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Abstract
SOUNDGARTEN is a tangible interface
that enables children to create
their own sound environment
by manipulating physical toy
objects. They can use predefined
sound samples, record sound samples
of their environment and
modify and arrange the different
elements in sound scenarios,
choose volume pitch and apply
sound effects. The target audience
is 3 to 7 year-olds, the recommended
age for beginning a child’s
musical education.
SOUNDGARTEN consists of mushroom-
formed items that represent
sound samples. There are small
flower- and leave-shaped attributes,
which can be plugged onto
the mushroom to modify the
sound. A radio-wave microphone
embedded in a shuffle-shaped
device can record sound samples
when a special recording mushroom
is plugged into it. Last but
not least, the flower-patch, i.e.
the central part of SOUNDGARTEN,
allows the sounds to be activated
and arranged.
The SOUNDGARTEN interface
works in combination with software
that runs on any standard
personal computer. With a WLANconnection
the PC works completely
detached from the interface
itself and thus remains invisible to
the user. According to the concept
of invisible and embedded computing,
the user’s attention is
centred on the interaction space
and not on the technical details.
Compared to common graphical
sound software interfaces, the
principle of SOUNDGARTEN has
the following advantages:
It involves haptic-tactile senses
and spatial reasoning, taking
advantage of basic human skills
and therefore enables children,
Illiterates or handicaped to make
use of new electronic and digital
technology. Contrary to WIMP
(Windows Mouse Pointer) Interfaces
SOUNDGARTEN allows multi
user activity.
Artists / Authors
- Michael Wolf › Biography
Cooperators
- Christoph Grönegress
- Yinlin Li
Origination
Germany, 2002
Submission
, May 3, 2004
Category
- cultural project
Keywords
- Topics:
- culture mediation |
- sound
Additions to Keyword List
- Samples |
- Klangumgebung