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Reactable Electro-Acoustic Tabletop Music Synthesizer

Reactable is a multi-user electro-acoustic music synthesizer with a unique tabletop interface. Performers (like maybe you) control the instrument by placing objects on the table and moving them around. Check out the demo below, and turn your sound up a little.


(Reactable multi-user tabletop musical instrument)

The Reactable hardware starts with the translucent round table; a camera under the table captures the user actions. This visual data is analyzed; the nature, position and orientation of the objects on the table are assigned elements of a classic modular synthesizer.

Equally cool (I think) is the projector under the Reactable table, that draws dynamic animations on the surface to provide visual feedback.

This awesome bar entertainment device is brought to you by a team of "digital luthiers" under the direction of Dr. Sergi Jordà (in case you forgot, a 'luthier' is a person who makes stringed instruments like guitars). The "Interactive Sonic Systems" team is working in the Music Technology Group within the Audiovisual Institute at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona Spain.

If your circuits are not totally overloaded by this device, take a look at these other unique musical developments:

This device reminded me strongly of another art project - the loopqoob three element music synthesizer. Found Reactable on SciFi.com; don't forget the Reactable website.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/8/2006)

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