Client: LIMAI Muziek
Collaboration with: Ernesto Bos Bosdeco
The idea for this project originated from Laura Delgado’s graduation project, where she collaborated with Maite Roest on research to integrate music and education. They aimed to include a playful, large electronic instrument: A synthesizer for children.
Ernesto and I were approached to build an actual prototype, and we decided to collaborate on this project. Ernesto focused mainly on designing and building the shape and structure of the instrument, while I primarily designed and developed the electronics and software. This is our first project together, and it certainly won’t be the last. We discovered that combining our specialties unlocks unlimited creative possibilities.
About the Instrument
The device is essentially a MIDI controller with several inputs and a MIDI out, which connects to a standard synthesizer. There are various inputs that can be used to create and modify sounds:
- Tone-ladder: 8 touch buttons arranged in the shape of a ladder, used to generate MIDI notes.
- Arcade buttons: Serve multiple functions such as selecting effects and changing synthesizer sounds.
- Ultrasonic distance measuring device: Used to play notes or adjust effect intensity.
The design also incorporates a sound system comprising four tweeters and a subwoofer speaker. An addressable RGB LED strip is installed, programmed to display a playful color wheel.
In the next picture some of the components are shown and a video of playing with the device.
Placeholder video
Below the official video of the first music playground event is shown.