Diana Young

selected projects

Violin research

Bowing Experiments (2003- )

Recently, I have begun to explore the potential of the bow sensing system as a measurement tool in order to study the real-time interaction of bowing parameters. Initial experiments focus on the variations in technique used by different players to achieve similar sounding tones and bowstrokes.

Virtual Violin (2002- )

In collaboration with Stefania Serafin, I have been refining the existing bow hardware to make it suitable for controlling a real-time physical model of a violin. You can read more about this endeavor in our recent NIME (2003) paper and SMAC (2003) paper.

Hyperbow (2001- )

(January 2005-) I revised the Hyperbow hardware and created two Hyperbows for cello for a collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music in London. Several compositions featuring the Hyperbows are currently in progress, two of which were recently presented on December 2, 2005 at the research seminar entitled New Tools, New Uses, at the RAM.

(April 2004) The Hyperbow was featured in the opening concert for SARC in Belfast.

(2002-03) The Hyperbow was played by Joshua Bell and Cora Venus Lunny in Toy Symphony, a piece by Tod Machover for symphony orchestra, children's choir, musical toys, and Hyperviolin.

For my master's degree (2001), I built the gesture sensing system for the Hyperviolin project. Designed as a performance interface for professional violinists, the Hyperbow features a compact, lightweight electronics mounted onto a carbon fiber bow. The system measures bow position, bow-bridge distance, 3D acceleration, and flexion in the bowstick. The design of the Hyperbow is discussed in my NIME (2002) paper and my ICMC (2002) paper.




Other Research/Projects

Music in the Garden (2005)

Designed interactive windchimes for an indoor public garden, in collaboration with Julie Moir Messervy, as part of the 42nd Annual Marshall Field's and Bachman's Flower Show. Users set physical pinwheels in motion by blowing or spinning by hand; movement of the pinwheels activates motors embedded in windchimes to strike acoustic chimes. I presented this project in May 2005 at the Sound in Interactive Media Workshop , hosted by the Medialogy of Aalborg University Copenhagen.

Aobachi (2004-)

In collaboration with Ichiro Fujinaga, I designed an interface for Japanese Taiko drumming. Includes inertial measurement unit and Bluetooth module in each of two batchi to enable communication with computer using no external hardware. We presented this project in our NIME (2004) paper.

Bluetooth Beatbug (2004)

Roberto Aimi and I have developed a new version of the Toy Symphony Beatbug for solo improvisational applications. The Bluetooth Beatbug communicates using Bluetooth technology and requires only an iBook to operate. You can see it and a short demo video here. We presented this project in our ICMC (2004) paper.

Bluetooth Integration (2004- )

In January 2004 I decided to replace the RF modules I have been using for my projects with Bluetooth modules. I am using modules supplied by Blue Radios, which include an embedded profile for UART communication and work right out of the envelope (really!--I managed to fully install and communicate with one of these the same day of receiving them, within hours, including the time taken for in-house board design and fabrication of the Bluetooth boards). I am now in the process of upgrading each of my interfaces to this technology.

HyperPuja (2002- )

I designed and built the HyperPuja controller for Joe Paradiso's "Principles of Electronic Musical Controllers" (MAS.963) course, Fall 2002. The first demo of this interface features a Tibetan bowl model by Georg Essl. For more details, please see our paper from last year's NIME (2003) Conference.

Currently, I am extending the Hyperpuja hardware for use in controllers for other instruments (rubbed and struck). Progress includes implementation for different sticks, more robust integration of electronics, and the addition of more sensors.


diana@media.mit.edu