Future Technology » Music

Music Toucher for Hearing Disordered Dancing Girls

TheFuture — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:33:05 +0000

The Music-Toucher is a concept dancing shoe that can help the dancer to realize the rhythm by transferring the rhythm of the music into elegiac vibration. This concept will help the deaf people make their dream come true as a dancer in their soundless world. The sole of the shoe features a vibrating transfer module placed in a way that will never bother the wearer or make them uncomfortable. This module registers the rhythm of a particular music and transfers it as a rhythmical vibration direct to the sole. This underfoot vibration can help the dancer to respond with particular moves to make the dance a great event.

Designer : Heng Fengchi, Wang Xiaofei, Wang Lijue, Zhou Hongjie, and Gao Shan Shan

HARP : Musical Instrument for Urban Parks

TheFuture — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:41:25 +0000

Harmony and Acoustic Research Project or HARP is a weather-proof communal musical instrument specially designed for urban parks. Primary goal of this project was to harness the power of music as a universal language which is the most effective way to unite people. This circular innovative musical instrument has a 10 feet circle which encourages the act of interaction and creates a sense of closeness. Installation of this instrument was divided into 4 different quadrants, each with individual sound instruments, electric organ, piano, steel drum and chimes were the initial selection.

However, these sounds are exchangeable and can be adjusted to a range of instruments like digeridoos, sitars or even vocal samples. To coincide with the park’s environment, HARP’s sound output is restricted to 75 decibels, so that only the users and those passing nearby would be able to hear its music. The ultimate vision of HARP is to get it installed in every urban parks all over the world and then be remotely connected through satellite to allow international musical association among its users.

Designer : Dan LaBarca and Jeff Watson

Chukka : Kinetic Music Player That Can Produce Electric Energy by Any Kind of Movement

TheFuture — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:20:06 +0000

Chukka is a patent pending concept device that intrigues the user to interact. This concept device is consists of several freely movable beads tied with cable, allowing hitting together for an enjoyable motion or enable two balanced sections to energetically swing between the fingers.

This concept device can be held in ways that is comfortable by the user and enables the utilization of the index finger and thumb. Most amazingly, this device can produce electrical energy by any kind of movement, even slight vibration persuades electricity, which is used to charge this device. More energetic interactions, such as, swinging the device repetitively between and around the index finger and thumb, gives a greater charge. The user can learn, develop and combine varieties of techniques for not only powering the device, but also increase the hand dexterity and coordination.

The track control section includes an electromagnetic inducer that generates an electric charge for the device from any kind of vibration or motion. The volume control segment includes all the major electronic modules of the device, including phono input, headphone output, memory storage unit and logic board. The volume control contains basic controls only and no screen, allows less energy requirement. The soft exterior casing of both main parts and beads provide easy grip and tactility, and is consists of thermoplastic polyurethane, which is an energy efficient material to manufacture and consequently, can be effectively recycled. The inner casing is made of stainless steel and provides protection to the electrical equipments and offers a tactile weight to the device. Aside from giving the device a unique form, the cable connects the two sections and transfer energy to all other components from the power supply.

Revealing the cable detach screws can be done by pulling out the soft outer casing. Unscrewing these will separate the entire device into different components that will let the user customize, repair and replace the components. Adjusting volume and track selection can be controlled by turning the end beads within the consequent end sections. The power and play or pause is controlled by clicking the beads into the sections.

Designer : Thomas Mascall

Audi Bosendorfer Grand Piano for Audi’s 100th Anniversary

TheFuture — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:25:20 +0000

As a form of 100 years celebration of Audi, they have allowed their German designers to create any kind of amazing stuff aside from cars and Bösendorfer Piano is the outcome of such an extraordinary effort. Audi designed this magnificent piano with sleek curves and Batman-black cowl, which resulting an alluring appearance that can attract all range of people. However, the basic structure of a traditional piano has been kept intact, but still the design is quite unique and appealing. The main goal of the project was to stimulating the creativity of the design team and the project was quite helpful for the young designers which will benefit them on the long run of car designing.

Designer : Audi via [Dvice and Autoblog]

AMK : Modular Music Gadget for Children

TheFuture — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:41:35 +0000

“Alle meine Klaenge” (AMK) is an innovative gadget for children to play music in a unique way and this Sound Program can be used by a computer to transfer it as ‘Sound Blocks’. This device performs intuitive operations not only to read the sound, but also allows the children to play interesting games like creating sound building blocks and send them to their buddies. The main idea came from the consideration of creating something new in the sound world that can build unique structures of tones. This self determined modular system will allow your children to grow up with technical functionalities, while providing fabulous musical entertainment.

