[PD-announce] Theremin Sensors Workshop with Andrei Smirnov

Derek Holzer derek at umatic.nl
Tue May 5 18:51:44 CEST 2009


Theremin Sensors Workshop with Andrei Smirnov
= 5 days with final concert-presentation =

Monday 18 May - Friday 22 May 2009, 12.00-18.00 daily
Final presentation Saturday 23 May, 19.00

Location: eNKa / ElsenStr. 52 (2.Hof) Berlin, Germany
Telephone: +49 (0)176 20626386

Course Participation fee: 100 euros

Registration is required for this workshop and can only be done via 
email to:
eNKa_NK[at]gmx[dot]de, www.myspace.com/enka52

Please register early to ensure a place. Places are limited to 12.

This intensive workshop offers hands-on introduction to interactive 
systems, based on the theremin-sensor technology developed by Andrei 
Smirnov and based on the same principle as a well known electronic 
musical instrument the Theremin, invented by Russian inventor Leon 
Theremin in 1919.

The sensors are small and sensitive digital Theremins useful for 
numerous applications including motion tracking, gestural interfacing, 
monitoring of small variations of electrical capacitances related to any 
sorts of conductive materials and media, including metal objects, foil, 
liquids, water, human body, plants, metal threads, thin plastic films 
with metallization, all sorts of Christmas stuff etc.

As a starting point of the workshop participants will convert their 
laptops into digital multichannel Theremins to develop further, during 
the workshop different interactive audio/video installations, motion 
capturing systems, unusual gestural interfaces, 3D Theremins, digital 
Terpsitones and other unusual musical instruments.

The workshop is oriented on sound and media artists, composers and 
musicians, who have particular interest in sound art and interactive 
systems, forgotten history and musical technology in general.

The theoretical introductions, which accompany a workshop, give detailed 
technical overview of sensor technology and construction, basic 
principles of operation of the theremin based systems, art and music 
applications, useful concepts and ideas, condensed historical content, 
mostly related to almost forgotten historical facts.

Participants will learn

= How to detect different sorts of motion and measure it
= How to monitor very small variations of electrical parameters
= How to deal with the data acquired
= How to integrate these systems into musical performance, dance, video, 
sound and art installations
= How to build multichannel sensor systems based on Arduino microcontrollers
= How to program new instruments and perform with them

Requirements

Each participant should have a computer with an audio input and headphones.
All computers and software should be configured and checked in advance (!).

Minimal configuration

1. Laptop with PD or MAX/MSP installed
2. Stereo audio input
3. Personal headphones
4. All appropriate cables
5. Appropriate amount of power plugs

Useful options

Experienced participants interested in development of multichannel 
theremin-sensor systems should bring multichannel sound cards or Arduino 
microcontrollers which will be converted into multichannel USB theremins.

For those who hate computers and interested in pure analog circuits some 
breadboards will be very useful.

Software

Participants should have some skills in PD or MAX/MSP programming.

It is also possible to work with any favorite software, oriented on 
interactive systems development, which allow external control via OSC or 
MIDI (Supercollider, Isadora etc.). In all cases control data will be 
provided via MAX/MSP runtime or PD patches from instructor's library. It 
is important to remember that in many cases the use of extra software 
will result in significant increase of latency and other possible timing 
problems.

Analog and digital USB sensors for testing, experimenting and 
performance as well as all appropriate software libraries will be 
provided by instructor as well as different stuff for antenna construction.

=========================================

=Schedule=

Day#1

10:00 - 12:00 - Lecture:
Introduction to the Theremin Sensors and their applications.
12:00 - 13:00 - questions/break
13:00 - 17:00 - practical workshop

Day#2

10:00 - 12:00 - Lecture:
Multichannel t-sensor systems: development and programming.
12:00 - 13:00 - questions/break
13:00 - 17:00 - practical workshop. Participants can bring their own 
materials and antennas to experiment with, or use already prepared stuff.

Day#3

10:00 - 12:00 - Lecture:
Motion tracking and beyond. Overview and comparison of different concepts.
12:00 - 13:00 - questions/break
13:00 - 17:00 - practical workshop. Participants are working on their 
projects developing installations and performances for the final 
presentation.

Day#4

10:00 - 12:00 - Lecture:
Hot riding t-sensors. Tips and tricks.
12:00 - 13:00 - questions/break
13:00 - 17:00 - practical workshop. Participants are working on their 
projects developing installations and performances for the final 
presentation.

Last day

Last preparations and final presentation of results
Schedule will be announced

==========================================

Learn More: http://asmir.theremin.ru/tsensors.htm

-- 
::: derek holzer ::: http://blog.myspace.com/macumbista ::: 
http://www.vimeo.com/macumbista :::
---Oblique Strategy # 108:
"Look closely at the most embarrassing details and amplify them"




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