicknesses. Different transducers are attached to each plate according to its physical
properties, and each plate will resonate at different frequencies.
Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts [IDIA Lab] at Ball State University