The Swept RF Tagging device developed by Kai-yuh Hsiao, ‘detects proximity of magnetically resonant tagged objects in field’. The system has been optimised to function as a musical instrument. The following video shows John Zorn using the system in April 2004.
Murat Konar developed loopqoob , an interative performance system which uses sensor-equipped cubes to produce sound. A unique music loop is mapped to each side, so the orientation of the cubes determines the music played.
A similar project is Neel Joshi‘s music_blocks which consists of four wooden blocks each containing a 2 axis photointerrupter tilt sensors and a speaker. Three notes and silence are mapped to each side of the blocks, so positioning them in certain ways creates different sound output. The system is controlled via max/msp.
Sile O’Modhrain has produced an interesting instrument called the Pebble Box, that uses collision theory and physical systems principles. Users interact with objects and sound is produced according to the movement between them.
The Soundgarten is a tangible interface to create sound environments aimed at childreen beween the ages of 3 and 7. It aims to explore three goals:
The different sounds are represented by mushroom-shaped items and it is possible to manipulate the sound by plugging in flower and leaf-formed items into the mushrooms.
The Audio Shaker was developed by Tom Jenkins. The device has a cylindrical form with a removeable lid. When the lid is removed sounds can be captured, with the lid on the sounds can be played back and manipulated depending on how the user shakes the device, removing the lid and tipping the device like a jug pours out the sounds.