Designer : PKNTS

iPiano : Concept Electronic Piano by Heyki Lee

TheFuture — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:21:54 +0000

When you are playing a conventional piano, most often you are annoyed of thick score book that requires to turn the pages, resulting interrupt of your good mood. iPiano is a concept piano design with the ability of displaying and storing electronic score. The integrated touchscreen display will allow you to turn electronic pages with simple touch on the screen. The built-in software in the piano helps users to guide their piano practice by reading the scores. Moreover, it supports video display, which will help you learning by exercising some video tutorials. Also, you can compose music with the help of the picture show function.

Designer : Heyki Lee

Squidolin Features a Beautiful Contemporary Violin Design

TheFuture — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:24:46 +0000

Squidolin is a specially designed violin that will let you learn to play by following a series of simple techniques, yet it performs as a regular violin when it is connected with an amplifier. The beautiful contemporary design and a Maple wood finished comfortable bow have made it a great piece.

The designer has considered few constrains when designing the violin, such as, a half violin and half music player that would break down the notes of a tune and show how to play it. A ball using as a bow grip that will always give a perpendicular stoke to the user and a lighting fingerboard that will indicate a node for a particular whistle sound. Digital strings have replaced the ordinary strings that are able to considerably reduce the learning pain and the sting setup has been done in a way that can create surround sound experience. Marks are no longer in use when a violinist gets proficient; therefore, the fading marks are another noticeable feature of the design.

The name Squidolin was driven from the squid like shape with the functionally and aesthetically right proportions of the design development. The shape of the bow of Squidolin is newly designed and is smart enough to detect motions and communicate back accordingly.

Giving the idea into shape was the toughest part. The designer used the mirror modeling to get a great symmetrical shape and then moved into Solid-works to CAD for milling. The interface of Squidolin is an essential part of the design and can be represented in different ways. When learning, students might come across synesthetic relationship screen which represents the reaction of virtual objects to sound in real world situations. Organic timing or tempo can be learned from real-world experiences like water drops in steady water surface. Monkey-Do will teach the violinist the correct posture and Squidolin could be connected to the social networks via internet where violinist could perform or share his/her musical talent.

Designer : Carlos Mendez

Musicians Will Love Orchestra Kitchenware

TheFuture — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:41:19 +0000

Orchestra Kitchenware introduces a new means of spicing your meals. Adding up some music and dance with feasts is a traditional matter since music eases the tensions, sets the mood and ignites the spirit. On the other hand, dance and movement helps your appetite up, thus food tastes more appetizing than ever. Orchestra Kitchenware will provide you a brilliant harmony like an orchestra by featuring the required hidden communications and understanding among musicians that goes beyond exchanging words. This kitchenware will surely renovate your meals into an engaging and enjoyable experience.

Designer : Hyuh Jin Lee, Chooi-leng Tan and Hye Ryoung Cheon

Scratchophone by Thierry Alari

TheFuture — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:14:14 +0000

The Scratchophone is an ultimate portable scratching gadget that includes a turntable, mixture, tonearm, a rechargeable battery and a couple of speakers. This is a really an autonomous and portable instrumental unit which is very much useful for scratching. Carrying Scratchophone is convenient and can be used virtually anywhere such as performing live on stage, jamming with friends and even scratching outdoor. There are some professional and unique features of this instrument like tangential micro-tonearm for scratching in a non-skipping manner, an exclusive rotary fader box and a high torque direct drive that can be set apart from Scratch DJ’ other products.

Thierry talks about Scratchophone:

“I was exasperated with my classic DJ gear setup, I couldn’t move it to play with others musicians, I couldn’t practice in the sofa or outdoors unlike the guitar …
I gave myself the mission to design a new scratch instrument to solve this problem: the Scratchophone. After a dozen of prototypes, I had what I wanted : the first portable, all in one and autonomous scratch instrument.”

Designer : Thierry Alari

Megaphone for Your Mobile Music Experience

TheFuture — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:09:14 +0000

Contemporary lifestyle is deeply affected by mobility. People travel a lot, because of their work, for personal interests, or simply to enjoy themselves. Strict boundaries between workspace, home, social spaces, and entertainment venues no longer exist. Developed for the Nokia Nseries Design Award competition, Megaphone is your next mobile music experience: just a seat for trade events or a music amplifier for Nokia mobile phones.

Designer : Mario Giordano