When:
July 23-27, 11 AM-4 PM
(Lecture 11-12, lunch break 12-1, lab session with instructor support 1-4)

Location:
CNMAT, 1750 Arch Street, Berkeley, CA

Instructors:
Adrian Freed

The format will be short morning lectures and demonstrations and late morning and afternoon supervised lab sessions. There will be plenty of scope for discussions and private access to instructors for guidance and mentoring.

You will need a recent laptop (Windows or Mac) with a USB port to test devices and create complete systems. Bluetooth will be required for some sensors which can be readily added to a laptop with a $10 dongle. You are encouraged to bring any art-making software/hardware you already use.This workshop offers a hands-on survey of sensors, sensor interfaces and integration software and hardware for use in musical performance, dance, video, sound and art installations. Students will combine sensor systems from CNMAT's extensive library (or ones they bring) with a range of sound, image and motion synthesis systems.

The practical core of the workshop will be complemented by guest presentations to see interesting new technologies, survey existing controllers and explore the latest works of interactive art and music.

We will survey sensor types covered include: resistive, position, inertial, capacitive, RF, ultrasound, magnetic and optical. We will explore the major sensor integration systems, e.g., Make Controller Kit, Arduino, and CUI, and how to adapt existing sensors such as the Nintendo Wii controllers. During the laboratory sessions we will build complete instruments or art pieces by using the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol as glue between sensor data and synthesis patches in PD and Max/MSP/Jitter. Many sample programs for these environments will be provided to test and calibrate the sensor projects and contextualize them in viable artistic contexts. Students will have hands on experience with new sensor systems being presented at NIME2007

This workshop is intended for:

* Artists interested in exploring new possibilities in interactive media in a hands-on and technical way
* Musicians augmenting traditional instruments with new sensors
* Engineers, computer scientists, or product designers interested in exploring artistic outlets for their talents and collaborating with performers and composers