The UFO controller: Gestural music performance

dc.contributorAalto Universityen
dc.contributorAalto-yliopistofi
dc.contributor.advisorIkonen, Antti
dc.contributor.authorKoskinen, Tommi
dc.contributor.departmentMedian laitosfi
dc.contributor.schoolTaiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulufi
dc.contributor.schoolSchool of Arts, Design and Architectureen
dc.contributor.supervisorIkonen, Antti
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-16T08:31:59Z
dc.date.available2015-10-16T08:31:59Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractThis thesis introduces The UFO Controller, a free-space gestural controller for performing electronic music. It documents the design process and the main features of the UFO, analyses my experiences of performing with the controller and compares the UFO to other known free-space control instruments. The thesis also examines the domain of electronic music, critically analyzes the live performances in that field and investigates the importance of body gestures for the performances. The UFO is a MIDI controller that uses ultrasonic rangefinder sensors for detecting the hand gestures of a performer. It is a non-tactile controller that is played without physically touching the device. The sensors measure the distance of the performer's hands moving on top of the device and convert that into control data, which can be mapped to any music software or synthesizer. The use of body gestures, which is commonly reported lacking from the live performances of electronic music, is crucially important for engaging live music performances. The laptop computer has become the de-facto instrument of the concert stages where electronic music is performed. The UFO can help the electronic music performances to become more interesting by moving them towards a more gestural direction. This thesis aims to validate the following claims. Firstly, a novelty free-space controller makes electronic music performances more compelling both for the audience and the performer. Secondly, the use of body gestures is important for the largely disembodied electronic music performances. The UFO has been seen and heard on concert stages all around the world with my band Phantom. The audiences have been excited and thrilled about it and the UFO has become a subject of wondering for many. Without a doubt, the UFO has raised the bar of my own live performances and helped Phantom to stand out amongst the masses of new electronic indie bands. Furthermore, the UFO has got the attention of various online technology and music blogs (e.g., TechCrunch, Create Digital Music, Synthtopia, NME and The Line Of Best Fit).en
dc.format.extent91
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.urihttps://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/18065
dc.identifier.urnURN:NBN:fi:aalto-201510164655
dc.language.isoenen
dc.locationP1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2015 Koskinen
dc.programmefi
dc.subject.keywordelectronic musicen
dc.subject.keywordgestural interactionen
dc.subject.keywordlive performanceen
dc.subject.keywordMIDI controlleren
dc.titleThe UFO controller: Gestural music performanceen
dc.typeG2 Pro gradu, diplomityöfi
dc.type.ontasotMaster's thesisen
dc.type.ontasotMaisterin opinnäytefi
local.aalto.barcode1210023761

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
master_Koskinen_Tommi_2015.pdf
Size:
3.52 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format