From interface design to the software instrument --- Mapping as an approach to FX-instrument building

Alex Hofmann, Bernt Isak Waerstad, Saranya Balasubramanian, and Kristoffer E. Koch

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

• Year: 2017
• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Pages: 133–138
• DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1176199 (Link to paper)
• PDF link

Abstract:

To build electronic musical instruments, a mapping between the real-time audio processing software and the physical controllers is required. Different strategies of mapping were developed and discussed within the NIME community to improve musical expression in live performances. This paper discusses an interface focussed instrument design approach, which starts from the physical controller and its functionality. From this definition, the required, underlying software instrument is derived. A proof of concept is implemented as a framework for effect instruments. This framework comprises a library of real-time effects for Csound, a proposition for a JSON-based mapping format, and a mapping-to-instrument converter that outputs Csound instrument files. Advantages, limitations and possible future extensions are discussed.

Citation:

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{ahofmann2017,
 abstract = {To build electronic musical instruments, a mapping between the real-time audio processing software and the physical controllers is required.  Different strategies of mapping were developed and discussed within the NIME community to improve musical expression in live performances. This paper discusses an interface focussed instrument design approach, which starts from the physical controller and its functionality. From this definition, the required, underlying software instrument is derived. A proof of concept is implemented as a framework for effect instruments. This framework comprises a library of real-time effects for Csound, a proposition for a JSON-based mapping format, and a mapping-to-instrument converter that outputs Csound instrument files. Advantages, limitations and possible future extensions are discussed.},
 address = {Copenhagen, Denmark},
 author = {Alex Hofmann and Bernt Isak Waerstad and Saranya Balasubramanian and Kristoffer E. Koch},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.1176199},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 pages = {133--138},
 publisher = {Aalborg University Copenhagen},
 title = {From interface design to the software instrument --- Mapping as an approach to FX-instrument building},
 url = {http://www.nime.org/proceedings/2017/nime2017_paper0026.pdf},
 year = {2017}
}