The trans|form uses capacitive sensing and an Arduino to sense when a person is near it. That information is sent to MAX 5 and affects a sound and/or filter which is then sent to an amplifier which vibrates a transducer placed on the back of the metal sheet.
The metal sheet then acts as a speaker and its unconventional makeup creates an interesting timbre. Different gauges of metal can be used to better amplify certain ranges of the sound spectrum. From this, we can create different sounds depending on how close or far away we are from the metal sheet.
Be sure to check out the demo video above and see the transducer in action.
A person places both hands on a large, vertical, illuminated surface, with a blue glow reflecting off the panel. The IDIA Lab logo appears in the lower left corner.
A person holds their hand near a sensor device mounted on a transparent surface, with a computer screen displaying data in the background.
A person reaches toward a large black panel mounted vertically, with a computer monitor displaying data on the right side of the image.
A person’s hand touches a dark, reflective surface, creating a partial reflection; IDIA Lab logo appears in the lower left corner.
Screenshot of a Max/MSP patch interface with pitch and filter control modules, parameter sliders, and connected objects on a blue and white background.